“Always know your enemy,” I mutter, then I leap forward, the clay of the ring grits between my toes. I feint right with my right hand, left with my eyes, and my left hand latches onto Higuchi’s throat. In three steps it’s over, Higuchi is standing outside the ring.
Higuchi bows, “I am honored at your progress Bull-san. You have taken me five times in a row this afternoon.”
I bow in return, panting, “It’s a good day, Higuchi, in many ways,” and then I head back for the control center.
The flood of financial trajectory data has dwindled to a trickle, but that trickle is pure gold.
“Honey, this work is impressive. Your work is impressive, too, but someone had to create this masterpiece in the first place.”
I don’t have the whole picture, yet, but the web spun around Lester is impressive. The spigot isn’t a single entity, it’s a series of startup companies that Lester invests in. The startups mostly struggle, as startups do. But when Lester needs money, one of those investments suddenly takes off and Lester cashes out. All very respectable, and not too cumbersome for the bankroller. Other than the timing, the revealing link is that someone from Phertipton’s firm is always an officer on these startups.
“Honey, let’s take a closer look at these startups. It’s likely that they are scoring a single big contract when they blossom. Get me the details on who the contract is with, and, if possible, who sets up the deal. Also, what happens to them after Joe sells out.
“Also, check out what links Joe or Phertipton have with that judge in Northern Territories.”
“Right. There’s a message for you from Jack.”
I put the message on the screen.
“Bull, here’s the list you asked for.
“I’ve had my ears open, and there are rumors of a mole. Not surprising, eh? Not surprising that I’m one of the choices for mole.” Jack shrugged.
“But there’s more you should know. I’m behind you 100% while this crisis is acute. But Bull, as you know, we’ve had our disagreements about how to handle the enterprise. ... Your voyage... the Push-on business ... I still think you’re getting way, way ahead of yourself on this stuff.
“Bull, even before the suit, this was turning into a self-liquidating annuity to fund your hobbies and dreams, and that’s not what I signed on for.
“This is to let you know that once this crisis stabilizes I’ll be seeking other clients. ...
“Once again, I’m not bailing on you, Bull. You’ve got me 100% until this crisis is over, and if you like, I’ll help you locate someone who is very sharp on liquidation's. ... You’re a good man to work for, but this is no longer my cup of tea, Bull.”
Jack looked sincere, and this was certainly not the message I would expect from someone about to stick another knife in me.
I considered for just a few seconds before I announced, “Honey, Jack was OK, and Lester is the problem. Let’s see what it’s going to take to cut out Lester with a minimum of harm.
“Let’s push this fragment back towards solar center, and head for the comet.”
“When will we be going back?”
“Not until we find the comet. We’re back on Plan A, Honey. This is big. We have a chance here to discover definitive proof of the first non-human, non-solar system civilization. This is too big to turn back from. Besides, now that we know our enemies, the big surprises should be finished. We can deal with the situation from here.”
“What about Jack.”
“When Jack gets wind of this, he will be back in a heartbeat. Jack loves big and growing. I couldn’t pry him off this with a crowbar.”
“When will you tell him?”
“ ... I haven’t decided yet. That’s a delicate issue. If I tell him right now, it sounds like a counter offer. If I wait for confirmation of our discovery it will be too long, he’ll be on to greener pastures. No yet, not yet, but not long, either.”