Mark exhaled. ‘From what we have uncovered, the present order of the Knights Templar are a select council, perhaps less than ten individuals, who hold the highest degree of the Rite of Larmenius. A wealthy group of businessmen who claim, so I understand from this, to belong to an appendant body of the Freemasons founded centuries ago by the original Knights Templar while fleeing persecution from the King of France and the Papal Inquisitors. The Vatican’s views about the Masons have always been clear: they are considered anti religious, perhaps even a substitute for religion. The Rite of Larmenius’s political ambitions are unclear yet they have a presence in every major industry, and, as we understand from Mikael Devére, their members include respected academics, members of the American Senate, Presidents of France, and perhaps even someone in this very room.’
The most awkward of silences followed. Eyes moved in every direction. Thierry watched their eyes. Would someone give the game away? Not yet.
Mark: ‘If his claims are valid, these men orchestrated every murder. What’s more they have ordered every murder of this type ever committed.’
‘Including the bankers in the 1980s?’ del Rosi asked.
‘Yes. And even Calvi and Soisson.’
Rogero nodded. ‘So these Templars were connected to P2?’
‘These men are the highest Freemasons in existence.’
Del Rosi shook his head. ‘Surely these men did not see it fit to displace His Holiness John Paul I?’
Thierry grimaced.
‘And surely not our beloved late John Paul II…’
Thierry nodded again, his features sombre.
Cardinal del Rosi’s facial expression changed from that of utter hatred to one of mourning. His eyes watered as though he was close to tears.
Dominguez looked up with interest. ‘If the former President of France was a member of these Rite of Larmenius then why was he murdered?’
‘He was murdered, Mr. Dominguez, because of this,’ Mark said pointing to the document. ‘Based on the evidence at hand he almost certainly was aware of Nathan Walls’ findings and decided to tell Al Leoni about the hidden accounts. Not only did he admit to Leoni et Cie’s false pedigree, perhaps an act of friendship, he also decided to expose the order. Before he died he intimated that he knew much. Had he not been killed I think he would have attempted to bring the whole thing crashing down.’
‘Surely such levels of our modern government cannot be under the thumb of such tyrants.’ Cardinal Tepilo said. ‘Such promise of democracy tainted from within.’
‘We have always known that significant business can be achieved within the Rite of Larmenius or other groups,’ Thierry said. ‘The findings of Devére and Walls must be made public. This information will assist the FBI and many others in their dealings.’
‘And the Federal Reserve and the Securities and Exchange Commission will need to know about GPLA,’ Rogero said.
‘What use will that do?’ Riva asked. ‘If this Frenchman is correct then the commission itself is under the thumb.’
Mike looked at Riva. Was this a statement of knowledge or one of fear?
‘We must take advice from the IMF and the World Bank,’ Rogero said.
‘Knowing the Rite of Larmenius they will be working on a cover story,’ Mark said.
Thierry nodded. ‘Exactly. No connection exists. Scapegoats will be found.’
‘Particularly dead ones,’ Mark added. ‘If these men really do exist then they survive on secrecy – just as they did in the Middle Ages.’
‘But if we can bring Mr. Devére’s statement to light it will ask a few probing questions,’ Thierry said.
Cardinal Tepilo slammed the table, anger consuming his ageing face: the lines on his forehead sank deeper into his skin.
‘Are you forgetting what Mikael Devére said?’ the cardinal shouted, his eyes monitoring all present. ‘We have a traitor among us!’
There was no denying the severity of the statement or the tone in which he said it. Worried expressions looked every which way. Random chatting about nothing in particular faded into an anxious silence. There were no accusations or purposeful approaches. It seemed every person present remained sceptical of accusing their colleagues: or afraid to incriminate themselves.
Tepilo rose slowly to his feet, using his chair to support himself. He looked intently at every face as though he was walking along an identity parade.
His features hardened. He looked at them one by one: the Swiss Guard; the Italian; the Colombians, his own niece…somehow, somewhere, there existed a society of men intent on controlling the Vatican Bank: perhaps intent on controlling the entire world. Someone in here was a traitor.
