Poseidon's Ransom

Chapter Twenty Two

It was a little before midday when Jack and Bogdan left the Nova Varos Hotel. The temperature had crept up and was now over 30 centigrade, with the warmest part of the day yet to come. It was only about ten minutes’ walk from the hotel to the bank, so they never took up the valet’s offer to secure them a taxi. A decision they regretted after walking for a couple of minutes. Jack in slacks and a shirt was hot, but Bogdan, still wearing his Armani leather jacket, looked ready to boil.

The big man’s appearance did however fit-in with Jack’s cover as a wealthy business man wishing to use the bank’s extremely discreet service. Bogdan looked every bit the very capable and threatening minder.

The Henagar Merchant Bank is not one of the largest financial establishments in Montenegro. It is however one of the richest. The Henagar family were old world Balkan aristocracy who’d established the bank back in the mid 1800’s. Unfortunately, and due to the mismanagement of Borat Henagar’s eldest grandson, the business began to fail in the 1970’s.

At the height of the cold war, the bank was taken over by a small group of forward thinking Russian businessmen, allegedly high-ranking KGB and Politburo members, who turned the business around. By the time the Russian Federation shattered in 1992 the bank had re-established its premier position as one of the world’s most secure and discreet merchant banks, largely due to the fact it was happy, and willing, to deal with the most unsavoury of individuals, from African dictators to international terrorists.

All this of course, behind closed doors, and within the realms of respectability originally established by old Borat Henagar, who would surely be spinning in his grave, if he knew what the institution he’d created had become.

It was Bogdan who, with information from his Mafia boss in Moscow, had discovered the Henagar was more than likely the bank through which the ransom had been administered.

It took a little over fifteen minutes to find the bank. The original building, in the old part of the city, had been turned into a trendy bistro and wine bar. The Henagar now ran its business from a very modern establishment in the New Town area, right in the heart of the financial district.

Large tinted glass doors were monitored by three sets of CCTV cameras. As the two approached, a small screen, to the side of the doors, lit up and gave access to an intercom.

Jack touched the screen and said, ‘I’m here to establish an account.’

No reply came, but within a second or two of Jack’s words, the doors slid silently open.

They stepped into a large hallway and the outer doors slid closed behind them. The internal doors were not tinted, and Jack could see a burly security guard on the other side. The internal doors opened.

‘Good afternoon, gentlemen,’ said the guard. Then pointing to an elegant desk a few yards away, said, ‘Please.’

A very attractive middle-aged woman stood as they approached the desk. She looked directly at Jack, and said, ‘Good afternoon, sir. How may we help you?’

Jack smiled. ‘I’d like to talk to the Managing Director please.’

‘Yes, sir. And I believe you wish to establish an account?’

‘That’s correct.’

‘Our General Manager would be able to help you with that, sir.’

Jack’s smile faded. ‘I’d prefer to deal with the most senior person in the bank.’

‘Of course, sir. May I have your name please.’

Jack’s smile returned. ‘Smith.’

Bogdan grinned.

The big office on the sixth floor was modern yet elegant, with a view that looked out over the winding river.

‘Good afternoon, gentlemen. I am Emilio Schlovan,’ said the MD.

Jack smiled and held out his hand. ‘Jack Smith.’ He didn’t introduce Bogdan.

The banker nodded slightly and returned the smile. ‘Mr Smith. Yes of course. Please have a seat. May I offer you a drink?’

‘Just water, please,’ said Jack.

Schlovan spoke into the intercom. ‘Water please, Katarina.’

A few seconds later a young woman entered with a tray. She placed a bottle of water and a crystal tumbler in front of Jack and Bogdan. Smiled then left the room.

After the door closed, Shlovan said. ‘Now…, Mr Smith. How may we help you, sir?’

Jack filled the tumbler with water and drank half of it down. ‘I have interests in South America, America and Europe. And as our business has grown so rapidly we have an issue with money.’

The banker smiled. ‘Not the lack of it I suspect?’

Jack finished the water. ‘On the contrary, Mr Schlovan.’

‘Please, call me Silvio. And what type of assistance do you require from us, sir?’

‘We have to move funds from North America and Europe, which would then need to be worked or invested in multiple legitimate enterprises.’

Schlovan nodded sagely. ‘May I ask what kind of volume we are talking, Mr Smith?’

Jack turned to Bogdan. ‘Mikael?’

The Russian paused for a few seconds. ‘About fifteen million dollars.’

Schlovan looked mildly disappointed. ‘No disrespect intended, sir. But that’s a very simple amount for us to handle for you.’

‘A week,’ said Bogdan.’

The banker’s eyes widened. ‘Ahh. Yes of course, sir. It’ll take a day or two for us to put a prospectus together. We want to make sure your funds are disbursed and invested in the best possible way. How long will you be in Montenegro?’

‘A few days,’ said Jack.

‘Very well. I’m having a small gathering at my home this evening. I would be honoured if you could join us?’

Jack stood up. ‘That’s very kind. We’d be happy to.’

‘If you let Katarina know your hotel, she will arrange a car to pick you up. Shall we say nine o’clock?’

Jack and the banker shook hands. ‘Thank you, Silvio. Until this evening then,’