Chapter Two: Xavier Arnhem

"Morning." Dianne yawned as she made her way into the tech room.

Lara raised an eyebrow and glanced towards the clock on the wall, it was one P.M. and by now the table was littered with weird looking objects. Dianne could see Bryce partially obscured by a large microscope.

"Morning'" he said brightly

Dianne sat down groggily in the chair opposite and pulled her cardigan up around her to keep her warm. "Found out about that arrow thing yet?" She asked

"Well it's definitely an emerald" Said Bryce confidently from behind a mass of complicated looking equipment

"Really?" She said sarcastically gazing at the shining green object.

"We need to find that man you saved" Lara said skipping the pleasantries and getting straight to business

"the one in the dark alley that I shouldn't have been in?" Dianne smirked 'see,' she thought,' if I hadn't have been there you wouldn't have your new pet project. And do I get a thank you? Will I get to help out? Will I hell!'

"Yes that one" Lara replied coldly. her patients waning.

"What did he look like?" Hillary asked bringing over a fresh pot of tea. He set the tray down as carefully as he could, managing to avoid Bryce's detritus. Amongst the mess Dianne noticed the morning papers. There was a familiar man on the front.

"Hey that's him!" She cried surprised.

"You're sure?" Lara asked swiftly as Bryce snatched it up.

"Yes" She nodded certain, she could hardly forget.

"Bugger." Bryce muttered causing Hillary to shoot him a dark reproachful look.

"what?" Dianne asked moving around the table to get a better look.

"He's dead." Said Bryce disappointed. He indicated the headline 'Man killed in own home'

"What?" Dianne gasped her hand clapped to her mouth. She was suddenly overwhelmed with guilt. "I should've gone after him or called an ambulance or something"

"Wouldn't have helped." Bryce shook his head sympathetically "A bullet through the brains not really treatable."

"He was shot?!"

"Murdered it says here," Bryce passed the paper to Lara. She stared at the front page for a few moments. Her eyes glazed over . The others watched her expectantly "Come on." She ordered Dianne, suddenly snapping out of her thoughts. "Where going to the police station"

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The mans name was Mortimer Croydon, an dealer of ancient Greek artefacts. He had indeed been shot in his home but the police were very interested to hear that he'd been beaten up in an alley beforehand. In fact Dianne and Lara had been more help to the police than the police were to them. As it was a murder enquiry the police were reluctant to give much information away about Croydon's death instead they asked Dianne to go over what had happened in the alley. However she neglected to mention the arrow head. Before they had gone into the station Lara had warned Dianne not to.

"But it could be why he was murdered" Dianne had protested as she and Lara walked swiftly down the street.

"yes but they'll want to collect it as evidence," Lara explained, "and it's safer at Croft manor than here."

Dianne didn't buy into that one bit. She recognised the familiar glint in her sisters eye. She was going to get to the bottom of this herself.

Because she had not told them about the arrow head Dianne's evidence had not been very helpful to the police. She had however been able to identify two of the men from the alley. Dianne had spent an hour searching through police photos until she had come across the man who's arm she'd broken and the one that had grabbed her. She had recognised them instantly and was slightly surprised when the detective inspector interviewing her recognised them to.

"Wesley Morgan and Phillip Brooke" He muttered to himself.

"Do you know them?" Lara enquired as innocently as she could. Dianne knew that Lara was not keen to give the impression that she would be investigating as well. The police might ask awkward questions and they'd have to give up the arrow head.

"I do indeed lady croft. "The detective nodded his eyes were fixed on the photos as though he thought they'd slip away if he averted his gaze. "They work for Xavier Arnhem."

"Let me guess, "Lara smiled, "He collects ancient Greek artefacts"

"How did you..?"

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"We need to get to Arnhem before the police do." Dianne said to Lara as they sped down the steps of the police station and headed for the parked motorcycle.

"No we don't," Lara shook her head, "If those men were working for him then they'd recognise you."

Dianne opened her mouth to protest but it was obvious that Lara wasn't listening. She reached into her pocket and withdrew her mobile.

"Bryce? I need you to find a man by the name of Xavier Arnhem. Quick as you can please."

"Arnhem?" Bryce double checked. Lara could hear keys tapping on his laptop "Oh that was quick. This guys pretty famous Lara."

