Heartless Reaction

by Dawn Marsanne

  ‘Have you finished?’

  ‘Yes, I just thought you were being a bit rude.’

  ‘I thought you knew I was plain speaking. I don’t beat about the bush.’

  ‘I had noticed.’

  ‘Well, we can carry on bitching at each other but that doesn’t do any good, does it?’ He gave himself a spray under his tongue just to be on the safe side. ‘The question is what do we do to cover ourselves?’

  ‘Well, as I say, I’ll carry on looking for the form.’

  ‘Don’t bother,’ said Ron.

  ‘Now, I’m confused.’

  ‘Please don’t say that,’ said Ron. ‘I don’t like the word confused. Let me un-confuse you, so to speak.’

  Christian listened.

  ‘So, do you have the other forms she signed?’

  ‘Yes, the consent to the trial is here.’

  ‘Excellent. So you can forge her signature on the form which you think you might have lost.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Don’t tell me your hearing is failing now as well as your memory?’

  ‘I heard you, I’m just having trouble taking in what you are telling me to do.’

  ‘Surely it’s not that difficult. You print off another form, fill it in and practise her signature on a bit of paper until you have it correct and then you sign the form for her.’

  There was no comment.

  ‘Christian? Are you there? Did you hear me.’

  ‘Yes,’ replied Christian and ended the call.

  Chapter 23

  In a stuffy and airless flat in Breckton, Jed lay awake on an uncomfortable airbed. He missed his flat in Persford but for the time being, he couldn’t risk returning there. He was getting on reasonably well with his new found friend, Brandon and it had been good of him to take him in at short notice. Apparently, he’d worked with Corey in the past and they had remained friends although from discussions with Brandon it appeared he was less law-abiding than Ron’s security man.

  Jed had given Brandon the key to his flat in Persford and he’d gone there one evening to collect some clothes and a stash of money, thus he had been able to give his host something towards his stay. However, his rainy day stockpile of savings wouldn’t last forever and he really needed to start to acquire some more.

  After the fiasco in Foal Lane, Jed was determined to redress the balance as was Ron from their recent phone call. For Jed’s part it was more a case of retribution and a chance to regain his self-confidence, whereas, for Ron, it was to regain the money he’d lost in the transaction. Also, the fact that another party had assumed supremacy had clearly appalled the owner of Brensford Manor. For so long he’d been able to maintain control from his hallowed domain at a distance from the underworld which had nurtured his talents. In some respects, his determination and resolve were admirable qualities but his true character became apparent in the way he’d shown scant sympathy towards his employee. Although Jed had initially felt slighted at the way he was being cast aside, on reflection he thought it was probably for the best. All relationships ran their course and now the ties which had bound them together for many years had finally snapped as Ron’s perceived veneer of respectability had severed the last strand of the restraint. He smiled to himself, Ron might try to live out his final years as the avuncular benefactor but he and Jed were cut from the same cloth and nobody need scratch deep beneath the surface to discover that.

  Jed poured himself another whisky and grimaced as he swallowed a large mouthful. He replaced the cap on the bottle and put it to one side. Drinking wasn’t the answer to his depression or his anger. The recent incident had been the first mistake in a long career of successes and that was what he needed to remember. Whilst recuperating, he’d thought back to the events in Foal Lane and had asked Brandon to find out about new players on the drug scene.

  In a couple of days, he should be feeling stronger and able to start some investigations of his own. His mood began to lift. He’d spent too long sitting in this flat brooding, it was time to move on and get back into circulation.

  **

  Savannah was hanging around the area of parkland near the Lensfield estate with her girlfriends. Kaylee had managed to purloin a couple of bottles of wine from the convenience store where she worked and having finished the first, the group had just uncapped the second one.

  ‘Hi, Savannah!’ said Finley, a boy in her class as he cycled past. ‘Fancy spending a bit of time with me?’

  ‘Fuck off, Finley,’ she replied, giving him a two-fingered gesture. ‘Not interested, understand?’

  ‘Playing hard to get are you?’ he laughed.

