Shadow Agenda: An Archeological Thriller (Hannah Ahmed Thrillers Book 1) by Adam Clayton

Author:Adam Clayton [Clayton, Adam]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aethon Books
Published: 2024-11-19T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 40

Hannah and Joel went to the Qatar National Bank on Champollion Street. The lobby was spacious. Large windows dominated the front wall. The bank offered its customers comfortable seating areas scattered throughout the moderately crowded lobby.

The bank manager was surprised the UN was calling on him. He invited them into his large, well-appointed office. As Hannah took her seat, she touched the polished Zebrawood surface of the manager’s massive desk. The exotic wood’s alternating light cream and blackish-brown streaks made a unique and striking statement.

The manager offered them cigarettes. Both declined. He lit up. “I can’t imagine why the UN is interested in my bank.”

“I belong to a special terrorism prevention division.”

“And you, madam? I didn’t catch your affiliation.”

“I’m Mr. Braithwaite’s colleague.”

The manager took a long drag on his cigarette while considering her vague response. “I assume you’re here looking into the museum bombing.”

“Yes,” Joel said.

“How does QNB fit into your investigation?” He took another drag on the cigarette. Hannah could see he was nervous.

“We believe your bank may have provided payment for the job. Not intentionally, of course, but we’d like to know more about a transaction we’ve found.”

The manager made no overt reaction, other than a slight raising of an eyebrow. He slowly extinguished the cigarette in a large crystal ashtray, giving himself time to consider a response.

“I understand your inquiry, and I sympathize. But you must understand, without authorization, I can’t confirm an account.”

“Would you like to be known as the bank that wouldn’t assist the Egyptian government in the capture of a criminal who blew up the Grand Egyptian Museum? A criminal who destroyed the most famous ancient artefacts in the world?”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Braithwaite. In this matter, my hands are tied.”

“Perhaps I should call my friend, Ali Hassan, Minister of the Interior. I met with him just yesterday.”

The mention of the powerful government official got an almost stuttered response out of the bank manager, though he tried not to show it. They could see him formulating some response—perhaps grasping for a way out of this clearly difficult situation. He lit another cigarette before capitulating, “What account are you interested in?”

Joel produced the two account numbers Davies had uncovered. The bank manager inspected them, then made an inside telephone call. Everyone sat in silence, waiting.

A long minute later, a slender, bespeckled man entered the manager’s office. He carried a notebook computer. The man took a standing position next to his manager’s desk.

“This is our internal auditor.” The manager offered no name.

The man-with-no-name nodded to the visitors.

“You may ask him your questions.”

Joel began, “I’d like to know about these accounts…” He handed the auditor the account numbers.

After scanning through several screens on his notebook, the auditor looked up. “These are trust accounts. Assets to be distributed upon notification by the originating trustee.”

“Who is that trustee?” Joel asked.

“We don’t have a name. Only an identification number.”

Joel passed his hand across his face in frustration. “Can you tell me the status of those accounts?”

“One was closed.”

“How was the money paid to those accounts?”

“A man came in.

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