Broken Sword II: The Smoking Mirror

Next chapter of my Broken Sword story, enjoy.

Reviews

Boris Yeltsin: Thanks, remember, take note of anything that comes as important or interesting.
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks, yeah, well, that's been the basis of the whole story :)

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Broken Sword or its characters.

History and Theft

NICO POV

While George was basking in the sun-drenched Caribbean, I went to rainy London. It was a long shot, but I decided to start my search for the Jaguar Stone, at the British Museum. So it was I paid the taxi driver and, pulling my jacket up over my head, I went out into the rain and hurried as quickly as I could up the stairs and under the entrance of the museum before fixing my red jacket. I had changed as my clothes from Quaramonte, wouldn't be very protective here. So along with the jacket I wore a black blouse, a red mid-thigh pencil skirt and black heels. I also had my small handbag stashed on the inside pocket of my jacket. The only useful thing in my bag really was a simple hair clip. Entering one of the exhibit halls, one that was focused on Central American artefacts and works. The hall was sparse of people, only two Japanese girls standing by a display case containing some old pots and seemed rather amused by them, gossiping and giggling together. The only other person was a tall thin grey-haired caretaker clad in a green suit with a green cap and black eyes. He didn't show it but I sensed he was watching my ever move.

I looked around at the exhibits, apart from the aforementioned pots there was a display case containing a couple of uninteresting vases, three large statues and three other display cases, albeit not the all glass kind. I had to go up and examine these ones closely. Before I did so I noted an oddly place curtain of sorts, its pattern fitted the theme of the room more than the tribal mask that hung on the wall next to it which looked more African than Central American. Ignoring it I approached the display case closest to the door, right next to the wall phone, and looked in. Inside was a rather sharp looking dangerous looking obsidian dagger. I shuddered seeing it, recalling the stories about Tezcatlipoca and his human sacrifices. I hurried to the furthest case, tucked away in a corner of the room. Inside the case was a small flat square of polished obsidian, nothing like the one I was looking for. According to the caption this was the 'scrying mirror' given to Dr. John Dee by Sir Francis Drake. Shaking my head I made my way over to the last case, tucked in the other corner, next to the curtain and mask. When I looked into it my heart leapt, inside was a stone identical in size and style to the Coyote Stone, but this one bore the image of a Jaguar, I'd found the Jaguar Stone. But there was an issue, it was here as an exhibit, which meant I couldn't just take it and go back to the village. Grimacing I decided I needed a new tactic and approached the attendant.

The moment I approached he drew himself up and gave a welcoming smile.

"Can I help you miss?"

I remembered the name George had mentioned so I asked. "Do you know an English Sea Captain, called El Draco?"

"El Draco?" He echoed. "Not a very English name."

"I think that's what the Spanish would have called him, it was about the time of the conquistadors." I explained.

He thought for a moment. "Sixteenth century...Oh I know, that's what the Spanish called Sir Francis Drake."

"Francis Drake?" I gasped. "Do you have anything here belonging to him?"

He nodded. "Indeed Miss, we have a couple of artefacts here he brought back from one of his journeys."

So it was Francis Drake, the eminent sea captain, privateer, pirate and, God help him, politician, who had stolen the Jaguar Stone. I thought how to phrase my next question.

"I noticed a couple of artefacts in the displays cases, the scrying mirror and the Jaguar Stone, what can you tell me about them?"

He smiled widely at that and seemed pleased. "Why those were the very artefacts I told you about miss. The Jaguar Stone and the more famous scrying mirror. You see John Dee had a partner who reckoned he talked to angels through the mirror. If you ask me he were barking mad."

I bit my lip at that, a little taken aback.

I looked over at the stone.

"So, the mirror is considered more famous?"

"Well, more pure, you know, holy. According to records of what Dee said anyway." The attendant replied. "Angels in the mirror and devils in the stone, reckoned it was tainted so he did. Anyway, c'mon miss, I'll show you the mirror."

"I've already...oh never mind." I replied, sighing as he walked off anyway.

