by Andy McNab
The two little ones jumped up and down for joy. No doubt going for a swim didn’t mean a trip to the local municipal pool. It would be Dalladine-style.
‘Say goodbye now to Charlotte and James, please.’
We got waves as Kyle led them away. ‘So nice to have met you both.’
Then: boom, exit left, out of camera range, and we were alone again – even if it was virtual.
I filled the vacuum. ‘What a wonderful family.’
He put his hands together in prayer. ‘Yes, thank you – I am blessed, and you know what? For the very first time I feel complete.’
It was weird: he was focused solely on Charlotte. ‘As you are, too. Loving parents. And, of course, James.’
I had no idea what was going on in his head, but his expression was more sad than contented. Maybe he was thinking back to the war. He would have been old enough to remember. But as quickly as the sadness came, it lifted, and we had the beaming Parmesh once again.
‘Charlotte, James, I have a suggestion. Or, in fact, a proposal.’ His forearms came down onto his thighs to get closer, as if he was about to include us in a conspiracy. Instinctively, I leant in too, and so did Charlotte. As if it was going to help: the speakers were doing the talking.
‘I feel that we are part of a family.’ He tapped his heart with a forefinger. ‘Therefore, what I want to do is show faith. Not only to you, but to the people you have brought along with you. So, right now, I’m setting out some affairs in New Zealand that will hold fifty per cent of your incentives for all five of you. If you’d be so kind, I would like you, Charlotte, to agree to control those assets. Once you have them, they are yours. No matter what happens.’
The effect it had on both of us must have been clear to see. ‘I am sorry if it is overwhelming, but I want to show commitment to you both.’
He swivelled to face Charlotte. ‘I am not too sure how much you know of what I am trying to achieve, but it does not really matter for now. What does is that you eventually believe that what we are doing is not only honourable but for the betterment of us all. And that you are part of it.’
Charlotte’s gaze was fixed on Parmesh, as if they were the only two in the room. ‘James has just explained everything. And I’ll do whatever is needed to help him. I’ll look after whatever needs to be looked after.’
There was a pause when he fixed into her eyes before coming back to me. ‘Thank you, James, for introducing me to your wonderful sister. I see great things ahead for us all.’
He slapped his thighs and stood up. ‘Well, clearly, I have to go swimming now. We will talk very soon. Mr Egbers?’ He looked over and the South African jumped to his feet as if he could see him. ‘Mr Egbers here will make sure you have all the details. That will be done some time tomorrow. Wonderful to see you, James. Fantastic, Charlotte, to meet you. The water awaits. I will speak to you all soon.’
We said our goodbyes and waved, and he exited out of camera range and that was it.
It didn’t take long for the Templars to dismantle the holoport. We both sat there, not saying a word to each other, until they left with courteous nods and goodbyes to Charlotte.
I waited for the final click of the door latch before looking across at her.
‘Come on, then, numbers girl, what’s fifty per cent of four lots of fifteen million?’
Charlotte was already there. ‘He is giving us thirty million to start off with. Can it be real?’
She slumped into the desk chair and her head fell backwards. She stared at the ceiling. ‘Shit, James, shit.’
39
Wednesday, 5 December 2018
Neither of us had slept. It was the anticipation, hope, I wasn’t sure what, really, of all that cash being dropped into Charlotte’s lap.
She had called me just after 5 a.m. to see if I was awake and, if not, to wake me and tell me that she was coming to me, so order coffee. Since 5.45 all we had done was drink coffee, talk, and feel excitement and dread in equal measure.
It was nearly 10 a.m. and she was finishing the last of the long-ago-cold coffee and the last muffin before we sorted ourselves out to meet the rest of the team at eleven. We had spent a lot of time talking about what Parmesh was all about, and she still wasn’t done. ‘He’s weird, but I sort of like it. He always like that?’
‘He’s eccentric, to put it mildly. But there is something about him.’
She sat on the same chair as last night, her back to the desk. ‘Let’s see if he really means it about the money. That’s what’s going to focus minds and get everyone on board.’
