Blood Trust - Eric van Lustbader [106]
“Yes, I’ve been through some of his work.” Pawnhill gestured. “Very talented young man. Pity he’s no longer with us.”
“We need to see the files that were taken from his office.”
“By all means.” Pawnhill went to the table and, counting out stacks, slid one to a spot in front of an empty chair. “Knock yourself out, Agent Wilde.” He nodded as she sat down. “If you need any deciphering, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Believe me, I won’t.” She pulled the first folder off the top of the pile and opened it. “Are these in alphabetical order?”
“No,” Pawnhill said. “They’re in chronological order with the latest loan on top.”
The others hung back, but there was no conversation from behind her. She scanned the documents inside the folder, then set it aside and picked up the next on the pile. This process went on for perhaps forty minutes.
Pawnhill pointed. “That particular loan was never consummated. Mr. Warren discovered a problem with the applicant’s financials.”
Naomi ran her finger down the sheet. “Did he often find such problems?”
“No, he didn’t.” This from Evrette. “When it comes to its loan applicants, the bank employs a rigorous vetting process.”
Naomi turned a page. “But sometimes—like here—something slips through the cracks.”
“Well, no system is foolproof,” Evrette admitted. “That’s one of the talents that made Mr. Warren so valuable. He could sniff out even the faintest whiff of an applicant’s shaky finances.”
“What about off-the-books loans?”
“I beg your pardon?”
Evrette came around into her line of vision and she could feel McKinsey take a protective step close behind her.
Naomi gave him a steady look. “I think you heard me, Mr. Evrette. Did Billy Warren discover any off-the-books loans that hadn’t been reported?”
“This is preposterous. Of course he didn’t.”
Pawnhill intervened. “Agent Wilde, if I may, had there been any such machinations I and my team would have found them.”
“But—and correct me if I’m wrong—you’re not finished with your forensic audit.”
“Almost,” he said. “But not quite.”
“Hmmm.” She tapped her fingertip against a line on the page. “Then perhaps you can explain to me why this company—Gemini Holdings—showed up in one of Mr. Warren’s case files on his computer.”
“That’s hardly surprising,” Evrette said. “He was just doing his due diligence. The loan was denied.”
“I see.” Naomi nodded. “But what’s curious was that Mr. Warren continued to follow the activities of Gemini Holdings after he recommended that their loan application be turned down.”
“I don’t know what you’re getting at,” Evrette said.
Naomi’s finger swept down the page. “According to the information in Mr. Warren’s electronic file, Gemini never went to another bank.” Her eyes were fixed on Evrette. Sensing that she had struck a nerve, she pressed on. “Not only that, but it seems that Gemini Holdings got their loan money not ten days after they were turned down here.”
Evrette shrugged. “That’s none of my concern.”
“Really?” Her lips pursed in admonishment. “I think Billy Warren discovered that it was very much your concern. I think that’s why he was keeping an eye on Gemini long after their loan was turned down.”
That was when she heard the soft metallic click. As she began to rise from her chair, McKinsey’s firm hand pushed her back down hard. Then the cold metallic press of a gun at the base of her neck.
Behind her, McKinsey pulled the trigger, and she was slammed forward. Immediately, blood spurted, warm and cherry red.
PART THREE
CHERRY BOMB
Two Days Ago
Don’t fall in love, don’t fall in love, she seemed to be trying to say to me.
—The Skating Rink, ROBERTO BOLAÑO
TWENTY-TWO
ARIAN XHAFA stepped off the military air transport at Vlorë Air Base in southwest Albania into a driving rain. The dark, fulminating sky seemed as low as the treetops, and a filthy wind battered him.
An armored car pulled up and he got in. He was carrying no luggage; none had been