Splicer by Theo Cage, Russ Smith Page A
Authors: Theo Cage, Russ Smith
Tags: Literature & Fiction, Thrillers, Crime, Mystery; Thriller & Suspense, Thrillers & Suspense, Technothrillers
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Grey had met with an acquaintance by the name of Ford several months before. He ran an import business that specialized in selling technology and software to third world countries. He had assisted Grey in the past in providing payoffs to small rebel groups in other countries. Computers used properly can be more effective than guns in many cases. Of course, if they needed guns, those too could be found.
Grey offered Ford the opportunity to take over GeneFab . Ford's company, X-Tech, had a wholly owned subsidiary in Toronto. Free trade would make it possible to buy out GeneFab without too much difficulty and the Canadian connection would make the deal that much cleaner. Grey's department would provide the initial funding. X-Tech only had to come up with the balance within twelve months, long after the diffused bits and pieces of the Splicer were sold or scattered to the international wind.
Two weeks later, Ford and Grey met with the two owners of GeneFab at a quiet business club in downtown Toronto. Ludd and Rosenblatt failed to impress Grey with their demeanor or their style, but one thing was clear - they were not in agreement over the future of GeneFab . Something was troubling Rosenblatt, who appeared anxious and uncommunicative.
Ford made a simple offer. The company was valued by two independent consulting firms at somewhere between 1.2 to 1.5 billion. Ford was prepared to offer the shareholders two billion if they agreed to the deal within three days. They would not be required to stay on. Outside management would be brought in. Rosenblatt's pupils dilated and he almost gagged on his club sandwich. Ludd showed little emotion and said that they would consider it.
Two days later, Ludd called to say that they were not prepared to sell. Grey was astounded by the refusal. He decided that he would have to take other steps.
That afternoon Ford received a call from Rosenblatt. He offered to sell XTech his 40% of the company. Ford explained to him that they required controlling interest. Rosenblatt asked to speak to Grey.
What was it in Rosenblatt that he was able to detect a subtle difference between the two buyers from New York? Somehow he was able to understand that Grey was the kind of man prepared to take drastic action if it was called for - the kind of action that Ford would be better off not knowing about.
"How badly do you need to own GeneFab ?" asked Rosenblatt, almost in a whisper.
"You and your partner must recognize just how generous our offer was. Money is not the issue with us."
"Ludd doesn't buy your answer about using the technology to improve life in the third-world."
"Your partner is a cynic, Mr. Rosenblatt. What do you think our motive is?"
"Funny thing. I hadn't even thought about it," answered Rosenblatt with a nervous laugh.
"What have you got in mind?"
"Maybe I can buy Ludd out."
"He's already said he doesn't want to sell."
Rosenblatt didn't answer right away. Grey could hear his asthmatic breathing in the phone. "We have an insurance funded buy-sell agreement. A key man policy. For example, if he dies in a car accident next week, the insurance company would pay out his heirs, and the other 40% of his shares would come to me."
Grey thought for a moment. Rosenblatt's emphasis on the word dies was a clear but veiled suggestion. This man was desperate. "What are you suggesting?"
"I'm asking you and your friend to give me some time to convince Ludd to sell. I need two weeks."
Grey was silent. "Ten days. We'd be willing to consider that. But not a day longer."
"I'll deal with Ludd and get in touch with you."
"Mr. Rosenblatt. There is very little time here. If we don't have a solution in ten days, there is absolutely no deal. And I think I can be frank with you by saying that this kind of offer will not come along again. Other companies are on your tail in terms of this kind of research. This is your golden opportunity."
Two days later Grey received a copy of an email sent to
Grey had met with an acquaintance by the name of Ford several months before. He ran an import business that specialized in selling technology and software to third world countries. He had assisted Grey in the past in providing payoffs to small rebel groups in other countries. Computers used properly can be more effective than guns in many cases. Of course, if they needed guns, those too could be found.
Grey offered Ford the opportunity to take over GeneFab . Ford's company, X-Tech, had a wholly owned subsidiary in Toronto. Free trade would make it possible to buy out GeneFab without too much difficulty and the Canadian connection would make the deal that much cleaner. Grey's department would provide the initial funding. X-Tech only had to come up with the balance within twelve months, long after the diffused bits and pieces of the Splicer were sold or scattered to the international wind.
Two weeks later, Ford and Grey met with the two owners of GeneFab at a quiet business club in downtown Toronto. Ludd and Rosenblatt failed to impress Grey with their demeanor or their style, but one thing was clear - they were not in agreement over the future of GeneFab . Something was troubling Rosenblatt, who appeared anxious and uncommunicative.
Ford made a simple offer. The company was valued by two independent consulting firms at somewhere between 1.2 to 1.5 billion. Ford was prepared to offer the shareholders two billion if they agreed to the deal within three days. They would not be required to stay on. Outside management would be brought in. Rosenblatt's pupils dilated and he almost gagged on his club sandwich. Ludd showed little emotion and said that they would consider it.
Two days later, Ludd called to say that they were not prepared to sell. Grey was astounded by the refusal. He decided that he would have to take other steps.
That afternoon Ford received a call from Rosenblatt. He offered to sell XTech his 40% of the company. Ford explained to him that they required controlling interest. Rosenblatt asked to speak to Grey.
What was it in Rosenblatt that he was able to detect a subtle difference between the two buyers from New York? Somehow he was able to understand that Grey was the kind of man prepared to take drastic action if it was called for - the kind of action that Ford would be better off not knowing about.
"How badly do you need to own GeneFab ?" asked Rosenblatt, almost in a whisper.
"You and your partner must recognize just how generous our offer was. Money is not the issue with us."
"Ludd doesn't buy your answer about using the technology to improve life in the third-world."
"Your partner is a cynic, Mr. Rosenblatt. What do you think our motive is?"
"Funny thing. I hadn't even thought about it," answered Rosenblatt with a nervous laugh.
"What have you got in mind?"
"Maybe I can buy Ludd out."
"He's already said he doesn't want to sell."
Rosenblatt didn't answer right away. Grey could hear his asthmatic breathing in the phone. "We have an insurance funded buy-sell agreement. A key man policy. For example, if he dies in a car accident next week, the insurance company would pay out his heirs, and the other 40% of his shares would come to me."
Grey thought for a moment. Rosenblatt's emphasis on the word dies was a clear but veiled suggestion. This man was desperate. "What are you suggesting?"
"I'm asking you and your friend to give me some time to convince Ludd to sell. I need two weeks."
Grey was silent. "Ten days. We'd be willing to consider that. But not a day longer."
"I'll deal with Ludd and get in touch with you."
"Mr. Rosenblatt. There is very little time here. If we don't have a solution in ten days, there is absolutely no deal. And I think I can be frank with you by saying that this kind of offer will not come along again. Other companies are on your tail in terms of this kind of research. This is your golden opportunity."
Two days later Grey received a copy of an email sent to
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