Paris West New District.
In the former Royal Hunting Palace, now the headquarters of the Intelligence Bureau, Fouche's calm gaze swept over the subordinates before him.
"So, no one has brought me any good news today, is that right?"
The Crown Prince had given him one week to uncover the mastermind behind the shorting of the Franc. Today was already the third day, yet they still had no leads.
Blanche, head of Operations Team Three, stammered, "Director, the backgrounds of those applying to exchange for gold are all spotless... We did arrest several people who incited citizens to exchange for gold, but we couldn't get anything out of them either. You know how troublesome those lawyers are..."
Fouche's gaze turned icy as he looked at the adviser in charge of financial matters. "Mr. Scott, what is the total amount currently being applied for in gold exchanges?"
"Fourteen million Francs, Director. Those are the French Reserve Bank's figures. The other banks should have another three or four million."
Fouche suddenly seized Blanche by the collar and roared, "Eighteen million Francs! Enough to buy three Louvres and still have money left over! Did that much money grow out of the ground?!"
Prosper of Operations Team One said quietly, "Director, we started by tracing the source of the funds. But the earliest sums never passed through any bank, nor did they come from factories or major investors..."
Such massive movements of capital could not possibly leave no trace. The Intelligence Bureau had long kept records on every person or company in all of France possessing more than a million Francs. If their money moved, it would quickly be discovered here.
Fouche slammed a fist onto the table, blood immediately welling from his knuckles. "Or are you trying to tell me that some wizard