She was right, of course.
‘Certainly focused us.’
She was gathering the muffin crumbs left on her plate with a forefinger. ‘What are you going to say, anyway?’
I pumped up the pillows, and rested my back against the headboard. She licked her finger to get the last few crumbs to stick. The first of the day’s thrill-seekers screamed across the lake. ‘The truth, apart from the crusade part – and you’re right, the money will change things.’
Charlotte wasn’t too sure. ‘You’ve got to be careful how you approach that. The sums are so big it could boil their brains. Maybe think about offering a smaller number, something that sorts their families out but feels obtainable, something they can get their heads around. Otherwise, why would they believe? We didn’t, did we? Then, once the job’s done, they can worry about what to do with their big-boy bonus.’
The team might have been her main concern, but that wouldn’t stop her thinking about what the money would do for our family, and her own life. I could sense the cogs turning in her brain as it boiled away.
‘James, just think about it. What if it’s true? What if the money is real – what if we can actually get away with this?’
I shrugged. ‘I try not to think about it – and fail, of course.’
As we gave each other a slow nod, my mobile buzzed.
‘Egbers wants us in Reception.’
I pulled on my trainers and followed Charlotte out of the room. Neither of us said anything. What was there to say? Besides, we both knew that if we did, it would be the same thing: ‘It’s exciting.’
Egbers was waiting for us as we exited the lift, dressed in jeans and a light blue shirt pressed to within an inch of its life.
He smiled, then gave Charlotte a nod and a Prussian click of the heels. ‘Good morning. Please, come with me.’
We followed him to one of the small business-centre meeting rooms. In it were two men, both in grey suits and one-colour ties, one blue, one red. Both sat on the left of the clear glass desk that seemed to fill most of the small room. Their matching brown leather bags were on the desk, opened, exposing paperwork.
Egbers addressed Charlotte. ‘These two gentlemen are here to finalize the account details that Mr Mani spoke about.’
She shook hands with them and I followed suit as Egbers closed the door and stood with his back to it, facing the room, like a club bouncer. Was this really going to happen?
The elder one introduced himself as Theodore Alexandris. He had a strong Greek accent and was maybe mid-forties, something like that. The other was in his thirties, and introduced himself as Lukas Fischer. He had the American accent that Germans always had in the old war films.
Theodore took control in a polite-but-we-are-here-for-business manner. ‘Please, Charlotte, sit, make yourself comfortable. This shouldn’t take long.’
We both took seats to face them across the desk. Neither of us had said a word since the initial hellos. Charlotte was still shocked at the potential this meeting had to change everything, one way or another. I knew it: I was having exactly the same feelings.
Theodore got down to business. ‘So, Charlotte. SIB is Mr Mani’s bank. It’s more efficient to handle his business and personal affairs in-house, so to speak.’
‘What does SIB stand for?’
Theodore mistook my question as concern. ‘Subramanian International Banking. But please do not worry. Th
is is a real bank that is certified and regulated by the Federal Reserve. Please feel free to verify our details. I’ll give them to you, if you wish.’
I shook my head. ‘Not necessary, but thank you.’
Theodore got back to business and explained to Charlotte, ‘It’s a simple transfer. You have absolute power over the account. No other signatories are required. Here we have a chequebook for you, which I think you’ll never use, but regulations state you must be issued with a physical means of withdrawal and payment. However, you’ll also have your card for the account. The PIN is 7890. You can change it to whatever you wish. There’s only one card, and it’s yours. And, of course, you can transfer the monies to wherever, to whoever, and whenever you wish – even today. I will be your personal account manager. Anything you need, just call me. I will leave all my details for you. Feel free to contact me any time, day or night. I am at your service. Now … we have some paperwork for you to sign so that you can control your account.’
Lukas had been busy fishing paperwork from his bag and passed it across the desk. Then he flourished a fountain pen, the lid already removed for her. ‘Please, Charlotte, take your time, there is no rush. Any questions, please just ask.’
