Lester Walsh was on the screen, “Bull, I hope you're on your way back. I think we've found the insider, that's the good news. The bad news is it's Jackov. This means all your Mars properties are at risk.
"Our discovery started with an anonymous tip. We started looking at what Jackov has been looking at, and we found that for the last year he has been researching your holdings on Earth. Apparently he and Phertipton are holding action on Mars in reserve.
"We haven't confronted him, the evidence isn't that solid, but this puts us in a damn tricky situation. The income from the Mars properties is essential to fighting off this suit. Our only chance of ending this quickly and with minimum damage is to throw a lot of money at the problem right away. If Jackov betrays us, or even just screws up a tricky liquidation, damage to our effort will be enormous.
"It's your call, Bull, on how to handle Jackov. What do you know that will let us ease him out quickly and smoothly? Get back as soon as you can," Lester’s image faded.
Jack? It made sense on one level. He was always complaining about this trip. But on another level ... he always was complaining. I know how he feels, why would he spend a year researching how to cut off my balls, and complain at the same time? Is this a red herring?
I believe Lester when he says Jack is critical to this situation ... but man! This Honeycomb is what I want to think about. Still ... still ... I know Jack. He's smart, and this is too straightforward to be his style.
I fire up the screen to send a message to Jack.
"Jack, Lester tells me we're going to need a lot of cash, a lot more cash, to fend off this suit. Report to me what we can liquidate over the next six months and next year. I know you're already liquidating, but this lawsuit is above and beyond. I'm headed home, but I need to know what cash you can pull together in the meantime.
"Signing off, Bull"
I review this message a couple times before I send it. Mostly to make sure the pace isn’t too slow and I look distracted enough that I don’t come across as suspicious.
"Honey, start analyzing what Jack sends back as soon as it comes back. You know what I hold on Mars, start running a simulation of what's the best way to liquidate it. I want to compare what you come up with to what Jack comes up with. This should tell me if I'm still getting 100% from Jack."
"Yes, boss."
"Bring up my Mars managers ... the Pluto money. Honey, find the status on my government payment for the Pluto expedition. make sure I have that. That much cash may take a lot of pressure off. That could be my ace-in-the-hole."
"I'll check immediately."
<<<*>>>
The message comes back from Jack quickly, this request is no surprise. Jack’s liquidation list isn’t the same as Honey’s, but it’s close enough to rule out systematic error. It seems that Jack is still handling the family jewels with care. So what does that mean? If Jack is not part of the problem, who is?
“Honey, I need some serious searching done. I need to find my enemies.”
“I can contact a detective agency on Earth.”
“Do that. But I also want something additional,” I lean back and steeple my fingers, “This is a money issue, and now I’m thinking about trajectories, financial trajectories. I want you to find a machine like TC, only one that computes financial trajectories. I want to find out who among my acquaintances of the last three years has had a sudden change in financial trajectory. Can you find a machine to handle that?”
“That’s not a request I’ve heard before. This will take time.”
“Take it.”