The trio continued to train Kiara in the art of being human; however they were unaware that they being watched and listened to by hidden cameras and microphones planted throughout the manor. They were being watched by a group of people in a small room, situated in a tall building.
One of the blokes watching the manor exited the room and proceeded down the corridor to a lift, carrying in his hand a report on what had been happening in the house. He headed to the top floor of the building and proceeded down another corridor.
He reached the end of the corridor, where he found an electronic door with an intercom next to it.
He pressed the button on the intercom and spoke into the microphone. 'Permission to enter Ms Evert; I have important information regarding Ms Croft.'
The door opened to reveal a large office decorated with priceless ornaments and paintings. At the opposite end of the room was a desk situated in front of a large window overlooking the streets of London; and sitting at the desk was a woman with short, straight white hair, dressed on a black overcoat, black gloves and black trousers and boots; tied round her neck was a black stone with a skull carved into it. It was none other than Laras old enemy, Amanda Evert.
'Well?' She asked as the bloke approached her. He placed the report on her desk. Amanda was surprised when she read it. 'A lioness?!'
'I know' the bloke replied. 'Maybe they found the cameras and are playing games with us. Somehow, I just don't think that what they are saying is possible.'
Amanda scowled at him. 'You'd be surprised at what's possible in this life. Do you have the video feeds?'
'It's accessible on your computer. Usual place.'
'Good. Now go.'
The bloke nodded and left the room. Amanda studied the video feeds on her computer for a while. She laughed at Kiaras mistakes. 'This is better than T.V.' she thought to herself.
There was a buzz on the intercom next to her. 'Ms Evert. I have Detective Inspector Newgate here to see you.'
She activated the screensaver on her computer and pressed the button under her desk to open the door. A tall muscular bloke dressed and a black suit and tie and wearing blacked out sunglasses entered the room escorting a smaller bloke.
'Wait outside please Chris.' She said. The tall bloke nodded and left the room.
'Now what can I do for you Detective?'
'There's a matter that I feel should be brought to your attention.'
'I'm all ears' Amanda replied.
'Your security personnel aren't permitting me and my colleagues access to certain files you have in your possession.'
Amanda shrugged her shoulders as if she wasn't surprised. 'Those files are strictly classified.'
The detective put both his hands on her desk and looked Amanda straight in the eye. 'May I remind you Ms Evert; your company is under investigation regarding illegal drug manufacture and distribution, arms dealing and money laundering. The search warrant we obtained grants us access to all your files and records.'
The detective then backed away from the desk. The woman stood up. 'And if I continue to restrict your access?'
'Then I'll have no choice but to place you under arrest.'
'There's just one problem though.' Amanda added. 'How are you and your colleagues going to search for what you want, from beyond the grave?'
Amanda extended her arm. The detective felt a force of some kind grip tightly around his neck. The pendant on Amandas necklace began to glow and her eyes turned bright red. She slowly raised her arm, and as she did so a telekinetic force hoisted the detective off the ground by his neck. The detective struggled to break free but it was no use. The woman then closed her hand into a fist, and at once the detectives neck snapped like a twig.
She dropped the detectives corpse onto the floor; when she did so her necklace and eyes returned to normal. She let Chris back into the room. 'Are the others taken care of?'
'We're taking care of them now Ms Evert. What shall we do for a cover storey?'
The woman sat back down at her desk. 'You let me worry about that. Just get rid of these vermin as quick as possible.'
'As you wish.'
As Chris left the room Amanda looked at the video feeds from Croft Manor again. 'So my old friend has become a lioness.' She thought to herself. She then looked up at a portrait of her former lover James Rutland which was hanging over the entrance. 'I believe we can use this to our advantage.' She said to herself. 'If what we have learnt is true; and all goes according to plan; we'll have Excalibur and Crofts body…' Amanda paused. 'Well maybe not her body; but at the very least she wont live to switch back. You will finally be avenged my love.'
