by Duncan James
***
Robin was briefing Marian about the afternoon's developments. He had more or less decided now that enough was enough, and that he should call a halt not only to the African operations, but also to the Russian exercise in the next day or so.
"So far as I can see," he told her, "there should be more than enough capital in each of the two Swiss banks now for them to operate a really good scheme for all of their new clients."
"I agree," said Marian. "According to the figures I've been keeping, there's more than enough for the members of each group to be paid a handsome gratuity and still to receive a reasonable income from what's left, through the annuity accounts. And we've just about hit all the accounts we were targeting, too," she added.
"How far short of our target are we, as a matter of interest?" asked Robin.
"Two in Africa and one account of the American corporation, which is actually held in Hong Kong," replied Marian.
"With Jim Farlow's help, we could probably tackle those in the next day or so, don't you think?" queried Robin.
"Quite possible, judging by what we've managed to achieve so far and the time it's taken us," agreed Marian. "But it really wouldn't matter if we stopped now - there's enough already."
Robin sat thoughtfully for a moment.
"This is as much about punishing individuals who were so greedy and corrupt in the first place, as it is about helping their victims," Robin reminded her. "So I'm inclined to press on and finish the job as planned, if we can, especially as there's so little more to do," he concluded.
"Well, I think we should stop while we're ahead," said Marian. "There's trouble brewing in Zimbabwe, by the sound of it, and we can only make matters worse. Besides," she added, "I'm worried that we might get found out in some way."
"Please don't worry," Robin reassured her. "The way we've made all the transfers, through more than one bank, nobody will be able to trace the source of the funds, even to this country, since only a few of the deposits have been in pounds Stirling."
In the end, the decision was made for them. Jim Farlow rang.
"I thought I should let you know straight away," he said, "that the powers that be here seem to be on to the fact that something's been going wrong within the banking community."
"How do you know?" asked Robin.
"Well, apparently, the system that operates the international links between the world's banks has been playing up in some way recently, and they are suspicious that it could be someone trying to hack their way into it," he replied.
"Are you at the bank now?" asked Robin.
"No, I'm at home, but I shall be going in soon," replied Jim. "I wouldn't be so daft as to ring you from the office. But I've had a tip that they are looking at the possibility of it being an inside job, if in fact that is what's happening," he added. "Which is why I thought I should let you know right away, although, quite honestly, it doesn't sound as if they've got a clue what's going on. But if they are making internal enquiries, then they may well want to question me at some time."
"Well, I think you should pull out immediately, for your own good," said Robin. "Funnily enough, we were just discussing whether or not we should call a halt to the operation."
"Why?" asked Jim.
"Well, apparently, there's all hell breaking loose in Africa, with all sorts of top people jumping up and down because they seem to have lost all their money," replied Robin. "Which could be another reason why the authorities are looking around to see if anyone is up to some mischief somewhere."
"There's only a couple more to do," said Jim. "It would be a pity to stop short now."
"I don't want you taking any risks, Jim," said Robin, and Marian nodded her agreement. "I think we should stop while we're ahead. We've moved enough to achieve our objective, so let's quit now."
"Let me do a bit more tonight, as I'd planned," said Jim, "then we'll see."
"I really would rather you didn't," insisted Robin. "Apart from anything else, I don't want that piece of software you're using getting into the wrong hands."
"It won't," said Jim. "I've taken steps to ensure that it's safe."
"How?" enquired Robin.
"There's a nifty little computer programme you can buy which lets you design and print your own CD and DVD labels, with jacket covers and everything. When I go in for a night shift, I take my personal CD player with me, with headphones and a wallet of my favourite discs," explained Jim Farlow. "One of the discs is by a little-known group called "The Tellers". It's a single called 'Pay-back time'. That's yours."
"Sounds brilliant - I'll remember that," said Robin. "But you just be careful, now things are stirring, and be ready to pull out at a moment's notice. One day soon, I wouldn't mind borrowing that new CD!"
"I'll give it to you as a present!" replied Jim Farlow.
Robin told Marian what Jim had said.
"He insists on at least one more session, probably tonight, but they have noticed something wrong within the banking computer system and suspect an insider somewhere trying to hack into customer accounts. He thinks they might even question him at some time."
"That could be difficult, for all of us, couldn't it?" asked a worried Marian.
"They will need evidence to confirm any suspicions they might have, and so far as we know, there isn't any evidence to be found."
"What about the programme disc Jim has been using? Suppose they find that?"
"They probably won't," Robin reassured her. "He's disguised it cleverly, and put it in with a bunch of pop CDs he carries with him."
"Well, I still don't like the look of things one little bit," said Marian, "and I'm sure we should stop the whole operation now."
"In view of what Jim has told us, I tend to agree now," said Robin. "We should hear again from Will tomorrow after his chat with our friend at the embassy in Harare, and I think after that we shall call a halt. I'll arrange to meet Jim to collect his new CD, and then I think you and I can go to Montreux again to let the banks know that they've got all they're going to get. We could go on from there to meet Will again briefly, to tell him what we've done for him and his family."
"And for Bonkers," added Marian.
"Quite. By the time we get back, Rupert and Grudge should have managed to put the finishing touches to our presentation about the new encrypted operating system, so we can start to launch that."
"Now they know there's something going wrong within the current banking system, won't that make it more difficult for us to present them with a replacement?" asked Marian. "Surely, they will immediately think it's been us trying to hack into their computers."
"They can think what they like," replied Robin, "but they won't be able to prove anything. They would have been down on us like a ton of brinks long ago if they had been able to trace any of this back to us."
"Well, I really do begin to worry," said Marian, frowning. "After all we've managed to do so far to try to help all those poor people who have been so shabbily treated round the world, it would be tragic if we were to fall at the last fence, so to speak."
Robin put a reassuring arm round his partner's waist. "I'm quite sure we shall be alright, so please stop fretting. And when everything is settled and we have launched our new product, we shall return to Africa for a proper holiday, and finish of our tour. That's a promise."