*I know it's been fucking five months, and I'm sorry. But with Steemit the way it is, it's been hard to motivate myself into putting any sort of effort into this for two dollars. But I was also just struggling creatively. Now I think I figured out a way to move forward, so here you go.*

# Chapter 09 #

**Monday, May 13th, 2024. 12:00 PM - Paris, France**

**Orly Airport**

As Adam goes through Viktor's pockets of Viktor's dead body for anything he could find helpful, Alexa keeps pushing him to come up with a plan B.

*"So what now?"*

Adam grabs Viktor's cell phone.

*"You got anything in the car to use with this?"*

*"Yeah, I think so."*

Adam also picks up Viktor's suitcase, and they had to Alexa's car. Clara is seemingly frightened on the backseat, even though she's slowly getting used to the idea of her life possibly being in danger every two minutes.

*"Adam, what happened?"*

*"Someone didn't want Viktor to talk. He's dead. We'll try and get something out of his phone and belongings."*

Adam and Alexa sit down in the car, and Alexa inserts a highly illegal-looking device in the phone, which soon seems to bypass any password protection the phone had.

*"I'm sure you won't need to ask why I have one of these."*

Adam doesn't even respond as he's working on breaking open the suitcase.

*"Can you access the list of previous phone calls?"*

*"Right here."*

Adam takes a look at the phone.

*"Okay, we're gonna need to get an ID on these numbers. See, right there? That number has been called 11 times since this morning. We'll start with that one."*

*"Just give me a sec."*

Alexa picks up a mini laptop from under the seat, and starts booting it up.

Adam manages to break open the suitcase's lock, revealing the insides of the case, featuring stacks of cash and a number of other papers and documents.

Meanwhile, Clara wants some sort of clarification that everything is going to be okay. Even if it isn't true, she just wants to hear it.

*"So, what now? That man was killed. Are we gonna find out what we need to stop the power plants from melting down?"*

Clara gets the answer from Alexa, instead of Adam.

*"We're trying."*

She was really hoping to get the assurance from Adam, and Adam is quick to realize this. He takes a break from business mode, and softly grabs Clara by the hand.

"*We'll make it through this, I promise. Right now, you're just gonna have to trust me, okay?"*

They  briefly look at each other until Clara feels safe enough to respond.

*"I trust you."*

*"Good."*

Adam starts going through some of the documents in the briefcase. He comes across what looks like banking details, lists of accounts.

*"Okay, I found something."*

Alexa is ready with the laptop, and Adam hands her one of the documents.

*"Think there's any way you could check that out? It looks to be a login and a password to a bank account. Maybe we can find out whoever was funding him."*

*"Yeah, let me have a look."*

Alexa does indeed manage to gain access to a bank account that seems to have belonged to Viktor. And on the account, she notices one specifically large transfer that entered the account a few days ago.

*"This account definitely belonged to Viktor Mullins, and take a look at this; 250,000€ transferred to the account on May 11th. That's two days ago. And there's little to no other action anywhere in the account history."*

*"See if you can find out who the account belonged to."*

*"Yeah, I'm on it... Let me see... Got it. It's a company account, belongs to a company called Liberté Finance."*

Clara is surprised and shocked by what she hears.

*"Oh my God..."*

Adam and Alexa both turn to her, with Adam insisting on answer.

*"What is it? Does it mean something to you?"*

For a second, Clara is too dumbfounded to respond. Adam keeps pushing.

*"Clara, this is very important. What does this number mean to you?"*

*"Are you sure it's Liberté Finance?"*

Alexa responds - in a tone that suggests *"just spit it out"*.

*"Yes. Why?"*

*"Liberté Finance belongs to someone I know. Or knew. He's umm... His name is Raphael Bordeaux. I used to... we were - together. But Adam, he's just a businessman. We're not together anymore, he's a jerk, but he's not a terrorist."*

Adam tries not to go too hard on Clara, but there's also no time to waste on cuddling her with so many lives at stake.

*"Just because the account belonged to his company, doesn't mean he's the one who made the transfer. But we need to know for sure. Do you have any idea where he is now?"*

*"Adam, I don't know, I..."*

Suddenly, she remembers something.

