That Will Do Nicely (22 page)

"In what way?" a
sked Roberts.

"It seems they have been receiving $100
travelers’ cheques drawn on the 'Second National City Bank of Dallas' for the best part of a week now and didn't know what to do with them."

"Weren't they a little bit concerned?"

"Not until after I'd spoken to them." Forbes smiled. "It seems that they don't normally check the returned cheques from all over the world; they merely make sure they are clearly labeled with the details of the place of origin and the date, before storing them in a warehouse."

"So how did they come to notice them this time?" Roberts persisted.

"One of the porters dropped a box and the cheques went flying. He noticed several cheques of a different design and had the sense to bring it to his superior's attention."

"I bet they were surprised when they found out."

"It evidently wasn't the first time a clerk in another country, had put cancelled cheques into the wrong box with them ending up thousands of miles away - who cares as the man on the phone put it... they have enough work to do without opening up every box of cancelled cheques to see if someone has made a mistake of no real importance!"

"What did he say when you told him that his company had paid some of the che
ques out twice?"

"To put it politely, he didn't believe me
... said it was impossible."

"But he's going to start checking the system?"

"Yes. As far as I could tell."

"So much for American efficiency, technology and 'know-how'." Commented Roberts, surprised at the holes in the system. It seemed to him that the bigger the money involved, the larger the holes became, a sort of Murphy's law in operation.

"How did you get on?" Forbes asked Roberts, in turn.

"I think we've had the first real break since we began this. When I got back to the nick this morning, I briefed everyone and afterwards, a young P.C., name of Quail, told me that last week some American had reported the loss of a lot of travelers' che
ques. I checked the lost property book and found the guy's name was O'Hara. I played a hunch and had the name run through the C.R.O computer and it looks like Mr. O'Hara has been a naughty lad - got himself nicked, dipping pockets at Heathrow. CRO informs me that the name of O'Hara is an alias... and the real name's Steven Freiburg and he's currently awaiting trial in the Scrubs, where we have an appointment with him at five o'clock."

"Were the che
ques his or had he thieved them?" asked Heath.

"Now that's the funny thing. When I spoke to the arresting officer at Heathrow, he told me that Freiburg had admitted to stealing everything they found on him except for a large wad of
travelers’ cheques.  He said something about picking them up legitimately at some conference here in London."

"Were the che
ques on him the same as the ones he had reported lost."

"No, I thought that strange as well. From what I could discover, he's had about $30,000 worth of che
ques through his hands in the last week. That's one of the reasons why we'd better pay him a visit."

"You think he's our man?" Forbes asked.

"Definitely not. Whoever who set this up, isn't going to put himself at risk dipping pockets... he's far too clever for that."

"Well we'll know more after fiv
e o'clock," added Forbes. "Did you contact the American Express and Thomas Cook offices?"

"Didn't have time. Once I got that lead, I stayed with it."

"We'd better let them know we're making progress. Keep them sweet, in case we need anything more from them."

"I'll do it right away," a
greed Roberts. "May I use your phone?"

Roberts phoned Thomas Cook's in Leicester and advised them not to pay out any more che
ques from the 'Second National City Bank of Dallas'. "By the way Duncan," he said, replacing the receiver, "Do we actually know yet whether the Bank exists?"

"Not at the moment. The Treasury Department's still checking and will telex me when they are sure."

Roberts made his second call to Wilson at the American Express office and repeated the warning.

Later, Forbes didn't accompany them to the prison, which secretly pleased Roberts, not that he disliked the man, but just couldn't think of him as a real policeman. He was much happier just to have his sergeant along for the ride.

"How much pressure do you think we should apply?" Heath asked as he drove through the suburbs to Wormwood Scrubs.

"Pressure? I d
on't know the meaning of the word. Seriously, I think we need to tread very softly indeed. This customer is the only link we have at all and if we scare him off, we're going to be left empty-handed."

"I think you're right. Do we have anything to trade with?"

"I'll give it some thought."

The interview room was as dull and drab, painted in regulation grey and sparsely furnished. Freiburg was eventually escorted in. He seemed as grey as the room, having little 'presence' at all, possibly the effects of spending a few days in the prison
...

"Should we call you Freiburg or O'Hara?" Roberts asked the prisoner.

"Freiburg's my name... that'll do."

