Chapter 8: Carvier's Apartment

Paris, France

Carvier's Apartment Block

Lara Croft

Lara arrived at the apartment block of Mademoiselle Carvier. As she came out of the shadows near the door, she heard something and ducked behind some bushes. It was already past midnight and the streets were deserted. As two police officers passed by turning around the corner, Lara exhaled and came out of her hiding spot, ringing the bell.

"Who is it?" Carvier's voice rang out the intercom.

"Mademoiselle Carvier, it's Lara Croft. I need your help," Lara said

The door clicked open.

Lara went up the stairs to Mademoiselle Carvier's apartment, knocking on the door. A wrinkled woman with grey hair and drooping eyes opened it. She was dressed in what looked like a light brown suit.

"Ms. Croft, I recognize you from photos and Werner's description. Please come in,"

"Thank you." The apartment room was small. It had a living room with a desk by the corner. Two chairs were on the other side along with a coffee table. No TV. Just a small radio. The living was adjoined to the kitchen which was next to the bedroom.

Lara shook her head as she sat down on one of the chairs.

Carvier did the same.

"An evil night to be out alone Ms. Croft," Carvier said. "Our streets are not safe anymore."

"Mademoiselle Carvier, I just came from Werner's apartment."

Lara sighed. She ran all night, wet and now wanted for something she couldn't remember.

"And how is Werner?"

"I'm afraid Werner is dead."

"Dead!"

"Mademoiselle, are you okay? Can I get you anything?"

Carvier raised her hand. "How was Werner killed? What happened?"

"It's all a bit vague. I arrived at his apartment today from London. He was babbling with fear."

"He told me he tried to contact you."

"He did. I never expected that," Lara said, shaking her head. "Not after Egypt."

"Werner has been fearful for his life. He accepted a commission five weeks then he's been acting strangely. Even jumping at shadows." Carvier drew a breath. "He left a package with me for safekeeping."

"Who was the commission from?"

She couldn't remember what Werner said earlier about a client.

Is it the same person?

"The client's name was Eckhardt," Carvier said.

Lara's eyebrow rose.

That was the name. Eckhardt. I should find him.

"Eckhardt wanted Werner to research something called the Obscura Paintings. Werner then approached me at my department at the Louvre."

"Wait, Obscura paintings?"

"Five 15th century images. Thought to be linked to Alchemy and the dark arts."

"Were you able to help him?"

Carvier stared at her hands.

She's hiding something.

"A little I think." Carvier looked back up. "Poor Werner was clearly terrified."

"I wonder why exactly?"

Did this Eckhardt scare him that much or did he learn something?

"He felt he was being stalked," Carvier said.

Could also be this Monstrum I heard from the cab driver.

"He could well have been. The Monstrum is running around Paris according to the press."

Lara didn't want to let Carvier know a cab driver told her the press had been going on about this. But maybe now that she mentioned it, Carvier can tell her more.

Maybe this Eckhardt works with this Monstrum murderer.

"Don't joke about the Monstrum. That murderer is a psychopath." Carvier looked out the window, sighing as it kept raining.

Bingo. I remember Werner saying that the client is a psychopath. That already connects the two.

"Look. Werner left a package here with me. I have to give it to you if anything happens to him."

"Do you know what it is?"

Carvier crossed her arms. "It's his field notebook."

"If he left his field notebook then someone did in fact spook him." Lara stood up as well.

"Ms. Croft, you still haven't explained what happened,"

"There was gunfire. That's all I can recall."

"Gunfire! Werner was shot? Did...did you kill him?"

Oh yeah, accuse me because I run around tombs and kill bad guys who try and kill me.

Lara sighed. "I can't remember. It's all a blur."

"Ms. Croft, I strongly suggest that you talk to the police."

"Mademoiselle, I was a good friend of Werner's. I didn't kill him. I didn't."

"If you say so."

"Do you have the notebook?"

"I do. It's safe for the moment."

Lara could see she didn't believe her.

"I really am going to need Werner's notebook."

"Somebody killed Werner. You say you don't remember what happened."

The radio in the background buzzed with the news.

The police had identified the woman who fled a crime scene earlier as Lady Lara Croft.

Carvier stared at Lara. "Perhaps the police are right in suspecting you."

"I never killed Werner!"

"I think you'd better leave, Ms. Croft."

"Wait, what about the notebook?"

Carvier went into the kitchen, pulling open a drawer.

"I am not sure this is the right thing to do but I must respect what Werner wants."

"The right choice Mademoiselle," Lara said as Carvier gave her the notebook, walking to her bedroom and turning to look at her.

"And now you had better go. I'm calling the police. They'll be here in minutes." Carvier closed the door behind her.

Lara walked out of the apartment, opening up the window on the wall. She jumped out, running off as the sirens blared.

Credits:

Eretein: Help beta this story, gave me advice on where is mistakes and helping me that the chapter flows better. Without Eretein I would still be stuck with what to do with this story, thank you so much.

I would say if you need a beta reader who you want to go into detail on what's wrong with your chapter, Eretein is the beta for you.