*"He tried contacting me."*

*"When?"*

*"Umm, earlier today. Madeleine brought it up the last time we spoke. When I called her. I have his number blocked because he kept harassing me after we broke up, but Madeleine told me he had asked about me."*

Adam looks at Clara, seeing how shook up she is, and he hates doing this, but he has no choice, but to keep pushing.

*"You're gonna have to call him. Now."*

*"I don't want to..."*

*"Clara, you're gonna have to!"*

Clara's caught by surprise by Adam snapping at her like this. It's never happened before today. This is a side of him she's never witnessed before today. And she feels frightened by him.

Adam tries to calm down.

*"I'm sorry. But right now, we need to do everything we can to make sure those nuclear power plants don't melt down, killing hundreds of thousands of people. This man, right now, is our only lead. Clara, please."*

Adam's softer tone does its job at getting through to Clara. Slightly better, at least. Clara's hand is shaking as she reaches for the phone. She really doesn't want to do this, but she understands that this isn't about her.

*"Yeah. Okay. What do you want me to do?"*

*"We need to find out where he is. Ask him to meet with you."*

On the inside, Clara balks at the idea.

*"Sure."*

But she keeps it together. She also tries to rationalize the situation - to herself, as well as Adam and Alexa.

*"Look, I've known Raphael for a long time. He may be a lot of things, but I honestly don't think he's any kind of a terrorist."*

*"That's what we need to find out. Make the call. Please."*

Clara is shivering, with a cold sweat running down throughout her entire body. She removes the block on the number, selects it, and tries to hit dial, but can't.

*"I'm sorry, I need a minute."*

*"Clara, please."*

Adam becomes convinced that there's something more than an awkward break up that happened between the two.

*"Is there something you want to tell me?"*

Just like Clara experienced Adam snapping at her for the first time earlier, now it's Adam's turn to get a snappy response from Clara.

*"No."*

Clara pulls herself together.

*"Okay. So. You want me to arrange a meeting with him, right?"*

*"Yeah."*

*"Fine."*

Clara dials the number.

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**A Penthouse Balcony at the Heart of Paris**

Most of Paris - the common men, at least - have woken up to the daily grind hours prior already. Trying to earn the daily paycheck, just to make enough to grind another day, another week, and another month.

But not Raphael Bordeaux. The handsome, dark-haired figure enjoying an afternoon cup of coffee in the balcony of his penthouse apartment - one such penthouse most people only get to see on TV. After a hard day's work, usually.

Such peasantry has never really had a role in his life. At least not since he inherited the million dollar business from his father, effectively liberating him from the curse of daily labour.

Indeed, the only glimpse of the ordinarity of those born unprivileged that he gets to see is from his balcony - when he, both metaphorically and quite literally, looks down on the small men and women in their daily activities.

Rich with everything but friends, as is to be expected of someone only in his mid-30s in such a comfortable position in life. Whether it's justified or not, such luck is sure to cause jealousy and bitterness.

He is, however, about to receive a phone call that is equally unexpected as it is pleasant.

Seeing Clara's name as the caller ID instantly captures all of Raphael's attention.

*"Clara? What a surprise."*

On the other end, Clara is less enthusiastic about the phone call, but is trying her best to act her part.

*"Hey... Umm... How are you?"*

*"I'm fine. Kind of a busy day, but I'm fine. To what do I owe this honour of speaking to you?"*

*"Maddy told me you've been trying to reach me. And, well, truth be told, I've been thinking about you, as well."*

*"You have?"*

*"A lot. I'd like to meet with you. Today."*

*"You would? I'm leaving the country today, but..."*

*"Really? Today of all days?"*

*"What do you mean by that?"*

*"Oh, just with all the craziness going on. Probably a good idea to get out of the way, right?"*

There's something strange about Clara's tone - coupled with the fact that her calling Raphael at all, after ghosting him for nine months, is weird as it is. But Raphael lets it slide.

*"Right. Well, it's just a business trip. To Switzerland. But I definitely have a few hours to spare if you'd like to meet. I was hoping to talk with you."*

*"Where are you? Are you at home?"*

*"Yes, how about you?"*

*"I've taken care of some errands, I'm about 20-30 minutes out."*

"Do you want me to come and pick you up?"*

*"Oh, it's fine. It's fine."*

*"Well, I'll see you in 30 minutes, then?"*

Clara closes her eyes in disgust as she answers.

