Chapter 9 – Briefing in the Berkley Suite

"Yeah! I luuuhhhva you tooooo! And fohevvvahh!" Bryce sang at the top of his lungs. He didn't even notice Lara come in, staring at him with slight disgust.

"Bryce?" she called tentatively from the doorway to the Berkley Suite. Bryce kept singing. Lara cringed. He sounded like a dying skunk. She walked over to the antique Marshall desk where Bryce had set up shop. She shook her head as she watched him dancing in his swivel chair, eyes closed, oblivious to the rest of the world. She tapped his shoulder.

"Holy shit!" Bryce screeched as he yanked off his earphones. He jumped, looking around. Lara laughed when he saw her. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Lara, that's not funny. I think I need some new underwear."

"I think you do, too. Now quit with the loafing. Tell me what you got." Bryce swiveled around to face his trio of laptops, slapping his hands and rubbing them together with satisfaction.

"I got it all, baby! Every single juicy bit." He turned around to see Lara stripping out of her pantsuit. "Jeeze Lara! A little decency if you don't mind!" Lara stared up at him in nothing but her underwear.

"Bryce. We've known each other since we were zygotes. Get over it." Bryce shook his head, turning back to his work.

"Alright, so I got it all. I didn't pick up on any recording devices in Mason's office, though. Funny thing. I figured a guy that big would at least have a tape recorder under his desk.

"I'm sure Mr. Mason has an extensive array of recording devices installed. My guess is he had them all removed before I arrived. He knew I would be aware of them. He wanted to put me at ease. He does know how to handle people, I'll give him that."

"Sure he does. What I want to know, is just who the hell he thinks he is! I mean, the guy came off like he rules the world!"

"He practically does, Bryce," Lara replied as she tossed her suit onto the king -sized bed. She waltzed naked into the expansive walk-in closet across from her bathroom. "The man owns nearly 93 percent of the world's acquisitions companies. He's worth more money than you could ever dream of."

"That's not hard to believe, considering what you pay me," Bryce grumbled jokingly. He ducked as Lara tossed a shoe at him from the closet. "He tipped over a little in his chair, trying to peek into the closet. "So, what exactly are you up to, Lara Croft?" He leaned back as her head appeared from around the corner.

"I have a dinner meeting."

"Ooohhhh! Fancy schmancy!"

"Bryce. Don't start." Bryce smiled and turned back to his computers. He started typing like a madman, reconfiguring his network to download the surveillance taken in Mason's office.

"What do you want me to do with these files, Lara?" Her head popped back out again.

"Send them to Leonard's office like the others."

"Why do you always have me send a copy of your surveillance records to your lawyer?"

"If anything happens to me that's not supposed to, Leonard will know. He'll have everything he needs to place blame where it's needed." She disappeared into the closet once more. Bryce frowned in concentration. He'd never thought of that before. He went back to downloading.

A few minutes later he turned around to see Lara walking out of the closet, dressed in an extremely slinky black dress. His jaw dropped.

"Dear Lord, Lara! Are you trying to bowl over the stuffed shirts at this dinner meeting?" Lara inspected herself in front of an ornate, full-length mirror.

"Just one that I'm aware of, Bryce. Mason wants me to meet with the leader of his archeological team. He believes it's a good idea for us to collaborate before we head off on some wild goose chase. You know, make sure we're both on the same playing field."

"Well, that makes enough sense. But, I mean… Lara! You look incredible! How come you've never worn that dress before?"

"I never wanted to. Just because you buy something doesn't mean you have to necessarily put it to any use." Bryce sniffed.

"Only rich people can put any stock in that sort of theory."

"You're probably right. Now get back to work. I want all of Mason's available research ready for me tomorrow morning."

"Sheesh. Planning on coming home a little late, are we?"

"Bryce. Just do it. Don't make me throw another shoe at you. He smirked and went back to work. Lara continued to primp in front of the mirror. Usually, she would show up for dinner in a pair of camouflage shorts and a dirty tank top. But tonight was different. Luc's was the finest French restaurant in England. No matter how wealthy you might be, you didn't show up for dinner at Luc's in shorts and a tank.

Her dress was long and sleek, fitting but not snug. The back was open, pooling at the small of her back in soft layers of black silk. The bottom trained slightly behind, balancing the length. The front pooled like the back, only just slightly above her breasts. She had pulled her long hair back with a few clips, letting parts of it dangle to the side in wispy strands. She had to admit, Bryce was right. She did look incredible. For a tomb raider.

"All right Bryce. I'm off. Make sure you have everything ready for tomorrow." She grabbed a small billfold purse from the closet, emptying its contents onto the bed. A small knife, a set of lock-picks, and a wad of cash fell out. She tossed the lock-picks over her shoulder aimlessly. She slid the cash into her dress, right below her left breast. Bryce watched in amusement, certain she was missing a few brain cells.

"Lara? Why don't you just put the cash in the purse? I mean, that's what they make them for, isn't it?"

"That's just what a thief might be thinking, Bryce. I never keep anything valuable where it's supposed to be kept. Rule of thumb for the adventurous."

"Or the completely insane." He dodged another flying shoe.

"I'll probably be awhile. I've never met this card before, so I have no idea what to expect. Keep an eye on things from a distance. If you need me, holler. If you get hungry – "

"If! Now, that's a funny joke!"

"…If you get hungry, room service here is open all night. Get what you want, but try not to make a mess. I'll most likely be in contact with you before the night is out." She took the knife and exchanged it for the stiletto strapped to her right thigh. Bryce only shook her head. That was Lara for you. Never going anywhere without a way to assault people.

"You want me to run full surveillance on your little get-together?"

"Yeah. Make sure he's not just one of Mason's goons sent to snuff me out."

"In a public setting? Lord, he must be dangerous!"

"You have no idea, Bryce. That's another thing. Make sure you keep your wits about you. Mason's a smart guy. He probably knows I had some sort of surveillance going on in that room. Now, he may not, but let's not take that chance. I don't need him sending a goon-squad after you while I'm out eating overpriced food." Bryce looked nervously about.

"The hotel has security, doesn't it?"

"Yes, but what good will security do against automatics?" Bryce gulped.

"I see. Okay, I'll keep a sharp eye. What if they come after me?" he asked in a frightened voice.

"Keep in contact with me. I'll check in on you when I don't here from you every half hour or so. If you need anything, call. Don't worry. Most likely he doesn't even know. And if he does, he probably doesn't care."

"Yeah," Bryce agreed, trying to console himself. "What would a big-wig like that have to gain from killing a no account techie?" Lara smiled.

"That's the spirit. Now, remember what I said. Call if you need anything. And get that damn research done!'

"Alright, alright! I get the point! Just go to dinner, already! Jesus!"

Lara took her purse and left, locking the door behind her. Bryce turned back to his computers, still trying to shake off the heebie-jeebies. He hated it when she spooked him like that. He looked around, suddenly very aware of how quiet it was inside the Berkley Suite. He grabbed the phone, breathing heavily.

"Hello, Room Service? This is the Croft party in the Berkley Suite. Do you guys make pizzas?"