by Leo James
Mountain Master looked up. 'Two oolong.' The huge man bowed and left the room. He turned to Vanguard. 'Show me.'
Vanguard pulled his computer out of his bag and placed the laptop on the desk. He moved his chair closer and clicked on an icon. A video played. 'Steve Roussos and Alya.' He pointed to the laptop screen. 'She is a real pro, showed her sister's boy's picture. Like putty in her hands.'
'Make a copy for me?'
He retrieved a storage stick from his briefcase, placed it in the USB slot of his laptop, and copied the video. 'For the other rooms. Glen Lewis. Mai. Good shots. David Morris, no useful footage. He called his wife and fell asleep.'
The huge man entered the room, followed by a slight woman wearing a head veil which extended to cover her body, except for her hands and face. The woman carried a tray with a pot of oolong tea, teacups and saucers. She bowed, laid the contents on the table, bowed again and left the room walking backwards.
Mountain Master gestured towards the huge man, who promptly poured the fragrant tea which had a hint of honeysuckle. 'Glen Lewis has many girlfriends. Make sure Mai gets as much information as possible.'
Vanguard copied another video to the USB stick. 'Yes, Mai will tell Tien everything. They are clear.'
'Good.'
Vanguard coughed and shuffled his shoulders with a sheepish expression. 'Also, footage of Mark Farrell.' He coughed again. 'With a man who looks like your brother. This is not your brother, but we need to be careful.'
'Take all the parts out of the video footage that show the face of the other man, leaving enough evidence of illegal contact and take some screen shots which clearly identify only Mark Farrell? Our business is not with the other man. Give me a copy of the new video.'
Vanguard nodded as he ejected the USB stick and handed it over. Mountain Master unlocked his desk drawer and deposited the USB stick before locking the drawer.
'I will make the changes.'
'And give me a copy.'
'Yes.' He bowed his head. 'We will also monitor all conversations.'
Mountain Master nodded.
When they had finished the tea, Vanguard closed his laptop, placed it back into his briefcase, stood up, bowed, and walked to the door. The huge man opened the door and nodded to Vanguard as he left.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Monday 16th February
IN THE Q7 BOARDROOM, Steve shook hands with Farid and each of the Q7 staff in turn as he walked the perimeter of chairs positioned around the boardroom table.
Farid leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table, and then pointed his pen in mid-air. 'OK everyone. Present are Steve, Glen, David and Mark from Seguro. From Q7, Anil, Anthony, Kim, Hapsah, Boon, Rakesh and myself. Who is on the conference call?'
'Good afternoon, Gareth here from Seguro.'
'Hi, I’m Trevor, also from Seguro.'
'And Derek.'
After a short pause Steve said, 'Everyone present from Seguro.'
Farid cleared his throat. 'OK, let's start the meeting. To save time please introduce yourself when you first talk. Farid Razak, Q7's Chief Executive. Anil, can you start?'
Anil stood up. 'Thank you, Farid. Welcome. Malaysia has a population of over thirty-one million people. There are eighteen million internet users. Q7 offer services from local venues across Malaysia, such as retail stores, petrol stations, coffee shops, cybercafes and bookstores. We plan to add the Seguro Payment Solution. Our services are certified by the Malaysian Electronic Clearing Corporation, part of Bank Negara Malaysia. Bank Negara is the Bank of England of Malaysia. Oh, I forgot, Anil Krishnan, Chief Operating Officer at Q7.' He sat back down, crossed his legs, and made a note on his pad.
Steve welcomed the lack of noise and interruptions from the Q7 team. They must be serious now. Brilliant.
Farid drummed his pen on the table. 'OK, one of the main areas I wish to discuss is our relationship with Axiatel. They are one of the major telecommunications operators in Asia.'
Steve smiled as he had already spent two years of effort trying to sell the Seguro solution to Axiatel with little progress.
Farid explained in more detail. 'Axiatel total one hundred and seventy million customers in five countries across Asia; Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia and Sri Lanka. We start with Malaysia and Indonesia which is over sixty million customers.'
Steve glanced at Glen and tried to keep calm. 'Sounds good, Farid.'
Farid nodded. 'Kim, can you go through the services we will move to the Seguro System?'
