Mafia Prosecutor De Luca Blood Oath

Chapter 16: Meeting in Basel

The cold, crisp air of the Alps felt refreshing in the lungs of Matteo De Luca, who had just left behind a Florence now in turmoil. The Eurocity train carrying him from the Italian border to Basel, Switzerland, moved smoothly across a stunning green landscape.

Beneath the hood of his raised jacket, Matteo stared out the window, but his gaze was not fixed on the beautiful scenery. His eyes were focused on the reflection of his own face in the glass—a constant reminder of the destruction caused by Elias Volkov.

He no longer felt the cold. His body, tempered by Nico and strengthened by his own rage, now felt like an efficient machine. Every movement, every breath, was calculated. He had left Florence, leaving behind a trail of chaos that confounded Volkov’s forces, granting him precious time to reach his destination: Switzerland.

Beside him, Vincenzo Moretti, who seemed far calmer than usual, was busy typing on his laptop. He had managed to obtain crucial information regarding the location of Lorenzo De Luca’s vault in a Basel bank.

All the encrypted data has been transferred, Matteo, Vincenzo reported, his voice hushed. The bronze key turned out to be an access point to a digital server containing details of the vault's location, along with a series of highly complex authentication codes. Your father really did prepare for everything.

Matteo nodded, accepting the information without much to say. He still felt the remnants of adrenaline from his operation in Florence, the guilt over the risk he had imposed on Isabella Rossi. However, his focus now was on the bigger mission. The vault. Inside it lay not just wealth, but perhaps the key to destroying Elias Volkov forever.

After hours of travel, the train arrived at Basel SBB station. The air outside was bone-chilling, yet Matteo felt his body beginning to adapt. He looked around the bustling station, searching for the figure Nico had mentioned as their first contact there—a Swiss intelligence agent known as Helvetia who owed a debt to Lorenzo De Luca.

He saw her. A middle-aged woman with neatly styled blonde hair, wearing a dark wool coat and carrying a leather briefcase. She stood some distance from the crowd, holding a German newspaper. As Matteo approached, she raised the paper slightly, revealing the front page. There, a large red headline read: Volkov Scandal Shakes Italy – Power Vacuum Looms.

Matteo stepped closer. I am Luca Moretti, he said, adopting his false identity.

The woman turned, her blue eyes assessing Matteo with quick judgment. She showed no surprise at the sight of Matteo’s face. I know who you are, Maestro, she replied with a thick Swiss accent. Nico told me much about you. But you must be more careful. This city is safe, but not from Volkov’s spies. They have people everywhere.

Where is the vault? Matteo asked directly.

At the Swiss National Bank, the branch in the heart of the city. Vault number 713, said the woman, who introduced herself as Elara. I have already prepared initial access for you, but the final authentication code can only be provided by you, Maestro. Most of the vault's contents are information that can only be accessed by the rightful owner.

What are we looking for in there, Elara? Matteo asked, feeling a strange premonition.

Elara pulled a small flash drive from her briefcase. Lorenzo did not just keep records of Volkov’s crimes, Maestro. He kept something much more dangerous. Something that could shift the balance of power in Europe. Something called Project Chimera.

Matteo frowned. Chimera? What is that?

It is the code name for a secret Volkov plan, Elara explained. It involves highly dangerous illegal biotechnological research. Elias Volkov does not just want to control the black market; he wants to control life itself. This project, if revealed, could destroy his reputation, perhaps even his life.

Matteo felt a chill far sharper than the Alpine wind. Elias Volkov, the cunning serpent, was not just playing with money and power. He was playing with fire far more devastating.

I have already secured a safe car and an escape route, Elara continued. You must leave here immediately. Volkov must have realized by now that we are moving on an international scale. He will send his hounds.

Matteo nodded. He took the flash drive, tucking it into his jacket pocket. Thank you, Elara. You have saved me once again.

This is my obligation to Lorenzo, Elara answered. Now, go. And remember... be careful. Basel is a quiet city, but beneath the surface, there are many dark undercurrents.

Matteo and Vincenzo immediately left the station, heading toward the car that had been prepared. As they drove through the beautiful yet cold streets of Basel, Matteo felt as if something were off. Elara’s information about Project Chimera felt too perfect, too easy.

Nico, are you monitoring Elara? Matteo asked through his wireless communication.

Yes, Maestro. She is moving according to plan, heading to the safe house we prepared. But something feels... strange.

I know, Matteo replied. It seems we are being watched, not just by Volkov, but perhaps by a third party we did not anticipate.

They did not know that in a building across from the station, in a dark apartment window, a woman with large glasses was watching the car carrying Matteo and Vincenzo disappear around a corner. Isabella Rossi, with her laptop open, was viewing data from an intelligence agency she had purchased illegally. His name, Il Silenzioso, was written there—the name of Nico Santoro.

So, there is another hand behind all of this, she whispered to herself, her sharp eyes radiating determination. Matteo, you are not alone in this darkness. And I will not let anyone drag you back into the fire.

Inside the moving car, Matteo suddenly felt a chilling sensation on the back of his neck. A split second before he could react, a voice whispered in his ear, barely audible over the roar of the engine. Welcome to the real game, Maestro. You think you are the hunter, but in truth, you are the one being hunted.