"Mr. Freiburg, we're here, because we need your help." Roberts opened the discussion in conciliatory tone, knowing that any force he used would tend to make the man clam up.

"Huh? So what do I get out of it?"

"If you co-operate, we'll put in a word for you." He offered.

"What good will that do?"

"At worst, no good at all, but at best, it could help you to walk out of here."

"How?"

"We could have a word with the Home Secretary and persuade him that it wasn't worth wasting the British tax-payers money on keeping you in one of her majesty's prisons. If you were very co-operative we might even have you declared persona non grata."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning you'd be deported and we would be permanently deprived of your company."

"What's the alternative.., the iron fist in the velvet glove?"

"You'll stay here on remand for an average of how long sergeant?"

"Six to eight months at the present Sir, while they deal with the back-log of cases."

"Then you will come up for trial,
where the current sentence for your offence is 5 years. If you have no previous convictions, they'll let you out, with time off for good behavior of course and..." Roberts left the sentence unfinished.

"Then they'll deport you," a
dded Heath.

"So by not helping us," continued Roberts, "You'll gain nothing except more time to get properly acquainted with one of her majesty's prisons. So far, they've been kind to you as you're only on remand, but once you've been tried and found guilty
... "

"What?"

"Well this isn't the worst nick they could put you in."

"You know what I think
? I think you're full of shit!"

"Have it your own way.
Are you ready to leave Pat?"

"Aren't you going to give him a second chance?" Heath queried h
is superior.

"Second-
raters like Freiburg here don't deserve second chances," said Roberts, jabbing his thumb toward the American." And he definitely is second-rate." He pounded the door and waited for the warder to open up. Before they left the cell they took one last look at the defiant prisoner. The door had half closed before they heard Freiburg shout, "Wait!"  Roberts hesitated before re-entering the cell.

"Yes?"

"What do you want to know?" Once the American had decided to cooperate, the only problem was Heath keeping up with his notes. Roberts continued his gentle probing.

"When you were arrested Mr. Freiburg, you were in possession of a large quantity of travelers' che
ques, drawn on the 'Second National City Bank of Dallas' and you said that you hadn't stolen them, but that they were your own property. We'd like to believe you. Perhaps you'd like to tell us how they found their way into your hands?"

"I picked them up from the Bank in the City."

"Which Bank was that?"

"The 'Second National City'
... "

"O.K. We know the name. Now would you be surprised to know that there isn't a bank of that name in the City of London and I very much doubt whether there's one in Dallas either."

"There must be. I went to it twice."

"Why twice?"

"The first time, to pick up the travelers’ cheques; the second time to report the loss of them and claim the replacements."

"And where was this non-existent office?"

"I've told you... in the City."

"Whereabouts
– it’s a big city?” prompted Heath.

"It was just around the corner from Bank underground station
... I don't remember the address exactly, but I could show you." The detectives looked at each other and smiled. They were on their way.

The Yard makes progress

"
Things got rolling about eleven-thirty and this man starts giving us the spiel. Before he goes into details, he gets us to fill in a questionnaire and photocopies our passports."

"
Why do you think he did that?" asked Roberts, more than a little intrigued.

"I don't know. I
t beats me. He said it was for security purposes. After they had checked all the details, the guy starts talking again.., says he's a representative of this bank, breaking into the European market. Wanted everyone to pay the bank's travelers' cheques into the system, as a pre-launch trial."

"And?"

"That was it. Anyone who wanted to, was given the address of the bank's offices in the city and made their own way there the next day to collect their supply of cheques."

"It sounds so far-
fetched that it must be true," commented Roberts. "Was there anyone working with him?"

"Yes, there was this broad
with a nice little fanny, but rather plain, you know; hair swept back, glasses; starchy little bitch I guess."

"But she was efficient?"

"Smooth as silk."

"How many people were at the conference?"

"Between 130 and 160. I didn't count them."

"Was there any limit to the amount you were given in che
ques?" Roberts continued to push the questioning firmly along, knowing that every detail gleaned would give him a better picture of the man he was after.

"Yes. We were told the maximum was $15,000 each "

"What was in it for you?"

"They
paid 15% on a commission basis."

"And the che
ques you reported stolen. Were they really stolen?"

"Do I have to answer that?"

"Well, you certainly can't plead the fifth over here."

