Graham and David looked at each other, they were both aware that there was a strange tension in the room possibly due to the fact that these people didn’t want to be here in the first place.
“Alright, before we do anything I would like to believe that a little trust exists between us, I would like to know a little more about what you actually know before I put my team in harm’s way. I already know where the money is coming from, but I don’t know the original source, so please don’t give me any of your bullshit”. Said Graham.
“How do you know where it’s coming from”? Graham was asked in a very surprised tone of voice.
“You don’t think you are the only spies in the world do you? I also have my own contacts, so unless you tell me everything then I am afraid we are not going in, do you understand”?
The banks chairman and the security services man looked at the third person who came with them who then proceeded to nod his head in approval. The older Gentleman spoke first.
“As you know I am Sir Alex Pinks, and the bank has been in my family since its inception by the two Brothers over 200 years ago. The bank is built on trust, and all our clients expect total privacy and anonymity in their dealings with us which causes us as an organisation no problems, their affairs are their own”.
“Just one moment, may I ask a question”? Said Graham who now had a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
“Does that include Russian Mafia, Drug Dealers and other Community Leaders”?
“As I said, their affairs are their own, having said that we do sometimes share information with certain Government Departments”. Said Sir Alex.
David then turned to the man who had so far not yet spoken.
“So we can assume you are a Civil Servant attached to the treasury is that correct”?
But he received no reply and suddenly Graham stood up.
“Well I would like to thank you for coming Gentlemen, but if you do not wish to tell me the full story then this meeting is over, goodbye”.
Suddenly the man replied. “Alright please sit down and I will tell you what we know”.
But Graham’s anger was still very evident for all to see, he looked at his visitors before saying. “Let me stop you there for one moment, before you do that, let me tell you that if you piss me or any of my team about then we are off, so shall we start again”?
It was now the turn of the Treasury man who was obviously not accustomed to being spoken to in such a very abrupt manner.
“Alright, about a year ago we became aware thanks to Sir Alex that some quite substantial sums originating from Russia were passing through the bank via several countries and on to an account in Lucerne. This we assume you already know, and so to keep ourselves on friendly terms with a foreign government we informed the Russian Authorities, who in turn took out a few people”.
“By “take out” I assume you mean killed”. Said David.
“That’s none of your business or mine, these particular transactions are totally separate from the ones we are now looking at now. But what our intervention with the Russian Authorities did, was to create a power vacuum in the Russian bad boys which was filled by”.
But before the man could finish his sentence Graham said. “Don’t say it was Borya Aslanov”.
“How did you know that? That information is top secret”.
“It would appear that you are very well informed Graham. Aslanov is the worst kind of bastard there is, and we also know that he had been looking for a way to take over this criminal outfit for some time. Then six months ago we also became aware that he had even killed his own sons wife because he found out she was passing on information, that was of course after torturing her for several days until he found out exactly what he wanted to know, and it appears that she had been working for the FSB, the Russian Secret Service. The money that is being moved around at present is, we believe part of a loan of 10 billion dollars made to Nigeria to cover their economy’s deficit after the fall in oil prices”.
“We know the money got to its original destination and that someone in the Nigerian National Bank passed on the details of the account to allow it to be hacked and the money to be stolen, and the American’s also know this. Even though the loan came from the World Bank, it’s basically American money, and then after a Nigerian banker was found tortured and killed they asked us if we could help”.
“What you really mean is that they want us to do their dirty work”. Said Graham.
“Something like that”. Came the reply.
“We know that Aslanov didn’t steal it even though he is the one moving it, and so we allowed the two amounts of one billion dollars each to pass through the bank and on to Lucerne. We are hoping that shortly he will send the rest in one transaction, and so our plan is to get at least eight billion dollars back, but we would also like to know who stole the money from the Nigerians in the first place”.
“This is where your team comes in. You have skills that we don’t possess and that’s why you are being paid very handsomely I must say to do what you and your team are good at, and at the same time if things go wrong we can blame you for the cock up to the American’s, and that is it. Now you know everything”.
“I doubt that very much”. Replied Graham.
Sir Alex stood up and tried as best he could to put a brave face on things, but it was obvious he was very afraid.
“We will be on our way now, you ruined my bridge evening with some friends by insisting on this meeting”. Said Sir Alex, but Graham made no reply to the comment.
“One last thing before you go”. Said Graham.
“Does the PM know anything about this”?
The response from the third man in the group was sharp and instantaneous.
“There is to be no reference to the PM or his office at any time do you understand”?
“I fully understand, goodnight gentleman, and we will see you Sir Alex in the morning”. Said Graham.
The three men got into the lift and no doubt had a very heated exchange with each other over how Graham already knew so much.
