Golden Handshake is the seventh and penultimate mission of HITMAN™ 2.
After the Constant discloses the Partners' identities, Agent 47 and Lucas Grey rush to finally topple the ivory towers. However, before too long, Olivia Hall discovers that all three Partners have faked their deaths and have switched identities to throw the assassins off their scent. To discover their new identities, 47 must inflitrate the New York branch of the international savings & investment firm Milton-Fitzpatrick, a major Providence asset, in order to steal its records and discover where the money leads to, before any possible traces are wiped in a matter of hours. He must also eliminate the bank's CEO and Director, and sole connection to Providence, Athena Savalas, to ensure the Partners do not catch wind of what they are doing, and go into hiding once again.
Diana (VO): "Obituaries for all three have appeared online. Accidental death, heart failure, lung cancer."
Grey and 47 are now walking towards a waiting jet at a pastoral airfield.
Grey: "They’re covering their tracks. Faster than I thought."
Diana guards Edwards back on the ship.
Diana: "A contingency plan of sorts. The Constant wasn’t aware of it."
47 and Grey ascend the steps into the jet.
Grey: "Seems they didn’t tell him everything after all..."
Agent 47: "Something this big will leave traces behind."
Minutes later, now in the air, the men listen to Diana via an encrypted phone call as 47 assembles a pistol.
Diana (COM): "The Constant says to follow the money."
Grey: "Milton-Fitzpatrick - the investment bank. It’s a key Providence asset."
Agent 47: "Which you worked for..."
Grey: "The director of the New York branch is a Providence operative. It’s our best bet as a way in."
Agent 47: "I’ll tell the pilot to turn the plane around."
47 gets up from his seat. The jet banks a hard right.
Diana (VO): "Right, gentlemen. Here's what we've come up with. The Partners are transitioning between identities, but everything is so recent the Milton-Fitzpatrick bank records will still be intact. We've confirmed that the Partners have active accounts there.
However, the bank's records are remotely updated on a frequent basis. We may only have hours before any leads that could get us the new identities of the Partners are gone forever.
The data we need can be obtained in two ways. The bank's data core can be accessed through the basement vault but getting inside the vault could be challenging. Alternatively, Bank Director Athena Savalas, Head of Security Mateo Pérez, and Head of Accounts Fabian Mann each carry a partial backup drive with the data. We'll need all three drives to get the full data.
Now, we cannot risk the Partners discovering the data breach. Eliminating the Bank's Director, Athena Savalas, would sever the last remaining Providence tie to the bank and keep our activities hidden."
47 and Grey come to a stop on a drizzly New York sidewalk.
Grey: "Okay, one more time. We break into the vault, extract the hard drive rack and eliminate the director on the way out."
Agent 47: "We?"
Grey: "You. Good luck, 47."
Grey disappears into the rain as 47 crosses the street, halting traffic on his way up to the domineering pillars at the bank’s entrance.
MISSION ACTIVE
― Mission Briefing
Cinematic[]
47 walks through rainy New York streets. Lucas Grey meets him in an alleyway.
Lucas Grey: “Olivia has found something interesting. I’ll tell you on the way..."
After successfully interrogating The Constant, Diana has uncovered the names of The Partners. However, the three Partners have already gone into hiding, faking their deaths and assuming new identities. A clue from The Constant points them to a potential lead: The New York branch of Milton-Fitzpatrick, a bank used by Providence.
The Partners hold accounts in the bank, and in their haste to get away, have yet to remove any records of using their accounts. If 47 and his allies can obtain these records before the bank automatically erases them, they have a chance of locating The Partner's locations.
47 must retrieve the bank's records via two ways: either by breaking into the bank's underground vault to steal the data drives within, or by obtaining three back up drives held by the bank's senior staff: Head of security Mateo Pérez, head of accounts Fabian Mann and Athena Savalas, the bank's tyrannical manager. Finally, to ensure their activities go unnoticed by Providence, 47 must eliminate Savalas.
Mission Stories[]
The Job Interview
One final test?
Milton-Fitzpatrick is holding a round of job interviews. The final applicant was last seen going into the bathrooms where he's been for some time. Nerves, maybe?
On and Off Again
Faulty network wiring.
A notice from the bank's head of security mentions that the building suffers from unstable Wi-Fi. If the connection fails, IT have full access to the Director's office and computer. Hmm... Sounds useful, 47.
The Heist
How to break the bank?
Hmm, the vault looks even more fortified than we feared. If I'm not mistaken, only high-tier security is allowed in here. Access seems to be restricted to the use of a keycard of some sort. Hang on. There's a similar security hub on the second floor. You might be able to acquire what you need there?
The Exposé
Digging for dirt.
Ruby Red, famous muckraking investigative journalist, is in the bank. Known for her fierce skills at digging up dirt and her excellent nose for scandal, she's definitely up to something. Might be worth following her around the bank, 47.
