Chapter 8 - The Shadow of Zurich
The heavy click of the dead phone line still echoed in Conrad’s mind long after the screen went dark. He slid the revolver back into the bottom drawer of his desk, the cold steel grounding him in the immediate reality of the threat. The syndicate didn't deal in local politics or backyard intimidation; they operated in high-frequency trades, shell companies, and quiet, untraceable disappearances.
A soft knock broke the silence of the study.
Marcus pushed the door open just enough to peer inside, his expression grave. “I just received an encrypted ping on the old maritime band. A private flight out of Zurich just cleared customs at the regional airstrip. No public flight plan. No passenger manifest.”
Conrad locked the desk drawer and stood up, buttoning his jacket. “They aren't wasting any time.”
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“What’s your move?” Marcus asked, stepping fully into the room. “If they’re tracking the Zurich ledger, they know you have the waterproof affidavit. They’ll come straight for the estate.”
“Let them come,” Conrad said, grabbing his keys from the tray. “A closed house is just a box. If we stay here, we’re fighting on their terms. We need to take the initiative before their representative even reaches the county line.”
