Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Lara, Marika and Wrasse sat at a table outside a busy restaurant in the central business district of Santo Domingo. Escarelli was busy collecting a tray of coffees at the counter.
'Who are we here to see?' asked Marika.
'An old friend of mine from the university. She's one of the research librarians. We worked on a few digs together in Guatemala and Nicaragua, about twelve years ago. She should be arriving in about ten minutes…' she glanced at her watch.
Escarelli came and sat down at the table 'so, what are you expecting from your friend?' He shared out all the coffee cups, and the other three watched her closely.
'Honestly, I really don't know. Although, I would be surprised if the staff was in still in the Dominican Republic,' she looked at them, an embarrassed smile playing around her mouth 'Look, I'm sorry to drag all of you around the world like this; especially you Signor Escarelli. By all rights, we should have taken you back to Venice days ago.'
Escarelli shook his head 'I am as eager as you to uncover the secrets surrounding this artefact. And of course, what my wife has to do with this. Besides, after years of sitting in an office and boardrooms studying pie charts and profit projections, I'm finally seeing something of the world,' he winked 'And off the tourist trail as well!'
Lara beamed 'That's what I love about it! I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. But, poor Wrasse,' she tutted 'You've damaged your ankle because of these exploits. Even if you wanted to accompany me, you can't join in much of the action!'
'That's just fine, Miss Croft. Turkey and Mexico were quite exciting enough. Anyway, I hope that I'll be able to join in at some point soon. The doctor expects that'll it will be a week at most before I can take the dressings off; another few days to heal completely after that.'
'I hope so,' said a concerned Lara. She turned to Marika 'Now, have you called your parents? You know how important I think that is – one should always stay in good contact with ones family.'
'Don't worry Lara; I called them from the hotel. They're perfectly happy that I'm with you – an ambassador's daughter does tend to have a fairly closeted life. They send their good wishes anyway – they're off to an inaugural dinner tonight.'
Lara smiled again 'Well, I'm glad. It's good that none of you are suffering too much. I-'
'Lara?' A woman, about forty years old and swathed in colourful silks. Her black, plaited hair was coiled up in a beaded headscarf. She had a green satchel, and she peered at Lara through delicate spectacles.
Lara jumped up and hugged her.
'Elizabeta! It's wonderful to see you!'
'And to see you too! Now let go before I asphyxiate!'
Lara quickly fetched a chair, and introduced Elizabeta to the others. Escarelli went up to get another coffee, and rejoined them. Elizabeta looked around admiringly.
'Well, well Lara! You've certainly gained quite a gang! I hope my information is useful in your search – oh, but it's been so long since you were last in Santo Domingo! When was the last time…three years ago? How time flies, eh?'
'Don't I know it! But you know me; jet-setting and globe-trotting is my life!' Lara smiled.
'Of course. But the rest of us prefer a slightly more pedestrian life,' Elizabeta looked around, looking for agreement 'Anyway, I should give you what I have before my lunch break is over.' She produced her satchel, and took out some photocopies and printed sheets.
'Now, as far as I can tell, your artefact was taken back to Santo Domingo, after the fall of…what was it? Tlalocaxa, you said?'
Lara nodded.
'Well, it was taken back here by a galleon from Vera Cruz. It was kept in the Cathedral here, until 1586.'
'What happened in 1586?' asked Marika, but Lara knew.
'Drake's invasion, right?'
'Correct Lara! Sir Francis Drake sacked the port in that year, and carried off the spoils.'
'So, the staff went with him?'
'There's no mention of it in any documents after this time. As far as I can guess, it may have gone back to England.'
Lara frowned 'What? We've been all over Europe and South America; when it might have been back home, in England!'
'Calm down Lara,' Marika said soothingly 'For all we know, going to England might well be another link in the chain. We can't say for certain that it's where the staff is now.'
'Maybe so, but I'll pretty annoyed if it is.'
'You couldn't possibly have known!'
Elizabeta cleared her throat 'Well, that's where I'd guess it went. It's the best lead I can think of. You'd better follow it up – quickly.'
Lara looked pained 'Why do I think the reason might be more out of personal safety rather than simple expedience?'
'You'd be right. A couple of my colleagues have been approached by rather shady characters. An under librarian has actually received death threats – she's in hospital, recovering from shock.'
'Oh dear. Well, we'll catch the first plane to Heathrow as soon as possible. Encourage your colleagues not to deal with these people, please! They are extremely dangerous – even we don't know how far their power extends. And we've had a few run-ins with their agents.'
'I'll tell them, but there's only so much words will do. Oh, dear, look at the time. Goodbye Lara, it was lovely to meet all of you. Keep safe!'
They all said goodbye, and Elizabeta disappeared off into the crowded street. The rest sat down again.
'How Elena, and the Artemis Foundation, could have found out about a lead to Santo Domingo is beyond me' asked Escarelli 'I thought Azucena was the only other person in Tlalocaxa – and he was dead before you found out that the staff had gone to Hispaniola!'
Lara shook her head 'I can only guess that they had an informant in Puerta Sagrada. I don't know what to think. In any case,' she took out a mobile phone 'We're ahead of the game now, but who knows how long that will last? I'm phoning ahead to the airport. Now, please, Antonio,' she added, looking at Escarelli 'when we fly, can you tell us everything you know about the Artemis Foundation?'