I could see what she was about to sign, and the amount was exactly what Parmesh had promised: thirty million pounds sterling. She read, she signed, and as she pushed everything back to Lukas, it was Theodore’s turn. He pulled out a large white envelope and smiled as he passed it across.
‘Welcome to the bank. And on completion of the task, the same amount again will be deposited into this account – your account, Charlotte.’
‘Why me? Why have I been chosen? Why not James, or why not make it a joint account?’
Egbers stepped forward from the door. ‘Because you are an accountant, you know money, and Mr Mani knows that James has enough to think about.’
Lukas had finally checked Charlotte’s signed paperwork and Theodore closed his bag. They both stood. We got up, and Theodore’s hand came out across the desk to Charlotte and they shook.
‘I can sense the enormity of what is happening, Charlotte. But please take comfort that Mr Mani has the ability to think on a scale larger than anyone I have ever known. He will touch the world for us. That’s why we have dedicated ourselves to ensuring it happens. I know these are early days for you and for James, but Mr Mani has faith in both of you. All you have to do is have hope and believe.’
Charlotte looked as if she still had a bit more shock left in her, and Theodore sensed it. ‘Please call me whenever you need to. You have my details. As I said, I’m at your disposal twenty-four hours a day. From this moment, you are in complete control of the account. Do with it what you wish. Like I said, Mr Mani has total faith in you. In both of you.’
He turned to me and we shook. Then they left with Egbers.
The two of us collapsed rather than sat down. Charlotte tipped the card, the chequebook, and Theodore’s contact details onto the desk as if she was checking this wasn’t a dream.
We both stared at them for what felt like an hour before we came back to the real world, and Charlotte stuffed everything into her jeans. ‘Okaaay. What do you think?’
We had to remain practical. ‘I think you need to check the money actually exists.’
Charlotte agreed, but I could see her head was elsewhere. Understandably.
We headed back to Reception, with no sign of the bankers or Egbers. Not only was that meeting one that I would never forget, it had got me thinking.
‘Know what? I get what you said about boiling their brains. It’s just done mine. So shall we say, like, a million? That’s still a lot of cash to let sink in. And once we’re out of here, we can tell them about their bonus fourteen? Maybe your new personal banker will help them manage it.’
I threw her a smile, more in relief that the shock had begun to subside and I was trying hard to grab some reality back.
Charlotte joined in with my smile and tried to sound casual. ‘Yep. Just a million. Enough brain-boiling for today.’
We couldn’t help but laugh as we sat on one of the reception settees to order even more coffees. Tony came through the main door and into the foyer. Warren and Gemma were close behind, and all were heading our way, looking a lot less knackered but still red-eyed.
Gemma greeted us. ‘Morning. At least you two got out the funny side of the bed this morning. I’m still fucked.’
We listened to their bad-night, jetlag stories and heard how their body clocks had got them up at GMT so they’d walked around the town. Gemma checked her watch. ‘Ten to. Are we still up at your place at eleven?’
‘Yep, on our way there now. With you in a tick.’
They headed for the lift and Charlotte jumped up. ‘It’s no good – I’ve got to check this is real now. I’m going to an ATM.’
40
Back in my room, waiting for the team to arrive, I sat on the bed and took a couple of deep breaths. I was excited for Charlotte, for me, for all of us. What if it was true? But we weren’t exactly drinking cocktails on the beach just yet. And, of course, there was a job to be done first, plus Egbers and his threats. About that, though, I was starting to feel that maybe, just maybe, the threat level had dialled back a bit when Charlotte arrived. Only a bit, of course: in the back of my mind, reality lingered. The images of the Filipino and Richard were embedded. What would happen to the team if they turned down the offer?
There was a knock on the door, the sound of laughter outside and voices. I used the couple of seconds before I opened to steel myself. For their families’ sakes, it was up to me to make sure they accepted.
Three smiling faces greeted me, still waffling about what they’d seen around the town.
I beamed back. ‘I’ll get some coffee.’
