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’It may turn out to be just that,’ said Ted Leach, ’if Peter Parfitt does succeed in becoentlemen,’ said Williami, ’to have caused so much consternation If my appointment as chair less than a bolt froined I would receive some minor personal memento of Matthew’s fro the entire bank’
’We understand the position you’ve been placed in, Mr Kane,’ said Ted Leach, ’and you must trust us e say we are here to help you We are aware that you will find that difficult to believe after the treatment that has been meted out to you by Peter Parfitt and the tactics he has been using behind your back to try and secure the chair for himself!
’I have to believe you, Mr Leach, because I have no choice but to place myself in your hand and seek your advice as to how you view the cunxmt situation!
’thank you,’ said Leach qbat situation is clear to anised, and he now feels he is acting froth We, therefore Mr Kane~ must be entirely open with each other if we are to have any chance of beating hi, of course, that you have the stoht’
’I wouldn’t be here if I didn!t, Mr Leach And now that you have put the position so succinctly, perhaps you will allowMr Pvtzmfittf ’Certainly,’said Ted Leach
All three ht in saying that Parfitt feels he is now in a strong position because to date he has always been the one on the attack, always knohat is going to happen next Might I suggest that the time has come for us to reverse that trend and take up the attack ourselves where and when he least expects it - in his own board rooo about that, Mr Kane?’ enquired Winthrop Davies, looking somewhat surprised
’I’ll tell you if you will first permit me to ask you some questions How many full - time executive directors are there with a vote on the board?’
’Sixteen,’ said Ted Leach instantly
’And hoiance lie at ffitis momentV William asked
’Not the easiest question to answer, Mr Kane,’ Winthrop Davies chipped in
He took a crumpled envelope from his inside pocket and studied the back of it before he continued ’I think we can count on six sure votes, and Peter Parfitt can be certain of five It ca that Rupert Cork - Smith, as Charles Lester’s closest friend, is unwilling to support you, Mr Kane Really strange, because I know he doesiet care for Parfitt I think that ives us until Thursday,’ added Ted Leach, ’to find out how the other four board members are likely to react to your appointment!
’Why Thursday?’asked Willia,’ answered Leach, stroking his moustache, which William had noticed he always did when he started to speak ’And enda is the election of a new chair would not take place until Monday,’said William in astonishment
’By whom?’Davies asked
’Peter Parfitt,’ said William
Wis tactics,’ Ted Leach coentleentle an ironic stress on the words, ’to make me reali~e that I shall have to take the battle to him’
’Easier said than done, Mr Kane He is very much in the driver’s seat at this moment,’ said Winthrop Davies, ’and I’ hihts to red,’replied Willia?’
’While the board is without a chairman, either vice - chairman,’ said Ted Leach ’Which in reality means Peter Parfitt or myself’ , ’How many board members form a quorum? ’Nine,’ said Davies
’And if you are one of the two vice - chairmen, Mr Leach, who is the coers, who until then had hardly opened his mout4 the exact quality William always looked for in a coive to call an eersT ’Every director must be inforh that has never actually happened except during the crash of twenty - nine Charles Lester always tried to give at least three days’ notice!