Havana Harvest by Robert Landori Page A

“Tell me, have you seen my colleague lately?”
    Siddiqui was taken aback. “What an unusual question to ask a banker,” he murmured and looked at Lonsdale with renewed interest. “Are you a policeman?”
    “No, I'm not. I'm an internal auditor checking on our organization's account security arrangements.” Lonsdale knew that Siddiqui knew that the answer was evasive, but the letter of introduction had done its magic. Besides, everybody loves intrigue. The banker picked up Casas's picture, examined it with care, then looked up and smiled. “I'm afraid that I have no recollection of ever having seen this man. As you've probably guessed, I do not see every customer.”
    “Not even one wanting to withdraw a million dollars?”
    Siddiqui smiled again. “Above all not one who'd want to do such a thing.”
    “Oh? How come?”
    Siddiqui looked Lonsdale in the eyes. “Let's stop this silly game, shall we Mr. Jackson? You're after information and I shall do whatever is within my power to secure it for you. I cannot help you unless you tell me precisely what you want to know.”
    “I'm glad you came to the point without delay.” Lonsdale was beginning to like the rotund banker; he was cooperative. “Last week a man withdrew a million U.S. dollars from an account in your branch. He did nothing improper or illegal. The money was his to do whatever he wanted with it.” Lonsdale held up his hand. “I need to know three things.” He ticked the items off on his fngers. “One—was the man who withdrew the money the man in the photo? Two—who is the owner of the account from which the money was withdrawn. And three—where did the money come from.”
    Siddiqui became very businesslike. “I'm afraid I do not have the answers to any of your questions. But I shall introduce you to our current accounts manager who will, I am sure, be able to provide further details.”
    “Current accounts manager?”
    “Mr. Jackson I'm pretty certain that if the money was, indeed, withdrawn from an account in my branch, then it must have been withdrawn from a current, rather than a savings account. The current accounts manager has access to the details affecting all such accounts in this branch. She is the logical person for you. We'll tell her that you are a hush-hush investigator from our internal audit department, and she'll extend you her most enthusiastic cooperation. We often have surprise inspections,” Siddiqui added by way of explanation.
    “I'm sure,” the banker went on, “that she will be able to provide the answers to your frst two questions without delay, and once you have them I shall be in a position to provide the answer to the third.” He picked up the telephone, but Lonsdale stopped him. The idea of having to reveal his interest to yet another employee of the BCCI did not sit well with him.
    “Why is it necessary for me to meet this person? Do you have that many people cashing million dollar checks?”
    Siddiqui was taken aback. “You'd be surprised how many substantial cash transactions take place in our branch each week. By law we are supposed to keep track of and report all cash transactions in excess of ten thousand dollars, and I'm sure we do, at least most of them. But I'm also sure that we cannot keep track of all of them. That is why I, personally, try to keep away from cash transactions.” Siddiqui's meaning was clear. “Ms. Beaulieu, though, is right on top of the situation.”
    “Ms. Beaulieu?”
    “Yes, Ms. Beaulieu, my current accounts manager.” Siddiqui picked up the telephone again and began to dial. “Mr. Jackson don't worry. Ms. Beaulieu is effcient, but, above all, she is very discreet.” Lonsdale had no choice but to listen while the banker asked the woman to come to his office.
    After replacing the receiver, Siddiqui turned to Lonsdale. “How long are you planning to stay in Montreal?”
    “Depends on what this Ms. Beaulieu comes up with.”
    The manager looked at his watch. “It is