‘Juan.’ Cardinal Utaka said, nodding reassuringly. ‘It’s okay.’
Dominguez made eye contact with the cardinal, grimacing a smile. ‘Thank you, eminence,’ he said. ‘Now you’ll have to excuse me, gentlemen, Ms. Leoni. As Angelo has said, the news is indeed shocking. Frankly I feel slightly ill.’
Tepilo and Riva looked inquisitively at Dominguez. The comment seemed an understatement.
‘The document written by Nathan Walls clearly was meant for the eyes of the regulators. Unfortunately it seems that the information it included never appeared before the relevant authorities. As you are all undoubtedly aware, Nathan Walls himself was recently murdered and if this is anything to go by, the reason may well be obvious.’
Dominguez paused to inhale.
‘Nathan Walls had been assigned the task of providing a thorough audit of Leoni et Cie’s accounts, and this, it would seem, was no easy task. Yet what he did find was hardly convincing.’
Dominguez leaned over the table and opened the large document to the thirtieth page. He skimmed the content at speed, turning pages at regular intervals.
‘Page 37, paragraph three: Mr. Walls states his discomfort at Leoni et Cie’s extensive business network and declares that it could be used to move money across borders without regulation, which could in turn be used to inflate share prices.’
Dominguez turned several pages.
‘Page 47, second paragraph. Leoni et Cie’s levels of lending in countries whose authorities are known to provide unsatisfactory standards of regulation and supervision have contributed to large levels of growth. Such levels of lending, particularly three loans to specific individuals or companies, would be illegal in US and Swiss law for a bank of their capital base. Such issues may cause liquidity problems if not properly supervised. Here, he criticises the directors for what he calls laxity with many of its loans unsecured.’
A look of confusion crossed Gabrielle’s face. What the heck was he talking about?
He turned another nine pages.
‘Page 56, paragraph four. Mr. Walls cites an abuse of depositors’ trust. The bank has over two thousand and forty unpublished accounts with Starvel AG. Such practice, although not illegal in United States or Swiss law, is dubious and may be used as a platform for moving money undetected and potentially for money laundering. He goes on to suggest that there is overwhelming evidence that this has occurred.’
Nervous expressions crossed the faces of most present.
‘Perhaps most importantly,’ Dominguez said, turning to the penultimate page, ‘Mr. Walls draws further attention to the bank’s liquidity. According to the audit, if faced with liquidation the bank’s reserves and cash flow would not provide sufficient coverage to pay off creditors. Over the last year alone the bank has lost over one thousand customers of multimillionaire status, denting the bank’s asset portfolio by well in excess of $3 billion.’
He paused briefly.
‘Worse yet, there is also evidence to believe that over one hundred private accounts that include funds belonging to the Roman Curia have been funnelled inappropriately through this network. Going back to the merger with Rosco, he fears the company’s bad loans could be in excess of what we first expected. Including recent losses, loss of customers and unsecured loans in total he suggests as much as $10 billion could be unaccounted for.’
Cardinal del Rosi’s jaw dropped, as did Gabrielle’s. Swanson looked nervously across the room at Riva, while Cardinal Tepilo bowed his head into his hands.
A serious hush descended on the chapel. The eyes of most present remained on Dominguez or Rogero as if questioning what they had just heard or perhaps waiting for a solution that was not forthcoming.
Finally, Cardinal del Rosi broke the silence. ‘What does this mean exactly?’
Dominguez looked at the cardinal from across the table. ‘What this means, eminence, is that Leoni et Cie’s financial position is not as it seems. Frankly, the bank may not have the ability to survive of its own accord if faced with liquidation. If such a situation arose, unless it is recapitalised, the Vatican Bank would be dramatically undermined. Effectively, we are bankrupt.’
Rogero exhaled with force while Cardinal del Rosi slammed the table.
‘You expect us to sit here and swallow this…’ del Rosi said, breaking off mid-sentence, his focus firmly planted on Dominguez. ‘$10 billion does not simply disappear!’
