The idea was this. Each month he would transfer a certain amount into the LLTLF account from the Lederman CSR pool. Between 1 and 3 million pounds. To give an impression of randomness. Each month I was supposed to sanction a withdrawal of about 75% of this into a separate Special Purpose Vehicle that he has already set up. The offshore SPV is based on the Isle of Man.

To outsiders the rationale was simple, returns on this substantial investment, which belonged to LLTLF, would be tax-free on the Isle.

But in reality Tom would periodically transfer money from this account to his own personal account.

Unless there was a sudden crisis and LLTLF suddenly ran out of money, he explained, no one would ever know of the set-up. Apparently CSR expenditure is so negligible as a portion of overall Lederman expenses that no one would care to check. I was not fully convinced. What if the auditors decided to investigate? He said that the ‘fucking auditors’ won’t ask anything that will get them fired. I asked him what would happen if we got caught. He thought about it for a moment, chuckled, and said that when people make investments, they sometimes make mistakes. And then he winked.

Then he asked me to leave and set up the necessary bank transfer operations with Sugandh. Before leaving I asked Tom when he would begin the siphoning process. He looked a little upset. And then told me to start as soon as possible, because ‘we don’t have enough time’.

Strange. Enough time for what? I don’t get it.

12 May 2007

11.02 p.m.

Minor crisis alert Diary!

Dominic met me in the car park. He looked very grim, as if he had also been drinking espresso. Immediately I knew something was wrong. I did some quick mental calculations and decided that it could be one of the following:

1. Dominic is being fired. Rahul Gupta has something to do with this. I would not be surprised. He wants us to work together to eliminate Rahul Gupta. This is not a problem. I have been preparing for this for days.

2. Someone in Dufresne is aware of our advance-reward scheme with Tom. In which case both of us are in trouble. But I will put the blame completely on Dominic.

3. He is having some personal problem and wants some reassurance from the only friend he has on the team. I am prepared to cheer him up. But no sitting with him inside a car or anything.

4. WORST CASE SCENARIO A: He knows about the monthly 16,000 transfers from Dufresne. And is pissed off that I did not tell him. I have a simple excuse. I had no idea. I only check my bank account once a year during tax time.

5. WORST CASE SCENARIO B: He now knows that it was me who assaulted the wax statue at Piccadilly Circus. This is a problem. I will either have to run away. Or get food poisoning to divert attention.