  ‘I told you, piss off, go and find a seven-year-old to abuse!’

  ‘Ha, don’t worry. I’m just joking, don’t want to catch anything from you.’ He pedalled away, laughing at his own joke.

  ‘Ignore him,’ said Kaylee. ‘He fancies himself.

  ‘Well, he’s the only one who does,’ replied Savannah. ‘Have you seen those zits? Gross!’

  The girls fell about laughing.

  Savannah heard a text arrive on her phone.

  ‘I need a piss,’ she said, getting up from the park bench and wandering off towards some bushes. It was an excuse to look at her mobile without the others asking her about her message. Once out of view she took out her phone.

  ‘Hi Savvy. How r u? Want 2 c u bad. Ur gorgeous.’

  ‘Hi, want 2 c u.’ she replied.

  ‘Will phone u. xx.’

  ‘xxx’ she replied.

  Her heart was racing. She’d not heard from the guy for a few days but she was so excited. He’d told her he was from London and was setting up a new branch of his business in the area. She’d seen his nice watch and his clothes were all designer label. He was seriously fit, she thought to herself. Could this be her passport out of this dump where she lived?

  She heard her friends shouting for her. Her days in this neighbourhood would hopefully be numbered and she couldn’t wait. This was going to be the start of something big and she was determined not to mess it up.

  Chapter 24

  The three directors of PerzSolve were meeting with Ian French, Hilary Worksop and John Endelman to discuss the future financing of PersCure. The mood was sombre.

  ‘OK, well, let’s make a start,’ said Hilary who had called the meeting. ‘Ian, I think you should go first and summarise our position.’

  ‘Thanks,’ replied Ian. ‘Janet hasn’t yet made her decision. There’s still a lot of number crunching over all the finances.’ Janet was the Vice-Chancellor and her senior team were busy drafting a budget plan.

  Everyone in the room knew that this was the official version but rumour had been rife that the University was keen to distance itself from any bad publicity and the slightest whiff of suspicion that they had been involved in money laundering, albeit unwittingly.

  ‘Her initial response was that the University should totally withdraw its support for PersCure which would generate a considerable cost saving. Also, the University would sell its existing stake which should realise quite a profit over the original investment.’

  ‘Great,’ muttered Brett.

  ‘However, Hilary and I fought long and hard over this and we succeeded in making Janet realise it was too hasty. It gave the impression that PersCure was being dropped like a hot potato, almost guilt by association. So, it’s still all up for discussion. It seems that there has been a huge response to suggestions for cost-saving initiatives so she’s got a lot to keep her busy at the moment.’

  There was an audible sigh of relief at this latest announcement.

  ‘So, I’ll hand over to Brett in a moment and he can update you with discussions with our business advisors.’

  Brett nodded.

  ‘However, there is one additional piece of information which has only just come to light in a letter I received this morning.’

  The mood in the room once again began to deteriorate as Ian’s tone indicated it was going to be bad ne
ws.

  ‘Jake Marsfield also wants to, or I should say, needs to, sell his stake. I think it was about eight percent of total equity.’ Ian paused whilst the assembled group assimilated the information.

  ‘So how do we go about it?’ said Hilary.

  ‘Brett, do you want to present your information.’

  ‘OK. Well, our business advisors, Prentice and Williamson, didn’t think the time was right to make the leap to a flotation on the Alternative Investment Market, AIM just at the moment. It would be better for the company to run for longer and achieve further milestones.’

  ‘I can see that makes sense,’ said John Endelman.

  Brett continued, ‘As for a valuation, that’s not easy to calculate and could be subject to some negotiation with the existing equity partners. The company is still held privately so it’s not as if its value is determined by a share price like a publicly traded company.’

  ‘So, it’s no good valuing the equity we need to reallocate so highly that other investors or existing ones won’t take on the additional percentage of the company?’ proposed Matt.

  ‘Exactly, Matt.’

  ‘I don’t doubt that the University will see a handsome return on their original investment but they will need to be flexible and realistic. When we take everything into consideration we’ve come up with a preliminary valuation of five and a half million,’ concluded Brett.