Dominguez shook his head. ‘I cannot answer how it did, eminence; particularly how Roman Curia money became used in this way. Nor can I answer how Leoni et Cie came to operate in some of these locations that Nathan Walls suggests. Mr. Walls suggests the bank has accounts, and even branches, in the likes of Caracas, Bogotá and even many renowned tax havens of the Caribbean and the South Pacific. He even lists the names of towns and villages I had previously never heard of. I myself did not even realise Leoni et Cie had branches in South America. This could not have been achieved without the approval of the highest authority.’
Suddenly all eyes fell on Gabrielle.
Cardinal Utaka looked at her without judgment. ‘Ms. Leoni, did you have any idea what was going on?’
A couple of stray tears fell from her eyes. ‘I don’t even know what it means.’
Mark: ‘The manner and timings of the deaths of Jermaine Llewellyn and Mr. Leoni seem in keeping with that of Mr. Walls. Bearing in mind what has happened recently to Mr. Lewis and Mr. Fairbanks…’
‘Fairbanks!’ Tepilo shouted. ‘He is not dead as well?’
Mark nodded. ‘Yes, eminence: the story was also included on page nine of the New York Post and page six of the Charlotte Observer. Not the most important story of the day, I’m afraid.’
Utaka looked at every face with an expression of astonishment. ‘Surely the rest of you read the papers?’
Swanson shrugged. ‘I was with my granddaughter.’
Riva grimaced. The last thing he wanted to admit was that he was at a Juventus match.
A strange, yet controlled, argument broke out about nothing in particular. Rogero ascended to his feet and clapped his hands together loudly, ordering calm. Hush descended on the room. He gestured for Mark to continue.
Mark cleared his throat. ‘I have spoken to Oberst de Courten, Commissario Pessotto, President Rogero and Vice President Dominguez. Following the recent killings of both Mr. Lewis and Mr. Fairbanks in similar circumstances it seems most likely from what we know that both Mr. Leoni and Ms. Leoni are themselves innocent of any involvement. Someone else, however, is not.’
Silence followed. The silence was uncertain, somehow accusing in nature. A series of mumblings followed.
‘How did Randy get this?’ Swanson asked.
Rogero shook his head. ‘I am unaware of the circumstances, Mr. Swanson. Or why GPLA did not make this public. Mr. Lewis sadly was killed before we had the chance to ask any questions.’
‘Nathan Walls was himself killed less than a week before the audit was due. The one presented to the authorities had clearly been tailored.’ Thierry said.
A quiet grim realisation overcame all present. Gabrielle looked at Mark and Thierry, quietly observing their features. It was clear that connections had already been made.
‘Has His Holiness been informed?’ del Rosi asked.
Utaka nodded. ‘Yes. He is presently at Gandolfo considering the situation. In the meantime he has asked for immediate action to ensure security of the bank.’
‘What kind of security?’ del Rosi asked. ‘Financial or that no one else gets murdered?’
Cardinal Tepilo bowed his head into his hands, shaking his head. Thierry grimaced; so did Mark.
‘I am in a position unsuitable to discuss such unfortunate business,’ Rogero declared. ‘However, that is why Oberst de Courten and Agent Mäder are here.’
Rogero gestured for Mark to take the floor. He nodded briefly at Rogero before ascending to his feet.
‘Commissario Pessotto has unfortunately been called away following the dea
th of Mr. Lewis,’ Mark began. ‘He has asked me to attend in his place; I hope this is acceptable to everyone.’
Several heads nodded in unison. He looked at Thierry and the Swiss Guard nodded.
‘Following the deaths of Al Leoni and Jermaine Llewellyn and my somewhat uncomfortable audience with Mikael Devére, Commissario Pessotto sent me to Prague to follow up his claims,’ Mark said. ‘Once we knew that Major von Sonnerberg had been murdered, it was only a matter of time before potential evidence was found regarding his claim for Cardinal Faukes.’
Mark inhaled deeply, momentarily watching people’s reactions.
‘After examining various pieces of evidence we became aware of a connection between a string of murders that had recently occurred. Thanks to Mr. Devére, we learned of a connection between the deaths of Major von Sonnerberg and Cardinal Faukes and also the deaths of Nathan Walls and Martin Snow, a financial commentator and one-time employee at Starvel AG. Now this report assembled by Nathan Walls was never made public,’ Mark continued. ‘Now I can only speculate but seeing as both Mr. Lewis and Mr. Fairbanks were murdered following Mr. Fairbanks’s decision to entrust this document to Mr. Lewis and seeing how Nathan Walls was murdered before its content became common knowledge, the motive seems clear. This is something that none of us predicted and goes against all of our initial beliefs.’