*"Yeah. See you."*

As Clara shuts off the phone, Adam tries his best to make her feel better, for he knows how hard this must have been for her.

*"You did good. Thank you."*

But as Adam leans towards her to give her a kiss, Clara dodges him and seems uninterested in any sort of physical human interaction at the moment.

*"I'll give you the address. Let's just go."*

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**DGSI Headquarters**

The staff is well overworked trying everything in their power to combat the current crisis. Though there is very little headway gained, as every lead seems to be a dead end.

Isaac is over at Diane's workstation, asking her if she's managed to get a hold of Adam.

*"Any word from Black yet?"*

*"Still nothing. He's gone completely dark after he left to follow up on the lead at Sauvegarde."*

*"Damnit, Black, where the hell are you... Well, keep trying. We're gonna have to follow up on other leads in the meantime. I just hope he's okay."*

*"I'm sure he can take care of himself."*

*"Yeah. I'm sure he can."*

All the while, Jeremie is pretending to keep busy at his own workstation, trying his best to monitor whatever progress DGSI is making. He is also keeping an eye on Camille, and has been ever since he seemingly planted something in her computer.

Suddenly, a male employee comes across something on his laptop and calls for Isaac immediately.

*"Sir! I think you better come and take a look at this!"*

Isaac rushes to the workstation.

*"What is it?"*

*"See these three power plants here? This one, this one, and that one. Realistically, we only have two hours until they'll begin melting down. I'm not sure if we have enough time to stop it."*

Isaac surveys the data on the screen.

*"What about the rest of the 20 plants that went critical?"*

*"They'll likely follow soon after. Worst case scenario is... Within four hours from now."*

*"I need to let the President know."*

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**Élysée Palace**

After the attack at UNESCO, Presidents Levesque and Abbas have relocated to the Elysée Palace for the time being, with tightened security.

They are currently trying to strategize about how to proceed with the rest of the day. Levesque is hoping that the peace negotiations could continue, despite the circumstances.

*"And therefore it is my humble wish that you could consider continuing the peace negotiations. Even under these circumstances."*

And Abbas agrees; he feels that he has come way too far - both as a politician, as well as a man - to give up on the negotiations now.

*"President Levesque, if we give up on peace now, as a result of today's events, we would be giving our enemies exactly what they want. I refuse to do that. So, yes: I wish to continue the quest for peace."*

The smile on Levesque's face is interrupted by a phone call.

*"Excuse me one moment."*

*"Of course."*

Levesque takes the call from Isaac.

*"Mr. Bernard, anything new?"*

*"Yes, Mr. President, but I'm afraid I have bad news."*

*"Give it to me straight, Isaac. What's the situation?"*

*"Mr. President, it appears that three of 20 nuclear power plants that went critical are looking likely to melt down within the next two hours - and it's unlikely we'll have the time to stop them in time."*

Levesque takes the information in, trying to keep himself calm, trying to be the leader he needs to be.

*"What are these three plants?"*

*"Belleville, Golfech, and Saint-Alban, sir."*

*"I'll take care of the necessary proceedings. You make sure DGSI is absolutely, 100%, doing everything they can to find and stop the people responsible."*

*"Yes, sir."*

Abbas approaches Levesque after the phone call ends, and he is left standing there, white as a ghost. Abbas knows what the call was about, he only needed to hear one half of the conversation.

*"I am sorry, and deeply ashamed of my country's part in this."*

*"These are not your countrymen, Bashar. They are an enemy to your country just as much as they are to mine. And we will stop them."*

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**On the Road to Back Paris**

Adam, Alexa, and Clara are rapidly approaching Raphael's address. Adam then wants to go through things with Clara before she goes in to meet with him.

*"Okay, Clara, we're gonna be right behind you. But I need to know for sure that you can do this thing."*

Clara herself isn't too sure.

*"You want me to go in to dig up information, right?"*

*"Yeah. Anything you can. Anything that could link him to today's attacks."*

Clara feels distant, and Adam senses this.

*"Are you sure you're okay?"*

Why lie, she thinks. Especially in a situation such as this.

*"No. No, Adam, I'm not. I'm not okay with this."*

Alexa notes that they'll soon arrive at Raphael's address.

