Chapter 4 A (not so perfect) Replica
The Mishima limo came to a halt at the garage where Kazuya had been two days ago. He was here to collect the crystal. The driver, a man with broad shoulders, opened the door for him. He got outside carrying a briefcase. As soon as he stepped out into the bright daylight he put on his sunglasses.
"Don't let Chu or any of his men bother you while I am gone. Do whatever is necessary to keep anybody away from the car. Understood?"
"Yes, Mishima sama."
"Excellent. I won't be long."
He walked towards the garage and knocked at the door. The door was opened.
"Come in. Your item is ready," the man said. "Do you have the money?"
"If you have a perfect replica, I have the money." Kazuya replied tapping the briefcase.
The man walked over to his workbench and picked up a bundle. He unwrapped it and presented the content to Kazuya. He took the crystal and inspected it carefully.
"Not perfect but it will have to do," he said after a moment.
The other man was not happy with the reaction he got; in his eyes, this forgery was perfect. This was the best thing he had ever done. He had had it ready within 48 hours, but all he got was 'not perfect'. But then he remembered that he would get a lot of money for it. This cheered him up, at least a bit.
Kazuya wrapped the cloth around the stone again and placed the briefcase on the table. He opened it.
"800.000 Yen, as promised."
The other man looked inside the briefcase. His eyes filled with joy. He quickly took the bundles out and stored them away. When he was finished Kazuya placed the wrapped stone inside the empty briefcase and closed it again.
"I see you are leaving town for a while." Kazuya said gesturing to the packed bags in one corner.
The man looked at him shocked, expecting the worst. Did he think he was fleeing from him, because he had sold him a bad forgery?
"It's Chu..." the man stammered. "I am having a bit of trouble with him lately. And now that I've got some money..."
"Well good luck." Kazuya interrupted him. He turned around and walked out through the door.
When he returned to the car he ran into two of Chu's men.
"Didn't he tell you to stay out of our half of the town?" the biggest of them addressed Kazuya.
He ignored him but instead walked to the car.
"Hey, I'm talking to you."
"Tell Chu to fuck off." Kazuya replied and got into the car.
"Back to the office, Sir?" the driver asked.
"No. We have to go to the museum first." Kazuya replied. He wanted to drop off the replica right away, the sooner he got it to the museum, the sooner he could get the real stone.
Author's Note on Chapter 4:
2 days before Lara's story starts. It's Thursday.