Hostile Termination
Someone is about to have a bad day.
One of the investment bankers at Milton-Fitzpatrick is facing termination. He's got a private meeting with Director Savalas and has been told to register at the top floor reception. Well, terminations are you specialty, 47...
Intelligence[]
Air-Conditioning System
"Someone has installed an air-conditioning unit in the basement garage but it draws in the fumes from any running cars in the garage. As a result, the guards in the vault security hub have shut the air-conditioning off."
Athena's Backup Data Disk
"Backup data disk belonging to Director Athena Savalas. It holds a partial image of the backed up data also found in the vault of the bank."
CEO Exit Keycard
"Keycard for Athena's private exit."
CEO Key
"Key for Athena Savalas' personal room."
Cronkite Report
"A pile of papers containing a slew of incriminating evidence, suggesting that Director Savalas and head of accounts Fabian Mann have been acting recklessly with the bank's money. The information could severely damage the bank's reputation if released into the wild."
Data Core
"This is a hard drive rack retrieved from the vault in the basement of Milton-Fitzpatrick. It should contain encrypted information useful for locating the Providence Partners."
Deposit Box 237 Key
"You're scared of deposit box 237, ain't ya?"
Deposit Box 429 Key
"Key for deposit box 429."
Deposit Box 577 Key
"Key for deposit box 577."
Deposit Box 664 Key
"Key for deposit box 664."
Deposit Master Key
"Master Key for deposit boxes. Can be used to open any deposit box."
Fabian's Backup Data Disk
"Backup data disk belonging to Fabian Mann. It holds a partial image of the backed up data also found in the vault of the bank."
Haven Pamphlet
"A pamphlet detailing activities on a private island retreat in the Maldives owned by a company called "Haven". "Haven" seems to be a company specializing in "reputation management" and "identity realignment". Sounds like a place for people wanting to hide from the law..."
Hired: Accountant
"Congratulations! You've been hired as part of the accounting department in the New York branch of Milton-Fitzpatrick. Your dry wit and get-to-it attitude is perfect for the bank's needs."
Hired: Investment Banker
"Passing the personality test with flying colors, 47 has been employed as an investment banker in the New York branch of Milton-Fitzpatrick. Congratulations! Your willingness to bend the rules and killer instinct is just what the bank needs."
Hired: Teller
"Congratulations! You've been hired as a teller in the New York branch of Milton-Fitzpatrick. Your to-the-point attitude and no-nonsense approach to the job is just what the bank is looking for."
IT Note
"A notice from the bank's head of security. It mentions that the recent issues with the building's wireless internet have gotten Director Savalas so high strung that fixing the Wi-Fi in her office always takes priority. If the Wi-Fi in the Director's office breaks down, IT is allowed full and immediate access to the area. No questions asked."
Janitor Key
"The janitor's key."
Letter of Termination
"A letter of termination noting that the recipient should go to the top floor reception and report for a final talk with Director Savalas."
Magazine Interview
"A financial interview with director Athena Savalas. A key paragraph reads: "Miss Savalas grabs the newly arrived award with the strength of a mountain lion. It looks heavy, the pointed tip as deadly as her gaze at her competitors at last night's award ceremony. It's been said that Savalas is akin to a Greek statue, majestic, yet emotionally distant, but here, for a few moments, her eyes glaze over with pride as she speaks. 'It does mean the world to be recognized for all the hard work you've gone through over the years", she says and puts the award back in its new place in her office.""
Milton-Fitzpatrick Vault
"The Milton-Fitzpatrick vault is located in the basement of the bank and looks to be very heavily secured. In order to access the vault, a keycard is needed and only high-tier security looks to have access at the moment."
Money Transport Key
"Key for the money transport vehicle. Could be useful for a quick getaway!"
Pérez' Backup Data Disk
"Backup data disk belonging to Mateo Pérez. It holds a partial image of the backed up data also found in the vault of the bank."
Security Keycard
"Should give access to most high security areas of the bank."
The Director's Calendar
"Scanning through Director Savalas' daily calendar, it becomes clear she has a meeting planned with Fabian Mann and Mateo Perez. It's scheduled around end of business but should be possible to advance it, if needed."
The Director's Laptop
"Director Savalas' laptop is apparently acting up. She's asked for her assistant to get someone from IT to come up and have a look at it. This would be an excellent way to get close to the director."
The Exposé
"Ruby Red, a famous investigative reporter, is hanging out in the bank, waiting for someone to deliver documents that could apparently cause great harm to Milton-Fitzpatrick and, in particular, Director Athena Savalas."
The Termination
"One of the bankers at Milton-Fitzpatrick is facing termination. Apparently, his choice of attire isn't in line with the standards of the bank and the Director has decided he must go."
The Vault
"It appears the vault of the bank is only accessible by high security guards holding a corresponding keycard. The security hub on the second floor might provide some of the items needed to get close to the vault."
