Chapter One

The corporate headquarters for Manhattan Capital Bank sat on Park Avenue in midtown Manhattan. Their clients included the world’s most prominent corporations, affluent people, and third world governments. As a leading global financial institution with assets of a half trillion dollars, Manhattan Capital had the ability to hire highly qualified employees, create money out of seemingly thin air, and charge their customers mysterious fees in the form of interest.

The hiring policy of Manhattan Capital complied with all laws and usually involved resume review, intense personal interview, credit check, background check, physical, and drug screening. Tony Wolfe, however, gained employment without going through any of them. He never had a drug test, physical, credit check, or background check. He did not submit a resume, nor was he ever interviewed.

The CEO of Manhattan Capital Bank, Alfonso Thomas, was a Harvard graduate. He was enthusiastic, passionate, and dedicated in his role. Alfonso was in his early thirties, medium built, and gay. Although he never advertised his sexual orientation, it was obvious. But he had the respect of every employee, executive, and customer that came in contact with him. So when he said h