Chapter 3 Chapter two

At seven o'clock that night, Bartrop's black SUV drove into the courtyard behind the Bank of England building.Bartrop entered the building through a door that opened onto a courtyard and took an elevator up to the president's private suite.Behind him was Munro, a personal bodyguard and driver from the Royal Gendarmerie. Barrington waited in the study, murmuring over the contents of the meeting.At least he had managed to get Bartrop to come to him.Barrington was annoyed at the morning when the gentleman offered to go to Century House, MI6's headquarters in southeast London, to find him.It was customary for all the people in the world to come to the bank, including of course a director of MI6, as Bartrop knew.

The doorbell interrupted Barrington's thoughts.He went to the door and looked out through the peephole.He saw Bartrop standing a step or two from the door, with another person behind him.Barrington thought the man must be the bodyguard.He immediately opened the door and welcomed Bartrop loudly.Holding the open door, Barrington looked questioningly at the bodyguard, who nodded solemnly, thanked him, and said he was waiting outside.Barrington led Bartrop into the drawing room, secretly glad that he didn't have to be led like this at last. Barrington served the drink.The two sat face to face in covered armchairs.Barrington looked relaxed, with his long legs spread out, his right hand hanging over the outside of the armchair, his left holding his second gin tonic of the day.He was ten years older than Bartrop, and he looked as well.His peppery gray hair is thinning out.His large girth and chin sunken into the flesh made it very clear that he had had too many sumptuous feasts and too much claret.Unlike Bartrop, there are few wrinkles on his skin, and his face is completely satisfied.He no longer expected surprises in life.Bartrop studied him carefully, contemptuously.He sat sideways, knees slightly bent, drinking his whiskey slowly and listening to Barrington's chatter.After a while, his impatience was evident, and Barrington slowly closed the conversation.

Bartrop drank the whiskey in his glass and leaned forward in his chair. President, could you please explain to me the process of lowering the interest rate by one percentage point yesterday. Pretty simple.Barrington said, standing up to refill their glasses, we want to give the economy some stimulus.Inflation is under control.Of course we will keep an eye on inflation, but right now it is no longer an issue.There are no negative economic conditions to warrant a rate cut, so the Chancellor and I have agreed to cut rates by one point as soon as practicable.Markets were stable yesterday afternoon, so we decided to cut rates immediately.

Does anyone know of this decision in advance? Barrington paused for a moment, all the major central banks except the Japanese, who were still asleep.Barrington handed the glass to Bartrop, what do you ask? Bartrop saw a gleam of irritation in Barrington's eyes.understandable.The question just now had an unpleasant undertone, especially from an intelligence officer.Bartrop prides himself on his insight.Yes, that was annoyance, nothing else, he was sure of that.In any case, Barrington would have done more harm than good if he let the inside information out.The success of his career as a merchant banker had allowed him to add to his already considerable personal wealth, so money was excluded as a motive.So what's the remaining motivation?A smile slowly appeared on Bartrop's face.Barrington is almost impossible to be a subversive.When he was first proposed for the central bank job, intelligence reports gave him a dazzling credential.Bartrop believes that if there were leaks among several other central banks, it would not be Barrington's work.He drank some more whiskey, and then told Barrington something about Antonio.Fieri and his alleged gambling in the foreign exchange market.

Barrington agreed, saying there was something suspicious about Fieri's foreign exchange dealings.And he had secret news to tell Bartrop, too.A week ago, he received a call from Jonathan, director of Dawson Lane Accounting Firm.Gilby's phone call.Gilby told him that a young employee at his accounting firm had reported to him that he suspected something strange was going on in the foreign exchange proprietary department of a large American bank in the City.Barrington explained to Bartrop that self-operating means that a bank assigns a certain amount of its own funds to professional traders, who use them to build positions, that is to say, speculate in the foreign exchange market on behalf of the bank.This kind of behavior is different from the more common foreign exchange market operation mode, that is, the bank only represents customers, such as insurance companies, pension funds, industrial companies and even other banks, and conducts foreign exchange trading according to their instructions.Proprietary trading means high risk for the relevant banks, but it also means potentially infinitely high returns.