Finally the cardinal nodded, a strange smile crossing his bearded face. As he did he felt the familiar feeling: that feeling he always experienced at these meetings: he was in the presence of insignificant people.
‘And so it would appear,’ Cardinal Tepilo said, ‘that the only people known to operate with these Templars are those connected with Starvel. Is that not correct…’
He turned and faced the American banker on the other side of the table.
‘Irving.’
48
Every pair of eyes studied the face of Irving Swanson. A shocked silence, both penetrating and judging, pervaded the room.
The American looked randomly across the table. His expression was one of astonishment, his concentration strained, his eyes panicked. For several seconds he struggled to focus on the accusation. For over an hour his mind had attempted to digest the startling revelations.
The severity of the situation was evident: if the words of this man, the former President of France of all people, were to be believed then at least one high-ranking official at the Vatican was aware of the fraud. Further than that, they had helped orchestrate it.
Furthermore, they blamed him.
Suddenly the air seemed to have become denser and he felt somewhat warmer than before. His lips wobbled and he swallowed involuntarily. Inhaling deeply, he attempted to focus his attention on those present: looks of astonishment and confusion that also harboured judgment: the facial expression of the woman was in keeping with one who had squashed an insect; the other bankers were slow to condemn but quick to voice their displeasure. They had accepted the Camerlengo’s instant connection of him to Starvel.
Yet still no one spoke. Silent looks of inquisition asked the inevitable question. Is this man a traitor?
His eyes focused on their eyes and suddenly he felt intimidated, rarely for him, as if an imaginary force field was holding him down oppressively. The Swiss Guards in their uniforms: perhaps knives or guns hidden within easy grasp. The bankers: self-made millionaires and superpowers in their field. The cardinals: the generals of their society. Everyone was suddenly an enemy.
Another involuntary swallow. Still he examined the possibilities. Mark looked briefly at Swanson, but somehow his expression was less judgmental. All the while, he remained silent.
‘Irve,’ Cardinal Utaka said, leaning forward on the table. ‘You were formerly a director at Starvel. Is that not correct?’
It was an obvious and pointless question. Everyone knew everything about everyone on this committee. Everyone knew that Irving Swanson was an employee with Starvel: first in the 1970s and 80s and then the late 90s to 2004. Everyone knew he was celebrated for his role.
Swanson stuttered noticeably. ‘Eminence, sure, I was an employee at Starvel, twice. I even made director. But I left years ago. Everyone here knows that.’
No surprises, not yet.
‘But before that time you worked for and alongside Misters Horatio and Louis Velis,’ Cardinal Tepilo said, returning slowly to his seat, examining the document in front of him. ‘The second man being the present leader of this order, at least according to what I read.’
Swanson watched him, his face appearing less surprised than before. He had heard Mark talk of Velis.
‘How would you describe your role?’ del Rosi asked, sligh
tly too pompously.
Another pointless question! Del Rosi was stirring but that was no surprise. In his position perhaps he would have done the same.
Swanson adjusted his glasses and shifted awkwardly in his chair. ‘Well, eminence, sirs, I entered Starvel back in 1974, when I was thirty-two; it was only my second job in banking. Back then Starvel was mainly an investment bank, at least the American part, and Starvel AG was a separate clearinghouse. For ten years things were outstanding, but in 1987 the company was struggling; heck, they all were after the crash and all. By then I was a senior manager. Things picked up eventually, but the bank was plagued by internal struggle. I stayed till the end of ‘87 and after that I moved on. By then, I’d fallen out with Velis senior. I used most of my severance pay to invest and made several million as a result. I was quite content with my lot in life. I settled down, spent time with my wife and kids. Was kinda nice being out of the rat race.’
A brief silence followed, no questions, not yet.
‘But you did return to Starvel?’ Rogero said.
