Chapter 18 - Shadows on Lake Zurich
By midnight, Marcus had converted our suite at the Dolder Grand in Zurich into a fortified command center. Surveillance monitors illuminated the dark room with glowing feeds of the Geneva private terminal, maritime traffic across Lake Zurich, and real-time wiretaps approved under emergency Swiss banking protocols.
"Julian landed in Geneva forty minutes ago," Rachel reported, tapping a screen displaying grainy infrared footage of a man in a dark trench coat limping off a Gulfstream. Despite the low resolution, Julian’s arrogant posture was unmistakable. "He was met by three armed operatives belonging to Sebastian Saint-Germain’s private security detail."
"Where are they heading?" I asked, watching the screen intently.
"Toward the Saint-Germain estate in Cologny," Marcus answered. "Sebastian lives in an eighteen-century fortress on the southern shore of Lake Geneva. If Julian reaches that estate and signs the third-party proxy agreement, Sebastian’s legal team will file an emergency injunction at the Canton court to freeze your mother's trust."
"What about Vanessa?" I asked. "Is she still in custody in Aspen?"
Marcus smiled grimly. "Vanessa realized Julian abandoned her the moment the deputies put the handcuffs on. She sang like a canary to the Colorado district attorney. She gave up Julian’s offshore account numbers in the Cayman Islands, his encrypted burner phones, and the safe combination in his Manhattan office. Julian has no idea she turned federal witness."
"Good," I replied, feeling no pity for the woman who had laughed while my hair fell in clumps onto the Persian rug. "Send Vanessa’s sworn affidavit directly to the Swiss federal prosecutor. If Julian tries to use the stolen funds from Bell & Rose to secure Sebastian’s protection, the Swiss authorities will seize the accounts immediately."
Suddenly, the encrypted line on my personal phone chimed. It was an unrecognized private number originating from an unlisted Geneva landline.
I pressed the speaker button. "Speak."
May you like
A familiar, smug voice echoed through the room, dripping with artificial charm. "Elena, darling. Did you really think a few police officers in Aspen could hold me down? You're playing in a league you don't understand, little girl."
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