“ We could extrapolate the turnover amount in Herr Hoffgeitz accounts-twenty-one million dollars-by the normal turnover percentage of two-and-a-half percent.”
“ In other words, take the turnover amount in his accounts and multiply it by forty, which comes to-”
“ Eight hundred and forty million.”
“ That’s right. So out of twenty-four billion dollars in the accounts that Herr Hoffgeitz manages exclusively with Gunter’s help, only eight hundred and forty million dollars are in active accounts.”
Christopher thought for a moment. “And the rest is sitting in inactive accounts-”
“ Or a single account.”
“ With a total balance of over twenty-three billion dollars!”
“Based on September’s figures,” Lemmy said. “But even if the numbers fluctuate a bit, we can safely assume that a huge part of Herr Hoffgeitz’s clients’ holdings remains inactive.”
“That’s incredible!”
“ Interesting may be a better word. But also logical, because he would normally assign the routine handling of clients to one of the accounts managers. Herr Hoffgeitz would only keep special accounts under his own management.”
“ Special in what way?”
“ That’s what we need to find out.” Lemmy walked around the desk and stood by the door. “Great work, Christopher. You’ll make an excellent assistant to the president.”
“Thank you!”
“Now try to sniff around Gunter, but don’t frighten the old guy, okay?”
Christopher disappeared behind the door, but a moment later buzzed Lemmy on the intercom. “Prince Abusalim az-Zubayr is on the line. He wants to talk to you.”
*
At the Hilton suite in Paris, the lights blinked on the eavesdropping system. “Outgoing call,” Gideon announced.
“ Put it on the speakers,” Elie said.
“ What happened?” Bathsheba clapped. “No more secrets?”
Gideon hushed her, and a man’s voice came from the speakers. “Welcome back, Excellency. How is Paris treating you?”
“It’s good to be back, Herr Horch. Six-one-nine, El-Sharif.”
“ How can we help you?”
“ I know this voice!” Bathsheba pointed at the machine. “That’s the man who left the message earlier.”
Elie put a finger to his lips.
“ Another transfer,” the prince said, “to the same bank in Senlis.”
“Of course. How much would you like to give Monsieur Sachs this time?”
“Two-and-a-half million dollars. And there will be another transfer of the same amount in a week or so, after he completes a certain job for me. I’ll let you know.”
“It’s an honor to serve you. The transfer will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, the twenty-fifth. It might take the French a few hours to get the cash ready. Should be available for pickup in the afternoon.”
“Perfect. Be well, my friend.”
Gideon turned off the speakers. “We’re back in the game.”
“It’s not a game,” Bathsheba said. “And who’s Herr Horch?”
“ This is it,” Elie said. “Tomorrow afternoon. We must prepare well. We won’t have a second chance.”
“Wasn’t Horch a carmaker?” Gideon reset the recording device.
“ This guy doesn’t make cars.” Bathsheba looked at Elie. “How the hell did you manage to turn a Swiss banker into an Israeli agent?”
“Don’t worry about that.”
“ I do worry! What if he’s a double agent? What if he’s sick of you blackmailing him or whatever you’re doing to make him work for you? What if he’s setting us up for Abu Yusef?”
“ She’s right,” Gideon said. “We need to know if Horch is reliable.”
“ He’s more reliable than the two of you put together.” Elie lit another cigarette and opened his bible. “Better start to prepare. Everything will depend on your performance.”
*
Prince Abusalim rang room service for a bottle of iced champagne and an assortment of sweets. He went to the bathroom and watched his naked image in the wall-to-wall mirror, taking pleasure in his muscular body as it produced a healthy stream of urine.
Wearing nothing but a bandage on his hand, he returned to the bedroom, where a voluptuous blonde was spread out on the bed, supported by a mound of pillows, eating square bits of chocolate from a silver bowl nestled between her breasts.
He wondered if he should let her stay the night.
The book of Koran rested on the night stand. He opened the drawer and dropped the Koran out of sight. “You eat too much chocolate, my little Rubens.” He squeezed the flesh of her thigh.
She giggled, reaching for his groin. “Maybe I’ll eat this chocolate.”
“ That’s my girl.” He grabbed her hair. “ Bon appetit.”
*
Paula served tender pork chops and sweet potato fries for dinner. Klaus Junior nibbled at the food as he listened to Lemmy reading aloud get-well cards sent by bank employees, clients, and a few of Armande’s old friends.
While Paula served cheesecake for dessert, the phone rang.
Lemmy got up. “I’ll take it in the study.”
He shut the door and picked up the phone. “Wilhelm Horch here.”
“I gave you an order,” Elie said. “Have you finished off the old man?”
“And I asked you not to phone me at home.” Lemmy covered his mouth as he spoke into the receiver. “I have a family!”
“Silence!” Elie launched into a series of coughs, followed by spitting. When he spoke again, his voice was weak. “Do not interrupt me again, or I’ll visit your home in person and practice my father’s trade on your Gentile wife and your little Nazi namesake.”
The threat was so extreme that Lemmy could not speak.
“ I need you to change the prince’s money transfer instructions. Write it down.”
Lemmy jotted Elie’s instructions on a pad and hung up. He sat there for a long time, unable to return to the kitchen and face Paula and Klaus Junior as if nothing had happened. Had Elie spoken merely out of rage? Or had it been a valid forewarning of real intentions? There was no way to know what Elie would do to ensure the realization of his grand vision. It had been a terrible mistake to give Elie the impression that his feelings for Paula and Klaus Junior could in any way hinder his complete dedication to the cause of Counter Final Solution. Elie would not hesitate to send a hit team to Zurich. What’s a couple of dead Gentiles in the context of obtaining twenty-three billion dollars to combat global anti-Semitism?
The door opened and Paula entered the study. She closed the door and came around the large desk. Gently she wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Are you going to leave us?”
“What?” He looked up at her. “Hell, no!”
She kissed the top of his head.
He hugged her, his ear against her stomach. “I’ll never leave you.”
“Good. Very good.”
“It’s something else.” He stood, facing her. “I should have told you long ago.”
Paula put a hand on his mouth. “I know who my husband is. You are a wonderful man and a terrific father. The rest is work stuff. I don’t want to know.”
He held her tightly. She truly, unconditionally loved him. And he felt the same, which meant that Elie had a valid reason for his deadly threat, because if Lemmy had to choose, Paula and Klaus Junior would come first. He had no qualms about killing to protect Israel, and he would have no qualms killing to protect his family!
They descended to the floor, kissing each other on the way down. They lay on the carpet. He nibbled at her
