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Matters she had let slide during the run out to Samanna. Under the
watchfuleye of Yemahl Huhleem, Lizina scanned the confidential reports.
Then she went
back to read them word for word. The attorney's investigators had
beenthorough. "He appears financially sound." She keyed off the monitor
and turnedto Yemahl. "He might not be as easy to get at as I thought."
105 The seniormember of Huhleem, Sudi, Yutu, Kwam & Progeny leaned back
in his chair. Hesteepled his fingers over his chest. ' 'Financial
reports can be deceptive.
The figures provide a portrait of a young man with a flair for
investing.
Making a quick return on his money, while stockpiling a tidy sum in
steady,
reliable securities." "But?" "But Thax Wilanu is a fool. His quick-
killinvestments are quite capable of doing exactly that. But to him."
Yemahlsmiled. "And his old, reliable securities . . . aren't." Yemahl
leanedforward. "Wilanu is bottom heavy with QTZ&R. Your husband had the
foresight tosell his interest in the company eighteen months ago. Its
foundations arecrumbling, Lizina. Vardate Enterprises will drive them
under when theyannounce their new, high energy-efficient converter."
Lizina knew nothing ofthe realm of business finance. Yemahl did. He had
been one of Garold's topadvisors. "When will Vardate announce?" She had
no idea what converter the
attorney meant. Or what it was supposed to convert. "They've been
awaitingyour approval. Garold owned forty-five per cent of Vardate's
stock." Whichmeant that she now owned the stock. "And Thax's quick-kill
investments?" "Lessclear cut, Lizina. But they have definite
possibilities. That is, were oneseeking to financially injure the man."
"Injure isn't good enough." Lizinastared at the lawyer. "I want him
ruined-devastated. If I can take his laststell-legally-that's what I
want." Yemahl nodded. "Then the next question is,
do you want him to know who is after him?" "I want him to know that
someone isdraining him bone dry. But not who." When the time comes, I'll
be 106 there toreveal the "who." Casually she said, "Can you arrange
that?" Yemahl nodded.
His facial expression was noncommittal, as though he dealt with such
requestson a daily basis. A very, very cool man, Yemahl Huhleem, and
just now Lizinawas not minded to consider anyone's morality. Perhaps he
did hear and handlesuch requests regularly. Lizina didn't know. She
didn't care, so long as hehandled this for her-successfully. "Our Thax
Wilanu's quick-kill investmentsare in rather young firms." Yemahl had
the monitor on again, studying the listof Thax's holdings. "I believe we
can manipulate them readily. Perhaps make ahandsome profit on the side."
"I don't care about the profit, Yemahl. JustThax." Yemahl glanced back
to his client with an almost stern look. "When onecan mix business-
profitable business-with pleasure, it makes the transactiondoubly
pleasurable." When she didn't smile, he returned his attention to
themonitor. He hummed absently while he rubbed his chin. "Yes. We
purchaseheavily here," (his fingers jabbed out) "let the market climb,
then sell outquickly. Here we just sell." He went on for ten minutes. A
complete outline ofthe tactics he would employ against Thax. Lizina
followed for a minute beforeelecting to let him ramble on. She nodded
occasionally. A charade to providethe impression that she understood all
he was saying. "And, of course, we'llneed a diversion. Something to keep
Wilanu's mind occupied while we maneuver."