After Barrington finished this explanation, he continued to talk about what he had just done.The Dawson Lane employee was part of the team that audited InterContinental's accounts.He found that the profit of the bank's foreign exchange self-operated department has increased significantly recently, and the magnitude is suspicious. Barrington asked the Bank of England's Director of Market Surveillance, Marcus.Elijad conducted an investigation on the monthly profit and loss accounts of Intercontinental Bank's foreign exchange self-operated department in the past year.It turned out that the young auditor's suspicions were not unfounded.Marcus.Eliard spotted a pattern.Whenever central banks step in to intervene in the foreign exchange market, or take market-sensitive actions such as interest rate adjustments, they always make a lot of money.This is normal to a certain extent.Intervention actions and interest rate adjustments always have a causal relationship with market fluctuations.It is during periods of market volatility that currency market speculators make the greatest profits or incur the greatest losses.However, what makes people feel suspicious is the huge, continuous and sudden nature of the bank's profits, because these points can indicate that someone inside Intercontinental Bank may be using insider information to conduct transactions.If so, then the tip could only come from the top.Bartrop and Barrington agree.It appears that there has been a leak at the heart of the financial system.And the leak appears to link an important member of the Italian Mafia with an ostensibly respectable bank in the City.

Barrington was beginning to worry that he couldn't afford trouble in his upper echelons.Bartrop felt a surge of excitement about the possibility, the best news he had received in weeks.He stood up, I have to take my leave, President.He held out his hand, I would appreciate it if you would put the Intercontinental matter on hold for a few days.I have an idea, which can relieve your heart disease and mine at the same time.I'll call you tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. The President shook Bartrop's hand goodbye and sent him out the door.He returned to his seat, and thoughtfully looked across the skyline of the financial city outside the window into the distance.He wasn't sure about Bartrop yet.There was a shrewd charm about the man, and it was entertaining, but always unsettling, to ponder his ever-changing train of thought.They had met several times before, and each time Barrington was aware of a strong sense of purpose in Bartrop.As for the purpose, Barrington still can't see through it, but this does not weaken its power.Likewise, he wondered today what kind of role that brilliant brain was giving him.Bartrop has a rich imagination and is not lacking in manipulative ability.Although Barrington is at the pinnacle of power in the City of Finance, he is not a suspicious person by nature, but he has great feelings for James.Bartrop, on the other hand, was extra cautious.

What kind of medicine is that guy selling in the gourd?Perhaps a clever, cunning ruse that required his tacit approval in some respects.Well, as long as it's within reason, he'll cooperate.It was unwise to turn against a friend, and in this case alone, after all, their interests were common, or so he thought.If he had had the foresight, he would have followed a very different path than the one Bartrop was planning for him at this moment. At eleven-thirty the next evening, after an official formal dinner, Barrington met Bartrop again in his private suite.Bartrop cuts to the chase without any treachery.

Regarding our common problems, Governor.I have a proposal that may suit both of us. Barrington motioned him to sit in a chair, and then sat and listened to his story. Looks like there is some connection between Fieri and Intercontinental Bank, I'm following Fieri and Intercontinental Bank is your responsibility.However, whether there is a connection or not, it is necessary for you to investigate Intercontinental Bank.He paused, and Barrington nodded. If I understand correctly, sending investigators or regulators in from the outside to investigate, many similar frauds in the City would disappear.

Yes, that may be the case.Ideally, Barrington said, you'd be at the scene of the crime and get the loot.That way, you have strong evidence and an extremely strong case for accusation.As soon as investigators drive in, evidence of crimes can disappear quickly.Barrington continued.He spoke with emotion on the subject, with a hint of sympathy for the difficulties the Bank of England faced in maintaining order in the City.Then, of course, there's the problem of victims of fraud that we can't see.Those so-called experienced institutions or individuals are often unwilling to admit that they have been deceived, and they would rather suffer losses than maintain their self-esteem.So getting them to cooperate with investigators can sometimes be overwhelming.

