Part 6 (1/2)
His reputation as a expert in anything technical endeared him to fellow Times' reporters Scott often became the technical back- bone of articles that did not carry his naood
The journalists' barter system Scott Mason was not considered a competitor to the other reporters because of his areas of inter- est and the skills he brought with hie To Scott's way of thinking, techni- cal fluency should be as required as are the ABC's, so it ith the dedication of a teacher and the experience of simplifi- cation that Scott undertook it to openly help anyone anted to learn His efforts were deeply appreciated
Chapter 2 Friday, September 4 San Francisco, California
Mr Henson?”
”Yes, Maggie?” Henson responded over the hands free phone on his highly polished black marble desk He never looked up fro
”There's a John Fullmaster for you”
”Who?” he asked absent mindedly
”Ah, John Fullmaster”
”I don't know a Fullman do I? Who is he?”
”That's Fullmaster, sir, and he says its personal”
Robert Henson, chairman and CEO of Perris, Miller and Stevenson leaned back in the plush leather chair A brief perplexed look covered his face and then a sigh of resignation ”Very well, tell hihly visible leader of one of thethe rown accusto brokers anted a chance to pitch hinored the calls, or referred theh, he would ah salesive their pitch, actually sound interested, permit the naive to believe that their call to Robert Henson would lead the the diversion Robert Henson had fro fat fees in the most somber of Wall Street activities He needed a break anyway
”Robert Henson May I help you?” He said into the phone It was as much a command as a question From the 46th floor SW corner office, Henson stared out over Lower New York Bay where the Statue of Liberty reigned
”Thank you for taking my call Mr Henson” The caller's proper Central London accent was engaging and conveyed assurance and propriety ”I aing between Second Boston Financial and Winston Ellis Services I don't believe that the SEC will be ienerated to drive up your fees
Don't you agree”
Henson bolted upright in his chair and glared into the phone
”Who the hell is this?” he demanded
”Merely a concerned citizen, sir” The cheeky caller paused ”I asked, sir, don't you agree?”
”Listen,” Henson shouted into the phone I don't knoho the hell you are, nor what you want, but all filings made with the SEC are public and available to anyone Even the press whom I assume you represent”
”I am not with the press Mr Henson,” the voice calmly interrupt- ed ”All the same, I am sure that they would be quite interest- ed in what I have to say Or, more precisely, what I have to show the about?” Henson screas of Winston Ellis over 40 by burying certain write downs and deferred losses I be- lieve you are familiar with the numbers Didn't you have them altered yourself?”
Henson paled as the caller spoke to him matter of factly His eyes darted around his spacious and opulent office as though so He shi+fted uneasily in his chair, leaned into the phone and spoke quietly
”I don't knohat you're taking about”
”I think you do, Mr Henson”