Rhinoceros

The Judengasse was the ghetto Jews were confined to and operated from. Enter Salomon Frankenheim, in his teens. Not a Jew, he had studied the Jewish faith, their rituals, their way of life. He then applied to Mayer for a job. Mayer put him through his paces, realized Frankenheim was a mathematical genius, took him on.

Frankenheim learned every trick of the Rothschild technique of trading. He was not thirty when he left Rothschild, slipped out of the Judengasse, formed what was to become the Frankenheim Dynasty in Paris.

Time passed. Frankenheim married, produced three sons. After their father's death they were running Frankenheim banks in Paris, Vienna and Rome, all of which were prospering.

More time passed until after several generations 1925 arrived. All the Frankenheims were long-lived but by then the head of the dynasty, Joseph, had no sons. Who was to take over, this highly successful, all-powerful and very secretive organization?

After so many generations history repeated itself. Joseph adopted a son, name and origin unrecorded, who proved later to be a mathematical genius like the founder, Salomon. When he was old enough to take control, still a young man, he followed the policies that had made the Frankenheims so rich.

Then, recently, he obtained control of the Zurcher Kredit Bank and changed the name from Frankenheim. What had been for so long the Frankenheim Dynasty now became the Zurcher Kredit. The present head was only known to a few – as Rhinoceros.

'That was a lot for you to absorb,' Keith Kent commented and gratefully accepted another cup of coffee from Monica.

'Why "Rhinoceros"?' Tweed asked.

'Because one of the earlier Frankenheims liked going on safari in Africa. On one trip he shot a rhinoceros. The symbol of the Frankenheim banks then became the head of a rhinoceros, with an engraved plate of the animal outside every branch of the bank.'

'I don't understand this,' Tweed objected. 'How could he possibly take over a Swiss bank? The Swiss make a point that none of their banks can be controlled by anyone except a Swiss.'

'Rhinoceros was clever. He persuaded the Zurcher Kredit directors to invest larger and larger sums in valuable property outside Switzerland. They did not realize he was using his own lawyers – to put the properties secretly in companies he controlled – outside Switzerland. When he had eighty per cent of the capital he began selling the properties – at a profit, being Rhinoceros -and then he re-formed the Zurcher Kredit to replace his Frankenheim banks. In Hamburg, in Paris, Vienna, Rome, Berlin and also Brussels. He has branches in other major cities.'

'How did the Swiss react?' Tweed wondered.

'Rhinoceros treated the original Zurcher Kredit directors very generously. Made them all millionaires. Result? The directors used the remaining twenty per cent still in their bank to buy more properties abroad, properties which Rhinoceros suggested. This kept them inside Swiss banking law. In due course these remaining properties were sold and the proceeds absorbed by Zurcher Kredit, now totally controlled by Rhinoceros.'

'I find this intriguing,' commented Tweed. 'What I would like to know is who is Rhinoceros, where does he live, what is his nationality?'

'I don't know and I can't find out.'

The phone rang. Monica looked surprised as she indicated the call was for Tweed.

'It's a Mr Rondel.'

'Tweed here. I don't think I know you…'

'You don't. Not yet.' The voice was warm, buoyant. 'Is this a safe phone?'

'It is.'

'I do my homework. I know quite a lot about you. I'm not referring to that smokescreen you put up – a negotiator in an insurance company specializing in covering wealthy people against the contingency of their being kidnapped. You are the Deputy Director of the SIS.'

'If you say so.'

'Mr Tweed, I'd like us to meet. At a convenient – to you – destination on the Continent. At a time convenient to you.'

'Before I considered agreeing I'd have to know the subject you propose discussing.'

'Of course.' The voice chuckled. 'I can see why you hold the position you do. The subject is what steps we can take to prevent the collapse of the West. I refer to the recent riots aimed at destabilizing the present system. I want to find out who is organizing them, who is paying a lot of money to finance this very dangerous onslaught on our way of life.'

'Can you give me a number where I can call you?'

'Ah!' Another chuckle. 'The trouble is, I travel about a lot. Sometimes I don't know where I shall be myself tomorrow! May I call you again soon?'

'Please do. And thank you for contacting me…'

Tweed put down his phone, looked at Keith Kent who was drinking a third cup of coffee.

'Ever heard of a man called Rondel?'

'No, I haven't.'

'Was that really him on the phone?' Paula asked.

'It was.'

'What did he sound like?'

'Able, quick-witted, humorous, very pleasant. I'd say he has a very strong personality.' He transferred his gaze back to Kent. 'You were telling us about Rhinoceros. How does he operate?'

'In great secrecy. He lives somewhere in a secluded base

– its location unknown.'

'You mean like Howard Hughes, the American millionaire who stayed locked up and guarded away from the world. A hermit?'

'Not at all. He travels about a lot. Always using a pseudonym – a different one each time. He uses commercial flights a lot, sometimes travelling Club Class, sometimes Economy. Never First Class. I've picked up that much about his habits and no more.'

'Is Rhinoceros honest? I did ask you how he operates.'

'He operates just like the Frankenheims of long ago- as the Rothschilds sometimes did. He rarely gives a loan. Very rich people trust his bank. They deposit huge sums of money there, knowing it will be safe. He charges a stiff fee but they don't care. They pay for peace of mind. Is he honest? He's the most trustworthy banker in the world. Which is why I'm staggered at what I've discovered.'

'Which is?'

'Huge amounts of laundered money, source unknown, are passing through the Zurcher Kredit. I can't believe it, but it is so.'

'Doesn't sound like the portrait of Rhinoceros you painted.'

'It goes against all his principles. Clever accountancy is covering up what's happening. I stumbled on it. That's all I know.'

'And as regards who is financing these worldwide riots?'

'Can't help you. I'll keep looking.'

'One more question. How much is the Zurcher Kredit worth?'

'Eighy billion dollars. More than Microsoft…'

CHAPTER 11

'M. Bleu', as he was known to a small circle of French security, already responsible for the murders of Jason Schulz in Washington and Jeremy Mordaunt at Alfriston, fiddled with his motorcycle, perched by the kerb a short distance from the Elysee in Paris.

He gave the impression he was repairing his high-powered machine. Tall and slim, he appeared to be more heavily built, clad in black leather trousers and jacket, his crash helmet pulled well down over his head. From under his visor he kept glancing at the exit from the Elysee, official residence of the French President.

He was waiting for the appearance of Louis Lospin, chief aide to the Prime Minister and his most confidential adviser. Walking towards him was a Frenchman, a mechanic by trade. He stopped by the motorcyclist, offered to help.

'Merdel' Bleu snarled the insulting response.

The mechanic shrugged, resumed his stroll. You couldn't even offer to help some people. Behind him M. Bleu glanced up as a car emerged from the Elysee courtyard. He noted the number plate. It was Louis Lospin's car. He pulled his visor down further, straddled his machine which started as soon as he turned the key. He began to follow the car at a discreet distance.