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William knew then that the time had come to acquaint ’ He Ted Leach and Tony Simmons with his worst fears asked Tony to come to New York where he called both of the vice - chaira of Abel Rostiovski and Henry Osborne
’Why didn’t you let us know about all this beforeF was Tony Simmons’ first reaction
’I dealt with a hundred companies like the Richmond Group when I was at Kane and Cabot, Tony, and I couldn’t know at the tie I was only finally convinced of his obsession when Rosnovski purchased ten per cent of Interstate Airways!
’I suppose it’s possible youI am certain: it would be unwise to infor ant a few days after launching a new company is a panic on our hands!
’That’s for sure,’ said Tony Simmons ’Why don’t you see this fellow Rosnovski and have it out with him?’
’I expect that’s exactly what he’d like me to do’ replied William ’It would leave hie’
’Don’t you think his attitude e if you told hi the Richmond Group, but they wouldn’t support you and ’
’I’ve no reason to believe he doesnit know that already,’ said Willia else’
’Well what do you feel the bank should do about Rosnovski?’ asked Ted Leach ’We certainly can’t stop hi seller If ent in for buying our own stock, far fro the value of his holding and jeopardising our own financial position I think you can be certain he would enjoy watching us sweat that one out We are about the perfect size to be taken on by Harry Tru the De scandal with an election in the offing’
’I realise there’s little I can do about it,’ said William, ’but I had to let you knohat Rosnovski was up to in case he springs another surprise on us’
’I suppose there’s still an outside chance,’ said Tony Si is innocent, and he simply respects your talent as an investor!
’How can you say that, Tony, when you know my stepfather is involved? Do you think Rosnovski e? You obviously don’t understand Rosnovski as I do I’ve watched hi now for over twenty years He’s not used to losing; he si the dice until he wins I couldn’t know him much better if he was one of my own family He will’
’Now don’t become paranoid, William, I expect ’Don’t become paranoid yofi say, Tony Reive to anyone who gets his hands on eight per cent of the bank’s stock An article I had originally inserted to protectremoved The h prospect for the future, remeht just by placing his entire stock on thefrom that,’ said Ted Leach ’On the contrary, he would stand to lose a great deal of money’
’Believe me, you don’t understand how Abel Rosnovski’s e of a lion, and the loss wouldconvinced his only interest is in getting even with me Yes, of course he’d lose money on those shares if he dumped them, but he always has his hotels to fall back on There are twenty - one of them now, you know, and he ht, ill also be knocked backwards As bankers, our credibility &pends on the fickle confidence of the public, confidence Abel Rosnovski can now shatter as and when it suits him’
’Calm down William,’ said Tony Simmons ’It hasn’t come to that yet Noe knohat Rosnovski is up to, we can keep a closer watch on his activities and counter the we must be sure of is that no one else sells their shares in Lester’s before first offering the to support any action you take My own feeling is still that you should speak to Rosnovski personally and have it out in the open with him At least that ill kno serious his intentions are, and we can prepare ourselves accordingly!
’Is that also your opinion, Ted?’asked Williaree with Tony I think you should contact the man directly It can only be in the bank’s interests to discover how innocent or otherwise his intentions really are’