The Whistleblower
"There's apparently a whistleblower trying to get access to revelatory documents in the bank's deposit area. But there's added security in the basement and she's getting cold feet. The key for her deposit box is somewhere on her desk. Wonder what might happen if someone leaked those documents."
Vault Keycard
"Keycard for the vault."
Vodka Bottle
"A bottle of vodka reserved for Frank, a retiring guard."
Challenges[]
There are 55 challenges in total: 11 "Assassination", 18 "Discovery", 20 "Feats", 1 "Targets" & 5 "The Classics", worth 96000XP & containing 1 unlock.
Type Key: A="Assassination"; D="Discovery"; F="Feats"; T="Targets"; TC="The Classics"
Sawed off version of the U.S. produced pump-action shotgun. Lower accuracy, but small enough to hide in your pockets [Mastery Level 10 in HITMAN™ 2].
14
Starting Location
Investment Floor
47 has infiltrated the Milton-Fitzpatrick bank and starts on the investment floor [Mastery Level 11 in HITMAN™ 2].
16
Agency Pickup
Executive Floor
Grey's informant can smuggle a briefcase containing a large item into the assistant's back room on the Executive Floor [Mastery Level 12 in HITMAN™ 2].
17
Starting Location
Garage
47 has gained access to the bank's garage area and starts there as a Bank Robber [Mastery Level 13 in HITMAN™ 2].
18
Agency Pickup
Vault Loading Bay
Grey's informant can smuggle a briefcase containing a large item into the basement garage [Mastery Level 14 in HITMAN™ 2].
A true classic, this double breasted trench coat is the ideal fit for the demanding big city assassin. Stylish, timeless and practical, this gloved version fits every situation [Mastery Level 15 in HITMAN™ 2].
Savalas and 4-5 guards will go to the security office on the floor below if her office is compromised.
If the alarm is triggered in the area but not in the office, she will go to her observation room with multiple guards.
Trivia[]
Golden Handshake was the first mission available as part of HITMAN™ 2's Expansion Pass content, released on June 25th, 2019. It is only available in the World of Assassination Deluxe Edition, or sold separately as part of the Deluxe Pack or Hitman 3 Access Pass: Hitman 2 Expansion.
Golden Handshake is the one of the four main story missions in the trilogy with only a single target to eliminate.
There is a pamphlet for Haven Island, the final location of Hitman 2, on a desk in the glass room in the teller hall, it is a piece of intel. (Haven Island features in the mission The Last Resort)
If Athena's corpse is hidden in a chest/closet after her death, the high level security staff will at first begin panicking and looking for her in somewhat of a worried but mildly annoyed matter. The guards will be going back to their normal state after a few minutes.
If the security room near the vault is poisoned, it remains poisoned as long as the climate control system is on; if the ventilation is turned off and the atmosphere disperses, the room will return to a poisoned state again when the ventilation reactivated. This is in contrast to most other poisoned rooms in the series, in which the poison dissipates after a few minutes.
Curiously, the laptop in one of the private booths displays a date of 08/08/2019.
There is a secret Easter Egg exit: if you have completed the mission and crashed the stock market, then whilst you are disguised as an Investment Banker or the Fired Banker you will be able to exit via the window by the main stairway to the top floor, which will result in 47 casually stepping off the ledge, with a cartoony whistling sound indicating his fall. This is a reference to the Wall Street Crash of 1929, which was a major contributor to the Great Depression, and supposedly led to dozens of investors and stockbrokers leaping from high-rising buildings to their deaths, although this was proven later to be just a myth.
If you take all the goldbars in the vault whilst disguised as the Bank Robber, then the bunny mask on the disguise will turn gold, and a golden spotlight will shine on a pile of goldbars appearing in a flash of gold smoke, with a Golden Sawed Off Bartoli 12G lying on top.
In the hallway between the interview room and the stairway to level 2, there are portraits of former Milton-Fitzpatrick CEOs. If you shoot out the lights above all of the portraits except Mette P. Anderson, the key for deposit box 577 will appear on Anderson's portrait. Unlocking the box with this key will reveal a gold idol. Place the idol on the pedestal next to the empty crate in the corner of the storage room, next to the IT room, then, whilst in The New Yorker or The New Yorker with Gloves, hide in the crate and then exit it. A black and white filter will be applied, 47 will be sporting a fedora, and a musical sting will indicate the easter egg has worked. This only works as long as you have the suit on, This is a reference to the classic-era (1940s & 1950s) of Film Noir.
Upon completing the job interview by answering all the cards correctly, skip the final conversation and pick up the key to deposit box 237 in the top-left corner of the room. Upon opening the box, a torrent of blood will wash out, revealing a fire axe stored inside it. Along with the number of the deposit box and the key's description ("You're scared of deposit box 237, ain't ya?"), the wave of blood and the fire axe are all references to the 1980 Stanley Kubrick film adaptation of Stephen King's The Shining.
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