Chapter 10 - BREACHING THE GATES
The perimeter fence hummed with high-voltage electricity.
Viktor pulled a specialized EMP device from his bag and pressed it against the control junction box.
A muffled pop echoed.
The security cameras sputtered and died.
The warning lights flickered out across the estate's northern wall.
“In,” Viktor grunted, tossing a magnetic grappling hook over the twelve-foot stone barrier.
The steel cable locked securely onto the top stone ledge.
Dominic scaled the wall in seconds, disappearing into the falling snow.
Hannah followed agilely behind him, her athletic frame proving more than capable under pressure.
Viktor brought up the rear, securing the line.
They dropped silently onto the snow-covered lawn of the sprawling alpine villa.
Light spilled from the massive floor-to-ceiling windows of the main salon.
Soft classical music drifted across the freezing air.
Richard Sterling was having a drink.
“Stay low,” Dominic signaled, leading them toward the side service entrance.
The heavy oak door of the old wine cellar was bolted from the outside with a digital keypad.
Hannah stepped forward.
“Let me,” she whispered.
Dominic raised an eyebrow.
“You know how to bypass these?”
“My mother managed the estate’s security audits before she was transferred to Elena’s staff,” Hannah explained, pulling a small electronic decryption tool from her pocket. “Richard uses the same birthdate algorithm for all his auxiliary locks.”
Her fingers danced across the keypad interface.
*Bip. Bip. Bip. Click.*
The heavy iron bolt slid back with a dull thud.
Dominic pulled the door open, revealing a dark, winding stone staircase leading down into the subterranean depths.
The air smelled of aged oak, dust, and damp stone.
They descended into the shadows, their footsteps muffled by the thick stone floor.
As they reached the bottom of the stairs, a faint light flickered down the corridor.
Voices echoed softly from around the corner.
“He’s landing in Geneva right now,” a smooth, arrogant voice drifted down. “By morning, Dominic Moretti will sign over his shares of the shipping empire.”
Richard Sterling.
May you like
Dominic motioned for Viktor and Hannah to hold position.
He drew his Beretta, clicked off the safety, and stepped around the corner into the main sub-level vault.