  ‘Wow, that’s quite amazing for something which has only been in operation for a few months,’ added Hilary.

  ‘It is indeed. Very encouraging,’ replied Brett.

  ‘Well, Jake Marsfield wants half a million for his stake. He needs to sell out in order to cover his fine for unpaid tax,’ said Ian.

  ‘Does he? Well, that’s very interesting. It’s a bit more than Prentice and Williamson have suggested his stake might be worth. He might be disappointed,’ said Brett. ‘Surely he’s got some ready cash stashed away?’

  ‘No idea?’ replied Ian, ‘you would think so, he’s got a highly paid job.’

  ‘Yes, and he’s been lucky to keep it,’ said Brett. ‘He’d be out on his ear if I were his employer.’

  ‘Well, hopefully, we can find some more business angels,’ added Matt, trying to move things along.

  ‘Yes, and there are fund management groups which might be interested. There are a lot of specialist Biotech funds now.’

  ‘But won’t that be a problem? We could lose a lot of tax perks if we lose SME status. It’s best if the private equity is split more widely,’ queried Hilary.

  ‘True, but we need the investment, we may have to forego that, it’s a balance,’ replied Brett.

  ‘So, action points?’ said Hilary.

  ‘I’ll draft a communication to all existing equity holders,’ said Brett. ‘They should be offered first refusal. I’ll also look into possible city investors and fund houses which might be interested but I’ll hold on until we’ve heard back from our current parties.’

  ‘OK, sounds like a plan,’ said Ian. ‘At least we know what is happening now. Well, as far as Jake Marsfield and the FCA. We still have the ongoing uncertainty regarding investment at this end so we still need to keep an eye on costs and hiring is still suspended until we are in a more solid position.’

  ‘Yes, fine,’ said Matt. ‘How confidential is this?’

  ‘Very. We won’t make a statement until the finances are secured. Can you make sure everyone is contacted early next week, Brett?’

  ‘Of course. I’ll do an email contact followed by a paper letter. Monday at the latest.’

  ‘Excellent, thanks, everyone. Don’t hesitate to contact me or John if you have any further questions.’

  The meeting finished. Brett, Matt and Nick walked along the corridor together.

  ‘Coffee?’ said Matt.

  ‘I’ve got a better idea,’ said Brett. ‘It’s nearly lunchtime.’

  ‘It’s 11.30 a.m.,’ said Matt.

  ‘As I said, nearly lunchtime! Beer o’clock. I think we’ve some important things to discuss down the pub. Let’s make a move. I’ll get the first round.’

  ‘And I’ll drive,’ said Matt, ‘as your car is only a two-seater.’

  ‘Oh, yes, I forgot.’

  ‘I can drive,’ said Nick.

  ‘It’s OK,’ said Matt, ‘I don’t mind. It’s about time you got a sensible car, one which is suitable for a family,’ and he winked at Nick.

  ‘Ha, ha, you sound like Rex. Do you know he actually asked if we were going to have children and then started talking about my sperm count!’

  ‘So, how is your sperm count these days?’ joked Matt.

  ‘Better than yours I’ll bet,’ said Brett. ‘Nick’s is obviously OK though. How’s Polly doing these days?’

  ‘Fine, fine, she gets tired but fingers crossed everything is going OK, fifteen weeks now.’

  They reached Matt’s car and headed down into town continuing their banter.

  **

  ‘Sidney, good to hear from you,’ said Ron.

  ‘Hi, Ron, I just wanted to let you know that the funds from the sale of Alpha Motors have now been transferred. They’re in the business account now.’

  ‘Excellent news. God, what a relief to get that tidied up.’

  ‘Yes, it’s always touch and go until you can see the money there in black and white.’

  ‘Well, one less thing to worry about.’

  ‘How are you feeling? Any news about your angiogram?’

  ‘I’m OK, still taking the tablets of course. Got an appointment next week with the cardiologist.’