Yeah, I can imagine that.Bartrop said, then brought the conversation back to the point, so the ideal way to catch the fraudsters on the spot without alarming them would be to have a colleague act as an investigator.He paused, carefully observing Barrington's reaction. Do you mean sending someone undercover?asked Barrington sharply. Bartrop smiled slightly, yes, that's exactly what I meant.I don't have any Forex traders in the company, so I'd really like to hear your advice.He stopped, deliberately letting the other party understand what he meant.Barrington sat with his head slightly tilted to one side, looking cautious but interested.Bartrop continued: You have to look for someone who is a good foreign exchange trader, who is also curious, knowledgeable, but above all trustworthy and prudent. Barrington laughed out loud. First of all, this is a very rare combination.As far as I know, forex traders are the most chatty and unreliable type of people.Lying is the most important part of their job, and they are naturally flippant.Second, even if I can find your perfect spy, how are you going to get them into Intercontinental Bank? Bartrop stared straight ahead in an expression that seemed to indicate that, despite the flaws in Barrington's understanding, he was free to ignore them. The first point, he emphasized the word number one, with a hint of sarcasm in his tone, as if he noticed that Barrington was counting on his fingers. I believe that with your strong connections in the City of Finance, you are able to provide a suitable candidate.Second, these traders jump from bank to bank more often than I change shirts, so it doesn't take long before there are openings. Barrington regretted that he could find nothing wrong with the argument, why not use someone who was already at Intercontinental Bank?he asked presumptuously. Well, that's the obvious way, isn't it, but we don't know anyone we can trust.It is safer to bring in an outsider, what do you think? Barrington read between Bartrop's words and thought to himself of course I fucking knew.He didn't understand why Bartrop felt the need to show such displeasure.He wanted to project his power in this meeting and let it end right away. Your idea sounds reasonable, Bartrop.He stood up and signaled the end of the meeting and I'll keep an eye on it. Thank you very much, President.Also, if you can arrange a lunch or dinner, bring your best candidate, so to speak, to find out. I believe you have a way to do this carefully.Bartrop looked at his watch.It was twelve o'clock at midnight.He got up to say goodbye. Barrington was silent for a moment, and if we get the spy you want, he emphasized that last word, knowing it would annoy Bartrop, then what?How do we work? A lot depends on who he is.He paused, as if pondering something, actually, President, I'm glad you mentioned this.As far as the process is concerned, do you want to take the direct link approach?Perhaps you find it preferable to use Contacts. Barrington was baffled. Was Bartrop deliberately trying to irritate him, Liaison? Could be your vice president, or your friend who oversees, what's his name, Elijah? Why should I use someone else? Bartrop shrugged, as is customary in case something goes wrong. What could go wrong?Are you going to tell me you foresee some trouble? Bartrop laughed, no, not at all.As I said earlier, this is the norm.We are not beyond mortal eyesight.In case something goes wrong, you are protected and it is another person who goes wrong.That's all. Barrington took a step closer to Bartrop. We've got to make this clear, Bartrop.If there is any possibility of error, let's forget about it for now.I'll find another way to investigate Intercontinental Bank. Bartrop said calmly: I don't know how to read fortunes, President, but I do know that there was no reason in advance to think that this operation would be troublesome.If I think the action won't work, if the action will get out of hand, I won't ask you. So the action is controlled by you, right?Will you make sure everything goes smoothly? Behind Bartrop's suave manners there was an undercurrent of impatience. That's my job, President.I will do everything within my power. The president smiled, that's good.That said, everything is fine.You do your job, I do mine.As for the vice president, let me tell you privately that there is a perception in the market that he is not competent enough and that his weight is too light.I'm not sure how long he'll be in office.Well, Elijah, I don't think he has that kind of majesty at all.He's well versed in his job, but not what you'd call a good people person. Bartrop walked towards the door, all right, President.That's up to you. The two shook hands and said goodbye. Bartrop took the elevator down to the courtyard, followed by Munro.Munro took the first few steps to open the door of the off-road vehicle.Bartrop climbed into the open door and sat back.Munro sped through the deserted streets of the City.Bartrop stared out the window, lost in thought.It might be courteous at this stage to inform the Security Service, MI5, of his planned operation, but it would be best not to complicate matters.No need to tell more people than absolutely necessary.All he wanted was to bring Fieri to justice, but anyway, this operation wasn't MI5, or even MI5.It is a matter for the City, and it is the responsibility of the Governor of the Bank of England.If the intelligence provided by this operation proved to be useful to him, it would be good luck. He looks at his reflection on the bulletproof glass window with a smug smile on his face