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luncheon companion.
    â€œSit down, please.” Walter pulled a comfortable chair up to his desk and then ran around to his own massive swivel chair. Andrew Hogan’s radar locked on. Walter Childs, he guessed, had a security problem, and one that he didn’t want publicized.
    â€œAndrew, the security scenarios your people come up with are always fascinating. It’s hard to believe that there are somany ways to attack a bank.” Hogan had built a team of experts who were challenged to break the bank’s security systems. It included not only a half dozen computer hackers who spent their days trying to break into bank records, but also second-story men who tried to get around InterBank’s surveillance and alarm systems. Whenever one succeeded, Hogan developed an antidote.
    â€œI remember one case you had based on extortion. I think you compromised a branch manager and then got him to deposit into a fictitious account.”
    Hogan nodded. “That’s right. We called him Mr. X because it was a classic case of entrapment. It wouldn’t have been right to turn him in.”
    â€œThat’s the one,” Walter agreed. “I was trying to remember the steps that were taken to protect against such a thing.”
    â€œWe guarantee complete confidentiality to anyone who reports the attempt within twenty-four hours. After that, the person is on his own.”
    â€œThat’s all?” Walter wondered.
    â€œWe also have key employee surveillance,” Hogan said. “It’s limited, of course. We don’t want our people living in a police state. And, as you know, none of this applies to the senior vice presidents, president, or directors.”
    â€œI see … I see …” Walter mumbled. “Now, after someone does report an attempt … at compromising him … what action do you take?”
    Hogan’s eyes remained unsuspecting. It was a trick of his trade that his face should never reveal what he was thinking. “We turn the matter over to the appropriate authorities. Police, federals, bank examiners, anyone who ought to be involved. We give them a John Doe for the bank employee in order to assure he’s not identified.”
    Walter was nodding gravely. “But you never deal directly …”
    â€œDirectly with whom?”
    â€œWith the perpetrator. You never try to handle the issue … confidentially.”
    â€œNo,” Andrew assured him. “Bank policy doesn’t let us.We want to make it completely clear that no one has anything to gain by threatening a bank employee.”
    Walter was fumbling for his next question. Andrew Hogan decided that they had spent enough time playing games.
    â€œThis would be a lot easier, Mr. Childs, if you’d tell me what concerns you.”
    â€œOh, nothing directly. Just curious …”
    Hogan stood. “It’s seven in the morning and you called me into your office to satisfy your curiosity?”
    Walter tried to look offended.
    â€œWhen you decide to tell me who’s trying to get to you,” Hogan went on, “then we’ll see what we can do for you. But I should tell you. These things always get worse with time.” He turned and started out.
    â€œMr. Hogan.” Walter’s words stopped the security officer, who turned back. “Is this office bugged?”
    Andrew had to fight back the smile. Walter Childs was one of the senior executives who had exempted themselves from all security measures. “No, Mr. Childs. We have no bugs on this floor. And we sweep every couple of days just to be certain that no one else does.”
    Walter gestured Hogan back into the chair. “Please, call me Walter.”
    Oh, he’s in very deep shit, Hogan thought, as he settled back down.
    â€œMy wife’s been kidnapped,” Walter began. “She was taken out of my house sometime yesterday. Probably late morning after her tennis match. When I got