The Uncharted Tomb

Chapter One - Miscommunication

London - England

Charlie Cutter tapped his fingers rapidly against the leather sleeve of his jacket. Taking a gander at his wristwatch, he twitched uneasily shifting his head back and forth while seated on a bench overlooking the River Thames. It was nightfall and his visibility was aided by the brilliant lights emanating from the massive City Hall building to his left and the Tower Bridge to his right. Not to mention the glorious skyline of the City of London standing across the river. But even still, he felt on edge. Like something could happen at any...

"I never pictured you as the romantic type."

Charlie jumped to his feet turning his body all in one swift motion. Both of his fists were clenched ready to fight, but after seeing from whom the voice came he eased up. "Well you don't see a bouquet of flowers now do you?"

Chloe Frazer ambled into view under a lamp post "Oh my, what's gotten you all riled up?"

"I got a bad feeling in my gut about this. I don't know about you but there's just something not right about this whole scenario."

"I do agree," Chloe began, "this wouldn't be my first choice on where we should meet unless this was a first date. We're out in the open, totally exposed, and defenseless."

"You see what I mean, then?"

Charlie started pacing back and forth. "I don't trust this Andrei guy we're meeting up with. Somethin' ain't right with him, ya know?"

"Charlie stop worrying," Chloe walked up to him and put her hand on his shoulder. "This is a simple exchange and it won't become anything more than that okay?"

She could feel the tension in his shoulders through his jacket slowly ebbing away. Charlie exhausted a heavy sigh and looked at the ground. And then came a low crackling, rumbling sound approaching from behind them. It was the engine of a vehicle accompanied with the pounding of gravel by tires. They both turned around to see a black sedan pulling up in the parking lot on the other side of a line hedges.

"That must be them," Chloe said. "C'mon, lets go."

Both of them slowly approached the car as three men stepped out of the vehicle. Each of them were garbed in black suits and dark shades. The man from the shotgun seat waved stiffly at the both of them.

"Ah my friends," He called. "Good to see you."

"Andrei," Chloe spoke before Charlie could open his mouth. "Glad to see you made it here and right on time."

Charlie didn't speak but suspiciously eyed them all carefully, especially Andrei. They all looked like special agents but their faces told different stories to him. Andrei's face in particular was that of a younger man. His hair was dyed dirty-blonde which made him think he was fake. His eyes were hazel which made Charlie think he was sneaky. His body type, although the suit covered it up, Charlie could tell he was quick on his feet. In Charlie's mind this guy was a runner and he wanted to tie the guy up and pound on him. But he knew that wasn't an available option. Especially with the two men next to him, who were probably armed.

"Charlie my friend," Andrei spoke, "I've heard so much about you. You definitely match the description your American friend gave to me; big and tough!"

Although he knew Andrei was poking fun Charlie gruffly responded, "And you definitely look like the description given to us. But, I'm not sure you wanna hear it so let's get to the point."

Andrei felt negative vibes throbbing from Charlie. "Straight to the point I see. Very well let's cut to it."

He reached into his blazer's inner pocket and pulled out a piece of cloth. Handing it to Chloe he stated, "This is what your friend requested. I went through a great deal in order to acquire it for him. Make sure he knows that."