"Really?"

"Yep... assault and battery... attempted murder... arms dealing. Sounds nice" Bryce said sarcastically.

"What's he doing out of prison?" Lara marvelled.

"Never proved," Bryce replied, "apparently all the key witnesses had a habit of disappearing. Is he our man?"

"I'm not sure yet. Got an address?"

After a few moments silence Bryce came through.

"Hamsted?" Lara repeated. "That's not to far from here. Listen Bryce, can you get Hillary to pick Dianne up from the police station?"

When Lara put the phone down Dianne was looking daggers at her.

"I've already said no Dianne."

"It's not that. I can get home on my own you know!" Dianne snapped. They had reached the motorbike which was parked outside the gardens used by the streets residence. It was deserted now as it was getting colder. Soggy leaves stuck to the benches just inside the railings.

"I just feel better if I know your safe." Lara sighed scrapping some of the brown leaves off. a bench and sat down looking worn out.

"Are you okay?" Dianne enquired slightly concerned. It wasn't often that she saw her sister looking anything other than one hundred percent.

"I didn't get much sleep last night." Lara explained.

"Why?" Dianne sat next to her, the bench was slightly wet and she felt her jeans going soggy.

" Because when I went to check on you, you were gone you silly sod."

"You checked on me?" Breathed, she was outraged.

"I always do."

"To make sure I haven't snuck out?" Dianne asked incredulously.

"No," Lara sighed. "I Just sleep better when I know that your safe." Dianne was looking at her strangely so she decided to elaborate. " I make a lot of enemies doing what I do. I worry that you'll get hurt and I wont be there to save you. I know your safe with Hillary and Bryce but when your on your own..."

"I can fight you know" Dianne protested but her voice had softened greatly.

"I know" Lara laughed. "I can't help it. I'm your sister it's my job to worry."

Dianne smiled then did something that she hadn't done in years. She wrapped her arms around her sisters shoulders and pulled her into a hug.

"Made up have we?" Hillary called. They broke apart to see their butler emerging from the silver rolls. He looked delighted to see that they were no longer bickering.

Dianne didn't reply. As they pulled off she smiled and waved at her sister feeling truly happy for the first time in as long as she could remember.

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They arrived back at Croft manor just as the gardener was leaving. He didn't seem very happy. He was shouting angrily at a perturbed Bryce and indicating a torn and bloodstained leg.

"Nero" Hillary and Dianne muttered together.

Sure enough as they walked past the fuming man he growled darkly in a thick Scotch accent

"Tha' flippin dog should be shot."

He marched down the steps and headed for his van slamming the door behind him.

" What's..." Dianne began but was cut off mid sentence as the giant dog slammed into her knocking her down. He had lunged with such force that he fell past her toppling down the steps. He landed in the drive way with a bump and shook himself up just as the gardener revved the van and sped in his direction.

"Nero!" Dianne screamed as the van collided with the dog sending him skidding across the gravel. She tore down the steps as the van drove off with a screech closely followed by the boys.

" Barstard!" Bryce cursed as the van disappeared at high speed out of the gates.

Dianne and Hillary lent down by the dog. His eyes were closed and he was motionless.

"Can you fix him?" Dianne asked Bryce desperately her eyes filling with tears.

Bryce knelt down with them and pulled the dog nearer. He lifted up the fur on the dogs stomach to reveal a dented metal casing. He lifted a small hatch to reveal a maze of lights and wires. They cracked and fizzed sending thick grey smoke into the techno- wizards face. He looked into Dianne's shining eyes and smiled as reassuringly as he could.

"I'll give it a go."

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Lara had always liked the autumn, not many people did which was probably why she preferred it. Everyone was in a rush to get home and it felt as though she had the entire heath to herself. She had decided to walk through Hamsted on her way to Xavier's rather than bust straight in. For one thing she needed to decide what she was going to say to him. If he was as dangerous as Bryce said he was she did not want to give too much away. If he suspected that the arrowhead was at Croft manor the she and the others would be in serious danger.

As she neared the address that Bryce had given her she thought more about what had just happened between her and her sister and she couldn't help but smile to herself. She was pleased that they had at least seemed to reach an understanding. ' At least she knows that I care' Lara thought.

