Private Monaco

Chapter 53

I’d parked the Ford Kuga on a quiet road that curved around the hillside. Justine, Mo-bot, Sci and I stood next to it in a turnout overlooking the city, now almost at peace. It was a little after 3 a.m. and only the hardcore parties were still going on in the distance, but even they had a dwindling vibe about them.

We stood beside a concrete barrier. Immediately below it was a high rockface that loomed over a small estate of six villas set in well-maintained gardens. The estate was demarcated by a high perimeter wall and a gatehouse by the main road to the south, where two security guards kept constant watch on comings and goings.

Philippe Duval’s villa was directly below us, the property’s garden ending at the rough, high rock wall that led up to the turnout barrier. The house itself was a modern Mediterranean-style home with a lot of stone and glass. It couldn’t have been more than five years old.

“Just coming up to the vent,” Sci said, and my attention was drawn to the remote control slung at his chest. A night-vision image of the side of Duval’s house filled the screen as Sci piloted the tiny drone toward one of the air-conditioning units that serviced the property.

Moments later the drone was inside, flying through the vent, along a duct and through a grille to enter the interior of the house.

The place was spacious and tastefully decorated, with stripped wood floors, large pieces of abstract art, lush houseplants and striking sculptures. It seemed to be deserted.

“Check the bedrooms,” I suggested, and Sci piloted the tiny aircraft up the stairs and into each of the rooms.

“Guard is doing another foot patrol,” Justine said, gesturing toward the gatehouse.

This was the second patrol since we’d arrived.

Mo-bot checked her watch. “Looks like they’re every thirty minutes.”

“There’s no one home,” Sci remarked, pointing at the screen, which showed an empty bed in the last bedroom.

“His wife must have taken the kids to family,” Justine suggested.

I nodded. “Makes sense. Must be a terrible time for them.”

“Looks like we’re good to go,” Sci confirmed.

“Then I want us ready to move the moment the guard finishes his patrol,” I replied.