Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich, Switzerland.
The street ran along the west side of the Limmat River in Zurich, stretching from Zurich Central Station to the shores of Lake Zurich.
Like Fifth Avenue in New York, it was one of the richest streets in the world. It was Switzerland's most important financial center, known as "the Wall Street of Switzerland."
More than 200 banks from around the world had offices here. The world's largest gold market was here, and the renowned Swiss Bank stood at 45 Bahnhofstrasse.
It was a premier shopping district, lined with the world's top luxury brands, jewelers, and watch shops. Cars were banned from the street; only trams could pass through.
Will walked down the spotless, linden-lined street. A vintage tram rattled past him, its bell dinging. Ignoring the looks he drew in his plain clothes, he entered 13 Bahnhofstrasse.
He turned and went upstairs. A heavy oak door closed behind him. Inside stood a massive conference table.
The hall had a soaring ceiling, but the lighting had been deliberately dimmed. Only a few overhead lamps shone precisely onto the black-and-white marble floor, with bottomless shadows beyond their pools of light.
The air was thick with smells—champagne, red wine, whiskey, and the heavy scent of cigars.
Will frowned slightly. He didn't like the smell of this place.
He did not head straight for the massive conference table. His gaze swept over the elegantly dressed men and women holding wineglasses.
Will's arrival silenced the once-noisy meeting room. Everyone turned to look at him.
Most wore impeccably tailored suits. The way they looked at Will, he might have been a toad that had wandered into Swan Lake.
"This isn't a place for beggars. Honestly, I didn't think Switzerland even had beggars."
The undisguised sneer came from the left side of the