Gemma took over, picked up the phone. ‘I’ll do it. I want a smoothie anyway.’
Warren grabbed the second chair by the desk and Tony walked over to the large patio doors and admired the lake.
It was Warren who noticed first. ‘Where’s Charlotte?’
I was still standing by the settee where Egbers and the Brit normally positioned themselves. I felt more in control there.
‘She’ll be here soon. She had an errand to run.’
We talked about the town and I shared the bits and pieces I knew about it. Then Warren asked about the job.
‘Let’s wait for Charlotte, mate.’
There was a knock on the door. Room service pushed in a trolley of coffees and Gemma’s smoothie, with a plate of pastries. People jumped on it like no one had eaten all morning. I checked my watch as they settled down again. Tony got into one of the chairs and pulled apart an almond croissant.
We passed more time. Gemma liked the sound of the boats screaming past: she wanted to go for a ride later, then find a rugby game to watch. Warren was up for a longer wander: soak up the atmosphere, send postcards home, all that sort of stuff, because it was going to rain. He was sure it was: hadn’t anyone else seen it on the weather forecast?
Tony wasn’t listening: he was too busy looking at a second croissant.
Another check of my watch. ‘We’ll give her five more minutes, yeah?’
At last there was a gentle knock on the door, and she stood there, face serious. Good sign or bad? The team clapped her in as a late arrival and she gave them a forced smile.
I kept it upbeat. ‘All good?’
Charlotte just stared at me. I glanced around the team but they were too busy with their drinks and licking icing sugar off their hands to notice. I glanced back at Charlotte. She was in shock, without a doubt. But shock good or shock bad?
41
I needed to keep those visions of the Filipino and Richard front and centre while I delivered my pitch. They must be the last victims. I clapped my hands to bring myself back to the real world. ‘Okay, welcome, everyone.’ I took a deep breath. There was no other way of selling this. ‘The job’s different from what Charlotte will have explained. Basic
ally … I lied to her to get you all down here.’
Gemma was first in. ‘Lied? What the fuck? There’s work here, isn’t there? You said you’d pay up front and you’re getting no fucking money back.’ Her eyes narrowed. ‘You getting us in the shit?’
What else could I say? She was right.
‘Only if the job goes wrong. Look, I’ve got you all down here because I need you to help me steal something.’
Tony’s eyes jerked up from his sticky bun and Warren stared at me with a slow shake of the head as he reached for the door.
It was pointless trying to stop him or reason with him. I knew him too well. We watched in silence as he disappeared and the door gently clicked to lock.
I turned back to the others. ‘That wasn’t exactly the reaction I was after. Don’t worry, he’ll come round.’
At least no one else had followed.
Gemma didn’t need to show anything. As always, she just verbalized. But it wasn’t me she turned on. ‘Charlotte, what makes you think I’m not gonna follow him? When did you know about this shit?’
‘After he asked me to contact you. I’m sorry. Look, I’ll go and find Warren. Just listen to what James has to say, please.’
Charlotte held out her hand for the key card before she left the room, while Gemma put her feet on the bed and pushed herself back in the chair. She wasn’t happy.
I carried on: ‘I’m also sorry I lied, I really am. But I had to.’
I told them exactly what I’d initially told Charlotte, about what had been happening down here for the past seven years, and the reasons why. Then, of course, that I’d got caught and been made to steal the ledger. ‘Nothing else, just a book.’
I’d had a brain-baby incubating since they’d entered the room, and gave birth to it in that moment. I reached under the bed for the Jiffy-bag and raised it above my head. ‘I don’t know what’s in it, and that’s the way it has to stay. As soon as I get the ledger, it has to go in this and stay concealed. We hand it over and we’re done. Rich people, rich problems. I don’t care. And I’m hoping you don’t. That’s why I’m standing in front of you now. I need your help, and I need Warren’s help. I didn’t know any other way to get you down here except to lie – and to Charlotte. For that, I’m sorry. But you still have a choice, even Warren.’
