Chapter 10 - THE ZURICH RECKONING
Three days later, in the pristine, sterile office of a high-end Swiss banking firm in Zurich, Herr Mueller was enjoying a glass of expensive champagne. He believed his problems in America were solved. The aggressive, inflexible Adrian Vale was dead, and the more pliable Marcus DeLuca was now in charge.
His secretary buzzed the intercom. "Herr Mueller, a package has arrived for you. Delivered by private courier."
"Bring it in," Mueller said, leaning back in his ergonomic chair.
The secretary brought in a small, sleek black box, tied with a silver ribbon, and placed it on his desk before bowing out.
Mueller frowned, untying the ribbon. He opened the box.
Inside, resting on black velvet, was Marcus DeLuca’s severed pinky finger, adorned with the heavy gold signet ring Mueller himself had gifted Marcus as a token of their secret alliance.
Beneath the grim trophy was a small, cream-colored card with elegant handwriting:
“I do not ask twice. I will be seeing you soon. – A.V.”
May you like
Mueller dropped the box, stumbling backward in horror, his champagne glass shattering on the hardwood floor. Adrian Vale was alive. And Adrian Vale was coming for him. The phantom king's reach was global, and Mueller knew, with absolute certainty, that his vast wealth could not buy his safety now.
In Boston, Adrian received the encrypted text confirming delivery. He deleted the message and placed the phone face down on his desk. Loose ends were being tied. The empire was secure.
