Stolen goods
"Your other left, Lara!" The voice said over the communication set. It was Bryce, her tech man, being his usual charming self.
"Oh alright, I just wanted to admire the view," she said jokingly. Four floors up, Lara traipsed across the window ledge with ease.
Before going to the party, Lara had Bryce download recent schematics of Branson's estate, including information from his security company on the location of his security vault. Now all Bryce had to do was guide her.
With her back against the wall and her yellow skirt tied expertly up and out of the way of her legs she hopped to the window ledge on her left. She let out a satisfied gasp as she landed. Now she was truly in her element. The complications of society - and men - were behind her.
"OK Lara, this room is where the vault is located – Now you remember Monterrey," the tech man asked darkly. Lara understood. She had a close one during a break-in a year ago at a private residence in Spain. She had underestimated the back-up measures of the security system. This time she knew that after knocking out the security sensors she had exactly three minutes before the back-up system took over. Breaking into the vault and retrieving the article was going to be tough in that timeframe, but certainly possible.
"Now Bryce, you're sure that this is a Type III vault," she asked sternly.
"Lara, I have it direct from the security company's files and several orders for its installation –" Bryce said annoyed.
"I just don't want to ruin my gown if I have to make a quick getaway," Lara said half-jokingly.
"Like you care what you look like," Bryce spat back. She nodded. He was right.
With a skill acquired over the years, Lara pried the window open. Her next move was to dismantle the sensor system. This required even more skill.
A tiny device that generated smoke illuminated the red lasers that streaked across the room. With a flashlight she expertly searched for what she was looking for --- and found it. A few acrobatic moves later, Lara was in front of the sensor controls.
"One, two, three," she said as she performed more routine movements. A tiny beep let her know that she was clear… "Three minutes," she said to herself.
The vault was not surprisingly behind a portrait of Branson. She deftly pulled out the tools she had hidden beneath her skirt and went to work.
"Lara, he has been awarded two distinguished conduct medals for bravery on the battlefield," Bryce said over the comset. Lara was twisting her powerdrill into the right position.
"What's that Bryce," she said in between movements.
"Your Colonel," Bryce said. "I pulled up his file…." Lara let out an annoyed huff.
"Now why would you do that," she asked pointedly.
"Come on Lara, you were going to ask me to do it anyway," he said matter of factly. The vault made a clicking sound signaling that she had broken in. She let out a sound of approval.
"Now Bryce, so I like to keep tabs on the people who enter my life," she responded.
"55 seconds Lara…" Bryce reminded her.
"Plenty of time –" The vault door swung open. Lara cursed.
"What is it," Bryce asked. Lara slammed the door shut.
"It's not there," she said in frustration. The evening was turning out to be one whole mess.
"Well, guess you should have slept with Branson," Bryce said teasingly.
"Shove it, you!" she exclaimed in exasperation.
"40 seconds Lara," Bryce reminded.
Lara sighed, replaced the picture frame then bounded towards the window. This was a set-back, but she would figure something out.
"You seem to like exploring bedrooms –" a male voice said from the doorway. Lara stopped mid-motion and turned around. Of course, it was Terry Sheridan.
"What are you –" she stopped mid-sentence. He was holding what appeared to be a leather journal.
"Looking for something," he said with a smirk. She should have known.
"Lara, 15 seconds," Bryce cautioned over the comset.
"Terry, we need to exit now," she said sharply. The Scotsman gave her an odd look then bolted for the window.
"Bugger!" Bryce said over the comset. "Silent alarms tripped!" One-by-one the bedrooms windows clamped shut with iron bars. Terry dove through the window frame just in the knick of time.
"Got you," Lara cried. She yanked Terry back as the two fought for balance on the window ledge. Once again she found herself standing within inches of this man. Finding their balance, Lara let out a loud sigh and turned to him.
"How did you –"
"I noticed a book on the floor," he replied. "It must have fallen out when I dropped Charles."
"But how did you –" Lara continued.
"I figured you weren't at the party to pay a social call," he said matter of factly. She nodded. He was right.
"Besides I've been watching you all night. I just didn't think you were this much fun," he gestured at Lara's bunched skirt and almost bare legs - she wore her typical shorts and thigh-harnessed holsters. For some reason she felt her face slightly flush.
"A regular Casanova –" she heard Bryce say over the comset. Lara told him to shut-up then turned to her new company.
"Well, are you ready for some more fun," she asked. Terry nodded.
"Didn't think I've been scaling down four stories in my Armani suit," he replied. The sound of attack dogs came from the ground.
"Is this your idea of fun, Croft," he asked. Lara turned at smiled at him.
"My kind of girl," he said jovially.
"Yes, well, fun and games now Sheridan, but you have something that I want," she said dangerously. Terry nodded with a dashing smile crossing his face.
"Indeed you'll get it," he leaned closer to her "but unlike Branson you'll have to go to dinner with me first, then the bedroom."