‘You talk of speculations, Mr. Mäder. Perhaps it would be beneficial to offer some hard facts,’ Tepilo said.
Del Rosi looked strongly at the Camerlengo, then at Mark. ‘What about the others?’
Mark: ‘Martin Snow was a senior employee at Starvel AG, an organisation where, according to this report, Leoni et Cie has numerous unpublished accounts. He was also respected for his regular economics articles. He frequently wrote about takeovers, finance deals et cetera.’
‘Quite right,’ Swanson said. ‘It was said of Snow that if a firm’s shares went down one day and he wrote about it they’d be in administration by the end of the week.’
Mark nodded. ‘He appeared on television as an analyst. People criticised him for his negativity. Key bankers stayed away from him. Called him a liar.’
‘So what do you think, Mr. Mäder? You think that Mr. Snow somehow became aware of this problem and was killed before he made it public?’ Riva asked.
Mark looked across the room at Riva. ‘Yes, Mr. Riva, I think that’s exactly what happened.’
Thierry nodded. ‘Ok, Mäder, I think they get the picture.’
Mark nodded.
‘And Major von Sonnerberg?’ Riva asked openly. ‘I am certain that man was no Starvel AG employee.’
Mark: ‘That one remains unclear, as does a motive for Cardinal Faukes. However, in the light of recent events the possibility cannot be ruled out that Cardinal Faukes knew something that we did not. All we do know is that they were murdered and that if it had not been for Mikael Devére we would probably never have known.’
Cardinal Tepilo shook his head softly. ‘Surely, Mr. Mäder, if these poor souls really were murdered in order to keep this little situation secret, then who initiated their deaths?’
Del Rosi nodded. ‘Come on, Mäder, oberst, let’s hear some comments.’
For several minutes Mark spoke of Ludovic Gullet and the activities in Mauritius and also the deaths of Llewellyn and Al Leoni. Once finished, he returned to his seat.
Rogero’s expression hardened. ‘You believe Starvel or Starvel AG ordered the murders of these men in a bid to keep the plight of Leoni et Cie secret?’
Thierry exhaled deeply. ‘If what I understand to be correct is indeed correct then I’m afraid it extends even further than that.’
Rogero folded his arms. Thierry glanced at Mark and the Vatican policeman ascended again to his feet. Mark inhaled deeply and spent the next thirty minutes talking about his findings. Mike remained quiet but nodded from time to time. Gabrielle looked up infrequently but otherwise said nothing, her expression suggesting the reality of the situation was affecting her. The facial features of each member changed at irregular periods in the speech but none gave anything away.
Riva looked up at Mark. ‘That is one almighty conclusion, Agent Mäder.’
‘Do you really expect us to believe that the Crusades are still ongoing?’ del Rosi asked. ‘I thought you’d given up on such superstitions.’
‘I assure you, eminence, this has very little to do with the Holy Land,’ Mark said to the cardinal. ‘However, what I can now confirm is that every person involved with Gilbert de Bois’s GREEN Foundation, something that Leoni et Cie is officially affiliated with, are also members of the Rite of Larmenius – as are seemingly all key personnel of Starvel AG. Based on the evidence, GREEN was created specifically as a special purpose entity of Rosco, and subsequently Leoni et Cie, and several other companies for accounting purposes and to transfer, and perhaps launder, money on behalf of the Rite of Larmenius. We are now aware that Gilbert de Bois is either involved with or, more likely, is a member of the Templars himself. It would suggest he is indeed responsible for much of this mess, particularly as I understand he recently made proposals for a significant development of Leoni et Cie’s structure, including the establishment of branches in some of the areas mentioned. Based on the findings, his vision was already well underway.’
‘I understand Mr. Lewis seemed to be of the same opinion,’ Rogero said, gazing briefly at the document as he spoke. ‘Cardinal Tepilo, you are a trustee of the GREEN Foundation, do you have any comments?’
Tepilo looked astounded. ‘Angelo, good heavens, I always believed that the GREEN Foundation was set up to do good. It just cannot be true.’
