Chapter 15 - Ghosts of Lake Geneva
The private Gulfstream cut through the turbulent cloud banks hanging over the Swiss Alps, descending toward Zurich-Kloten Airport in the gray light of dawn. Beside me, Marcus worked tirelessly on two encrypted laptops, pulling up every historic thread tied to Clinique Valmont and the House of Saint-Germain.
"The Saint-Germain family isn't just old money, Elena," Marcus explained, turning a screen toward me. "They are one of the quietest, most ruthless private banking dynasties in continental Europe. They dissolved their public presence in the late nineties, right around the time your mother returned to New York and married Arthur. If your mother was involved with them, Julian’s attempt to bankrupt Bell & Rose wasn't just corporate greed. It was an attempt to dismantle something far larger."
"Julian was a parasite," I said coldly, adjusting the collar of my wool coat. "He cared about expensive watches, penthouses, and parading mistresses like Vanessa through my home. He was too shortsighted to understand high finance."
"Don't underestimate a cornered dog," Rachel warned from across the aisle, checking her secure communication feed. "Federal marshals in New York just reported an anomaly. Julian Croft’s bail hearing was supposed to be denied without exception, but thirty minutes ago, a high-powered legal firm based in Geneva filed an emergency habeas corpus writ. Someone with immense financial leverage is trying to pull Julian out of custody."
My stomach tightened with rage. "Vanessa is locked up in Aspen. Who has the power or the motive to rescue Julian Croft?"
"That is what Henri Laurent is going to tell us," Marcus said as the wheels touched down on the tarmac with a muffled screech.
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A black Mercedes Maybach was waiting on the tarmac, its engine idling. The driver, an elderly Swiss man in formal livery, held the door open and offered a solemn bow. "Madame Croft—pardon, Mademoiselle Vance. Maitre Laurent awaits you at the private salon in Basel. We must hurry. The watchers are already at the gates."
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