Whistleblower

by Terry Morgan

CHAPTER 84

  The copy of the letter from Freeway Consultants showed their office on Bahnhofplatz an easy walking distance from Tom and Jan's hotel on Zahringerstrasse in Zurich Old Town.

  A quick internet check also showed it being promoted as a "most prestigious business address in the heart of the central business area." Most importantly, there was a phone number for anyone wishing to rent space. Tom made the call.

  "Ah, yes, My name is Richard Muller. My company Freeway Consultants rent office space at Bahnhofplatz......."

  "Ah yes, Mr Muller. Freeway Consultants, of course. How are you? Is everything to your satisfaction?"

  "Yes, good, thank you. So good, in fact, we are looking to rent more space."

  "Ah. We have some offices still available. You will be familiar with the facilities - meeting and interview rooms, the business lounge, the video-conferencing suite, the high-speed internet, all supported by our multilingual team of on-site professionals......"

  "Yes, thank you. Could we call to have another look?"

  "Are you in Zurich?"

  "Yes, we could be there in ten minutes. Is someone available to show us?"

  "Of course. Shall we say midday. Do you have the entry security codes?"

  "No, sorry, they're with my staff in Holland."

  "No problem, someone will meet you outside."

  It was now midday and as Tom and Jan stood on the pavement outside, the glass door opened and a young woman wearing a grey suit and with blonde hair came out. Jan immediately thought of Katrine.

  "Mr Muller? My name is Sophie. You speak English or German?"

  "English would be fine," said Tom trying to conceal his Irish accent. "This is John Gardener from our Dutch office." They shook hands.

  "I think you already rent an office here?"

  "Yes, Freeway Consultants."

  "Ah yes, on the second floor," she said and led the way to a lift. No-one spoke as the lift ascended. When the door slid open they walked out onto a carpeted corridor. "Do you have access to our current office?" asked Tom.

  "Yes, it is an emergency code only but we can go in."

  On the door outside it said Freeway Consultants S.A. but, as expected, it was empty inside except for a desk, two chairs and a small table.

  "But it's empty," Tom said with forced surprise. "Where are the computers, the filing cabinets?" He started opening the drawers of the desk.

  Sophie stared at them both. "But we have never seen anyone here."

  "Then we need to report this," Tom said, "Our work is confidential. There were sensitive files here. Who is in charge of security?"

  Sophie looked shocked. "It is the management company - Commercial Office Services - the company you spoke to earlier."

  Tom took out his mobile phone. Jan and Sophie watched.

  "Yes," he said, "It's Richard Muller again. I am now in the office at Bahnhofplatz. There has clearly been a security failure here. The office is empty - no computers, no files, nothing. "

  The voice on the other end was clearly apologetic.

  "Yes, I am also sorry." Tom said. "My staff only worked from here for short periods - perhaps for two weeks or so - before returning to our Dutch office, but we have had no-one here for two months. We've had a few issues with our local partners. Can you say if the rent has been paid?...........Yes, please check before I make other enquiries."

  Tom waited, staring out of the window onto the street below. Jan sat in the chair looking and smiling at Sophie. Sophie looked down at her shoes then up at Jan. Then:

  "Good. Well that's a relief. Can you tell me which of the companies paid the rent?...........Freeway Consultants? Yes, of course, that's us. From which account was it paid?...... Milan, you say?"

  Tom, still looking out of the window, was thinking quickly.

  "Would that be our Banco de Credito de Milano account? Yes. That bank is not in Milan, Italy, it is our Panama account but are there any more details on the bank transfer - the payee's name, perhaps?...... P.U Eischmann........... Yes, that's OK. I understand now."

  Tom turned, looked at Jan, then at Sophie. He was still holding the phone so that the person on the other end could hear. "Well, that's a relief," he said. "Mr Eischmann has been paying, but I'm still worried about our computers and files."

  He turned back to the phone and continued. "Who am I talking to?....Olga. Listen, Olga, could you check something else for me? The rental agreement with Freeway. Who signed it? Was it our Milan office?....Thank you, yes, of course, I'll wait."

  Tom glanced at Jan. Jan was stroking his chin and smiling at Sophie who still reminded him of Katrine.

  Tom again: "Yes, that would be it......Antonia Goretti.....Antonia - yes, we call her Toni. And the address?.........Yes, thank you, Olga. That's very helpful.... No, no, there is need to call the police. Everything is fine. Goodbye"

  Tom switched off the phone, glanced at Jan and then at Sophie. "I'm sorry Sophie but I don't think we'll need a new office now. One will be enough."

  Three minutes later, as Tom and Jan began the walk along Bahnoffstrasse towards their hotel, Jan grabbed Tom's coat sleeve. "So, are you going to tell me the address?"

  "Via Como, Civesio," Tom said, smiling. "Milan. Did you like my English accent, Jan?"

  "Very good. Do you think that's Guido's address?"

  "Well, I don't know, but it's another lead don't you think?"

  "And do you think we've now got a real name for Toni?"

  "Well," Tom said, resuming his English accent. "If not it's a jolly fine coincidence. Let's report this to Jim and then head on down to Milan."