“Amanda, we’re happy you’re safe,” he replied. “But let’s be honest, you were lucky you weren’t—”
“I’m sure you’re going to have lots of good reasons why I can’t go to Geneva. I could get killed. I’m not authorized. I’ll slow you guys down. I get that. But remember, whether it’s with you or without you… I’m going to Geneva. You can’t stop me from going.”
Carmen crossed her arms. “You’re a tough girl. But why would you want to slow us down? Your father is best served—”
“He is best served by the two of you following his instructions. I think you two have forgotten that his letter was addressed to me, not to the US government or whoever you guys work for. Which means that the address in Geneva was also left for me. My dad created these instructions with me in mind. If it weren't for me, you wouldn’t have realized the significance of the Rosetta Stone. Right? And there may come another time, perhaps at this church, when you’ll wish I was there to help you.”
He was staring down at the sidewalk, but after a long and uncomfortable minute he finally looked up at Carmen and said, “It’s hard to argue with that. I say we bring her along.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
A winter storm moved in over Geneva just as the train carrying Zane, Carmen, and Amanda entered the main rail station adjacent to the airport. Ominous clouds swept in across the mountains that partially encircled the lakeside city.
As the darkest clouds settled overhead, the first flakes began to drift slowly down to the earth, white harbingers of the coming blizzard. Most of them were so light that they bounced around horizontally, defying the laws of gravity.
Zane looked up as they stepped out onto the curb. “This is one of the reasons I chose not to drive. It looks like western Switzerland may be a mess for a few days.”
“Where are we staying again?” Amanda asked.
Carmen smiled. “Unfortunately, Delphi doesn’t own a flat in Geneva, and Zane is forcing us to stay at the Kempinski.”
Zane shook his head and waved at one of the taxis.
“I guess I’m missing something here,” Amanda said.
“Well, let’s just say that Zane has a personal interest in staying at this particular hotel, although who knows if she’s even working there anymore,” replied Carmen, a mischievous smile on her face.
“Oh, now I see.”
Zane turned around. “Amanda, you should learn to ignore Carmen when she gets one of those grins on her face. She knows exactly why I like to stay at the Kempinski. It’s big, and big means safe in our line of work.”
“Is that in our field manual?” Carmen turned toward Amanda, and Zane saw her mouth the word “liar.”
“Well, okay then,” Amanda said, laughing.
The cab ride to the Grand Hotel Kempinksi was painlessly short, one of the benefits of Geneva’s small footprint. As the driver turned onto the Quai du Mont-Blanc, Zane looked out the window at the impressive view that opened up in front of him. The historic city wrapped around the western end of Lake Geneva, with the snow-covered Alps providing a dramatic backdrop. In the center of the lake itself was the Jet D’eau, the famous fountain that sent a plume of water almost five hundred feet into the air.
After exiting the cab, Zane entered the hotel while Carmen and Amanda walked along the lakeshore. While crossing the lobby, he quickly transitioned from serious operative to the annoying and extremely flirtatious Michel Bergeron. As startled guests looked on, the Frenchman made several inappropriate remarks to the clerk checking him in, including a request that they meet at the bar as soon as her shift ended. The clerk coldly stated that she was working all night and threw his key cards onto the counter. It would be some time before she forgot the impression made by the irritating French Canadian, which was his goal. If anyone were to later inquire about the affable Monsieur Bergeron, the description given by the clerk wouldn’t even remotely resemble American operative Zane Watson.
After giving Zane time to check in and find his room, Carmen and Amanda entered the lobby and approached the front desk. Carmen could see that the clerk was still rattled as she struggled to retrieve the reservation on the computer. After a couple of minutes, the clerk shook her head and looked up at Carmen. “I’m sorry, Ms. Bigatton. That last person just—”
Carmen reached out, grabbed the girl’s arm, and said in accented English, “I understand. I work in customer service, too. People can be so unpleasant sometimes.”
“That guy was just creepy, you know? Thanks for your understanding.”
“Maybe you should report him to management,” Carmen suggested.
“It’s not that easy,” replied the clerk, laughing. “If I reported every creep that came on to me, we’d probably have to shut down the hotel. This one was just a little more creepy than the others though.”
“I understand. You shouldn’t have to put up with that kind of filth.”
“Thank you,” said the clerk, smiling. “Anyway, everything appears to be all set now. But actually…” She stared at the computer screen. “Actually, there is one other thing. I have a package for you. Just a moment.”
The clerk disappeared through a door behind the desk and returned a few seconds later with a small box. Carmen put on a show, almost as though she wasn’t expecting anything, but thanked the clerk nonetheless.
“And finally, here are your keys.” The clerk handed Carmen two cards.
“Thank you so much. And best wishes on avoiding the creep.”
The clerk winked at her. “Please enjoy your stay at the Grand Hotel Kempinski, Madame Bigatton.”
Darkness was beginning to overtake the city when Carmen and Amanda finally entered their room. Amanda went over to the window and pulled the curtains aside. The lake fountain was lit up, providing sharp contrast to the dark waters underneath.
“Such an amazing place,” Amanda said. “I wish I could come back and just spend some time studying the architecture.”
“It is a beautiful city. Sorry, but I’m just trying to get focused right now. Zane wants to go straight to the cathedral as soon as we grab something to eat.” Carmen set the box down on the bed and began cutting the side with a pocketknife.
“What’s in there anyway?”
“We use a courier service to move our toys around when we can’t take them with us. Zane wanted to take the train, so I had Nigel ship us a fresh box of goodies from our Paris office this morning.”
Amanda walked over just as Carmen finished opening the top. The box was filled with Styrofoam peanuts. Carmen plunged her hand down into the filling. When she had finished retrieving the items, there were three handguns and eight full magazines lying on the bed.
“You’re not expecting me to use one of those, are you?” Amanda asked.
“No, probably not.”
“Probably not?”
“Not unless things take a strange turn.”
“Then why are you carrying three guns?” asked Amanda.
“Old habits die hard. I always carry two for myself. I’ve had too many break down over the years. The other is Zane’s.” Carmen clicked a magazine into each of her two Berettas.
“So I guess it’s safe to assume you two are pretty good with those things.”
“Actually, you’re traveling with one of the best,” Carmen said, looking up at Amanda, “and I don’t mean myself.” Carmen closed the box and set it next to the trash can. “You know, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him miss in the field. As for me, meh… I can hold my own.”
“In the field? You mean Zane has actually—”
“Ask me no questions, and I’ll tell you no lies. Just be glad you’re in archaeology.”