Stones (Data) by Jacob Whaler Read Free Book Online

speaks in a faint voice. “Mr. Van Pelt, this confidentiality agreement is over one hundred pages long.” The director looks to his right and left, encouraged by nodding among his peers. “I assume we will be given sufficient time to review it and consult with our personal counsel before we sign.”
    Van Pelt narrows his eyes and trains them squarely on the director. “The urgent nature of this meeting will not permit any further delay. If you have any concerns, you are, of course, free to leave at any time.” Van Pelt motions toward the door with his hand. “In that case, we will be forced to adjourn until a quorum can be reconstituted. And, I might add, the corporation of which you are a director will suffer irreparable injury from the delay.”
    Well played
, Ryzaard thinks.
Just enough bullying to push them all a few feet closer to the edge of the cliff.
    “But how can you possibly expect us to sign a hundred-page document without adequate time to review it.” The color of the director’s face is visibly changing to a light shade of pink. His initial reluctance to speak has all but disappeared. “In any case, it’s a basic principal of corporate law that directors owe a fiduciary duty to the corporation they serve, making a confidentiality agreement unnecessary.”
    It is now clear to Ryzaard that some mistake has been made in the selection of this particular director.
    He makes a mental note of that fact.
    “The length of the document is, unfortunately, a product of our times.” Van Pelt shoots an accusing glance at Mr. Cunningham in the visitors section. “But our general counsel has assured me that it’s a standard form whose length can be attributed to boilerplate provisions that you would find in any confidentiality agreement.”
    By now, the director’s face is bright red. “I refuse to sign anything until given adequate time to review it with my personal advisor.” He stands up and walks out the door, leaving a stunned silence in his wake.
    Ryzaard’s eyes narrow and follow him.



CHAPTER 10
    K ent Newmark stands up from the table, moves to the kitchen sink and begins to wash the dinner dishes. The truth is, he’s not sure he can let Matt go to Japan. His mind begins searching for an excuse, any excuse, to persuade his son to stay.
    Matt pops the last pickled radish into his mouth, grabs his plate and walks it to the sink. “Dad, can you just finish the story before I go?”
    The words knock Kent out of his daydreaming. “Story? What were we talking about?”
    “Come on, Dad. You were going to tell me what happened to Mom.” Matt eyes are squinting with a burning intensity. “I need to know now, before I leave to pick up Jessica.”
    “Sit down.” Kent walks over to the table and drops into a chair, motioning for his son to sit in his usual spot on the opposite side. He takes a deep inhale, and then exhales before starting to speak. “Where were we?”
    “You were talking about the uranium mines in India and that guy you sent there to search for information at the client’s offices.”
    “Right.” Kent closes his eyes and picks up the thread of the story. “He sent me an old report purposefully deleted from the client’s electronic files.” His eyes flip open.
    “What did it say?” Matt leans forward.
    “Apparently, there was an independent study that found high levels of a toxic material called
Jadugodium
mixed in with the uranium deposits. It was flowing from slag heaps into the Ganges River through sub-water channels.”
    “The Ganges was being poisoned?”
    Kent nods. “Right. In a big way.”
    “But Dad, everyone knows that the Ganges is just about the filthiest river in the world.” Matt looks at his jax as his fingers tap its side. “What difference would a few more toxins make in such a thick soup?”
    Kent puts his hands on the table. “The Ganges
is
filthy. But
Jadugodium
is incredibly noxious stuff. And there was evidence in the company’s files that they knew