Chapter 2018 Arrangements_3

Grey Wolf listened as he flipped through the data on his tablet.

"His operation model?"

"Hitmen contact him through encrypted email, telling him their specialties, quotes, and job range. When he has a job, he posts bounty information on the Dark Web forum, and hitmen can bid. He chooses the most suitable one. After the deal, the employer transfers the money to his account, he takes a 20% cut, and the rest goes to the hitman. The entire process involves no contact, leaving no trace."

Grey Wolf's brow furrowed slightly.

"Twenty percent? That high?"

"There's a reason it's high," Song Heping said. "He provides not only intermediary services but also money laundering channels, fake identities, escape routes, and more. It's a one-stop service, and a higher fee is justified."

Grey Wolf nodded.

This service is indeed worth the price.

"His client base?"

"Hitmen worldwide. Europe, South America, Asia, they're all there. The range is wide, from common street thugs to top-tier professional hitmen," Song Heping paused and added, "Victor is one of his resources."

Grey Wolf's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Victor also got his jobs through him?"

"Yes," Song Heping said. "Robbin paid, the accountant took the order, and then found Victor. Victor probably didn't know who the target was at first, but later found out it was me. He was smart not to fight against me head-on and chose to back out, which was wise."

Grey Wolf was silent for a few seconds.

"Has Victor ever met the accountant?"

"No," Song Heping explained. "The accountant never meets hitmen. All communication is through encrypted emails, and all transactions are through Bitcoin or offshore accounts. Victor only knows the email address, not the accountant's appearance, name, or address."

"Heh,"

Grey Wolf laughed coldly.

"So, how did we find out about the Zurich office and the login every morning at eight?"

Song Heping smiled.

"That's Henry's expertise."

Grey Wolf nodded.

Henry is the Intelligence Chief at Musician Defense and a top analyst from the former British Navy intelligence department.

Grey Wolf was familiar with Henry's skills.

"Go on."

Song Heping flipped to the next page of data.

"The accountant's office is registered under a company named 'Alpine Consulting,' but this company was de-registered three years ago. The office rent is paid annually through an anonymous Swiss Bank account, in cash, paid in full at once. The property manager of the business center has never seen the tenant in person, and all communication is via email."

Grey Wolf's brow furrowed.

"Then how does he get in?"

"Every morning at seven fifty-five, someone opens the office door from inside," Song Heping said. "But the property's surveillance has never captured footage of anyone entering or leaving. Henry analyzed that the building might have an underground passage, or the accountant has a way to avoid being caught on camera."

Grey Wolf's gaze became focused.

"Are there any blueprints of these underground passages?"

"Henry is investigating," Song Heping said. "The underground structure of the Old Town of Zurich is very complex; many were air-raid shelters and secret tunnels built during the World Wars and later converted into warehouses, wine cellars, or even private hideouts. If the accountant is using these passages for entry and exit, tracking his route would be difficult."

Grey Wolf was silent for a few seconds, already running through various possibilities in his mind.

"Does that office have windows?"

"Yes. Third floor, facing the street," Song Heping pulled up a photo, "Diagonal to it is a cafe called 'Black Forest,' and directly opposite is a branch of the Swiss United Bank. The windows are old-fashioned wood-frame ones, which can be opened."

Grey Wolf's eyes squinted slightly.

"So, if he wants some fresh air, or stands by the window to take a call, he might be caught on camera."

"Yes," Song Heping replied. "Henry has already arranged for someone to stake out at that cafe. A British girl, whose true identity is a former MI5 surveillance officer, and her acting skills are good enough not to arouse suspicion."

Grey Wolf nodded.

This arrangement was indeed Henry's strength.

"When does the stakeout start?"

"Tomorrow morning at seven-thirty," Song Heping said. "If the accountant follows his usual routine, he will log in to his email at precisely eight. During those five minutes, what might he do? Will he stand by the window? Open a window for air? Take a call? If there's a chance, the girl will take his photo."

Grey Wolf pondered for a moment.

"Even if a photo is taken, it may not be useful," he said. "Cunning as he may be, he is likely to wear a mask, sunglasses, hat, or even disguise himself. A photo can only tell us his general body shape, attire, and habitual movements; the true appearance might still be a mystery."

Song Heping nodded.

"But it's still better than knowing nothing," he said. "With body shape and movement habits, you can more quickly lock on to the target during surveillance."

Grey Wolf didn't argue.

Indeed, sometimes a tiny bit of information can determine success or failure.

Grey Wolf was silent for a few seconds, then asked a crucial question.

"What happens to Robbin after the accountant is dead?"

Song Heping stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the night outside.

"I haven't planned that yet," he said. "Trying to kill me might not be his personal will; there's his company's upper management behind it, and AAFES is not just some ordinary military contractor. I need to think of a good solution, or I won't be able to hold them off."

Grey Wolf also stood up and walked to his side.

"I don't think Robbin will stop," Grey Wolf said. "People like him don't easily give up once they decide to do something. If the accountant is dead, he'll find another intermediary. There are others in the hitman circle who do this kind of business, just not as prominent as the accountant."