Icefall Read online

  Harold and his friends looked shocked.

  Tanya stood up, 'This discussion is over. The police will be here in a couple of hours, you'll have to explain your actions to them. Threatening to burn the whole place down is a serious criminal offence.'

  Harold's companions shuffled to the door and waited, but Harold stood his ground. Eventually one of them gently took him by the arm and he left the office. 'You won't get away with ...' he yelled as he was jerked away.

  The police arrived and took statements from Tanya, David, and two others who had overheard the conversation as well as the three protagonists. Tanya gave the police a recording of the conversation. Harold was arrested, charged, and released on his own recognisance.

  'Round one to us,' said David anxiously.

  'It is possible the whole issue will go to court, but I would be surprised if they have the wherewithal to mount a substantial challenge. The bullying tactic was trying to force us into a quick deal,' advised Tanya,

  'Do you think calling the police was smart? We have certainly made enemies of all of them.'

  'They were enemies already. They can't go around threatening to burn the place down and expect no consequences. I expect the next communication will be more civilised.'

  'How long will all this take? If we have to suspend settler recruitment it will put a strain on our finances.'

  Tanya, sitting across the desk from David in his meticulously tidy office, looked relaxed with her arms resting on the chair. 'I see no need to suspend recruitment. I'll give you a new agreement that all prospective settlers will have to sign. I've strengthened the clause stating that the settler understands the science and challenging it does not give them reason to sue us.'

  The next communication came from a lawyer in Sydney claiming misrepresentation and demanding on behalf of the three protagonists -

  Complete refund of everything they had invested in The Settlement.

  Loss of earnings during the period they were residents.

  Loss of the increased value of properties sold to invest in The Settlement.

  A general compensation demand.

  After Tanya told David of the development, she said to him, 'They are spending more on legal advice than the issue is worth. There is something else going on here.' There was an edge to her voice. She did not feel quite as in control as she normally would.

  The following day an article in one of the major Sydney dailies informed readers that the Blue Mountains development initiated by The Settlement Pty Ltd was based on fraudulent claims of disaster based on climate change.

  Tanya immediately issued a writ in the high court for damages of thirty million dollars against the paper. The panic phone call that followed from the paper said the authenticity of the article had been checked with a person who claimed to represent the company.

  'Who did you check the article with?' demanded Tanya.

  'We don't actually have a name, just a phone number.' The caller gave her the number. Harold answered the phone and Tanya replaced the handset without saying anything.

  'That is someone purporting to be a representative of the company. He isn't and never has. I will be issuing a writ claiming damages from him as well,' she told the caller from the newspaper.

  All the owners of the three properties wanting out of the scheme received a writ the following day to their individual residences in The Settlement claiming damages for willful misrepresentation.

  Tanya explained the developments to David. The Sydney newspapers had now picked up on the story, publishing several sensational stories.

  David said anxiously, 'This publicity is doing us no good at all. All prospective settlers have withdrawn. If this issue is not resolved soon we will run out of cash and the whole project will be threatened. Can't you settle with Harold and his accomplices and we can then get on with building this place up?'

  'We will win all our court cases, I'm sure. We need patience.'

  'And in the meanwhile we declare bankruptcy? For Christ's sake! The cash position is getting very tight. With all this publicity, borrowing is out of the question,' said David, a touch of anger in his voice.

  Tanya called George, her ex-Cabramatta friend in the police. He had access to a great deal of information on individuals within the community and had often helped her with issues relating to her legal practice. Her access to the information he provided her with had materially helped in some of the cases she handled. Up till now, she had never used this facility on Settlement matters, knowing she would have to fully brief him on The Settlement before he would divulge anything useful.

  She phoned George with her heart in her mouth. It was a private number, answered immediately.

  'George.'

  'It's Tanya here.'

  The voice softened, 'So nice to hear from you. What can I do for you?'

  'I need some very sensitive information.'

  'Why else would you phone me?' he laughed.

  Tanya gave him a detailed account of The Settlement and the reasons for its existence. George listened intently.

  I have been given some information involving some sort of development in the Blue Mountains. I had no idea you were involved. Most interesting. Anyway, how can I help? Everything you are doing seems above board.'

  'Yes, it is,' responded Tanya quickly. 'I need some information on a Harold Monckton.' She explained the reasons. 'Their legal costs are already higher than any gains they might make. And they seem to have effortlessly got the attention of the Sydney press. It doesn't add up.'

  'As it happens, I have had some dealings involving Harold Monckton, within the last few months actually. The Government uses him to prosecute, in his own name, certain cases which they do not want to take on publicly. Some of those cases relate to climate change issues. It seems he has been quite successful in previous actions.'

  'Why would the Government want to take action against us? We are completely legit.'

  'I don't really know, but your theory and its apocalyptic forecasts will scare the shit out of Government. I expect they are afraid your theories might create an unwarranted panic in parts of the population. Whereas a small development in the Blue Mountains unobtrusively going bankrupt would probably attract no attention at all. They can then safely continue to ignore the issue.'

  'How the hell do I deal with that?' wondered Tanya.

