Christopher Reich - Numbered Account

Yet, despite his contacts over the years, Kaiser had had no idea what Neumann would really be like until just this moment. And by that he meant very specifically that he’d had no idea whether or not he would be like his father. Now he had his answer. And it pleased him enormously.

The speakerphone squawked.

“I hope you were able to follow our conversation,” said Martin Maeder. “I had the windows closed and the blinds lowered. It was like the tomb of Ramses. We scared the shit out of the kid.”

“He didn’t sound too scared, Marty,” said Armin Schweitzer, standing closest to the speakerphone, arms crossed over his barrel chest. “His math skills certainly didn’t suffer.”

“The kid’s a wizard,” gushed Maeder. “Arrogant as all hell, but a goddamned Einstein!”

“You’re right,” said Kaiser. “His father was the same way. Worked as my assistant for ten years. We practically grew up together. He was a bright man. Terrible end.”

“Gunned down in Los Angeles,” added Schweitzer, unable to disguise his glee in the misfortune of others. “The place is a war zone.”

“I won’t hear your ignorant accusations,” shouted Kaiser, his exuberant mood soured. “Alex Neumann was a good man. Maybe too good. We’re damned lucky to have his kid.”

“He’s one of us,” said Maeder. “Didn’t fidget once in that chair. A natural.”

“So it seems,” said Kaiser. “That’s all for now, Marty. Thank you.” He terminated the connection, then looked at Ott and Schweitzer. “He acquitted himself well, wouldn’t you say?”

“I would caution against reading too much into Neumann’s actions,” said Schweitzer. “I’m sure he was motivated more by fear than by any loyalty to the bank.”

“Really?” asked Kaiser. “I disagree. I can’t think of a better way in which we could have tested his executive mettle, or his loyalty to the bank. It takes balls for a trainee to make that type of decision in the absence of any guidance. Rudy, call Dr. Schon. Have her join us. Sofort!”

Ott scrambled to the telephone.

Kaiser took two measured paces toward Schweitzer so that the men were an arm’s length apart. His countenance darkened. “It’s you with whom I should be concerned, Armin. Isn’t it your duty to monitor the surveillance list given us by Mr. Studer and this Thorne character? Of all our numbered accounts, certainly this one should have caught your eye.”

The director of compliance met the Chairman’s gaze. “Franz Studer gave us no warning. I was indisposed Wednesday evening when the list was submitted to us. I didn’t have a chance to review the list until yesterday afternoon. When I saw it, naturally I was appalled.”

“Naturally,” said Kaiser, unconvinced. Schweitzer had two excuses for every missed step, but never an apology. Indisposed? Probably something that could only be cured by a few generous shots of schnapps. He put his hand on the man’s shoulder and squeezed. “Don’t ever forget at whose behest you serve, Armin.”

Rudolf Ott hung up the phone. “Neumann’s papers will be here right away,” he announced, then glared at Schweitzer. “I can’t get over the coincidence of this account number appearing on the list while both Herr Kaiser and I were absent in London. And you, Armin,” Ott let the final word dangle, “indisposed.”

Schweitzer rolled forward onto the balls of his feet. His cheeks colored. Ott took a step backward, cowering. Schweitzer looked at the Chairman, and his stance relaxed. “You’ve confirmed that Franz Studer did not accidentally allow the account past his desk?” he asked.

“If the account is on the list, it is because Studer put it there,” said Kaiser calmly. “Hard to believe even he’s joined the Americans. At least we know where he stands.” He shook his head and for the first time realized the hairbreadth nature of their escape. He exhaled noisily. “We were damned lucky.”

Ott raised his hand shyly as if afraid to be called upon. “Another piece of unfortunate news. Dr. Schon has just informed me that Peter Sprecher is leaving us.”

“Not another one,” said Kaiser. He didn’t have to ask where Sprecher was going.

“To the Adler Bank,” said Ott. “Another lion for Konig’s menagerie.”

“One more reason not to trust Neumann,” said Schweitzer, suddenly heartened. “The two are fast friends. Where one goes, the other will follow.”

“I think we can rule out Neumann’s leaving,” Kaiser stated. “He stuck out his neck for all of us. He didn’t do it without a reason.” He walked slowly over the maroon carpet, his feet traveling from one canton to the next. From the blue and white shield of Lucerne to the bear of Bern to the bull of Uri. “Regardless of Mr. Neumann’s motivations, it is clear that we can no longer handle our special accounts as before.”

Schweitzer spoke immediately. “Why not have members of my staff, of compliance, handle our special accounts? We can keep perfect track of our clients’ commands.”

Kaiser said nothing. He had his own notions about who should keep track of the special accounts.

“Why not bring Mr. Neumann into our offices?” suggested Ott. “He’s shown a flair for handling this account, and you do require a new assistant. Mr. Feller isn’t coping well with the increased workload. Konig’s bid is making matters unmanageable.”

“I beg your pardon, Herr Kaiser,” said Schweitzer hurriedly. “But the thought of bringing Neumann to the Fourth Floor is unconscionable. No thinking man would—”

“No thinking man would have allowed this numbered account to appear on our very own internal surveillance list,” said Ott. “Studer be damned! But to calm you, Armin, we can keep a closer eye on Mr. Neumann on the Fourth Floor. He would be ideal to assist in responding to our North American shareholders. We require a native English speaker to pen our rebuttals to the American press.”

Kaiser stood between the two men, his head tilted slightly backward as if he were smelling the air. “Very well,” he announced, pleased that Ott had beaten him to the suggestion. “Decision made. I want him here Monday morning. No time to lose. We’ve only four weeks until our general assembly.”

Schweitzer stalked from the conference room, ever the jilted suitor. As he reached the door, Kaiser raised his voice. “And Armin…”

“Jawohl, Herr Kaiser?”

“Keep a sharper eye on the lists submitted to you by Franz Studer. He’s on the other side now. Is that clear?”

“Jawohl, Herr Kaiser.” Schweitzer nodded curtly and closed the door.

“Poor Armin must feel rather the goat today,” said Kaiser, sighing.

“I’m disappointed in him,” added Ott. “I hope we mustn’t question his allegiance.”

Kaiser turned on his plump deputy. “Schweitzer has been with us for thirty years. His devotion cannot be questioned.” He didn’t need to mention what had secured the man’s obeisance. Two female corpses, a smoking gun, and a philandering husband made for big news in any country. It had been an expensive affair to keep quiet. But worth it. He’d have his hands wrapped tightly around Schweitzer’s balls for the rest of the man’s life. He turned his mind to more pressing matters and asked, “Have our friend’s assets been located and transferred?”

Rudolf Ott clasped his hands in contrite supplication. “The entire amount was wired out first thing this morning. The transfer of funds form Neumann mentioned was located and removed. It never reached Agent Skouras.”

“Christ, it doesn’t do to upset a client like that, two hundred million on deposit and one percent of our shares in his pocket.”

“No sir, most unwise.” Ott parroted the Chairman like a court eunuch.