(I have had to split this chapter into two parts because it won't let me upload it as one chapter.)


The agency had arranged for 47 to meet Lara at her home the next day at 9:00pm. 47 pulled up the drive of Laras mansion and parked the car close to the door for a quick getaway. Lara, Zip and Alistair were watching from one of the upstairs windows.

'I don't know about you guys, but I have a really bad feeling about this' Alistair said.

Lara turned to the two lads. 'I know what you mean' She said. 'He doesn't exactly look the museum type.'

Alistair watched as this large muscular man got out of his car. 'I know the lads at the British museum well and I have never seen him before.

'Maybe we're just being paranoid' Lara replied.

Alistair still wasn't convinced. 'I still think we should be careful'.

'Well! What do we do! Let him in or send him away!' Zip asked.

'Alistair's right; we should play it safe'. Lara told Zip.

Lara reached into her denim jacket, pulled out two pistols, gave one to each of the lads and gave them their instructions.

'Alistair. You head downstairs and watch Winston as he answers the door, we don't know what our guest is capable of so be cautious. Once our guest is in take Winston, leave through the back door and head for the tech van. If our guest tries anything then show no mercy.'

Alistair concealed the gun in his jacket, nodded and headed downstairs.

'Zip. You go warm up the tech van and wait for Alistair and Winston. Once they're in the van leave via the mansions secret exit and head for the safe house; I'll contact you when it's safe to return.'

'Will do'. Zip replied, and ran down the stairs. 'Oh and Lara!' Zip shouted. 'Good luck!'

Lara smiled at zip as he continued down the stairs and headed for the back door. Lara then ran to the door leading to her bedroom and headed down the corridor. She entered her room and ran to the area with her bed. She pushed her bed out of the way revealing a hidden safe on the floor containing a second pair of pistols as she had given the set from the wall safe to Alistair and Zip.

Meanwhile downstairs Alistair watched as Winston headed to the door. He opened the door and saw a large bald muscular man standing in the archway.

'Good evening sir; lady Croft is expecting you; please come in.'

'Thank you'. 47 said as he made his way into the main hallway.

Winston saw Alistair standing by the staircase making strange movements trying to signal Winston to speak to him. 47 sat down on the sofa by the fireplace facing away from Alistair.

'Lady Croft will be with you shortly' Winston assured 47.

Alistair continued to grab Winstons attention. However Winston continued to tend to 47's needs.

'Would you care for a drink Mr Carlson?' Winston asked.

'No thanks' 47 replied.

Alistairs movements became more frantic; Winston stared at Alistair woundering what he was doing. Winstons first thought was that Alistair had taken his medication by mistake again. Winston ignored Alistair and continued to tend to 47. Alistair became annoyed.

'Winston!' He yelled. 'You have an important phone call.'

'If you'll excuse me' Winston said to 47, 'I shall return shortly.'

'Of course'. 47 replied politely.

Winston walked casually over to Alistair. Alistair suddenly grabbed Winston by the arm and dragged him through the door leading to the gym. 47 heard the door slam and out of curiosity turned round.

'They're on to me' he thought to himself, 'I'd better be careful'.

47 looked around the grand hall with amazement; to him the only thing that spoilt this great room was the ugly sight of the computer lab.

'Why spoil this beautiful entrance hall with that unsightly thing' he thought to himself.

Meanwhile Winston and Alistair had just reached the outdoor area that separated the gym from the main house. Alistair frantically shook the gates leading to the outer gardens of the mansion.

'Shit they're locked!' Alistair snapped.

Winston grew impatient.

'Will you please tell me what your problem is!' Winston said impatiently.

Alistair clutched his hair. 'We all believe that this chap isn't who he says he is; we think he's after the sword'.

'What makes you say that?' Winston asked.

Alistair began to grow more and more impatient. 'He's from the British museum right? Well what's his name?'

'Richard Carlson!' Winston replied angrily.

'I know every chap at the British museum like the back of my hand and I have never heard of a Richard Carlson'.

Winston gave Alistair a funny look.

'In any case Lara has ordered a code red and we need to leave now; Zip is waiting in the tech van but we can't get through because…' Alistair turned back to the gates and shook them frantically and shouted '…THESE BLOODY GATES ARE LOCKED'.

'Calm down! Calm down! I have the key' Winston reassured Alistair.

Winston walked over to the gates, unlocked the chain holding them together and they both headed out towards the garage. Zip was already waiting in the van. Winston climbed into the front seat and Alistair jumped into the back.

'You two sure took your time' Zip said as he started the engine.

Alistair stared at Winston, 'well you can blame Laras loyal slave here for holding us up' he said.

Winston turned to Alistair, 'Now look here you!' he shouted.

Zip shook his head as he listened to the two arguing like little children. He pulled out of the garage and headed down the drive but turned off and headed down a path leading to a dead end. Zip took out a small remote control from his pocket, aimed it at the wall, pressed the button and a secret trapdoor opened on the ground revealing a secret path. Zip drove down into the secret tunnel leading to a nearby dirt trail which in turn came out onto a nearby motorway.

Meanwhile 47 was still waiting patiently in the main hall for his target.

'Hello' a voice said welcomingly.

47 turned round and saw a woman dressed in a dark blue formal suit, and wearing her hair in a pony tail; it was Lara.

Lara walked over to 47 and shook his hand; 'Lara Croft' she said.

'Richard Carlson' 47 said as he shook Ms Crofts hand.