  'I can't help you there. I merely provide information. There is a man, called Nicholson, previously with ASIO. Now in charge of dirty tricks in the Attorney General's department in Canberra. I will post details of three similar cases he has been involved in.'

  'Thanks, that is most helpful,' said Tanya.

  'No problem.'

  Tanya always asked this question. 'Is there anything I can do for you, George?'

  'No, I've told you before, I've pledged to fight the low life, not to join them. Although, I appreciate the donations you make to the home.' His brother, a victim of a vicious bank robbery lived in a vegetative state in a home for invalids; George had sworn he would look after him for as long as he lived. 'There is one other question though … '

  Tanya knew what was coming, George often asked this.

  'Is that bed of yours still occupied by that money-making machine?'

  Tanya laughed. 'Yes, thankfully and he is not getting any smaller.'

  'Oh well, I live in hope.'

  She knew he was happily married with several children, but it helped them end the conversation on a lighter note.

  Despite the commitments he had made, Mark had continued to have genuine doubts about his involvement in The Settlement. No one he knew even mentioned climate change and here he was pouring his life into the project. He worked tirelessly at his job and he was doing the same thing in the Blue Mountains over weekends. Meanwhile, his work colleagues had overseas trips with their families and enjoyed their lifestyle in Sydney.

  He knew further discussion with Tanya would be fruitless. She was totally committed to the project and spent all her sp
are time helping to build it up. While he had accepted she would be taking the lead with regard to developments in the Blue Mountains, he found it galling to always appear to be trailing in her wake. From the time she had acquired the property, he had begun to feel inadequate. Neither of them ever said much about their careers, partly because of the confidential nature of the content. But Mark found Tanya's success and competence at work and at The Settlement intimidating. He was one of the brightest and most dynamic of the younger people at the bank, but Tanya's evident ability made him wonder if she would overshadow him in the bank environment as well.

  Initially, he had put his considerable earnings into financing the project. Now he privately put some of his earnings into other investments. He bought a small cottage in Tuscany and soon had a reasonable nest egg of his own outside The Settlement.

  The court cases dragged on with David taking more and more desperate measures; stopping all building and delaying as many payments as he dared. As a result, the inevitable happened; he received a notice of foreclosure unless a debt to an external builder was paid within two weeks. He phoned Tanya and Mark together in desperation. 'This means the end of everything we've built up, unless we can do something very quickly.'

  Tanya was still surprised it had gone on so long and told them so. No notice was taken of her observations.

  David phoned Mark, 'Look, you and I are going to have to deal with this ourselves. I'm going to keep Tanya out of it wherever possible. Frankly, she has really screwed up this time. Her aggressive behaviour has put the future of the project at risk.' David still believed Mark was fully committed; he had no idea Mark was quietly casting a bet both ways.

  Mark had known the seriousness of the situation, but had not registered that the end of their dream was as close as two weeks away. This is where I can make a real contribution. Whatever my doubts, I am not ready to walk away from my investment.

  Mark took a day off and drove to The Settlement. He thought he had left Tanya behind in Sydney, so was irritated to see their recently acquired helicopter. The helicopter was another source of frustration; before they acquired the machine Tanya had been quietly taking flying lessons, so was already licensed to fly it. Mark had done nothing.

  Mark, now fully acquainted with The Settlement's position, offered David a solution. 'I have a deal at the bank, coming up in a few weeks. I will put all the funds from that into the project, but we do need to take a different approach with the court cases. The publicity is killing us. We need to stop it. Dad, I suggest you give the creditor a cheque, post-dated by six weeks, on the understanding that he withdraws his action. I will go and see Harold and his mates and cut a deal. If we come out ahead on those two issues, I'll handle the newspapers.'

  Tanya was hurt. She knew she was being excluded from dealings with Harold. She tried to ask David the reason, but uncharacteristically he waved her away. 'Leave it all to Mark; he has a deal at the bank allowing him to give us more funds. That will help.'

  But Tanya had noticed Mark's financial contributions reducing significantly in recent months. She thought, This is bullshit. Mark has no deal, but he may have funds. And we need his money wherever it comes from. So she said nothing. My only interest is making sure the bloody project survives.

  With Mark and David now engaged, without her, in trying to rescue The Settlement, Tanya knew it was time to play her most valuable card—information she had gleaned from George.

  From their cottage, Tanya phoned the Attorney General's department in Canberra, asking for Mr. Nicholson.

  'There is no Mr. Nicholson in this department.'

  'Oh yes there is. I spoke to him the other day.' She quoted an extension number given by George. He had warned her that Nicholson's existence might be denied. There was silence for a few seconds, followed by a few clicks.

  A woman answered, 'Hello.'

  By this time Tanya was becoming suspicious and furious. 'I would like to speak to Mr. Nicholson, please. It's about a man calling himself Harold Monckton.'

  'We don't … '

  'I know Mr. Nicholson works there. Please don't insult me by denying his existence.'

  There was a brief silence. 'He is busy at the moment. Can he call you back?'