"Why not?"

"Because, my friend, we don't have a written constitution."

"O.K. They weren't stolen. I cashed them in quickly, reported the loss and claimed a replacement set."

"That was risky," observed Roberts.

"Not really. I'd used the O'Hara passport which I'd lifted earlier the same week. The only details they had on me were his."

"And then you got greedy," commented Roberts, the briefest of smiles flickering over his features.

"Yeah
... "

"Tell me something Freiburg
; you were home and dry with $20,000 in cheques plus your other pickings.., whatever possessed you to go back to the airport and work the queues."

"The work's seasonal
.., you make what you can in the high season otherwise It's tough to get by."

"I've heard it all now," Roberts shook his head in disbelief," Do you remember what this couple looked like?"

"I've already told you about the woman; the man was a city gent; pin-stripe suit, glasses, average height and build and a full brown beard."

"Would you
recognize either of them if you saw them again?"

"Probably not him, but I'd
recognize her fanny anywhere." Heath entered the room.

"Everything sorted Pat?"

"No problems really. We've got him for 12 hours. The governor's doing the paperwork now and will meet us at the gate in 15 minutes." The guard who had entered the cell with Heath, escorted Freiburg away.

"Tell me Pat, you're the one with all the brains
.., what’s 160 multiplied by 15,000?"

"Why?"

"Because that's the sort of money involved here." Heath scribbled hurriedly on a piece of paper.

" 2,400,000
, Guv'."

"That's in dollars
; what's it worth in pounds?"

"
1,920,000 at $1.25 to the pound."

The pieces of the jigsaw were gradually coming together. The squad car set the three of them down outside the Bank underground station and they waited briefly for Freiburg to get his bearings. He only hesitated for a moment, before he led them up Cornhill and turned sharply left into Change Alley.

"Are you sure this is the right place?" asked Roberts.

"Yeah
. It looked different in daylight, but I'm sure.., there's the nameplate on the wall."

"Al
right. Go with Sergeant Heath and show him the office - check to see if there is anyone there." Roberts turned to Heath," I doubt very much that there will be, but if there is, just ask if there'll be someone around in the morning. All we need to know tonight is the location of the office and the layout of the building.., clear?"

“Perfectly," said Heath.

"Pat?"

"Yes Guv'
."

"You'd better cuff Mr.
Freiburg; we don't want to lose him. I'll wait for you in Cornhill."

"Where's the entrance?" Heath asked the American.

"Just along here on the left," drawled Freiburg," They all look the same in the dark." He had a point.

Everything was just as Freiburg had described it. Freiburg entered first and led the way up to the first floor office - as expected, it was in complete darkness. By the light of a pencil torch, Heath read the nameplate on the door to the office, then, satisfied
that he could find out nothing more, he led the American outside and rejoined Roberts in the car at Cornhill.

"How did you get on?" Roberts asked.

"It was just as our friend said. There's even a plaque on the wall outside - it certainly looked genuine to me."

"It's meant to
. Anyway, I think we've done enough for tonight; we'll take Mr. Freiburg to dinner before we take him back to his 'hotel'; there are some questions I want to ask him." Roberts turned to his driver,

"Find us a nice secluded restaurant between here and the Scrubs."

The driver obliged and some 20 minutes later, pulled up outside a steak-house, within two miles of the prison itself. Once inside, Roberts waited until they were well into their main course before he questioned the American.

"
Mr. Freiburg, I'd like you to tell us everything you can remember about the couple you met at the bank."

"You mean Guyton and Fairbrother?"

"Yes."

"What do you want to know?"

"Well, in your statement you gave us a reasonable physical description, but what about the couple themselves? For example, did they strike you as husband and wife - was there a close relationship between them?"

"Not that I saw. Guyton did all the talking when he addressed everyone at the hotel."

"Did he seem competent when he spoke; did it seem to come naturally to him, or did he get flustered at all?"

"He seemed completely at ease to me
; he had all the spiel taped."

"We would say he had the gift of the gab." Roberts permitted himself a rare smile, as he thought of 'chummy' conning 160 Yanks at the same time.

"I'd say he was used to handling a lot of people. He was very professional," added Freiburg.

"Did he use any notes?"

"No. Everything was ad-lib."

"Confident as well
." Roberts surmised aloud.

