Chapter 10 - The Knock in Monaco
Mark stood frozen in the center of the marble living room.
""Mark, open the door,"" Eleanor said with a slight frown of annoyance. ""It’s likely the breakfast cart. I ordered the brioche.""
Mark swallowed hard, his throat suddenly bone-dry. He walked slowly across the parquet floor and unlocked the ornate gilded door.
Standing in the hallway were not hotel servers in white waistcoats.
Three officers of the Sûreté Publique de Monaco stood in tailored blue uniforms, accompanied by two men in civilian suits carrying black leather briefcases. The lead investigator, a tall Frenchman with a neatly trimmed gray beard, flashed an official identification badge.
""Monsieur Mark Sterling?"" the lead investigator asked in crisp, clipped English.
""Yes... what is the meaning of this?"" Mark attempted to muster his usual corporate authority, but his voice cracked slightly.
""I am Inspector Laurent, Judicial Police,"" the man said without an ounce of warmth. ""We are executing an international provisional seizure warrant issued by the Principality of Monaco at the request of the United States Department of Justice.""
Eleanor rushed to the door, her face twisting into indignant rage. ""Do you have any idea who we are? We are registered VIP guests! My son is a private equity partner!""
Inspector Laurent didn't even blink. He signaled to the uniformed officers behind him.
""Madame Eleanor Sterling, you are also named in this warrant. You are suspected of acting as a primary conduit for fraudulent transfer of corporate assets and identity forgery.""
""This is absurd!"" Eleanor shrieked. ""This is a private marital dispute! Claire... that pathetic little girl did this, didn't she?""
""Your passports, please,"" Inspector Laurent said, stepping past Mark into the suite without waiting for an invitation. ""All digital devices, banking tokens, and foreign financial instruments are subject to immediate seizure. You are not under arrest at this precise second, Monsieur Sterling, but you are barred from leaving the territory of Monaco.""
Mark’s knees felt weak. He grabbed the back of an armchair to steady himself.
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""Where is Sophia?"" Mark stammered, pulling out his phone before an officer firmly took it from his hand. ""I need to call my attorney in New York!""
Inspector Laurent offered a thin, icy smirk. ""Mademoiselle Vance was taken into custody at JFK Airport forty minutes ago trying to board an Air France flight. You will not be speaking with her today.""