‘Moments ago you referred to the Knights Templar and the Rite of Larmenius as if they are the same.’ Dominguez said. ‘What makes you certain these men even exist? And if they do what are their connections to Starvel and Leoni et Cie?’
Mark paused momentarily. ‘Their connection to Starvel, Mr. Dominguez, is that they both own and control it. Starvel as a bank officially dates back to the 17th century but if what I understand to be true is in fact true it actually dates back further still. It is perhaps the oldest merchant bank in existence and has been in the Velis family since the beginning. The origins of the Swiss banking system have never been determined by historians and their secrecy is beyond the comprehension of many others.’
Del Rosi folded his arms with impatience.
‘It was Frei who first made the connection,’ Thierry said.
‘Actually, sir, it was Gabrielle.’
All eyes turned to Gabrielle.
Del Rosi spoke first. ‘Do not be shy, my dear. What was this connection?’
Gabrielle searched the room nervously, slightly reassured by Cardinal Utaka’s kindly stare. She referred to the diary and Rosslyn, finally Newport.
Del Rosi inhaled deeply. ‘We’ve been through this.’
‘And we will do it again if it is necessary,’ Thierry snapped. ‘Mikael Devére’s tipoff regarding the Rite of Larmenius’s role in the murders has been confirmed. They have operated in similar ways before. All that was missing was a motive. Their connection in the past to Starvel is little more than rumour but it was quite inconsequential at the time. At least so I thought.’
‘Well you were wrong, weren’t you?’ the cardinal retorted.
‘Guiliano,’ Utaka said, his tone strong, his voice calm. ‘Please, none of us saw this coming.’
‘Randy Lewis clearly did,’ he replied.
Thierry nodded his appreciation at Cardinal Utaka and continued.
‘Once we had learned that every person mentioned by Mr. Devére was murdered by the same individual, or individuals, both Commissario Pessotto and I felt it necessary to act with caution. The Rite of Larmenius is unlike any other organisation in the world. The discovery of a peculiar diary by Ms. Leoni, once owned by Mikael Devére, eventually shed new light on their historical origin. Yet what we discovered was something none of us could possibly have anticipated.’
‘Mikael Devére,’ Swanson said, ‘you keep saying Mikael Devére. You mean “the” Mikael Devére?’
‘Three times elected President of France and prior to that the prime minister,’ Mark answered, ‘yes, I do, Mr. Swanson.’
Cardinal Tepilo hesitated momentarily. ‘You believe he, too, was murdered by these men?’
Mark nodded. ‘Yes, eminence, we do. We have been working alongside Interpol, the French Police, the forces in Mauritius and the FBI and have reason to suspect that he too was murdered by Ludovic Gullet, a known member of the Rite of Larmenius.’
Cardinal Tepilo shuffled in his seat. ‘You feel, perhaps, that Mr. Devére was aware of Mr. Walls’ document?’
Mark nodded at Cardinal Tepilo. ‘Possibly, eminence, but that is open to question. What we do know is that Mikael Devére was not only a Rite of Larmenius master, but also a member of the Knights Templar.’
Cardinal del Rosi leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. He examined the facial features of every person. Somewhere he felt something was stirring.
‘Very well, Agent Mäder,’ Cardinal Tepilo said, slightly hesitantly, ‘please enlighten me: how was the former saviour of France party to this?’
Mark bent over and picked up a briefcase from underneath the desk. He opened the locks simultaneously, the clicks echoing loudly, and retrieved several photocopies from within. He passed them around the table, one for every member who was still to see it.
Swanson looked at Mark. ‘What is this?’
‘It was found within the safe belonging to Mikael Devére in Mauritius. Read it and you will see.’
Darting eyes scanned the content quickly. The sound of papers being turned lasted several minutes. Questions started to fly like bullets.
‘This has got to be some kind of joke.’ Riva said.
‘Louis Velis is head of the most powerful society on earth?’ Dominguez nearly laughed as he spoke. Swanson continued to look at the text, his face drained.
Cardinal del Rosi inhaled slowly, his expression one of worry. Silently he struggled to control his rage. ‘Mäder, I want this plain and simple. What are we dealing with?’
The Templar Agenda Page 46