“Well now we all know a little more, but if the Russian’s didn’t steal the money, then who did? We will only know that when the money is moved from Switzerland. Can you imagine the embarrassment to everyone if the press found out about the loss, they would have a field day, but we will save that as a get out of jail card. Right team are we all set for tomorrow? David you will be working on some software mods in the office, Joyce you have the toughest job. Just keep your cool and keep speaking to Carol. David will have control of the direct line on your desk so whenever it rings you know it will be always him or Carol, just do what you have to do and it will be fine”.
“Joyce you take the other bedroom tonight and David you have the pleasure of the camp bed, unless Joyce lets you sleep with her that is, but I doubt that very much, goodnight”.
Graham and Carol made their way to bed while Joyce and David finished their drinks.
“I am so looking forward to my camp bed while you are laying there naked in the lap of luxury, what a waste, never mind we must keep focussed on tomorrow”. Said David as Joyce looked at him with a smile that said it all.
“That’s a great shame because I feel really horny”. She said as she closed the bedroom door.
The following morning they were all up early and ready for the day, Joyce’s nerves were a little jangly but nothing too much.
“Right, let’s go over it again. Joyce just trade exactly as you have been taught, Carol will be in the van parked in the basement car park and you will always be in contact with her, don’t forget you are only supposed to be working there as cover for maternity leave and your client base portfolio is very boring but you are very ambitious, which with a bit of luck we should be able to prove. Don’t forget to acknowledge David as your brother when he comes in and out of the office. I am going to do a lot more digging on who the Russian’s are working with, right are we all set? Then let’s do it”.
&n
bsp; David drove the van through the very busy city streets, and then very close to Trafalgar Square he pulled up at a security barrier leading to the underground car park of the bank. David leaned out of the window to show his security pass.
“Is this young lady also with you Mr Perkins”?
“Yes, this is my sister who is also starting with the bank today”.
The security guard carefully checked all their paperwork and passes before he finally lifted the barrier to allow them access. It was only a very small car park and David chose a space in one corner that would protect Carol who had covered herself in the back to prevent her from being seen.
“It’s bloody freezing in here, luckily I put my coat and thick nickers on”. She said as she looked at Joyce.
“I don’t suppose you have thick nickers on do you”?
“No, I am not wearing any”. Came the swift response.
“You lucky cow, now get in there and make me proud”.
David and Joyce walked through the small car park and over into the lift, it was only a matter of seconds before the doors opened and they made their way over to the reception desk,
“Good morning may I help you”? Asked a very pretty young lady who was sat behind the reception desk?
“Hello my name is Perkins and I am here to carry out some mods to your systems, well not yours personally, which is a terrible shame”.
The receptionist looked at him without showing any sign of amusement and took very little notice of him, and she also didn’t respond to his rather sexist quip.
“Please wait here Mr. Perkins and I will call our engineer”. And then she looked at Joyce.
“Hello my name is also Perkins and this idiot believe it or not is my brother, I am here to meet Sir Alex”.
“Thank you would you take a seat please”. And a few seconds later a very well dressed mature lady came into the reception area from another office and introduced herself.
“Hello my name is Sarah and I am Sir Alex’s Secretary, would you follow me please”? “Thank you”. Replied Joyce.
She was taken to a very plush area where Sir Alex was speaking to some men regarding the previous day’s trading figures and it was very obvious he was not very happy with them.
“I have been in banking since I was a boy, so don’t try to tell me about good days and bad days, there is always a method of trading that will show a return so please don’t give me any of your bullshit, just do your job”.
This very brief interaction saw the men scurry away in different directions before his secretary stepped forward, “This is Miss Perkins Sir Alex”.
“Good morning, I am sorry about that, but we had a bad day”. He said.
“Please come through to my office, would you like a coffee”?
“No thank you Sir Alex”. Replied Joyce showing no signs of nerves.
Now behind closed doors he said to Joyce, “Right in a moment I will take you through to the trading room and introduce you to everyone, the accounts you will be dealing with are quite low key, and so all I want you to do is observe, is that clear”?
“Yes, that is my understanding too, I am just to observe and report”.
“Good, well now we understand each other let’s take you through”.
Joyce’s real understanding of her position was much different to that of Sir Alex, but she thought that was his problem not hers.
“You handled that brilliantly Joyce, now just keep that attitude up and you will be fine”. She heard Carol say through her earpiece.
Sir Alex led the way down a long corridor, and it was very obvious that the building still contained many of its original Victorian features with marble floors and beautiful columns showing all of their original splendour. And along the walls were pictures of previous Chairman and Directors of the Bank, there was opulence all around, this really was a true banker’s world. They eventually stopped outside a large oak door were Sir Alex again said to her. “Don’t forget you’re brief, observe only”. And Joyce nodded her head in agreement. “Right let’s go in shall we”? He said.
As they entered this quite large room the calm atmosphere of the outer offices changed dramatically to one that seemed at first glance to be one of utter confusion. There appeared to be about twenty men and women, all of which had a workstation with at least two monitors, and most of the people in there also had two telephones on the go at any one time. Joyce looked around and slowly she felt her bravado starting to slightly disappear until Carol spoke to her.
