Read Online The List by Robert Whitlow - Free Book Online Page A

I’m not at liberty to reveal the value of my share of the List,” he would tell the interviewer. “As J. D. Rockefeller once said, ‘If you know what you’re worth, you’re not rich.’” Renny chuckled. Better stay on this side of the screen. He turned off the TV and went to bed.
    Renny was up by 6:15 because Brandy was up at 6:14. She gently woke him with a nuzzle to the arm. He let her out, and by the time she scratched at the door five minutes later, Renny had the coffeepot percolating and the shower running. After a cup of coffee, he opened the trunk and carefully examined the loose papers. An envelope addressed to his father from a Swiss bank caught his eye. Opening it, he unfolded a single sheet of paper with the name Banc Suisse engraved in small letters at the top and Office de Geneva typed in the upper right corner. In the center it read, “This letter authorizes the holder thereof to funds deposited in account number 23-98730-2, Access Code 8760945-2. Signed, F. Grossman, Clerk.” The bank seal was affixed under the bank official’s signature.

    â€œListen, I have a letter from your bank giving me ownership of this account. I want you to straighten this out, and if you can’t do it, get someone who can!”
    â€œI’ll let you speak to Mr. Diegal.” The clerk put Renny on hold before he could fire another salvo.
    Renny fumed. He was getting the runaround from the Swiss bank— no one would tell him what the balance of his account was. This was what they did to the Jews. Now it was his turn to be robbed of his inheritance. He would find the Swiss equivalent of F. Lee Bailey and make the bank officials quake in their feathered hats.
    â€œThis is Mr. Diegal, I have pulled up the information on the account.”
    â€œI want some answers,” Renny demanded.
    â€œMr. Broffman told me you have the bank account letter and that your father is deceased.”
    â€œThat’s correct. I’m the beneficiary of this account under his will,” Renny added.
    â€œThe individual who set up this account specified that it be subject to dual-number access, much like a joint account in an American bank for Mr. A and Mr. B.”
    â€œOf course.” Renny knew about joint accounts. “But with joint accounts either party has unrestricted access to the monies deposited.”
    â€œUnfortunately, that is not the case with this type of account. However, though we cannot waive the joint access requirement, there is a procedure that will allow us to give you the name of the other individual or entity designated on the account. You could then contact them.”
    Knowing something would be better than nothing, Renny responded, “What would be necessary to do that?”
    â€œI will fax you the forms. We need to verify the genuineness of your bank letter. Once this is established, our confidentiality guidelines allow us to reveal the name of the joint account holder to you. What is your fax number?”
    â€œI’m in the U.S.A., Charlotte, North Carolina.” Renny gave him the fax number for his office.
    â€œJust a minute—” The line was silent for a few seconds. “Fortunately, we have a representative who can assist you at a Bank of America office in Charlotte.” Renny grabbed a pen and wrote down the name and address. The main Bank of America building was only a block south of his office in uptown Charlotte. “I will fax you the information you need before the end of the day.”
    â€œThank you. I want this straightened out as soon as possible.”
    â€œCertainly.”
    Renny tried to immerse himself in his work. After a couple of hours, his supervising partner, Barnette Heywood, called him into his office for a midmorning meeting. Mr. Heywood had achieved partner status the last year of his eligibility primarily because another associate in his class at the firm was killed in an automobile accident.