A petite woman with very short black hair, stood up. 'I am Kim Tan, from marketing at Q7 and I manage the Seguro launch.' She bowed. 'The m-commerce services launch will be the mobile phone top-up, person-to-person money transfer and customer loyalty.' She bowed again. 'In the next phase we launch the following quarter: mobile commerce and mobile banking. The following quarter: international and domestic money remittance. Hapsah, can you talk about publicity?' She bowed and sat down.
This time a tall woman with striking dyed pink hair and pink-rimmed glasses stood up and bowed. 'Yes, I am Hapsah Yung. I work with Kim in Marketing. We will create news and announcements on the Q7 portal, Facebook Fans’ page and Q7 Twitter page. Q7 runs Wi-Fi at many coffee outlets. Every time users log on to Wi-Fi at the outlets, we play a video.' She bowed. 'The trailer is mandatory and ensures the largest exposure. We will place posters at all Q7 affiliated cybercafes.' She bowed again and sat.
Steve looked at Farid. Farid nodded. 'Steve Roussos, Chief Executive Officer at Seguro. Thank you. So, let's understand. You will offer the services Kim described to the sixty million customers of Axiatel and they will use the Seguro solution to process the charges using various payment instruments.'
Anil uncrossed his legs. 'Yes, don't forget we already run these services on our physical distribution network. We accept major credit cards and online banking.'
Steve's body thawed as the stress drained away. This is so positive. Calm, confident, relax. 'Sounds good, Anil.'
'Glen Lewis, Sales Manager for Asia. Namaste. David or Mark, can you explain to the Q7 team, our suggested configuration? If Q7 agree with the configuration, we can set up the solution.'
David looked towards Mark, and Mark nodded. 'David Morris, Chief Technical Officer at Seguro. Our worldwide patented solution provides a powerful but simple solution. Our system converts the payment to the chosen currency. So, we authenticate both ends of any transaction and exchange neither the payee or recipient’s details.'
Steve interrupted. 'Take us through in more detail David.'
David continued, ’OK. So, a person – let’s call him John, wants to pay let's say, Harry. Our solution sends the payment through both our Payment Service Grid and Platform Routing Charge Handler. An example: John chooses how he pays from his bank, bitcoin, cash to top-up centre, or stored on the platform in a wallet. Harry decides where he wants the payment to go: to a bank, bitcoin, or Q7 who hold the funds in an in-platform wallet. The Payment Service Grid gets the fund routing data and forex exchange for John and Harry. John is not aware of any account details about Harry or what currency Harry wants to receive. We calculate the optimal route for the funds. Most important for Q7 and Seguro are charges, payments or commission to us. Mark, can you run through the escrow mechanism and charging mechanism?'
'Sure,’ Mark said. He sat back in his seat, smiled, paused and looked around at the audience. ‘OK. As you know, I’m Mark Farrell, Chief Scientist.’ He smiled. ‘The Input Conversion Charge takes a fee as commission on the amount sent. We can also make money on currency conversion with a simple setting using the Licence Fee Handler. A notification charge to the person receiving the funds is also an option, via text message-’
Steve nodded. 'And peer-to-peer escrow.'
'Ah, yes,’ Mark said, ‘Our system holds the funds until the merchant delivers the physical or digital goods. And vice versa. We use a blockchain escrow system to make sure the contract between the buyer and merchant is upheld. We can also apply
this for person-to-person payments.'
'Thanks, Mark.' Steve smiled.
Boon and Rakesh asked a number of technical questions about monitoring, reporting, compliance and territories. Gareth answered the compliance questions, Derek discussed the project management requirements, and Anthony covered the reporting and monitoring. The meeting progressed to cover the dates and actions required to meet the tight deadlines imposed by Q7.
Farid and Anil exchanged nods, both looking very smug.
Steve was feeling super positive, like all his dreams were coming true. This could be it. The breakthrough. Finally, the luck we deserve.
CHAPTER NINE
Saturday 21st February
STEVE ARRIVED BACK IN the UK. Exhausted, he had spent fourteen hours on a Malaysia Airlines flight from Kuala Lumpur which touched down at London Heathrow after midnight, forty minutes late and greeted by typical cold English weather. Once home he crept up the stairs, peeked into the bedrooms to look in on the kids before going to bed himself. In silence he took his clothes off and placed them on the chair, making sure he did not wake Beth. Once in bed, he soon fell straight to sleep.
