Numbered Account

"Banks all over the world- including plenty in the United States, I'll readily admit- help launder this money, help recycle it, and put it back into play. Phony invoicing, paper companies, unreported cash deposits to numbered accounts. A new way to launder money is being created every other day."

Listening closely, Nick detected a faint country twang, a stubborn reminder of home that had resisted bullying. He thought that if Thorne had been wearing a cowboy hat, he'd tip it back on his forehead right now and raise his chin the smallest bit, just to let us good people know that he was getting serious.

Thorne raised his chin and stated, "We are not interested in the average clients of this fine establishment. Ninety-five percent of your clients are law-abiding citizens. Another four percent are your small-time tax evaders, bribe takers, lower-level arms traffickers, and bottom-feeding drug dealers. As far as the United States government is concerned, they do not exist.

"Gentlemen," Thorne announced, as if they were now united in cause, "we are going after the big game. The top one percent. We have, after these many years, received a license to go elephant hunting. Now, the rules of the hunt are strict. The Swiss gaming authority doesn't want just any elephant brought down. But that's all right. We at the DEA have a clear idea of which elephants have the biggest tusks, and they're the ones we're after. Not the baby elephants, not even the mama elephants. We're going after the rogue males. See, they've been tagged by you Swiss 'game wardens' at one time or another, so even if you don't admit to knowing their name, you certainly know their serial number." He grinned slyly, but when he spoke next his voice assumed a solemn tone. "What matters is that once we provide you gentlemen with the name or serial number of one of those rogue males, for which I remind you we have received a license, you cooperate." Thorne cocked one knee and pointed into the audience. "If you so much as think of protecting one of my rogue males, I give you my word that I'll find your sorry ass and kick it to the fullest extent of the law. And maybe then some, too."

Nick noted more than a few flushed cheeks. The normally calm Swiss bankers were getting pissed off in a hurry.

"Gentlemen, please pay attention," Thorne continued. "This is the important part. If any of the rogue males- hell, why don't we just call them what they are- if any of the criminals we're looking for deposits large sums of cash, amounts in excess of five hundred thousand dollars, Swiss francs, German marks, or the equivalent, you people must call me promptly and let me know. If any of these criminals receives wire transfers in excess of ten million dollars or the equivalent, and transfers more than fifty percent of that amount out again, to one, ten, or a hundred banks, in less than twenty-four hours, you gentlemen must inform me, pronto. Keeping your money in one place, that's being a wise investor. Moving it around day and night, that's laundering- and his ass belongs to me."

Thorne relaxed his stance and shrugged his shoulders. "Like I said, the rules of the hunt are strict. You people are not making it easy on us. But I am counting on you to give me your entire cooperation. We're trying out this arrangement as a gentlemen's agreement. For now. Don't play with this one, boys, or it will explode in your face."

Sterling Thorne picked up his briefcase, shook hands with Kaiser and Maeder, then accompanied by Rudolf Ott, walked from the boardroom.

Good riddance, grimaced Nick, as the spasm of a painful memory grasped his spine. He had his own reasons for not liking the man.

For a moment, the room guarded a funereal silence. There seemed to be a sort of collective confusion, whether to stay or whether to go. But as long as Kaiser and Maeder remained no one left the room.

Finally, Wolfgang Kaiser drew a labored breath and rose to his feet. "Gentlemen, a word. If you please."

The bankers drew themselves to attention.

"We are all hoping that our cooperation with the international authorities will be at once brief and uneventful. Mr. Thorne clearly has some unsavory characters in mind when he speaks of going elephant hunting. 'Rogue males' and all that." Kaiser's blue eyes smiled as if to say that he too had seen some interesting customers over the years. "But I am confident that none shall be counted among our esteemed clientele. The foundations of this bank were built upon fulfilling the commercial requirements of the honest businessmen of this country. Over the years, the services we offer to our countrymen, and to the international community, have grown more diverse, more complex, but our commitment to working exclusively with honorable individuals has never wavered."

A collective nodding of heads. Nick's fellow bankers appreciated their Chairman's affirmation of the bank's innocence in any unseemly matters.