heatwave

Chapter 16.

The flight to Zurich was long, but sleep was impossible. Savannah’s mind replayed her father’s cryptic message over and over. Vault 417. Trust no one.

Beside her, Logan sat tense and alert, his fingers tapping rhythmically on his knee. Savannah placed her hand over his, grounding him. “We’ll get through this,” she whispered.

He nodded, but his eyes remained distant. “We have to.”

When the plane landed, they moved swiftly through the terminal, blending into the crowd. Logan hailed a cab, giving the driver directions to a small hotel away from the city center. As they drove through the winding streets, Savannah couldn’t help but admire the picturesque scenery—the snow-capped Alps in the distance, the charming old buildings—but the weight of their mission kept her on edge.

Once inside their modest room, Logan immediately checked for bugs, his movements methodical and precise. Savannah sat on the bed, rubbing her temples. “What’s the plan?”

Logan sat beside her, pulling out his laptop. “First, we find out which bank holds vault 417. Zurich is full of private banks, but your father wouldn’t have chosen just any place.”

Savannah frowned. “My dad always talked about how much he admired the old-world banking system here. Trust, discretion...”

Logan’s eyes lit up. “That narrows it down. The older, more prestigious banks are fewer. Let’s start there.”

Hours passed as Logan combed through data, hacking into secure databases with unsettling ease. Finally, he leaned back. “Got it.”

Savannah peered over his shoulder. “Roth & Weiss Private Bank. Established in 1824. Discreet. Secure.”

“And impossible to access without the key your dad mentioned,” Logan added grimly.

Savannah’s brow furrowed. “If my dad has the key, why didn’t he send it to me?”

“Maybe he couldn’t,” Logan said. “Or maybe someone else has it.”

Before Savannah could respond, Logan’s phone buzzed again. He glanced at the screen and froze.

I’m closer than you think.

Savannah’s eyes widened. “They know we’re here.”

Logan grabbed her hand. “We have to move.”

They slipped out of the hotel through the back entrance, weaving through narrow alleyways. Savannah’s heart pounded in her chest as Logan led her to a nearby tram station.

“We’ll head to the bank now,” Logan whispered. “The longer we wait, the more danger we’re in.”

Savannah nodded, trusting him completely. But as they boarded the tram, she couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching them.

Her suspicion was confirmed when she caught a glimpse of a figure in a dark coat and sunglasses at the other end of the tram.

“Logan,” she whispered urgently. “We’re not alone.”

He followed her gaze, his jaw tightening. “Stay close.”

The tram slowed at the next stop, and Logan pulled her to the door. “We’re getting off here.”

They hurried onto the platform, weaving through the crowd. But the figure followed, moving with deliberate precision.

Suddenly, Logan pulled Savannah into a narrow alley, pressing her against the wall as the figure passed by, unaware.

Savannah’s breath hitched as Logan’s body pressed against hers, shielding her. Their eyes met, and for a moment, time stood still.

But then, Logan’s phone buzzed again.

Nice try. See you soon.

Savannah’s blood ran cold. “Logan... what if they already have the key?”

He exhaled sharply. “Then we’re running out of time.”

As they emerged from the alley, Savannah whispered, “We have to get to that vault before they do.”

Logan nodded. “And we will. But we need a plan... and we need it fast.”

Unbeknownst to them, a pair of eyes watched their every move from a distance.

The Broker was already waiting.