######
He woke to the sound of his kids playing on the landing as the Grandfather clock in the hallway chimed eight times. Steve looked at Beth, who was fast asleep.
What an idiot!
What a stupid fucker!
Why did I get so drunk?
Any man would take the opportunity, wouldn't they?
Why didn't I leave the bar, run like hell?
But I didn't.
Idiot!
So guilty, it's killing me.
It’s the curtain call for me. If she found out what happened.
It's bad enough, Beth's family are sure they won't get their money back.
Those unspoken words, those looks.
You can tell they regret investing a penny.
How many holes do I need to dig?
If she found out about the loans from my brothers.
Sure to be the end.
Q7 has to be a big success.
It has to be.
I need to kick the Valium. It’s turning into a habit.
On the plane, he had laid out his plans. First, he would tell her the truth. He would not lie and had no wish to live a lie, he convinced himself. The plan was to admit all, explain what had happened and pray she would understand and forgive him. His next move would depend on her reaction. He would tell her he was sorry and would do nothing to hurt her again. If she fell to pieces, he would beg for her forgiveness on bended knees. Either way, he would show how much he loved her, worshipped her, and would ask her for one more chance.
Beth woke. 'Morning. How are you, my love?'
'Morning. Knackered, but great to be home, I missed you so much.' He put his arm around her, kissed her forehead and held her close. Steve wanted to celebrate the deal with Q7, and hoped she did not expose his guilt, just by looking at him.
Beth stretched, and leaned forward, looked into his eyes and gave him a welcome kiss. ‘This is so nice.’
He held her even closer and kissed her ear as he caressed her hair. 'I love you. I'm only back for two weeks, but it’s great to be home.'
Beth smiled. She tapped a finger on his lips and then their lips met. She placed her head on his chest and Steve put his arm across her shoulders and caressed her arm.
Steve gazed up to the ceiling. 'How's Kate?'
'She's OK, but she had a bad asthma attack at school the other day.'
'How's her chest? Does she need an X-ray or something?'
'The consultant will tell us what to do.' Her face scrunched up in worry.
Steve caressed her shoulder. 'Let's go private.'
She raised her head from his chest and looked up at him. 'Where's the money?'
'We'll get money soon from Q7.' His stomach tightened.
'So? What about the mortgage arrears. Credit cards. We need a family holiday. How can we pay for a consultant?'
'I'll get the money.' His stomach knotted.
‘One of the inhalers includes steroids.'
'Steroids! Are you sure?'
'Yes, stops the attacks, but the effect is gradual.'
'Poor Kate.' Panic jabbed hard at his stomach.
'She needs her dad. We all need you.'
'I'm back for Jake's birthday and here for the next two weeks to get the Q7 project underway.'
They kissed and embraced. Steve smiled at the sound of laughter coming from the landing. It mixed with loud shouts as their daughters, Kate and Ellie teased Jake about his newfound interest in girls. The twins, three years older than Jake, considered themselves much wiser. Steve heard Ellie tormenting her brother. 'How many girls will give you a birthday kiss?'
Then it was Kate's turn. 'They will all be chasing him around the school on Monday.'
Steve laughed when he heard Jake running downstairs. 'No, they won't, you silly girls, they're not like you.' Steve thought Jake must have reached the front room because he heard: 'Brilliant!' Followed by 'Wow! A PlayStation. Mum! Mum!'
Beth smiled. 'Daddy's here. Daddy's home.'
The twins cheered and ran into the bedroom. They jumped on the bed and embraced Steve. Beth looked at Steve, smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
'Dad! Mom! Come here please,’ Jake shouted.
Beth slid across the covers to sit on the side of the bed. 'Saturday, thank goodness. Let's go downstairs.'
'OK coming, give me a minute son. Happy Birthday!' Steve shouted.
Beth slipped on her dressing gown and put on a pair of specs. 'Come on dad and girls.'
The twins rushed out of the bedroom and down the stairs. 'Daddy’s home, Daddy’s home.' Ellie shouted excitedly.
Steve smiled. 'Kids, eh? What's with the specs? Sexy.'
‘Problems with my contact lenses.'
'Oh, you are my sexy personal assistant.'