“Don’t lose your balls now, you are doing great”.
She followed Sir Alex to an empty desk and he introduced her to Cathy who was one of the traders.
“Can you show Joyce our systems please Cathy, she is taking over Danielle’s accounts while she is away. I look forward to seeing your accounts later Miss Perkins”.
“Thank you Sir Alex” Said Joyce, and he left them to it.
“So you have got the boring job of her accounts, we were all wondering who they would get in”.
“What’s it like here Cathy”? Asked Joyce trying to be sociable.
“As you can see it’s a madhouse at the moment, we had a very bad day yesterday, but that shouldn’t concern you. Yours is just the bread and butter stuff and no one here wanted to do it, and so they had to get someone in, and that poor sod was obviously you”.
Joyce looked at her. “Well if they think I am just going to sit here and do the shit jobs they had better think again”. She told Cathy.
Cathy quickly took her through the accounts and the systems before she sat back down at her own desk. Joyce opened the files on her desk and held them to allow Carol to get a good look at them.
“This job is shit, it should only take about five minutes, it really is a simple job, but we can do much better than that”.
And she very quickly led Joyce through the required business of the portfolios she was responsible for. Joyce was quite pleased with herself and how well she had handled the accounts system, and her confidence was once more on the rise.
“Well now that’s done show me the main screen”? Said Carol.
“Can you see anything exciting Carol”?
Not at the moment, but I have just been given some information from Graham. Type “Dexis Steel” and tell me what price have you have”?
“I am showing £1.83, why do you ask”?
“Well they are a specialist supplier of certain types of steel, but Beeston’s which are another rival company have just won a big order for this type of material, but they cannot meet the demand and so they are just about to buy “Dexis Steels out”.
“Dial 734 quickly, speak to a man called Neal and ask for a half on Dexis Steel”.
Joyce did exactly as she was instructed. “Hello Neil, this is Joyce, new at Brothers, I want a half on “Dexis Steel”. And he quickly gave her a price, and in her earpiece Carol said to her. “Tell him buy, deal”. Which she did and Joyce put the phone down. The day was spent in much the same way as Carol guided her through many other deals buying and selling before she again said to Joyce.
“Quickly contact Neal again and buy another half”. And Joyce did as Carol had told her and purchased another half in “Dexis Steel”, and then suddenly one of the other traders noticed the stock price of “Dexis Steel” was moving very quickly. He shouted.
“Someone is buying “Dexis Steel”, they must be nuts, what do they know that we don’t? No wait, it’s just been announced that Beeston Steels are just about to buy them out and the stocks climbing fast”.
But for them and many other traders it was far too late.
“What price have you got now”? Carol asked Joyce.
“It’s showing £3.10 on my screen “. Said Joyce.
“Right call him back and sell”. She told Joyce. And very quickly did as she had been told.
“What price did he give you in the end”?
“I got £2. 85” Said Joyce, as seconds later the bell rang to mark the end of the trading day m
eaning that most of the traders had missed out on a bargain. Joyce quickly added up her total for the day and she had a few losses, but as a total she had made just over one million pounds. For most of the other traders the day had shown very mixed results. The office manager as usual made his way around the room checking everyone’s figures and finally he went over to Joyce expecting very little. He picked up her figures and checked them several times before throwing the toy bear at her.
“We have a new super hero, £1.4 mill for her first day”. He shouted as everyone in the room cheered and clapped.
“Well done, the drinks are on you”. They all said. David also came through to see Joyce in the office.
“What are they all cheering for”? He asked as Joyce looked at him beaming from ear to ear and said. “I am trader of the day”.
“Oh well done. Well in that case let’s get down the pub if you are buying”. And Cathy came up to her and asked. “Who is that gorgeous man”?
“That’s my Big Brother, do you like him”? Said Joyce.
“Is he single”?
“He most certainly is”.
“Well in that case I like him a lot”. Said Cathy.
“Are you coming to the pub Cathy”?
“No, I have to go somewhere”.
“Oh that’s a shame, well in that case have a nice weekend and I will see you on Monday, bye”. Said Joyce.
Joyce, David and some of the others made their way out of the building and on to a very posh wine bar where Joyce set up several bottles of bubbly for everyone. Some of the other traders said that for someone who is only supposed to be covering for maternity leave how well she had done, but now she would also need to repeat that same performance the following week. But for that moment she couldn’t have cared less, she was a super hero for the team and Joyce loved all of the attention and praise, it was something she was not used to at all. They were in the bar for about an hour before David Said to her.
“Oh shit, I forgot about Carol, she is still in the back of the van, don’t tell her we have been down the pub whatever you do”.
They said their goodbyes to everyone before quickly making their way back to the car park to find her shivering in the back.
Dark Secrets Page 9