Swanson nodded, his lip continuing to wobble. ‘Well, sir, as a matter of fact I was asked back. By 1997 Starvel was struggling again,’ he said, the pace of his voice quick. ‘Four years of overspending and unsecured loans had left them isolated in certain quarters. Other banks refused to lend to them; other CEOs avoided talking to Horatio Velis and Richard West face to face. And following West’s death some depositors began to take their money elsewhere.’
Swanson paused, taking the time to inhale deeply. For now they watched him but still said nothing.
‘But Starvel also had different problems,’ he continued. ‘They cut off credit to that airline and they were slated in the press. Heck, other banks were accusing them of stealing trade secrets. But Velis senior had started other fires. Literally. Back in ‘94 he was accused of burning files. By that time I had left, but I was still in contact with some of the staff.’
‘Perhaps in your absence things changed?’ Riva said.
Swanson looked at the Italian with a stern expression. Rogero considered the comment with interest. What did Riva mean?
Swanson: ‘Gentlemen, while I cannot deny that there were elements of Starvel’s dealings that I did not approve of, the bank itself was always legit – 99% at least. Every bank has its skeletons in the closet.’
Dominguez nodded briefly in agreement. He fidgeted with his fingers, now cupped together in front of his face.
Another awkward silence descended, possibly judgmental in nature. Eyes moved with regularity, but mouths remained closed.
Utaka: ‘You were unaware of any dubious business practices?’
The banker hesitated. ‘Well, sir, Starvel is a complex unit whose tentacles span many nations and networks, even more so in the last ten years. These days it’s practically eight separate entities in one. As I say, 99% at least is legit, although I must admit even during my first time I was aware that certain elements of the Rite of Larmenius had a substantial presence there. Following allegations of money laundering, the Feds asked questions but as far as I’m aware a full investigation never occurred. As I’m sure you’re aware, Randy was chairman at the time.’
Thierry made a note on a blank piece of paper.
Swanson returned to his glass of water and finished it. ‘West was dead by the end of ‘97 and around that time two new fellas came in: Gilbert de Bois, who lasted less than three years as deputy chairman, and Louis Velis as the new chief executive. Within two years Starvel had become the world’s largest multinational conglomerate incorporating four other companies.’
‘What happened to their directors?’ Utaka asked.
‘Fired,’ Dominguez said.
‘Early retirement,’ Swanson corrected; ‘although most were given no choice in the matter. Velis and de Bois were not the easiest of fellas to work for. Most hated them from the start.’
‘And what of you?’ del Rosi asked.
Swanson shook his head defensively. ‘Personally, my own dealings with Horatio Velis were limited. In ‘96 he offered me the opportunity to return to the bank as a director. By late ‘97, with Louis now in control, I was invited again to join the board, one of twelve, and this time I agreed without much thought. Most of the directors of Starvel still there approved of me and I was friendly towards them.’
‘So you were friends with this Mr. Velis?’ Tepilo said.
Another shake of the head. ‘No, sir, in fact at the time Louis Velis and I had met only once before. A year later his daddy was dead. He knew of my past performance and he offered me a good salary. At the time, I had become somewhat bored. Felt I needed the challenge.’
Heads turned and expressions hardened. The American refilled his glass with water. This infuriated del Rosi.
‘We have listened to Agent Mäder talk, and we have all read the document before us,’ del Rosi said. ‘Do you really expect us to believe that none of this could have gone on without the involvement of all key personnel?’
Swanson felt himself choked up, forcing him to swallow. ‘Well, eminence, even during my first time at Starvel I admit I was aware that the bank had its secrets. Back in the ‘80s, Velis senior was known to have been funnelling funds all over the goddamn shop. But back then there was no bank that didn’t. And they destroyed all the evidence. As time went by I began to understand parts of their true nature. Velis and the others were not actually playing with depositors’ funds. I was aware Velis senior was conducting activities on behalf of the Rite of Larmenius, but at the time it was not obviously illegal. I heard rumours that West wanted out, but that was never confirmed officially. It wasn’t until 2003 that I realised every previous CEO of Starvel had been a Velis and every Velis had been a Rite of Larmenius master. Until 1977 Starvel was a private family bank, mainly Swiss based. Three quarters of its most high-profile employees are Master Masons; you pretty much have to be to get a promotion.’
