“Any payments made to the company?” Draco asked.
“Since its registration,” Dmytro said, “it has received...eleven payments.”
“What is the total of those payments?” Cate asked and held her breath.
“Adding,” Dmytro said, the sound that of fingers clicking on a numeric keypad. “Eleven payments... Just over...nine...million US dollars.”
Cate let go of the breath she’d been holding in a gasp. “Holy shit. Nine million.”
“Cargo description denotes emergency shelter units,” Dmytro said. “Records indicate two ships loaded in that timeframe, which does not match payments for eleven separate shipments.”
“They were billing for shipments that were never made,” Cate said.
“To the tune of nine million dollars,” Draco said. “That’s enough money to kill for.”
Cate closed her eyes, a flashback of Dana rushing into her mind—the woman in her orange prison jumpsuit, wondering if her husband was dead or alive.
“The bank,” Cate said, opening her eyes. “Anything on the bank?”
“That will take much longer...hours, not minutes,” Dmytro said. “However, I have what banks call relationship managers. Private banks seem proud of their people and list them online. Your account’s relationship manager is Stefan Brunner. Born and raised in England, with a Swiss father. Nineteen years with the bank, here in Zurich. Handsome. Good hair.”
Cate’s gaze met Draco’s.
He was already reaching for his jacket.
They were halfway down the narrow staircase when Cate’s cell phone chirped in her pocket. She paused to glance at the number, frowning at a number she didn’t recognize. With a shrug, she answered, “Hello?”
Draco paused beside her, straining to hear the conversation.
“Cate, honey,” her father’s voice sounded in her ear. “I have good news.”
“Oh, Dad,” she said with a sigh and continued down the stairs, albeit slowly. “I’m on my way out. What’s up?”
“Your passport will be at the consulate this afternoon.”
“That’s good to know,” she said. “I’ll swing by later today to pick it up.”
Draco descended at her pace, so close he was practically breathing in her ear.
“I finally got a hold of Garrett Sterling,” her father went on. “He was glad to hear from me after all that has happened these past few days.”
Cate came to an abrupt halt, her heart slamming into her chest. “Dad,” she said, “you called Sterling?” Her brow creased as she listened to his response. “What did you tell him?” She leaned into the cell phone, her frown deepening.
“I told him you were safe and back working the Marcus Calloway disappearance. I knew he would want to know, as he knew Calloway.”
Her stomach clenched. “Dad, did you tell him where I am?”
Draco leaned close, his warm breath stirring the hairs on the back of Cate’s neck.
“Well...yes. I told him you were here in Zurich.” Her father sounded surprised. “It was only natural to call him and let him know you were okay. The man’s been my friend and colleague for fifteen years. He’s been as upset about your kidnapping as I was.”
“What did he say when you told him I was here?” she asked.
“He was very happy to know you were all right. He was interested in your investigation, asking whether you were picking up where you left off or if you’d dug up any documents in connection with your friend’s missing husband.”
Cate gripped the cell phone so tightly, her knuckles turned white. “I need you to listen carefully and don’t argue. I can’t explain things yet, but it’s important you do as I say.”
“Cate, are you okay? You’re scaring me. Do I need to call Hammer for more backup for you?”
