They walked on down the narrow street, which at the end opened out into the first of the notorious canals of Europe's legal red-light capital.
The German police helicopter which had flown them from Hamburg to Schiphol had made excellent time. Mackie, having ascertained that there would be no language diffi shy;culty at the Nederland Property Investment Bank, had declined the offer of an official reception. Instead they had taken the short taxi trip from the airport to central Amsterdam, where their driver had been disinclined to drive through the narrow canal-side streets, and had dropped them off to walk the remaining half mile to their destination. Even in mid-afternoon, the city's most famous industry was in full swing. As Skinner had recalled, the canals were lined with window after window of bored prostitutes, largely ignoring their potential clientele. Some were smoking, others renewing their heavy make-up. One or two were knitting. Eventually they left the canals behind and turned into another narrow street, where every business establishment was either a bar or a sex-shop.
Mackie stared at the implements on sale and shook his head. 'What in Christ's name would anyone want with one of those?' His Calvinist upbringing asserted itself. 'I can't be doing with all that. I don't know if I've ever told you, sir, but my lifetime hobby is model railways. Everywhere I go I like to buy a set for my collection.'
Skinner's shoulders shook with sudden laughter. 'You could probably do that here, too, Brian. Only thing is, the engine would be a funny shape!'
Less than a minute later, they emerged from their seedy surroundings into the wide pedestrianised courtyard towards which they had been heading. Skinner looked around and saw, on a building on the far side, a large brass plate bearing the letters `NPIB'. He tapped Mackie on the shoulder and led him across the paved central area, between tubs of multicoloured flowers. He opened the high, heavy, half-glazed door. The name of the bank was spelled out in gold leaf on the opaque glass panel. Inside, a stern, tweed-clad receptionist-secretary was stationed in the centre of the walnut-panelled entrance hall, barring the progress of visitors. Her eyebrows were pencilled on, and her grey-flecked black hair was pulled back in a bun. She reminded Skinner of a memorably intimidating primary school teacher of his childhood.
Mackie introduced Skinner and himself. 'We are here to see Mr van Troost,' he added.
Wait here, please,' said the forbidding woman. She withdrew through a door at the end of the hall. A few seconds later it opened once more, and her head and shoulders reappeared. 'Come this way,' she ordered. The two detectives obeyed without a word. She led them into a room panelled in the same style as the hall, with a desk in matching wood behind which sat a trim man with a narrow face and a long nose, crested by gold-framed spectacles. He wore a grey suit made of a shiny fabric, and a white shirt with a 'fresh from the wrapper' look.
Van Troost did not rise as they approached, nor did he smile. The secretary-guardian beckoned them to two uncomfortable wooden chairs, then retreated from the room.
`So,' said van Troost without preamble. 'What is the purpose of this mysterious visit?' His clipped tones seemed laden with hostility. 'You said that your enquiries relate to a fraud investigation, but not more than that. I must tell you that, as Director of this bank, I recoil from the very mention of the word fraud. Our reputation in Europe is impeccable.'
`I don't doubt that for a second, sir,' said Skinner, `and no one is impugning it. We know that the transactions which we want to discuss are quite legitimate — on your part at least. We are looking into a certain loan, and most probably a second, which we believe you have made against the security of some properties in Spain. We know of one loan of around seven hundred and fifty thousand US dollars, arranged by or on behalf of a French national named Vaudan, possibly in association with a UK national named Ainscow. The loan of which we are sure is secured against a number of shop properties in the Spanish province of Girona. The second, if it exists, will be covered by a residential portfolio in the same area.'
Van Troost knitted his fingers together, and stared across the desk at Skinner over the top of his gold-rimmed glasses.
`Suppose I knew of such loans. Why should I break the trust of my clients by telling you about them?'
Skinner smiled. 'To help us with our inquiries, of course.' ‘but if I do not choose to do so?' said Van Troost evenly, looking Skinner straight in the eye.
The big policeman's smile did not waver for a second as he returned the banker's stare. 'Mr van Troost, you will tell me, please believe that, if not on this visit, then on the next. I have the power to ensure that you do. That is not a threat; it is a simple statement of fact.'
Van Troost looked at him for several seconds more, as if weighing his words. Eventually he unclasped his hands and leaned back in his chair. 'I believe you, sir. You are not a man to say such a thing without meaning it, or being able to bring it about. Very well. There are two loans. Each is for seven hundred and fifty thousand US dollars. One is to Nicolas Vaudan and the other is to Paul Ainscow. They are secured in the way you described.'
When were they negotiated?'
Van Troost thought for a second. 'Arrangements were completed around six weeks ago. We took some care over verification of title to the security. It was impeccable in every case.'
`What are the terms?'
The loans are repayable in full within one year, although Monsieur Vaudan did say that he expected them to be cleared within six months. Interest is at two per cent over base rate per annum. Very generous of us, I believe. Of course, if the loans are not repaid as agreed, the rate will increase retrospectively to ten per cent over base.'
Skinner smiled. 'Can't expect you to be too generous.' Van Troost grinned in turn and nodded.
`Have the loans been drawn down?'
`Yes, that was done two weeks ago, on joint instructions. All of the money was transferred to a numbered account in a bank in Monaco: an obscure private concern named Sneyder et
Fils.' Van Troost leaned forward once more. That is all I can tell you. The loans were granted in good faith, against sound security which we now hold. I have no idea what the money was for. If every bank such as ours asked the purpose of loans such as these, we, would do little business. There must be a place for trust in this world, no?'
Skinner nodded. 'Of course there must. You've been a great help to us. I will make sure that is known here. If I can give you some advice in return, this is it. Don't let the deeds to your security out of your sight. You may need them.'
Sixty-three
‘Arturo? Hello, it's Bob here. I'm at Schiphol. Sorry, Amsterdam Airport. Listen, I've just put a package on the 19.10 KLM flight to Barcelona. It's marked for you, strictly personal, so have one of your lads pick it up from the purser. The flight's due in at 21.20, so you've got plenty of time to get someone down there.'
Pujol's voice echoed back up the line. 'What is in this package of mystery?'
`Two letters. They're in German — so set up a translator. It'll be worth it, I promise you. The girl we went to see was Hansi's girlfriend. Lucan visited her to pay her off. One letter's from him to her, spinning her some bullshit about a long sea voyage. The other one she wrote to Gruber after we put her wise. You're going to love it. She's got a fertile imagination, that girl. Once you've read them both, you'll know what to do. Have fun.'
`You seem to have done well in Hamburg. How about your other visit?'
`There, too. At first I thought we might have trouble, but fortunately Mr Van Troost was a realist. We were right. There are two loans, for one and a half million dollars in total, transferred already to a very secretive-sounding private bank in Monaco — not the sort of place where we'll be able to walk in and demand information. We must keep track of that money, though — assuming that it isn't too late already. I've got an idea on that score.'