Archer is going to turn out to be a pretty interesting piece to this
puzzle.”
“Speaking of guts, can we stop and get something to eat? I’m starving.”
Jackson looked at the long line of eateries they were now passing.
“Hell, I’ll even buy, Ray. Nothing’s too good for my partner.”
Sawyer smiled and turned into the parking lot of a McDonald’s.
Jackson looked over at Sawyer, mock disgust on his face. Then, shaking
his head, he picked up the car phone and started punching in numbers.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
The slim Learjet streaked through the skies with power to spare.
Inside the luxurious cabin Philip Goldman reclined in his seat and
sipped at a cup of hot tea while the remnants of a meal were cleared
away by the cabin steward. Across from Goldman sat Alan Porcher,
president and chief executive officer of RTG Group, the Western
Europe-based global consortium. The tanned, slender Porcher cradled a
glass of wine and studied the attorney intently before speaking.
“You know Triton Global claims they have concrete evidence of one of
their employees handing over sensitive documents to us at one of our
warehouse facilities in Seattle. We can expect to hear from their
lawyers shortly, I would imagine.” Porcher paused. “From your law firm,
of course, Tyler, Stone. Ironic, isn’t it?”
Goldman put down his teacup and folded his hands in his lap.
“And this troubles you?”
Porcher looked surprised. “Why shouldn’t it?”
Goldman’s reply was simple. “Because, with respect to that claim,
you’re nor guilty.” He added, “Ironic, isn’t it?”
“Still, I have heard some things about the CyberCom deal that trouble
me, Philip.”
Goldman sighed and sat forward in his cabin chair. “Such as?”
“That perhaps the acquisition of CyberCom will occur more rapidly than
we thought. That perhaps we do not know the latest offer that will be
made by Triton. When we make our offer, I must be assured it will be
accepted. I will not be allowed to bid again. Cybercom is inclined
toward the Americans as it is.”
Goldman cocked his head and absorbed the CEO’s words. “I’m not so sure
of that. The Internet knows no geopolitical boundaries.
So who’s to say the domination cannot occur from the other side of the
Atlantic?”
Porcher took another sip of wine before answering. “No, other things
being equal, the deal will land in the western hemisphere.
Therefore, we must ensure that conditions are decidedly unequal.”
There was now a hard glint in Porcher’s eyes.
Goldman took a moment to methodically wipe his mouth with his
handkerchief before responding. “Tell me, who are your sources for this
information?”
Porcher waved his hand distractedly. “It blows in the wind.”
“I don’t believe in winds. I believe in facts. And the facts are that
we do know Triton’s latest negotiating position. To the last detail.”
“Yes, but Brophy is now out of the loop. I cannot be limited to old
news.”
“You won’t be. As I’ve told you, I am currently very close to solving
that problem. When I do, and I will, you can easily trump Triton and
walk away with an acquisition that will ensure your domination of the
information superhighway for the foreseeable future.”
Porcher looked pointedly at the attorney. “You know, Philip, I have
often been curious about your motivation regarding this matter.
If, as I hope and you continue to promise, we succeed in acquiring
CyberCom, Triton will most assuredly be unhappy with your law firm. They
may go elsewhere.”
“One can only hope.” A faraway look appeared on Goldman’s face as he
thought of the possibility.
“I’m afraid you have lost me.”
Goldman assumed a pedantic tone. “Triton Global is Tyler, Stone’s
largest client. Triton Global is Henry Wharton’s client. That is the
chief reason Henry is managing partner. If Triton ceases using the firm
as counsel, would you like to guess who becomes the largest rainmaker at
the firm and, therefore, the probable successor to Wharton as managing
partner?”
Porcher pointed at Goldman. “And I would hope that in such a case RTG
matters would be given the highest priority in the firm.”
“I think I can safely promise that.”
Porcher put down his wineglass and lit a cigarette. “Now tell me