The Rembrandt Affair

Geneva?”
    “Through various fronts and subsidiaries, of course. When the boys at Revenue and Customs were preparing to go public with their findings, they expected a big pat on the back. But much to their surprise, word came from on high to shut down the investigation, and the case was dropped.”
    “Any reason given?”
    “Not one that anyone dared to say aloud,” Seymour said. “But it was clear Downing Street didn’t want to jeopardize the flow of Swiss investment money into the United Kingdom by starting a public row with a man regarded as Switzerland’s patron saint of corporate responsibility.”
    Carter tapped his pipe like a gavel against an ashtray and began slowly reloading the bowl.
    “Is there something you wish to add, Adrian?” asked Gabriel.
    “Zentrum Security.”
    “What is it?”
    “A corporate security firm based in Zurich. A couple of years ago, a number of American firms doing business in Switzerland became convinced they were the targets of corporate espionage. They approached the administration and asked for help. The administration quietly dropped it in my lap.”
    “And?”
    “We discovered that all the firms involved in the complaint had been targeted by Zentrum. It isn’t merely a ‘guns, guards, and gates’ kind of firm. Along with the usual range of protective services, it does a lucrative trade in what it refers to as overseas consulting.”
    “Translation?”
    “It arranges deals between clients and foreign entities, be they corporate or government.”
    “What kind of deals?”
    “The kind that can’t be handled in the traditional manner,” Carter said. “And you can guess who owns Zentrum Security.”
    “Global Vision Investments.”
    Carter nodded.
    “Have they ever arranged any deals for a company called Keppler Werk GmbH of Magdeburg, Germany?”
    “Keppler has never popped up on our radar screens,” Carter said. “But as you know, thousands of international companies are currently doing business in Iran. Our friends in China are among the worst offenders. They’ll do business with anyone, but the Germans aren’t much better. Everyone wants their market share, and in times like these, they’re reluctant to give it up over something as trivial as Iran’s nuclear ambitions. At least seventeen hundred German firms are doing business in Iran, many of them makers of sophisticated industrial equipment. We’ve been pleading with the Germans for years to scale back their business ties to the Iranians, but they refuse. Some of our closest allies are in bed with Tehran for one reason and one reason only. Greed.”
    “Isn’t it ironic,” said Shamron. “The country that brought us the last Holocaust is doing a brisk business with the country promising to bring us the next one.”
    All four men lapsed into an uncomfortable silence. It was Gabriel who broke it.
    “The question is,” he said, “is Martin Landesmann shipping sensitive material to the Iranians through the back door? If that’s the case, we need to know two things. What exactly is he selling them? And how is it getting there?”
    “And how do you propose we find out?” asked Seymour.
    “By getting inside his operation.”
    “Good luck. Martin runs a very tight ship.”
    “Not as tight as you might think.” Gabriel laid a surveillance photograph on the table. “I assume you recognize her?”
    “Who wouldn’t?” Seymour tapped the photo with his forefinger. “But where did you take this?”
    “Outside Martin’s apartment in Paris. She spent the night with him.”
    “You’re sure?”
    “Would you like to see more photos?”
    “God, no!” Seymour said. “I’ve never cared for operations involving matters of the heart. They can be extremely messy.”
    “Life is messy, Graham. That’s what keeps people like you and me in business.”
    “Perhaps. But if this recruitment of yours isn’t handled carefully, I won’t be in this business for long.” Seymour looked down at the photo and shook his head slowly. “Why couldn’t Martin fall for a waitress like every other cad?”
    “He has excellent taste.”
    “I’d withhold judgment on that until you meet her. She has something of a reputation. It’s quite possible she’ll turn you down.” Seymour paused, then added, “And, of course, there’s another possibility.”
    “What’s that?”
    “She could be in love with him.”
    “She won’t be when I’m finished.”
    “Don’t be so sure. Women have a way of looking