“What were you testing my DNA for?” Raven struggled to her feet.
“We were matching it against the sample your husband provided some time ago.” The director lifted her bag to his shoulder and paused as she got her bearings.
She leaned on her brace. “My husband?”
“You and he are our most important clients, and I do apologize for the invasive measures. But they are necessary, as I am sure you can appreciate.” He waited for her to enter the hall and followed her.
“I should mention immediately that the artwork your husband had transferred from your home has arrived. Everything is in excellent condition. We have an art conservation specialist on staff, and he matched the items with the inventory sent by your husband. It appears the entire collection has arrived safely.”
Henri smiled down at her. “Of course, with your expertise in art restoration, you will probably want to assess the condition of the collection yourself. Would you like to see it now?”
Raven stopped. She closed her eyes, more confused than she’d been in a long time. “When you say my husband, you mean William?”
“Of course, madame.”
“And when you say art collection, do you mean the pieces from Florence?”
“Yes, madame. As I said, everything appears in excellent condition, but of course we defer to your expertise.”
“You spoke to William?” she whispered.
The director pushed his glasses up his nose. “We have always spoken through his staff, which is why your presence here is a great honor. We’ve been expecting you.”
They continued walking down the hall.
“When did the art begin to arrive?”
“Two months ago. The last piece arrived yesterday. The shipment was divided up and sent via different routes for security reasons. Can I offer you breakfast or some sort of refreshment before we visit the collection?”
Raven stopped, the wheels of her mind turning over this new revelation. William had been murdered over two months ago, which meant Ambrogio and Lucia must have begun transferring the art collection to Geneva around that time.
Raven wondered if the Geneva protocol she’d heard William mention before his death included the evacuation of his artwork.
“Monsieur Marchand, I’ve been traveling for twenty-four hours. I need a shower and a change of clothes. Could some of your guards escort me to a hotel and escort me back?”
“Forgive me, madame. I’ll take you to the private apartments that have been prepared for you and your husband.” He led her down a side corridor to an elevator and promptly placed his hand flat on a fingerprint reader.
The reader glowed green, and the elevator opened.
He gestured for Raven to precede him into the elevator.
“William has an apartment here?”
“Indeed.” The director removed his spectacles and positioned his eye for a retinal scan. The scan glowed green and a keypad appeared below it. He pressed a series of numbers.
“But William never used the apartment?”
“No, madame. You are its first occupant.”
“How safe is the bank?”
Monsieur stood tall with pride. “Extremely safe, madame, and from all kinds of threats. Should you need to leave the bank, we can provide you with safe transport anywhere in the world.”#p#分页标题#e#
“I don’t believe it,” she muttered.
The director frowned but didn’t reply.
When the elevator doors opened, Raven found herself in front of a pair of tall, gilded doors. Once again, the director submitted scans of his palm and retina and used an additional code. The sound of something loud and metallic echoed in the vestibule. The director placed his hand on the doorknob and opened it.
Inside, Raven found an opulent sitting room, featuring blue carpet and gilded walls. The furniture was also gilded and upholstered in blue velvet. It was a room for a king.
“This is Simone.” The director motioned in the direction of a woman wearing a black uniform. “She will provide you with what you need.”
Henri transferred Raven’s bag from his shoulder to Simone. “If there’s anything I can do, please let me know. I can show you the inventory at your convenience. If you’d prefer to view it tomorrow, we can do so.”
Raven shook her head. “No, I’d like to see it today. Perhaps in a couple of hours.”
“Very good.” He smiled and retreated, closing the door behind him.
Raven heard the sound of a heavy lock snapping into place.
“This is the strangest bank I’ve ever visited.” She turned to take in her surroundings.
Given the thoroughness of Sarah and her network, Raven wasn’t surprised that William had taken other detailed measures to preserve his art collection and her safety. Clearly, the bank staff had no idea he was dead. She wasn’t about to tell them, for they might withdraw their protection.