Mansfield motioned toward some people in line at the cashiers’ windows. “They are being helped.”
“Yes, but they entered before we closed. The door should have been locked a few minutes ago.”
Mansfield glanced at a wall clock, which read four-fifteen.
The man caught his glance. “We close early on Fridays.”
“Are you the bank manager?” Mansfield asked.
“Yes. My name is Finlay. I would be happy to help you tomorrow.”
“That would be fine. For the moment, we would just like to inquire about a gold deposit made with your bank some years ago.”
Finlay gave him a blank look.
“It was a rather large deposit, made in 1917.”
Finlay blinked rapidly, then cleared his throat. “I would be happy to look into it tomorrow. However, I will require documentation regarding the deposit.”
Mansfield had his answer and smiled graciously at the banker. “That will be fine. Shall we say noon?”
“Yes, noon or anytime after will be perfect,” Finlay said. “May I have the name?”
“Romanov.”
The banker turned ghost white but retained enough composure to escort the smiling Russian couple to the door. After watching them walk down the street, he rushed back to his office and closed the door. Circled around his desk were Hawker, Perlmutter, Trehorne, Dirk, and Summer, who had watched the encounter through the office’s smoked-glass window. Finlay nearly collapsed into his desk chair.
“What extraordinary timing.” He tapped his desk calendar, which read July 21. “Entering the bank just on the heels of your arrival.”
“I still say we should have had them arrested on the spot,” Hawker said.
Dirk looked at Finlay. “I think it’s safe to say that they’ll be back tomorrow.”
“It will make for an interesting visit, I should think.” Perlmutter’s eyes sparkled with mirth.
“There will be plenty of security on hand, I can assure you,” Finlay said. “You’ll be back tomorrow as well?”
“Absolutely,” Trehorne said.
Summer smiled. “You did promise us a tour of the Nelson Cave.”
“Yes, I did, didn’t I? Well, I thank you again for your timely visit, and I’ll look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”
The banker escorted the visitors out of the building, then paced the lobby until the last customer had left. He locked the door with a sense of relief, shut himself in his office, and retrieved a dusty bottle of brandy from the back of a cabinet. He poured himself a stiff shot.
A few minutes later, the head teller entered with a computer printout. “Here are the daily transactions, Mr. Finlay. Is there anything else?”
“No. You and the staff may close up and leave.”
As the woman turned to leave, Finlay stopped her. “Miss Oswald? There is one thing. Would you please inform the night watchman that I intend to remain on the premises all night.”
“You’re staying here? In the building?”
“Yes.” He gazed toward the vault. “I don’t believe I would obtain any sleep at home tonight, so my insomnia shall be satisfied here.”
79
As an army of FBI agents descended on Bermuda to join Ana’s Europol investigation, Homeland Security officials increased safety measures around the District of Columbia. Access to federal buildings was carefully scrutinized, while security was elevated at all nearby airports. Spot roadblocks were set up around the District and small boats patrolled the Potomac. At the National Underwater and Marine Agency headquarters, the staff assisted in the search for the atomic bomb using their marine resources database.