Terminal Value by Thomas Waite Read Free Book Online Page B

conflict. “Seriously Dylan, I know you think I’m crazy, but I’m working on two really cool things. The first is an amazing smartphone. Imagine you set it on a desk, and, at the push of a button, it becomes a virtual notebook PC. On the desk it projects a full working keyboard, and on the wall it projects a 3-D image. And it runs as fast as a jaguar. I’m telling you, it’ll be huge!”
    â€œIf you’re right, you’ll make a fortune.”
    â€œHow long have you known me?” Tony punched Dylan in the arm. “I’m talking about being a technology genius, and you’re talking about a fortune.”
    â€œWhat’s the other thing?”
    â€œI’m not ready to tell you. That’s a surprise for later.” He took another sip of his beer and stared out the window.
    Dylan shook his head and laughed. “Sounds good, but don’t get yourself into the same fix as your friend from Microsoft. Remember the contract you signed with Mantric. They might own any ideas you have while you’re employed with them.”
    â€œHah!”
    Dylan sighed. He knew he had to refocus Tony. “Tony, what’s going on? Does your visit to New Jersey have something to do with that cryptic little message you sent me last month?”
    â€œRemember a few weeks ago when I asked you about who had access to our files?”
    â€œYeah, you had some concerns about Hyperfōn.” An alarm bell went off in Dylan’s head as his mind revisited that conversation, word-for-word. “Has something else happened?”
    â€œI’ve been doing some digging, and I’m getting close, but I always feel like I’m being watched, like someone else has gained access to the file. I know I sound like a conspiracy theorist, but I can’t help it.”
    Dylan looked across the table at his friend and then let out a long sigh. “Tony?”
    â€œYeah?”
    â€œJoe Ferrano’s getting panicky. You know, you’re one of his favorite people. I don’t know how you won him over, but he trusts you. You are coming with me to meet him tomorrow, aren’t you?”
    â€œOf course! What time?”
    â€œTen o’clock at their offices in Waltham.”
    â€œI’ll be there with bells on!”
    â€œThanks,” Dylan said, relieved, as the waitress set down their sashimi platters. “And don’t worry about the files. I think you’re just as jittery as Joe about this campaign.”
    * * *
    April 6, 8:30 a.m. Boston
    Hyperfōn was set to announce a breakthrough in mobile phone technology, and with the launch little more than two weeks away, Joe Ferrano wanted reassurances.
    Dylan pulled into a parking space in the technology office park in Waltham. As he walked to the front door, he noticed Tony perched on the steps, wearing his usual sport coat and jeans for a client meeting. They took the elevator to a reception desk at the front end of a large, open room on the second floor.
    A young woman greeted them and told them Joe would be with them shortly. Dylan went to examine the old “brick” cell telephone on display—the very one Michael Douglas so famously used in the movie Wall Street and recovered when leaving prison in the sequel. He smirked. How times had changed. He returned to Tony and sat down.
    â€œYou’re making me nervous,” said Tony.
    â€œWell, Hyperfōn is my division’s biggest client.”
    â€œDon’t worry,” Tony said, reaching over and patting him on the shoulder. “We’ll settle him down, no problem. Trust me. It’ll be a piece of cake.”
    Joe Ferrano came around the corner. The CEO of Hyperfōn carried his early fifties with dignity. He kept his dark hair cropped short; his steel blue eyes bore into every person he met with an intensity and interest that spoke volumes. At six feet four inches tall, he carried his taut body like a professional boxer, strong and