She slowly blinked her eyelids. 'Hopefully a temporary thing. Come on, get up, let's go.'
Steve whispered, 'Did you put the other thing in the utility room?'
Beth nodded.
He put on his dressing gown, and followed Beth downstairs, accompanied by the family's brown Labrador. 'Good girl, Millie, where's Jake? Good girl.'
'Happy Birthday, Jake.' Steve hugged him and swung him around the living room. Millie joined in by grabbing Steve's string rope in her mouth. She shook the rope as if it was the final kill of a rabbit.
Jake jumped up and down whilst clapping his hands. 'Thanks, Dad. Thanks, Mom. PS4 games. Brilliant. I got FIFA and NetSpeed. Will you play NetSpeed with me, Dad?'
'OK, let's play after breakfast. Come and let me show you something else.' Steve hugged Ellie and Kate. 'Are you girls looking after Mom?'
'Yes, Daddy,' they said in unison.
Steve took Jake's hand and led him, followed by Ellie and Kate. Millie was trying to muscle towards the front of the entourage. They congregated in the kitchen. 'Come on, Mum, follow us.' They marched past her in the kitchen headed towards the utility room. She followed. Steve opened the utility room door.
Jake rushed past him. 'A BMX bike. Hey, Dad, alloys!’ He got onto the bike still wearing his pyjamas.
Beth reached out and grabbed the bike safety helmet she had placed on side board. 'Here, make sure you wear this when you ride your bike. Let's get dressed, breakfast and then go to the park.'
Steve put his hand on Kate's head. 'Is my lovely Kate OK to come to the park?'
Beth crouched in front of Kate and held her hand. 'Yes, she'll be fine. You'll bring your inhaler, Kate, won't you?'
Kate smiled, and Steve picked her up and held her. 'My lovely girl.' Ellie put her hands around Steve's waist. He bent forward to pick Ellie up and hold her in his other arm. 'My lovely girls' You’re getting bigger and lovelier every day.’
######
After breakfast, the family gathered in the hallway. Beth helped Jake with his coat, fixing his coat buttons. 'Come on Jake. Make sure
you don't forget your safety helmet.'
Steve wheeled the BMX whilst trying to find his car keys. 'Girls, can you get Millie's lead and bring along her towel? They're in the utility.' The family marched out to the car making lots of noise. Millie jumped into the car. She shared the boot of the Estate car with the BMX but did not seem to mind. 'Good girl.' Millie settled on her favourite rug. Good job the Estate is big enough to get the whole family in, including the wife, the kids, the dog, and the bike. He smiled to himself.
After a short journey, they entered the park at Holly Hurst Gate. Once everyone was out of the car, they set off for their walk, with Jake wheeling the bike, and Millie trotting happily behind the group. Steve loved the bright, brisk day, a complete contrast to Kuala Lumpur.
Millie ran down the path towards the trees at Holly Hurst. Equipped with the helmet, Jake rode on ahead. Steve and Beth smiled. Jake shouted with joy as he took off towards Westwood Coppice. They lost sight of him for a moment. He emerged further along where Millie had to dart away to avoid the speeding bike. Ellie and Kate held hands as they walked. Just before Holly Hurst, they veered off towards the Titchfield Stone.
'Big week ahead at work.’ Steve strolled along.
Beth took Steve’s hand as they walked. 'Yes love. I hope the project goes well for you and we can try to get back to normal again…I’m going to re-decorate the lounge.’
‘Are you sure? You’ve got a lot on your plate,’ Steve said.
‘Yes. It’s hard managing the girls, Jake, Millie and work. It’s only part-time but we need the money. I’ll do the decorating on my days’ off.’
‘I don’t know how you do it.’
'We’ll be fine… And anyway, I love DIY.’ Beth smiled.
God, I love her. I can't tell her what happened. It would hurt her too much. Beth's supported me all along. Time to put things right. They'll all get their money back. I'll clear the mortgage arrears and clear everything, now we've won the deal. Everything will be OK. I'm sure.
Millie led the way along their usual dog walk route. At the Titchfield Stone, they carried straight on towards Hill Head Wood before arriving at Bracebridge Pool. They circled the edge of the pool and headed past Upper Nut Hurst before reaching Keeper’s Pool and back to the edge of Holly Hurst.