Terminal Value Read Online Free PDF Page A

it immediately.”
    Tony nodded in agreement. “Of course, you’re right. I don’t disagree with anything you’ve got here. Have you talked to Dylan or Rob about these choices?”
    â€œNot yet. I wanted some strength in numbers. If you guys don’t agree with me, then I have to go back to the drawing board.” She looked at her watch and then let her eyes wander over to the computer on her desk.
    Tony caught her glance. “So why don’t you call one of them? I saw Dylan earlier this morning when he arrived. Haven’t seen Rob yet. Have you?”
    It was an awkward moment. Tony knew Heather and Rob were an item, but the atmosphere around them recently seemed cool. He hated getting into personal lives and avoided asking the obvious questions. Now he felt intrusive.
    Heather smiled. She knew what was going through his mind. “No, I haven’t heard from him. He told me he was picking up a new car last night, so I expect he will be driving very carefully, if you know what I mean.” She nodded toward the window where enormous snowflakes clumped and slid down, pulled by their own weight.
    Tony changed the subject. “Okay, I think we agree with you on the best designs to present to Joe. Let me know when you talk to Dylan and Rob, then e-mail me the designs, and I’ll put them in the presentation folder. In the meantime, we’ll leave you and get back to our other projects.”
    Heather knew what Tony meant by “other projects.” He always kept one step ahead of technology, and although she did not know what he was working on, she was sure it would be huge and he would tell them about it when the time was right. She did not question him.
    â€œRight. I’ll probably get back to you later today.” She walked them to the door and listened to their conversation until they disappeared down the hallway toward their offices. She looked at her watch again. Ten-thirty, and she still had not heard from Rob. Their conversation the night before had been terse, and she regretted sticking her nose into his business, but she felt the car purchase was premature. He made a point of telling her, in very short sentences, that it was not her business, and their conversation ended abruptly.
    Heather walked to the end of the hallway and looked around the corner. At the other end of the hall, she saw Rob in front of his office. His back was to her, but she noticed the very pretty Molly standing by him, laughing. She watched as Rob touched her lightly on the shoulder.
    * * *
    February 15, 10:30 a.m. Boston
    Dylan looked up at the sound of a knock. He did not often close his door, except during a meeting, so it startled him that someone would knock.
    â€œHey, got a minute?” Tony said, walking in without being invited.
    â€œFor you? Always. What’s up?”
    Tony hesitated. “Have you given the Mantric people any access to our files?”
    Puzzled, Dylan shook his head. “No. Why would I do that? What’s up?”
    Tony sat down across from him and took a deep breath. “There are just so many people here, total strangers showing up, asking questions. It just feels odd.”
    Dylan looked at his friend for a moment in silence. “Tony, what’s up?” he asked again.
    â€œIt’s probably nothing, but several times over the past few weeks, since the Mantric group has been here, I’ve sensed that someone has been meddling with files. My major project is Hyperfōn, and a few times I’ve felt like things in the files have been out of order, or someone has accessed them. I’ve waited to tell you, thinking it was just my imagination. Matt doesn’t know anything about it, and I’m sure if you or Rob were doing anything, you’d let me know.”
    â€œWell, I certainly haven’t had the time to do anything other than focus on the transition. Is there anything missing?”
    â€œNo, not that I can tell. It just