Chapter 35 - The Shadow Over Monaco
Dawn broke over the French Riviera not with warmth, but with a suffocating, humid mist that clung to the cliffs of Monte Carlo. From the balcony of the Hôtel de Paris, the mega-yachts in Port Hercule looked like slumbering leviathans moored in dark glass.
Below, the cobblestone streets were already humming with early morning supercars, oblivious to the fact that the most ruthless financial war of the century was about to culminate on their pristine harbor.
"Status report," I demanded into my earpiece, adjusting the lapels of my tailored white suit. Underneath the silk lining was a micro-jammer linked directly to the Genesis drive resting in my inner pocket.
"The yacht is the *Empress of the Sea*," Christian’s voice crackled through the secure channel. "Two hundred and eighty feet, flying the flag of the Cayman Islands. Heavily armed private security disguised as maritime crew. Our spotters confirm Eleanor is in the main salon. But Claire... there’s an unexpected guest onboard."
"Who?"
"Julian. His mother mortgaged her remaining dignity to fly him out here on an economy red-eye last night. It appears Eleanor’s people scooped him up from the Nice airport. He thinks he’s getting his money back."
A cruel smile touched my lips. Julian was like a cockroach that simply refused to accept the boot descending upon its neck. "Keep eyes on him. If he gets in the way, don't shoot him. Let him watch what happens when you cross real power."
Behind me, the door to the adjoining suite clicked open. Henry emerged, wearing a dark trench coat, his face set in grim determination. Behind him, Astrid sat in a wheelchair pushed by an armed field medic, her face pale, the monitor on her wrist down to five hours and fourteen minutes.
"The transmitter is on that boat," Henry said, staring down at the harbor. "Eleanor wouldn't trust a land-based relay. She’s running the uplink through the yacht's satellite dome."
"Then that’s where we go," I said, picking up the titanium briefcase. "Dad, stay with the medical team until Christian gives the signal. Astrid, look at me."
I knelt before my sister, cupping her cold face in my hands. "You survived six years with that demon's poison in your chest. You are going to survive the next five hours. I promise you."
May you like
Tears welled in Astrid's eyes, but she nodded fiercely. "Make her pay, Claire. Make her pay for every lie."
***
