fact, one relationship we want to explore. There is a company by the name of Baltic General Services. Are you familiar with it?”
“I’m not certain.”
“Christopher Gage is one of the owners and the CEO.”
The manager’s eyes narrowed.
“Christopher Gage is the CEO of Gage Group International and he’s a senior vice president of Gage Capital Partners, a twenty-seven-billion-dollar equity firm.”
“Oh, yes. I do recall now. Baltic General Services is a fine, reputable company.”
“I believe they arranged for a sizable loan from your bank to purchase at least one other business here in Warsaw.”
“Which one?”
“I’m not sure. That’s why I’m here. I’d like to know before I make any offers to partner with them. I’m not interested in their financials or any other privileged information. I’m only interested in the companies they’ve purchased or partnered with, and what financial condition those firms are in.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t believe that will be possible. We take a great deal of pride in protecting our customers’ privacy.”
“You must have done due diligence before you agreed to loan Baltic General Services the money to make their purchases. What kind of company it is, where they do business, are they profitable, and so forth. Just generalities. That’s the only information I’m asking for.”
“Why don’t you contact Baltic General Services directly?”
“I would prefer that they not know we’re making inquiries. If they know my firm is interested in a partnership, they might decide to raise the cost of doing business with them. If I know their financial condition before I make an offer, I’m in a better negotiating position. I’m sure you understand.”
“I’m sorry, it just isn’t possible.”
“Can you at least provide me with the name of the company that BGS just acquired here in Warsaw?”
Zbyszko leaned back in his chair, tapping the tips of his fingers together, thinking. Finally, “Let me speak with the regional vice president. Would you excuse me for just a moment?”
“We’ll be in the lobby.”
Jack left his folio and pen on the chair, then stood with Liliana and left the office as Zbyszko reached for his phone.
* * *
—
Jack and Liliana sat on one of the two lobby couches, out of earshot of the receptionist. Jack was working on his phone. Without looking up, he asked Liliana, “How do you think it went?”
“Putting that ten-million-dollar letter of intent on his desk was like setting a hook in a fish’s mouth.” She stifled a laugh. “It hardly seemed fair.”
Jack tucked his phone into his coat pocket. “Let’s hope it set deep enough that he can’t swim away.”
Liliana’s phone buzzed in her purse.
“Excuse me, Jack. I need to check my messages.”
“Sure. Go for it.”
Jack decided to do the same, but nothing new pulled up. He saw the receptionist answer the phone. A moment later, he called them over.
“Excuse me, Mr. Ryan? Mr. Zbyszko would like to see you now.”
* * *
—
The manager came out from behind his desk before the two of them could sit down.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Ryan, but I spoke with my vice president and I’m afraid we won’t be able to help you with your query regarding Baltic General Services’ financial statements. Trust and privacy are our two most important assets.”
“I understand.”
“However, I have been authorized to give you the name of the companies that Baltic General Services has invested in through our bank branches.”
“‘Companies’? More than one?”
“Yes. One here, in Warsaw, one in Kraków, and one in Gdańsk. I will e-mail their particulars to you within the hour.”
“That is very kind of you.”
“Not at all. It’s the sort of thing we do for our friends.”
Jack picked the folio up off the chair, along with his pen. He left the letter on Zbyszko’s desk as a reminder and handed him his own business card. “I’m looking forward to working together in the very near future.”
“As am I.” Zbyszko beamed. They shook hands vigorously. “The card I gave you earlier has my direct office line and also my personal cell phone. Please don’t hesitate to call me if I can be of service.”
“Thank you. I certainly will.”
“Ms. Pilecki,” Zbyszko said, shaking her hand. “A pleasure.”
“And you.”
Jack and Liliana headed for the elevator under Zbyszko’s watchful eye.
31
KLATOVY DISTRICT, PLZEŇ REGION, CZECHIA (FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE CZECH REPUBLIC)
The hunting lodge stood on the banks of the lake on a few hundred privately owned acres of the Šumava, called the Böhmerwald by those living just over the border in Germany, and known by most other foreigners as the Bohemian Forest.
The fall air was already chill,