  ‘Well, I hope it goes OK.’

  ‘Thanks Sidney, I’ll be in touch.’

  ‘Ron, just before you go. I’ve something I thought you might be interested in.’

  ‘Oh, I’m always interested in your news, Sidney my boy.’

  ‘Well, you asked me to keep my ears to the ground so I had dinner with someone last week and it was, how shall we say, instructive.’

  ‘Do you need reimbursement for the dinner?’

  ‘Oh, don’t worry, no it’s fine. It’s just I found out a snippet about a place in the country. A smallholding on the edge of Persford.’

  ‘Really? I didn’t know you were thinking of getting back to nature, growing your own vegetables,’ joked Ron.

  ‘Well, I couldn’t, not there, anyway, it’s covered with houses now.’

  ‘Is it indeed?’ Ron’s interest was growing minute by minute.

  ‘Lane End Farm, heard of it?’

  ‘Lane End Farm, you said? Lane as in L A N E? Doesn’t ring any bells,’ replied Ron.

  ‘No, it didn’t with me at the time but there were some snippets about it in the local press, the Persford News, some time ago, it sort of blew over though. Nothing came of it.’

  ‘As often happens,’ said Ron. ‘When someone realises they are making a fuss about nothing and receives a bit of financial help to make them move on from it.’

  ‘Exactly. Seems someone got rather a bargain with that property. The old dear who owned it was a bit confused. Didn’t consult her family for advice and by the time they found out about it, well it was too late. All the paperwork was signed and sealed.’

  ‘I see,’ said Ron, swivelling back and forth in his desk chair. A smile was playing on his lips. ‘Do we know the person involved who got this at a knock-down price?’

  ‘We certainly do,’ replied Sidney.

  As Ron thanked Sidney for his information, Laura had returned to collect her gym bag which she’d stowed under the desk. She had driven about a mile away from Brensford Manor when she’d realised. As she slipped back into the office to collect it, she heard Ron on the phone. He’d not shut his door as he normally did which offered a rare opportunity to learn a thing or two. She’d been intrigued for a long time about how Ron conducted business and how he’d managed to become successful.

  As she lingered quietly, she made a mental note of the property mentioned. Something about it was provokin
g a lot of interest. After the gym, she would look into it. It did no harm to keep abreast of what was going on at Brensford Manor.

  Chapter 25

  On Saturday morning, after a dull start, the weather brightened up making perfect conditions for golf.

  ‘Good shot, Peter! Have you been practising more often?’ said Ron to Superintendent Leighton.

  ‘I’ve had a few more lessons from the pro here. He spotted I had a tendency to pull my tee shots a bit so we’ve been working on my swing.’

  ‘Well, I can see a difference,’ commented Ron. ‘You’ll soon be a scratch handicap at this rate!’

  ‘Oh, I don’t think so. Anyway, how’re things in your world of pharmaceuticals?’

  ‘It’s going well, thanks. That glioblastoma drug is doing well. ClinTry is doing better. I’ve brought it back on track.’

  ‘That’s good. At least you’re dealing with legal drugs, unlike me.’

  Ron was momentarily put off his swing. He waited a moment.

  ‘Something wrong?’

  ‘Just waiting for the wind to drop,’ lied Ron. He went over to his golf bag and made a play of switching clubs. ‘I think a five iron would be better.’ Ron took the shot but caught a big divot of grass and the ball fell well short. ‘Shit,’ said Ron. ‘Should have kept the four iron.’

  They collected their golf trolleys and walked down the fairway.

  ‘Well, thankfully I had a bit of good news yesterday as well. It’s been a hell of a week,’ said Peter.

  ‘So do I sense a promotion in the offing?’

  ‘Ha, no not that. But I’m pleased to say I’ve managed to offload the main responsibility of a case to the Drug Squad.’

  ‘Really?’ replied Ron. He was trying not to appear too interested but he could feel his pulse starting to race. He hoped he wouldn’t have to use his angina spray in front of his friend as he didn’t want it to become common knowledge that he wasn’t as well as he looked.