I followed him to the display case as he proudly presented the mirror.

"There, John Dee's famous scrying mirror, given to him by Sir Francis Drake."

I remembered the story George told me and asked worriedly. "Do you know if this mirror has any relevance to Tezcatlipoca?"

"Who?" He asked, startled and then trying and failed to even pronounce the name. "I can't even say it. Oh there's somewhere here who can help you better than me."

With that he led me over to the middle of the room again, where I spotted a rather familiar elderly man approaching from the other side of the room.

"This lady has some questions for you Professor." The attendant explained. "I think she's from France too."

I gasped realizing it was him. "Professor Oubier!?"

He seemed startled and the attendant looked suspicious, noting we knew each other apparently, but was interrupted by the telephone and went to answer it.

I was left alone with Oubier, I narrowed my eyes suspiciously.

"So, we meet again?"

He merely nodded. "Mamsielle, France, eh?"

"Yes." I replied coolly. "I believe that's where you live, Professor?"

"I have a house there, on the outskirts of Paris. But I've not been home for many months." He remarked with a shrug.

I remembered what George had told me and asked. "I thought you were staying in Quaramonte to witness the eclipse, Professor?"

"Alas, business comes first." He remarked. "I have to oversee a consignment of artefacts being shipped in at the docks."

At that moment the attendant returned. "Professor Oubier, your taxi is here."

"If' you'll excuse me, I must go attend to business." Oubier said. "The Xibalba Princess waits for no man."

After his quip he tipped his hat and left, I guessed the Xibalba Princess was the ship he was going after. After he left I looked over at the attendant.

"Could you answer me some questions about the Jaguar Stone?"

He nodded. "Indeed miss, if you'll just step this way."

So we made our way towards the display case that held the stone.

Only to find the display case empty.

"It's gone." The attendant gasped. "Some sod's 'alf-inched it."

"Half-inched?"

He turned to me. "Stolen it miss, never mind, the silent alarm will have been tripped, I'm afraid nobody can leave until our crack security team gets here."

"How long will that be?" I asked.

"It might be a while." He admitted. "I think it's their tea break."

"The thief could be miles away by then."

"Don't you worry about that miss. Just don't try to leave." He insisted.

I knew right away what he meant by that. "Oh of course, just assume it's me when I was nowhere near the stone."

He scoffed. "Oh, so do you reckon did steal it?"

"Well, considering he was the last person near it...it must have been Oubier." I fired back.

He laughed and shook his head. "Ha, he's a man of letters, a professor."

"So was Moriarty, man of letters or not, he's your culprit."

The attendant merely grunted but then I noticed something.

"Looks like the theft was an inside job, after all." I pointed. "The thief has left the key in the lock."

He turned sharply and saw it and immediately all colour drained from his face.

"Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear…"

"In other words, the thief was probably Oubier, who's now away to the Xibalba Princess at the docks, where ever that may be." I commented.

Not even thinking, he said. "That's down by Tower Bridge...Look, let's leave all this for the police to decide, eh?"

With that he hurried over to the phone and called them.

I knew I had nothing to worry about if the police were called, but I still had to get after Oubier fast. Luckily I had developed a hunch and checked the curtain, sure enough behind it was a fire escape door. It was locked but I could see a thin gap between the doors and just make out the latch holding it closed. I began to wonder, could I really pull this off. I knew I had to try if I wanted to get after Oubier. So I took the key from the lock, taking care to have my sleeve cover my hand and I hurried over to the display case. This was the tricky part as it was near the phone. But the attendant had his back turned, so I was able to use the key to unlock the case and pulled out the dagger which I slipped into my jacket, I had to be careful, it was thin but razor sharp. I quickly locked the case again and returned the key to the Stone's case. I then pulled the curtain back again and used the dagger to lever open the latch. I then pushed open the door and let the curtain and door close behind me as I headed down the dark staircase. I was out, now I just needed to find a way to get from here to the docks to get after Oubier.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.