Another awkward silence followed. The temperature seemed to rise with every second.
Rogero. ‘A moment ago you said the bank was legit.’
Swanson nodded. ‘Yes, sir, it is. However, that’s not to say one or two individuals did not use the bank for illegitimate gains.’
‘And Louis Velis?’ Rogero asked.
Swanson stuttered. ‘Well, sir, it’s like I say, I always knew that Velis was involved with the Rite of Larmenius, though I never heard anything especially bad. De Bois, I always had my suspicions, but at the time I didn’t really know him well enough. Both Louis and his daddy, I understood, were quite high up – knew a lotta people. Yet Louis had also made millions in other industries. He’d started in hotels, working for the industrialist Anthony Castlefield.’
‘Sénéchal of the Templars 1978-87,’ Mark interrupted.
All eyes turned to Mark and then back to Swanson. The experienced banker inhaled deeply.
‘Well, Velis rose quickly up the financial ladder,’ Swanson said. ‘He eventually went into business himself. Best I could gather, using some funds given to him by his daddy, he was a millionaire by the time he was twenty-seven. The family was well connected; his granddaddy was also a steel magnate, word has it he was good buddies with the Vanderbilts. By thirty-five he was worth dollar billions in his own right and was looking for further opportunities. As was my understanding, he wanted to consolidate his hotel empire into a worldwide conglomerate. He took over from his daddy just before the legislation changed and merged his own companies with that of his family. He also brought in Gile for his PR expertise and merged together a few others, including a struggling clearinghouse known now as Starvel AG. He salvaged three other near bankruptcies, turned them around and sold them on, pocketing millions every time. His actions were genius. When he came to Starvel he came with a reputation as something of a hero.’
Rogero exhaled. First he dammed him now he praised him.
‘And de Bois?’ Utaka asked.
Swanson paused momentarily. ‘Well his career is media. He started with mil
lions after inheriting his father’s fisheries company and sold it on. Using the proceeds he went into business at Rosco on the back of his friendship with the bank’s founder, an oil tycoon Mark Antonio Careca. He was definitely a Rite of Larmenius.’
‘And a former Templar,’ Mark said.
Swanson hesitated and took a drink. ‘Well, you see, Velis and de Bois began making moves when rumour had it the legislation was about to change. Within two years that happened and I was on the board when Starvel attempted a takeover of Leoni et Cie. Everyone in the industry was delighted when that one was shelved. At the time, money was siphoned off like cigarettes and Velis seemed more interested in this than anything else. This was the real reason it was refused, ironically on the advice of Randy as Chairman of the Fed. As a matter of fact Randy actually asked my advice on the matter.’
Dominguez looked on, intrigued.
Swanson exhaled deeply. ‘It was around this time Velis offered me a role in the Rite of Larmenius.’
Looks of astonishment crossed the faces of every banker.
‘So you admit it!’ Tepilo said with venom.
Swanson shook his head vigorously. ‘Eminence, no, I told him to go to hell.’
Rogero looked at Swanson, his expression stern. ‘You chose not to take it?’
Swanson: ‘Velis couldn’t sack me as I was too good, and by then I knew too much. You see, in 2004 a director at Starvel AG told me that every major Rite of Larmenius master had a bank account with Starvel and their businesses all had accounts with Starvel AG. I guess in many ways dealing with Starvel AG is unavoidable. Individual deposits of billionaires gave the bank a finance sheet that looked more like Fort Knox – the bank’s assets alone are greater than $3 trillion. This was legal, just coincidence that practically all of the world’s most influential people had accounts with the same bank. By now Starvel was easily the most successful organisation in the world bar Microsoft. Velis, however, also used Starvel and the bank’s offshore subsidiaries to launder money on their behalf or as tax havens for his rich clients: Randy once told me Starvel alone costs the US Economy over $400 billion a year in taxes.’
The Templar Agenda Page 47