"The protocol?" Nogami's brow furrowed again.
"He'll know what I mean. We just need to use the word."
"As you wish. And the message?"
"That if he'll keep his end of the bargain and lay off, then he can access the money. But part of the deal is, I plan to keep a line on it, at least for the time being."
"What do you mean?"
"To start out, it's going to be handled in the tried-and- true hot-money way. The hundred million will be used to purchase British gilts, which will then be held here at the bank and used as collateral for a loan."
"The standard laundry cycle," Nogami smiled. "Almost makes me nostalgic for the old days."
"It's only going to be standard up to a point. After that the setup gets a twist. The loan will then be used to acquire a special hundred-million first issue of those Mino Industries corporate debentures you're supposed to float, to be bought entirely by me."
"And thus he gets his funds, all freshly laundered and clean and untraceable," Nogami nodded approvingly. "Style, Michael, style. You always—"
"Yes and no. You see, I never really let go. Instead of ten- year zero-coupons, those debentures are going to be a little unique—they'll be redeemable at any time by the holder, on twenty-four hours' notice."