Chapter Twelve: Bank Premises a Few Weeks Earlier

Peter was sitting in his office; he occupied himself with the computer. He'd been like this since the morning, processing and managing credit and balance deficit accounts on the U.S. and other related countries that have obtained loans from the U.S.

 He was asked to make a summary report on the recovered loan payments into the U.S. account. Steve Rodney, the bank president, had officially delegated him for this task in person. He believed Peter was the most competent person for the task and expected him to have finished compiling the document before noontime. Rodney had earlier informed him that the files would be sent to the office of the President of the United States to be used for analyzing the forthcoming fiscal budget.

 It was almost 10 a.m. now, and Peter was still halfway to finishing. The task was a tedious and rigorous one, which required much dedication, time, and attention. He had to check through the list of debts and loan issues to developing countries. Moreover, since some were recent and some as old as two decades, he had to compile and retype the information in a new presentable format using his personal laptop to recheck it during his spare time, should he have made any omissions on the files.

 For quite some time now, Peter had been the most diligent and reliable staff among his colleagues, and even some of his superiors knew that he was undeniably good. Steve Rodney knew that as well, and that is why he had delegated him for this task. He knew he could rely on Peter, even though lately, he observed that Peter had been a little slack and eccentric; his attention seemed to be divided at work.

 Peter had been meditating on Ed's words lately; "the card is in your hands!" he'd said to Peter on one occasion in a conversation they had, and Peter had been pondering over that phrase ever since.

 Eddy Santos was a senior superior exclusive and executive officer in the bank. He was tall and had gold-grey hair that gave him a charming look. Even in his mid-sixties, you'd think him to be a young handsome man.

 He had been like a father to Peter ever since the first day he resumed work here at the bank. His influence on Rodney had helped accelerate Peter's promotion to his present position, a position which had taken some fifteen to twenty years to attain. However, Peter had attained that within his five years with the bank. He had reached the post of a senior financial advocate and head of sub-units' operations in the bank.

 Ed had spent more than twenty-six years working with the bank, and in all that time, he was never married or had a family of his own. Though rumors had it that he once had a wife and family, though no one had ever met his family or heard him speak of one since they came to know him. Moreover, the claim had been disputed as rumors. However, Ed was a man with many stained reputations, though none was ever proven. It was rumored that he was once a racket mastermind before joining the bank, and as a result of that report, most people suspected that he might be the man behind the many disappearances of celebrities' jewels and other related crimes associated with the bank. But so far, no concrete evidence had been established to ascertain that fact.

 The cops had been on him for years, and after several investigations with no proof to establish a fact, they had dropped all charges leveled against him. Technically, a man with his reputation wouldn't have lasted this long with the bank, but with his influence on Rodney and his satisfying job performance, he had maintained his position thus far.

 Peter, on the other hand, respected and idolized Ed much. He saw him as the father he never had because Ed was always there, putting him through even the most difficult tasks, and this had helped influence his acceleration and rapid promotion.

 Meanwhile, inside Peter's office, Peter scrambled over the task Rodney had assigned him. He was now working on the recent refund loans and stumbled upon something that started all his problems.

 The RSA's recent return loan: he stopped as his heartbeat faster than ever. A two-billion-dollar loan to the RSA ten years ago was returned nearly a week ago, and it lay right inside the vault of this bank.

 He stopped to think for a moment. This could be his chance of making it big, he thought to himself. Perhaps he could change history for once, as this could be the card Ed had told him was in his hands, but only if he played his game smartly.

 His mind worked swiftly. He had been working diligently, compiling records of cash and valuables worth billions for the bank. However, that had not changed his status compared to some of his mates, because he was still much poorer, he perceived. He lived in a small apartment, and he owned an old Cadillac and only a few bucks to his name, and that was all that was to his name. Most of his earnings had been apportioned to foot his bills and other settlements. This could be his one chance if he could work out something; otherwise, he might never get another chance. But how was he to do it? That was the problem now. Although getting into the vault was the least of his worries; as head of unit operations, he could easily go in and out of the vault any time he chose to, he only needed an excuse.

 The bank is an unconventional one. It has traditions and principles for hosting any foreign repaid loan before it would be shipped out. They also have an electronic mechanized chest in which the money is stored for safekeeping. This chest is coded and can only be unlocked by a specially designed laptop, which is maintained by the U.S. federal top securities. The laptop is passed to one of the bank officials voted by the exclusive executive board member to do the delivery; a person of high integrity. The laptop is passed to the agent voted, only two or three days before the money is moved to the Swiss bank for safekeeping until a need for it arises.

 However, the staff voted is allowed to change the password during the period in which the laptop remains in their possession, as the laptop will be used to fasten and unfasten the chest to a special plane designed for its delivery.

 He sat thoughtfully, musing over the issue for some time, and discovered it would be difficult to lay his hands on that money except with the help of an expert. He thought of involving Ed, but he was quite certain that Ed wouldn't support him on this, even though he'd suggested to him that the card was all in his power to change his life. Nonetheless, he was quite certain that this was not what Ed was referring to. If only he could get the password to unlock the chest, he could easily manipulate his way around it. He thought of how he could easily go to the vault, empty the content from the chest into some safe, and replace the chest with some junk. He sat quietly, fighting his brain with several thoughts, and finally, he felt completely handicapped.

 He was lost in his thoughts when suddenly his office door burst open and Agnes, his secretary, popped in. Agnes was the type of girl he would describe as a crumpet; she was less attractive, although she was diligent and always busied herself with work. She rarely spoke except when spoken to.

 He stared hard at her briefly. He was mad at her for barging into his office without even knocking and intruding on him.

"Sorry, sir," she apologized politely. "The GM asked to see you right away," she said.

 Peter felt a surge of blood rush over his face. It was almost 11 a.m., and he was yet to finish the task. "What has come over me?" he thought to himself. He had missed his break period and still hadn't finished up with the task Rodney had assigned him. He was mad at himself for allowing the RSA return loan thought to completely take his attention. Now was the time to pay for his worthless ideas.

 He stared at the system for a while and noticed that he still had much work to do. Perhaps in an hour's time, he would be done. He raised his head again and noticed Agnes still standing by the door.

"Sir, he asked that you come to the board meeting room immediately."

"Did he ask that I bring along any documents?" he asked in an attempt to satisfy his curiosity.

"No, he never mentioned that," she replied. "He only asked that you come immediately. Now if you would excuse me," she added, making an attempt to leave his office.

"Agnes!" he called to her and hesitated for a moment.

"Yes, sir!" she replied, turning back to stare at him.

 Peter gazed at her briefly. He never understood why she always referred to him as 'sir,' even though they could just be age mates. Perhaps office ethics, he believed. She stared blankly at him as he remained indecisive for a moment.

"How busy are you at the moment?" he asked casually, thinking perhaps he could use her help to reduce his workload while he was away.

"A little tied up," she replied. "I still have to file those files you gave me. Aside from that, I also have to do some computing on those credits and balancing sheets that you just received. Any problem?" she asked.

"Never mind," he said. "Just thought I could use some help, but never mind, it's nothing I can't handle myself. Besides, they're confidential. Thanks anyway," he said, while walking toward the exit door.

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