"Definitely. He even took questions from the floor and dealt with them."

"What about the girl, Miss Fairbrother?"

"She handled the running around - worked the photocopier - handed out and collected the questionnaires - that sort of thing."

"Did she speak at all?"

"Not to the conference generally."

"Did you meet her?"

"Only when I handed in my questionnaire and Passport."

"What impression did she give you, apart from her nice 'tush' as I believe you called it?"

"She had class - a real classy broad.
Although she wore her hair up, swept back of her face and wore glasses, I bet she knew how to let it down!"

"Quite. Tell me more about their voices
. I know it's an unfair question and that we probably all sound the same to you, but did you form any impressions about their accents?"

"You're so right
; all you guys do sound the same. To most of us in the States you all sound gay - no offence, but the guy sounded almost American at times."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."

"What about the words they used
... did they seem to have a good command of the language?"

"They both seemed pretty well educated to me."

"What about the time you picked up your supply of cheques from their office - did anything stick in your mind as being out of place?"

"Not really. They were the only ones there apart from the security guards."

"Didn't it seem strange to you that the bank seemed to only have a staff of two?"

"Not at all, really.
They explained all that to us at the conference... they were the advanced guard preparing the way for a full scale launch of their bank's services this summer. He told us that Miss Fairbrother would be in charge at the City office. We expected to see her there and we weren't disappointed."

"You mentioned security guards
..."

"Yes. There were guards at
the conference and at the office in the City."

"I don't suppose you noticed which company they were from?"

"No, I didn't."

"Then I think that about covers it Mr. Freiburg. We'll give you a lift back to the Scrubs now."

"It's not necessary..."

"Don't worry
... it's a pleasure. Least we can do for you."

"Now, are you going to keep your part of the bargain?" Freiburg looked almost mournfully at the detectives.

"I'll certainly try to," promised Roberts," I can't tell you very much yet, only that we are limiting the charges to the pick pocketing at the airport."

"But that's all you've got on me in any case!"

"Not at all. We could charge you with the theft of the set of travelers cheques by reporting them lost; fraudulent conversion of the same cheques; making a false report to the police; wasting the time of the police by so doing ; obtaining pecuniary advantage by... "

" O.K. I've got the message."

"I promise you Mr. Freiburg, that Sergeant Heath and myself will do everything in our power to have you deported from our fair shores, although I can't guess how your own State Department will welcome you."

"I suppose you're waiting for me to thank you
..."

"Not necessary at all
... Pat - see he gets to his 'hotel' all right. I'll make my own way home."

Next morning, Roberts obtained a search warrant for the Change Alley premises and arranged for a 'scene-of-crime
-officer' to be available. They dropped in on Forbes on their way to Change Alley.

"How did it go?" Forbes asked, as soon as Roberts put his head round the door.

"Straightforward enough.., he was quite co-operative considering... Mind you, he didn't have a lot of choice."

"Did he tell you how many people were involved and how many dollars they were given?"

"He put the numbers at between 130 and 160 people at the conference and they were each allowed $15,000."

"But that's nearly three million dollars
...," commented Forbes incredulously, doing the sum in his head.

"I know. It translates to just under £2,000,000 as well. Nice if you can get away with it! I've got to search the Bank's premises
; I'll get in touch as soon as we've checked the office out, although I don't expect to find too much."

Heath, having collected the warrant met up with his chief at the Change Alley location. The rest of the squad
was standing by. The numerous exits to Change Alley were already sealed off and all escape routes had been covered. They both knew though, in their bones, that the offices would be empty, a feeling soon borne out by a report from one of the detectives who had been on watch since seven that morning. There had been little movement, except from people who seemed to work in offices in the same block.

Roberts gave the order to move in at eight minutes to
ten; sure that no-one could escape the net he had cast. Sergeant Heath led five other officers swiftly into the building. Roberts followed. The door was locked. There were no sounds from within... no signs of any inhabitants whatsoever.

"Sergeant!" Roberts called out.

"Sir..."

"This office looks as if it's alarmed
... see if you can rustle-up the caretaker." Before Heath had even moved, the slightly disheveled figure of Spriggs pushed its way through the throng of officers at the office door.

"You'll be wanting me I expect," a
nnounced Spriggs. "I'm the janitor. Spriggs is the name."