He also remembered a meeting with Vivian and an Eastgate principal named Colin Mercer.

During it Colin complained that the manufacturing company was worth substantially more than the rescue financing would suggest once a particular federal supply contract was reinstated.

He wanted the ability to gain control cheaply if payments were delayed.

Thomas had never approved such a transfer.

The bridge-financing agreement required ordinary repayments; it did not give Eastgate an option to seize his voting shares.

The disputed certificate appeared to be an attempt to create that leverage later.