Payne smiled. ‘I guess that means you
‘Indeed I have. Many times. It’s a magical feast for all your senses!’
Jones cleared his throat. ‘If you guys are done salivating, can we get back to our mission? I mean, what’s this world coming to when
Payne rolled his eyes. ‘You’re just cranky because you’re cold.’
‘I’m fucking freezing, but that’s beside the point.’
‘Fine. What’s your point?’
Jones explained. ‘While you guys are bragging about eating in the kitchen — something black people have been
‘And what mystery is that?’
‘I just figured out what CS stands for. And it’s
Payne furrowed his brow. ‘What is it then?’
Jones motioned towards a building up the street. ‘I think it’s a bank.’
He nodded. ‘Ever heard of Capital Savings?’
Ulster answered for him. ‘Heard of it? I have several accounts there. In my country, there are two major banks that handle more than half of all Swiss deposits. Union Bank of Switzerland is number one. Capital Savings is number two.’
‘Have you been inside this branch?’ Payne asked.
‘Many times. It is where I do my banking when I’m in Geneva.’ He paused for a moment. ‘I’m sorry I did not think of it sooner. I was focused on landmarks, not businesses.’
‘Don’t worry about it,’ Payne said. ‘We still don’t know if DJ’s right. It might simply be a coincidence.’
‘Maybe so,’ Jones admitted. ‘But the text message said something about her
‘If that’s the case, what does 1566 stand for?’ she wondered.
‘Don’t ask me. I’ve done my heavy lifting for the day. What do you guys think?’
Ulster shrugged. ‘It can’t be an account number. It’s way too short. Besides, unless Megan’s name is on the account, she wouldn’t be able to access the funds.’
Ulster shook his head. ‘He was an apothecary and an author, not a duke or a king.’
‘In other words, he wasn’t rich.’
‘Comfortable, but not rich.’
‘If that’s the case, what’s his fortune?’ Payne asked. ‘It can’t be cash or jewels. It has to be something else.’
‘Like what?’ Megan wondered.
‘I don’t know. Maybe something he cherished. Something priceless.’
Ulster gasped softly. ‘His journal.’
‘What journal?’ Payne asked.
Paranoid, Ulster glanced in both directions. ‘During the past few days, I’ve come across several rumours about a secret journal that Nostradamus might have been keeping. Although he never admitted to its existence, it was widely believed that he wrote all his prophecies in a single notebook and stored it somewhere safe. Since it was never intended for publication, his visions were written in simple, straightforward language. No puzzles, or codes, or verses of any kind. Nothing but his most vivid predictions, all compiled in one journal.’
Payne frowned. ‘What happened to it?’
‘And what do you think?’
Ulster smiled. ‘If the man could see the future — and that’s still a very big
Payne continued the thought. ‘If that’s the case, then he definitely figured out a way to get his journal into the hands of someone he was connected to. Perhaps a distant relative.’
Megan gasped in understanding. ‘Someone like me.’
55
The four of them strolled past Capital Savings, giving Payne and Jones an opportunity to inspect the exterior of the nineteenth-century building. Made of tan stone, the bank was four storeys tall and equipped with modern security. Cameras had been mounted above the main entrance, which gave the guards a panoramic view of Quai du Mont-Blanc and the waterfront. Unlike most of the taller buildings on the street that housed several businesses and residences, the bank was a stand-alone structure, designed to be impregnable.
‘What do you think?’ Payne whispered.
Jones answered. ‘I think any facility with that type of camera on the outside is going to have even better technology on the inside. Maybe even facial-recognition software.’
‘In other words, we can’t go inside without risking detection.’
‘Not only that, but my lock-picking skills would be useless. I’m sure their safe-deposit vaults are equipped with digital-scan security.
‘Yes,’ Ulster assured them, ‘the security at Capital Savings is top-notch. Although I don’t have a box in this branch, I’ve seen customers entering that section of the bank. First they enter a password into a computer system, then their entire hand is scanned. Fingertips, palm, everything. After that, they go downstairs to the vaults. Who knows what kind of system they have down there? They might even take DNA samples.’
Jones smiled. ‘Somehow I doubt that, but you’d know better than I. You’re the one who has been bragging about the Swiss banking system for as long as we’ve known you.’
Ulster patted him on the back. ‘I brag because I care. I want my friends to have the best.’
‘Speaking of friends,’ Payne said, ‘do you have any buddies who work at this branch? Maybe someone in management who can provide us with some inside information.’
‘What type of information?’
‘For instance, does this bank have a safe-deposit box with the number 1566? And if so, what’s the name and address of the person who rents it?’
Ulster chuckled. ‘You’re joking, right? Swiss
Jones leaned in and whispered. ‘Ironically, Jon and I pride ourselves on making people talk. If push comes to shove, whose side do you think will win? The bankers, or us?’
Payne forced a laugh to diffuse the tension. ‘He’s kidding! Just kidding! No one’s going to make anyone talk. Tell him you’re kidding, DJ.’
‘Sorry, Petr. I’m cold, and I’m cranky. I promise, no torture today.’
‘And what about tomorrow?’
Jones shrugged, unwilling to commit. ‘Depends on the weather.’
Slightly concerned, Ulster glanced at Payne. ‘Is he joking?’
Payne put his arm around Ulster’s shoulder and led him away from the others. ‘Petr, you need to keep something in mind. We’re not here because of Nostradamus. We’re here because people are trying to kill us. For the time being, we’re off the grid, but our status can change at any moment. The last time we were spotted a cop was killed in Philadelphia, and we were lucky to get away. Next time, we might not be as fortunate.’
Slowly but surely, Ulster nodded his head
‘What do you need me to do?’ he asked.
Payne answered. ‘If you have a friend, call him. If you have a connection, use it. I don’t care what rules they