  'In view of the difficulty I have had in trying to reach him, it seems this is just another ploy on your part to deny me access to Mr. Nicholson. You had better understand that unless I can speak to him, I have arranged for a series of articles to be published in various newspapers that give chapter and verse on what you people have been up to in recent times.' She gave the woman three names.

  There was a deep intake of breath at the other end.

  'I have considerable detail on your nefarious activities. If they come to light, I have no doubt anyone involved will spend many years in court and then in jail, including you, probably.'

  Tanya was suddenly put through.

  'Nicholson,' a curt voice answered.

  Tanya explained who she was. 'It's about your agent, a man called Harold Monckton, who, funded by you, is trying to bankrupt our small … '

  'I know nobody of that name.'

  Tanya became angry, 'I suggest you listen to me very carefully, Mr. Nicholson.' She reiterated her threat.

  'Where did you get that information?'

  'I have no intention of discussing that with you. I know the information is one hundred percent accurate and so do you.'

  'This is blackmail,' yelled Nicholson.

  'No, all I have told you is what information will appear in newspapers starting tomorrow. You know exactly what I want. I will give you one telephone number of a person who will read you exactly what they are going to publish regarding your activities. I will wait on the line, while you make the call.' She gave him the number.

  'I will call you back,' said a desperate Nicholson.

  'No, I will wait on the line.'

  Tanya was able to catch a few words of the call. Five minutes later, a very nervous-sounding Nicholson came back on the line. 'Okay, what do you want?'

  'You know,' answered Tanya. 'Again, I will wait on the line while you make your call. This time I want to hear both sides of the conversation.'

  Nicholson called Harold Monckton at The Settlement.

  To start with Harold was full of bonhomie, 'We've got the bastards running, in a couple … '

  'No,' said Nicholson harshly. 'You've really fucked up this time Harold. You are to pull the plug, now, today. Those legal bills you sent me, none of them will be paid. Just get out of there as soon as you can.'

  'But, but, at last I have that fucking bitch on the run … I'm dealing with Mark now. He knows much less than the bitch Tanya. I will have that bloody place shut down in a couple of months, no more peddling that climate change bullshit … '

  'No buts, just pull the plug,' yelled Nicholson. 'Tell me when you have done it. I don't want to hear another word on this subject, not today, not ever. Do you understand?'

  There was a brief silence. 'Yes, yes I will pull the plug,' muttered Harold, 'Can you tell me what has changed?'

  'No, I can't, just do it and get out!'

  'Satisfied?' Nicholson asked Tanya angrily.

  'Only when Harold has finally stopped all his nonsense and left The Settlement. I will ask the papers to hold those articles for the time being. And one other thing, Mr. Nicholson. Stay away from us. Don't ever come near The Settlement again.'

  David was surprised to see Mark back from a visit to Harold so soon, 'They will be back over here in an hour,' said Mark, looking less comfortable than when he left for the meeting. 'While I was there Harold took a call. There seemed to be a lot of shouting. I don't know what he's up to.'

  'I phoned the builder. He wants a part payment and will accept a post-dated cheque for the balance. If the cheque is honoured he will cancel his action,' said David uncomfortably.

  Tanya appeared in the office. Mark and David looked up like two naughty schoolboys. She was on tenterhooks hoping her phone call to Nicholson ha
d resolved the issue. 'I need two minutes of your time,' she said.

  'Can't it wait?' said David irritably. 'We're trying to sort out the mess you've left us in.'

  'I have highly pertinent information that will help resolve the issue,' she said evenly, knowing she had to remain calm. Any kind of heated discussion would result in disaster. 'Only a couple of minutes.'

  David looked at her impatiently, 'Okay, what now?'

  'I am now one hundred percent sure that a third party is funding Harold's case. I am also certain that the third party is from the Government. Their only objective is to close us down. They don't care what it costs. Do whatever you like, their objective is to bankrupt us.'

  David looked at her with distrust, 'How the hell do you know that? You are just trying to justify your actions.'

  Tanya wondered why their brilliant working relationship had suddenly gone so sour. She could see his panic. David was clutching at straws and somehow Mark had convinced him he could sort the situation out. She said quietly, 'The information is correct. I have a source in the police. I take full responsibility, maybe I was too harsh, but whatever we did would have made no difference. I have a strategy now I know will work.'

  Mark wondered whether Tanya had yet again pre-empted him.

  Tanya said to him, 'The funds you mentioned are critical.'

  'I have a deal … ' he said unconvincingly.

  Tanya thought they could now probably manage without Mark's additional funds, but she wanted him to further commit to The Settlement.

  David relented slightly, 'Okay, they will be back here shortly.'

  An hour later, Harold and his accomplices knocked on David's door. 'We would like to talk. We want you in the meeting as well.'

  The visitors were made comfortable and were served with tea and biscuits.

  Mark began, 'You all want out, you are in trouble with the police, and you have a large claim against you for willful misrepresentation. We can do something about all of that under certain circumstances.'

  'You misrepre … ' Harold started.

  'We are aware of the content of your claims,' said Tanya quietly.