It only took her a few minuets to reach Xavier's house. As she neared she could see a man with a broken arm struggling with a heavy box. She recognised him instantly from the police mug shot

"Need a hand?" She asked sweetly. Brooke nodded gratefully as Lara took the box from him.

"Just in the van please love." He smiled.

Lara carried it over and set it down in the back of a small blue van filled with complicated equipment and suitcases.

"Going away?" Lara asked turning back to the large thuggish Brooke.

"Yeah," He smiled toothily, his eyes planted firmly on Lara's chest. " Going on an archaeological dig." He said obviously thinking that this would impress her.

"With Mr Arnhem?" Lara pressed.

Brookes eyes suddenly snapped up to hers. He looked very suspicious. "Who are you?"

"Lady Lara Croft, I'd like a word with Mr Arnhem" She smiled. She started up the steps but he grabbed her wrist.

"What about?" He said aggressively.

"Now now Phillip," Called a voice from the doorway. "Is that any way to treat such a distinguished guest?"

Lara looked up to see a sallow skinned elderly gentleman with dark features smiling warmly at her. He extended his hand to greet her. "Lady Croft, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

"I was wondering if I could have a private word with you Mr Arnhem." Lara said taking his hand.

"But of course," he replied graciously, "and please, call me Xavier."

Lara nodded as she was led into the house. All around her heavy set men were carrying boxes and headed for the front door.

"I hear that your going on a dig." Lara said questioningly as she was led up the grand staircase.

"Ah yes, you are an archaeologist yourself are you not lady Croft?"

"Of sorts" Lara agreed. To her surprise Arnhem laughed.

"Yes I believe I read an article on your exploits in 'the national geographic' He smiled at her as he opened a pair of large, wooden, double doors to reveal a long dark study.

"Tell me, "Arnhem said taking a seat at his desk and motioning that Lara do the same. "What brings the famous Lara Croft to my humble abode?"

"I heard that you were quite the expert on the ancient Greeks." Lara said gazing up at the eyrie masks mounted above the desk "I was wondering if you could help me out with something."

Arnhem nodded graciously as Lara reached into her pocket and produced a print out of the emerald arrow that she had taken from Bryce before leaving. She smiled with satisfaction as Arnhems eyebrows raised in surprise.

"Where did you get this?" He breathed.

"A friend of mine Mortimer Croydon sent me it, he was murdered yesterday." Lara lied.

"I am sorry," Arnhem replied insincerely. "Do you have the artefact with you?"

"No it was stolen."

Arnhem looked disappointed for a moment then recovered himself. "This is indeed an interesting piece, If you were to find it I would be more than happy to examine it for you."

"Do you have any idea what it is?"

"I am afraid not." Arnhem replied, he was obviously lying. He stood up abruptly and Lara knew that the interview was over.

"How will I contact you when I have it?" Lara asked rising from her chair to leave

"My assistant Mr Morgan will give you my contact number in Crete. You can reach me there"

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Dianne sat down near Bryce and watched him work on her large pet. He had been badly damaged and even the techno- wizard himself wasn't certain that he'd be able to fix it. Hillary had left an awkward silence in his wake as he'd rushed off to answer the phone moments before. It was a while before Bryce spoke attempting to ease the tension and draw Dianne's focus away from the crushed Nero.

"So," He smiled at her with a mock cheerful voice as a wire snapped and fizzed in his face, "I hear you and Lara had a chat."

In spite of herself Dianne smiled. "Yeah, look I'm sorry I was being such an idiot. I just felt..."

"Like she didn't care." Bryce finished her sentence for her. She nodded in agreement.

"I know it's silly it's just that sometimes I feel a little neglected. Not by you guys," She added quickly as Bryce looked up hurt, "It's just that she's not often around."

"Well," Bryce smiled returning to his work, "You just have to make the most of it while she's here. I mean now that she's focused on this Arnhem thing she's not likely to go anywhere."

"Yeah, maybe I can help her out." Dianne smiled.

"I'm sure she'll appreciate it." Bryce replied, glad that his doubtful expression was hidden behind a thick layer of smoke. He looked up again as Hillary entered the room looking slightly flustered. "What's up?" He asked slightly concerned to see the butler so agitated.

Hillary looked apologetically at Dianne. "Err... Lara's off to Crete."