*"We're here. Clara, if you have a problem with this, now's the time to let us know."*

This is the first time Clara has seen the place since the last she was together with Raphael, and it's a lot harder than she imagined it would be, though she had been avoiding the place for a reason.

*"Seeing this place is - it's a bit worse than I thought it would be."*

Adam is convinced now that something more happened than a simple break-up. And he wants to know why - especially since stopping the threat has everything riding on this.

*"Clara, what happened? I feel like there's something we should know."*

Clara answers after a moment of prolonged silence.

*"The last time we were together. Here. We had an argument. And he. He forced himself on me. He's since apologized a million times, he's wanted to talk to me about a million times, we were both drunk, it's just..."*

Adam and Alexa are both horrified, as Clara continues.

*"I just wasn't looking forward to reliving that today of all days."*

Alexa hasn't cared much for Clara until this point, but immediately sympathizes, and connects with her on a whole different level.

*"Are you sure you can do this? You really don't have to. There's no way we can demand this of you."*

Adam agrees.

*"I don't think you should..."*

But Clara doesn't want to be the weak girl who stands in the way of stopping the threat, so she does her best to be brave.

*"No. I should. You said it yourself: he's our best lead right now. And I'm the best person to dig things out of him. We have to do everything we can to stop those power plants from melting down, right? So let me do this."*

Clara steps out of the car, Adam and Alexa follow. Before they go, Adam gives Clara a hug, and kisses her on the forehead.

*"You're a strong and brave person for doing this. We're gonna be right behind you."*

Clara kisses him back.

*"I know."*

They take a long elevator to the top floor.

Adam and Alexa then stay behind as Clara approaches the door. She knocks. And waits for an answer.

The 10 or so seconds that it takes for Raphael to arrive at the door seems like an eternity, every millisecond a little worse than the last.

Until finally, Raphael answers.

*"Clara."*

*"Hey. May I come in?"*

*"Of course."*

Raphael steps aside, and lets Clara in.

She's mortified stepping into this apartment. But she remains brave and keeps up the act.

*"I don't know where to begin."*

*"Well, me neither, to be honest with you. Would you like a drink?"*

*"Uhh, no. No. Not really."*

*"Well, please have a seat."*

They walk to the living room. Clara notices this to be a little harder than first envisioned. She struggles to stay natural.

*"Well, I guess... I guess we should talk about us. But umm..."*

*"You seem nervous."*

*"Well, yeah. It's been a while since we've talked. And we have a lot to talk about.*"

*"We do?"*

*"Well, don't we?"*

*"You've avoided me for nine months. As happy as I am that you finally wanted to meet with me, I guess I am a little curious as to what exactly made you change your mind."*

Clara starts to struggle with her words.

*"I told you, didn't I? Maddie said... she called me and... You had been asking for me, and..."*

Raphael leans closer to Clara and places his around her, beginning to massage her shoulder.

*"You're tense. Let me help you relax a little."*

It's too much for Clara. She immediately stands up and comes close to freaking out.

*"Raphael, no! No. I just came here to talk, okay! I just came here to talk."*

Raphael tries to turn the situation into a joke.

*"You came here to talk? What are you, spying on me?"*

*"Are you doing something worth spying on?"*

This triggers Raphael who furiously stands up and loudly responds with an angry tone.

*"What's that supposed to mean!"*

Raphael grabs Clara by the arm.

*"What are you up to, Clara?"*

Before Raphael has the time to do anything, Adam kicks the door open, rushes to the living room and aims his gun at Raphael.

*"Get your hands off of her and behind your head, now!"*

Confused, Raphael insists on knowing what is going on.

*"Who the hell...?"*

*"I said now!"*

Raphael places his hands behind his head and turns to Clara.

*"What the hell is this, Clara, you set me up! You set me up!"*

But Adam wants Raphael to leave Clara alone.

*"You're not talking to her, you son of a bitch, you're talking to me."*

*"What do you want?"*

*"Answers."*

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*More to come. At some point. I know a lot of didn't happen here, but I'm kind starting over, and want to get things rolling again on my pace. I'll try to be more active, I promise. I have a lot of stuff planned that I do like, and would like to get to those plot points. And yeah, there are probably dozens of typos, but I don't find Steemit worth it for me to care about them. Sorry.*