Chapter 66 - Shadows Over the Alps
The outskirts of Geneva were cloaked in a pristine winter twilight. The distant peaks of Mont Blanc stood like jagged white teeth against the violet sky, while the dark, tranquil expanse of Lake Geneva reflected the glittering lights of Europe’s most exclusive private estates.
At a secluded boathouse five miles downshore from the Villa de l'Ombre, Mercer laid out their tactical arsenal across a workbench. There were no heavy machine guns or military combat vests; this was an operation requiring surgical precision. Silenced subcompact sidearms, ceramic blades that bypassed standard metal detectors, and high-frequency digital jammers disguised as executive luxury watches.
"Richard’s security perimeter is run by the Cerberus Private Defense Network," Mercer explained, rolling out an architectural blueprint of the lakeside estate. "Three concentric rings. The outer ring is standard private security—ex-Swiss police. The second ring is automated facial recognition drones and thermal imaging along the hedgerows. The inner ring... those are Richard’s personal shadows. Men who have no names, no records, and no morals."
Elena picked up an elegant, midnight-black velvet evening gown that Mercer’s contacts had procured, complete with an open-back design that concealed a razor-thin fiber-optic tap against her spine.
"The gala begins at nine," she said, her voice completely devoid of fear. "The guests are arriving via private ferries from the Geneva port. The security protocols for the high-roller guests are biometric invitations. How do we cross the threshold?"
Alexander held up two gold-embossed platinum invitation plaques. "Archibald Sterling was supposed to be guest number four. And Julianna was his plus-one. Their deaths haven't been made public yet; Richard kept the Arctic incident completely off the international wire to prevent a bank run."
"If we walk in through the front doors under their identities," Mercer warned, "the secondary biometric scans will alert Richard within three minutes."
"Three minutes is all we need," Alexander replied, adjusting the cufflinks of his tailored tuxedo—the identical twin to the man he had been before the world crumbled around him. "Mercer, you take the high ground on the lakefront pier. The moment Elena uploads the virus from Eleanor’s ledger into the ballroom mainframe, the power to the outer grid goes dark."
"And Leo?" Elena asked, glancing toward the safe room where their trusted pilot sat watching over the boy.
May you like
"He stays twenty miles outside the city perimeter with four armed sentries until I confirm the estate is neutralized," Alexander said firmly. He looked into Elena’s eyes, reaching out to clasp her hand. "Tonight, we end this."
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