Spike initiated his call promptly and was immediately greeted by John Lexicon.

"Mr. Webb is it? What can I do for you today, Mr. Webb?"

"Well Mr. Lexicon, I'm calling today because I'm an attorney representing a consortium of Korean investors who would like to enter negotiations with you to purchase Lexicon Industries. I believe their interest is sincere and the price they are prepared to pay is fair."

"I've had many offers for Lexicon Industries over the years Mr. Webb. None of these has interested me. Lexicon Industries is my life's work and I enjoy its many projects."

"We understand that you have a great deal of personal commitment in the business Mr. Lexicon. We would of course need your services to be available to the company for the first year under new ownership. That time would allow you to complete projects currently in process and guarantee a smooth transition for our new management team."

"Mr. Webb I appreciate your directness. Now let me be direct. Lexicon Industries is not for sale. I hold fifty-one percent of its stock and I'm not letting go of any. That's how I maintain control of my interests. I don't have to justify projects or profits to anyone. It's my company so it does what I want it to. That's it."

"You would be in a very good position to set up another company with $100 million dollars in cash at your disposal. As long as you did not compete with Lexicon Industries, you would be free to operate it just as autonomously as you run Lexicon today."

"My long-term interests, however, do not include simply building and selling companies. I have work underway which cannot be interrupted as frequently as that would require."

"You're sounding like a religious zealot about it, Mr. Lexicon. I had expected a more rational consideration of our proposal, particularly in light of your company's recent financial performance."

"I'm not worried about Lexicon's numbers. We'll get back to where we need to be soon enough. In fact Mr. Webb, there are pending matters which demand my immediate attention if we are to turn those numbers around. I'd like to thank you for your call and your associates for their interest in my company."

"Very well Mr. Lexicon. I'll inform them of your initial response and get back to you if there is anything further to discuss."

"Yes, please do that Mr. Webb and if you're ever in the San Jose area, please be sure to pay me a visit," John said through his sneer.

"I'll do that. Thank you, sir."

As Lexicon cut the video link, he pressed the intercom button to connect with his secretary. "Barbara would you please get a message to Hank Brooks? I want him to run a check on that guy I just got off the video circuit with. Spike Webb out of New York, I believe. He's an attorney working for some Pacific Rim clients. Korean specifically. Tell Brooks I want something back on this in a couple hours."

"Yes sir. I'll let him know."

Lexicon had left no doubt in Spike's mind that he was involved with the Internet plot. He described the company as his way of doing what he wants to do and implied that his financial problems would be going away in the very near future. Lexicon could not be used to help uncover the conspiracy. He was the head of it. Hopefully, Roger would make some progress on getting inside Lexicon Industries. That was the best he could hope for.



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