The Boyar Conspiracy-2

by Dianne

I would like to thank everyone who encouraged me to keep writing. Your feedback is very important to me. This story seems to have taken on a life of its own; I find myself sitting at work, wondering what Jax is going to do next. I think I've become a Jaxaholic.

Dianne

************************************************************************************

The Boyar Conspiracy

Part 2

Stefan Cassadine paced around the dark study. Gregori should have called by now. Cassadine Enterprises had been beset by problems ever since they had stolen the Jakarta operation from the Quartermaines. Stefan's first instinct was to suspect Ned Ashton, but this just wasn't Ashton's style. He was a competent enough CEO, but he was no corporate raider. Besides, ELQ didn't have anywhere near the resources that it would take to cause all of these problems. It had to be someone else, but who? He glanced down at his watch and, abruptly, turned toward the stairs. He had a meeting with Alexis at the Port Charles Grill. Maybe she had been able to come up with new information. Gregori would just have to reach him on his cell phone.

Alexis was going over some paperwork she had received from Jakarta. Their new acquisition was sinking fast, and she didn't have a clue as to what was going on. There had been labor disputes, supply problems, and equipment failures, all carefully timed to completely shutdown production. "More problems?"

She looked up to see Stefan glowering down at her. "Have a seat. It's just more of the same. Elliot faxed these most recent reports. If things don't improve within the next couple of days, we'll have to start using capitol from the European division."

Stefan made a slashing gesture, scowling. "That is completely unacceptable. We can not endanger the parent company just to bail out Jakarta. If the situation can not be resolved, we will sell the Jakarta plant."

"Sell? Isn't that tantamount to admitting defeat?"

"Do you have any better ideas? This sabotage is bleeding us dry, and I don't have to remind you that we can ill afford any setbacks at the moment. As a matter of fact, sell now. I can't deal with this right now. Sell the operation, but continue to investigate. I want to know who is responsible for this."

Ned stood at the penthouse door and knocked tentatively. What could Jax possibly want? Wasn't it bad enough that he had lost ELQ Jakarta? "Damn Cassadines," he muttered. The door swung open and Jax smiled at him. Ned was immediately suspicious. "You wanted to see me, so here I am. This had better be important."

"Hello Ned, it's nice to see you, too. Please come in." Jax stepped back and Ned walked over to the sofa, sitting down with a glum expression. Jax sat across from him and held out an envelope. "I believe that I have something that belongs to you."

Ned opened the envelope and perused the contents. His face went through a myriad of expressions before finally settling on shock. He was holding a contract that transferred ownership of the Jakarta plant from Queensland Holding Company to ELQ. "How... how did you get this?"

Jax laughed gleefully. "Simple. I stole it back from the Cassadines. Queensland is a blind holding company. The Cassadines will never be able to trace it back to me." He waited for Ned's reaction.

"What do you want for this? I know you didn't save my ass out of the goodness of your heart."

"Of course not," Jax scoffed. "Jakarta means nothing to me, but I needed a new challenge. Consider it a gift, for Brenda's sake."

Ned stood up slowly. "I don't know what to say, Jax. Thank you. You must know how important this is to ELQ."

"I know, but remember, I am on the board. It's in my best interests to protect ELQ, unless of course, I'm the one trying to take over."

"I don't find that amusing. I'm assuming that this is going to cost me at some point in the future."

Jax nodded. "Of course. Maybe even sooner than you think. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have another meeting. It's been a pleasure doing business with you, but I hope you'll be more careful from now on. After all, I'd hate for ELQ to become vulnerable to a takeover attempt."

Ned turned back from the open door. "I have a bad feeling that we just did." He turned and softly closed the door behind him. Jax watched him leave and then dialed a number on his cell phone. The call was immediately answered. "Yes?"

"This is Jacks. I want to go ahead with the next step. Let's see how strong they are in Berlin."

"Yes, sir, I'll get started right away."

Jax closed the phone and walked over to the window. Everything was falling into place according to plan.

Stefan sat at his computer, studying the latest figures from Cassadine Enterprises. The Jakarta takeover had been a disaster, but now it was time to move on. He frowned and closed his laptop as Alexis walked into the room. "Is there something I can help you with," he questioned.

"We may have a problem; the employees in our German factories are threatening to strike. That could cripple our entire European interests."

Stefan scowled. "What's behind this? Why wasn't I informed that there was a problem developing?"

"Because there wasn't a problem. At least, none that we knew about. Everyone I've talked to says that the strike is being organized from the outside."

"I want to know exactly what is going on. Book a flight to Germany today and find out who's behind this. Specifically, check on Quartermaine involvement. They may be out for revenge." He glared at Alexis. "Failure is not an option here. We can not afford to lose our operation in Germany."

"I'll get right on it. I've already booked a flight tonight. Don't worry, I will find out who's behind this. If it isn't the Quartermaines, we may have a new player on the scene."

Stefan's smile had nothing to do with humor. "Whoever it is, we will destroy them. I won't allow anyone to get away with threatening the Cassadines."