Crescent Moon Rising. Kerry B Collison

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СКАЧАТЬ placement when the prospectus was issued – might even come out at the end of the day with enough change to upgrade the apartment.’

      It was Greg Young’s turn to smile as they disconnected.

      Graham’s idea of change would run into the millions. The American had been building his own Asian-based empire for more than a decade, his group now a leader in public relations and the advertising industry.

      Both men were members of the prestigious YPO, an organization founded in the USA by Ray Hickok and twenty others in 1950 with the simple concept of becoming better company presidents by learning from each other. The Young Presidents’Organization had grown into a global network of seven thousand young business leaders of the exclusive peer network spread across more than seventy nations. The power of the collective membership was such that world leaders including US presidents, royalty and even revolutionaries such as Fidel Cas-tro, shared their time at private events offering their perspectives. Membership was zealously vetted, the criteria stringent for those who wished to join this elite club requiring that the applicant’s age not exceed forty-four (members retired in their forty-ninth year); that their company’s assets be in excess of US$ 10,000,000 with a staff of no less than fifty, and a gross minimum payroll of $1,000,000. Finally, the applicant’s company needed an annual turnover of $160,000,000 if it was a financial institution to qualify for consideration, this figure dropping to a mere $8,000,000 for service and manufacturing corporations. The YPO produced an annual directory of its members, the reference tool containing members’ names, family detail and private contact information. As for the Jakarta chapter, this read like a Who’s Who in Indonesia and included a select number of expatriates who had managed to achieve success in this most competitive market.

      Greg Young continued his vigil, watching the monitor, observing his company’s stock ease even more before settling at a most respectful level just before noon. Then, during the short but agonizingly slow drive to Andrew Graham’s office the stock rallied strongly, the company’s CEO still grinning smugly when Agus Sumarsono, the Bimaton Corporation chairman interrupted his presentation during the luncheon, to acknowledge the debut of Young’s company earlier that day.

      * * * *

      Having extolled the virtues of doing business in Indonesia, Agus Sumarsono returned to his seat, his typically banal presentation attracting eager response as Agus represented one of the most influential conglomerates to emerge and survive, under the New Order regime. The Bimaton chairman cast a fleeting glance across the room satisfied that he had adequately acquitted himself, his eyes resting ever so briefly on the foreigner, Greg Young whose joint venture construction company had floated earlier in the day. At that moment the British expatriate happened to lock eyes, Agus immediately turning his head elsewhere, unguarded by the moment. Unbeknown to Young, Bimaton had taken a substantial stake in the public float through a number of nominees, Agus’ position now of sufficient import he would be able to influence the construction company’s direction.

      Content with life and with every reason to feel so, Agus Sumarsono’s family holdings exceeded two billion dollars. Although the company flagship was predominantly a property investment group, other assets Bimaton had acquired in less than thirty years of trading included shipping and warehousing, control of a major, turnkey infrastructure construction group and a string of joint ventures with other local entrepreneurs; some, attending the luncheon because that was expected of them.

      An only child, Agus understood at an early age that he was heir to substantial wealth and power, his education at tertiary institutions in both the United States and Germany providing the grounding necessary for his future development. Agus had succeeded his ailing father as CEO. In five years he had taken Bimaton to even greater heights and, although cautioned by his father against an over commitment in the property sector, he plunged the company into projects converting vast tracks of land into satellite suburbs, his name now synonymous with the Indonesian boom.

      With the luncheon program at an end Agus Sumarsono searched the room for Andrew Graham, raucous laughter pinpointing the American amongst others standing at the private bar. Agus did not consume alcohol although occasionally he carried a glass of fine red wine around just for show.

      ‘Golfing tomorrow?’ Graham had spotted Agus approaching.

      ‘Yes, in fact I’m playing with the President’s son.’ Agus enjoyed the effect the statement had on the others.

      ‘Have to keep the wheels greased,’ someone suggested.

      Agus raised an eyebrow. ‘Yes, and aren’t you the one to know!’

      The light-hearted banter continued until Agus moved Andrew Graham aside. ‘You did a great job on that float.’

      ‘Just let me in on the ground floor if ever you decide to take Bimaton public.’ Graham was outwardly pleased with the compliment but astute enough to know that Agus’s hand had been in play when Greg Young’s shares had commenced selling earlier in the day.

      ‘Bimaton will never go public,’ Agus responded, in no way offended. ‘But there is something I wish to discuss with you, in private.’

      ‘After the weekend?’ Graham offered, his interest pricked by the suggestion.

      ‘Yes. Let’s make it Monday. We’ll go out to the islands on my boat.’ Agus paused, conspiratorially. ‘Away from over-eager ears.’

      * * * *

      Upon Agus’ departure Andrew Graham rejoined the others and participated in the post-luncheon proceedings with typical panache, his anecdotes befitting the experienced raconteur.

      Greg Young remained shaking congratulatory hands, Andrew opting to withdraw from the proceedings now evolving into a celebratory event for Young’s successful float. He left the hotel by taxi directing the driver to an address in South Jakarta, a private residence he maintained in an apartment tower, concealed from the scrutiny of business associates and close friends.

      Captured by Jakarta’s afternoon traffic congestion Andrew Graham remained introspective, mentally flipping the pages of his past, reflecting on his own successful enterprise – and the irony of how his achievements had created the perfect cover for another of his country’s clandestine activities in S. E. Asia.

      Andrew had served in the US Naval Reserve as an intelligence officer until the early 1980s subsequent to which, armed with a postsecondary degree in public relations, he joined the Department of State as a public affairs specialist. The following year Andrew attended the Defense Language Institute achieving reasonable fluency in both the Malay and Indonesian languages. Eager to travel Andrew abandoned his plans to remain in Washington pursuing a career in government, electing instead, to establish his own PR firm in Asia. When word of his intentions reached Langley he was approached – and became a willing recruit, seduced by the offer of financial support and a constant flow of government contracts. Six months later he had opened an office in Singapore, the first of a network which would service clients throughout the ASEAN region, the surprising speed of his success providing access to boardrooms regionally. The following year Andrew acquired a flourishing advertising entity and immediately amalgamated his interests. The powerful base created, provided significant cash flow for the relatively young entrepreneur, and a steady stream of commercial and political information to his demanding masters, in Virginia.

      Now faced with his fortieth birthday Andrew was becoming increasingly disaffected with Langley’s forever encroachments upon his personal life and, although he quietly enjoyed the subterfuge, he was constantly reminded of the penalty of discovery. Subversion carried the death penalty in this country. Increasingly, these thoughts had led him to consider his options, the thought of liquidating СКАЧАТЬ