CHAPTER 65: BROKER

The final school bell rang. As soon as the sound faded Adam left his office and walked out into the school grounds.

Sophia was already waiting for him a bright smile on her face.

They walked together towards their neighborhood. Sophia did most of the talking. She recounted funny stories from her classes and complained about a particularly difficult student.

Adam listened quietly offering a nod or a short response when needed. His mind was already miles away focused on the meeting he had set for the evening.

When they reached their apartment building Sophia turned to him. "Will I see you tomorrow?" she asked.

"Of course," Adam said.

He watched her walk into the apartment’s entrance. The moment the door closed behind her Adam turned and walked away. He did not look back. He had to get to the bank.

The Shining Star Bank was just as crowded as it had been on its first day. A long line of people snaked out from the main entrance spilling onto the sidewalk. Adam did not join them.

He walked past the queue to a discreet side door meant for employees. Two security guards stood there.

They saw him approach and their bodies tensed for a moment. Then recognition flashed in their eyes. One of them gave a barely perceptible nod and opened the door just enough for Adam to slip through.

Inside the noise of the main hall was roar. The guard led him through a quiet hallway to a back office.

Adam saw Smith sitting at a desk surrounded by stacks of paperwork. He was completely absorbed in his work.

The guard cleared his throat softly. Smith looked up and saw Adam. His face lit up instantly. He shot up from his chair.

"Adam you’re here," Smith said his voice filled with excitement. "There is very good news. It’s happening. The businessmen are finally coming. We have had several inquiries today about large commercial loans."

Adam raised a hand cutting him off. "Control your excitement Smith," he said his voice low and steady. "That is good news but I have a meeting."

Smith’s excitement immediately cooled. He asked. "A meeting? Here?"

"Yes," Adam said. "Now listen to me very carefully. I need you to go outside and stand near the main line. Look for a man. He will be wearing a pink t-shirt with the logo of a girl’s pop group on it. When you see him I want you to come and tell me immediately. He is the one I am here to meet."

Smith absorbed the information without question. "A pink t-shirt. I understand."

"One more thing," Adam continued his eyes locking onto Smith’s. "From this moment on you do not know me. None of the staff knows me. I am just another customer. You will open a standard account for me like you would for anyone else. Do you understand?"

"Completely," Smith said. He understood the need for Adam to remain a ghost.

"Good. Now go," Adam commanded.

Smith nodded once more and left the office. Adam took a deep breath then followed him out into the main hallway. He walked to the public area and found the end of the long line. He got in line just like everyone else. He was now just another face in the crowd a man hoping to open an account at the city’s new bank.

He stood patiently his hands in his pockets. He scanned the faces around him.

The bank’s staff members walked past him without a second glance.

Adam was not bothered by this. He looked towards the glass doors of the bank’s main entrance again and again.

Adam watched the bank’s entrance.

Then he saw a man. The man walked through the glass doors. He was middle-aged with a slight paunch and he wore a bright pink t-shirt. The logo of a famous girl’s pop group was printed across the chest.

Adam smiled to himself.

Finally you have come.

The man was Kevin.

Kevin walked past the long line of people. He did not seem to have any intention of waiting. He headed straight for the private cabins where loan officers met with clients.

As Kevin walked past the spot where Adam stood their eyes met for a brief moment.

A look of pure surprise flashed across Kevin’s face. He had clearly not expected the mysterious caller to be waiting for him. He certainly did not expect him to be so young.

Adam calmly stepped out of the line. He moved silently through the crowd. He intercepted Kevin just as he was about to reach a cabin door. He stood directly in his path.

Kevin stopped. He looked Adam up and down. A small smirk formed on his lips. "You are not that young," he said his voice a low rumble. He sounded amused. He thought this must be another government agent trying a new trick.

Adam just smiled back a calm steady smile. "Should we go to a different location?" he asked. "A place where there are not many people."

Kevin’s smirk widened into a full grin. He completely ignored Adam’s question. He turned his back on Adam and walked away. He went back to the main queue and got into the line several places ahead of where Adam had been.

Adam was very surprised. He stood frozen for a second. He had not anticipated this move. Kevin was testing him again.

He went behind Kevin. He got in the line right behind him.

The line moved forward slowly. They stood in silence surrounded by the chatter of the crowd.

Then Kevin spoke without looking back. His voice was low just for Adam to hear. "Why are you in such a hurry?" he asked. "First let me rob these people a little."

Adam heard him. He understood immediately. Kevin was not just here to meet him. He had his own plan. He had come to withdraw money from his bank in the form of a loan.

Adam almost smiled. The man had nerve.