Masked

IX.

"He is what?"

I couldn't believe what I just heard.

"Father, where did you get that information from?", I now asked, still completely baffled but also a bit sceptic.

"Ever since Trinity killed Richard, I've been keeping an eye on them. Shortly after the assassination, Dominguez disappeared from the picture completely. One thing lead to another and... I could be sure that he had something to do with it. Richards former partner, Ana, was a part of Trinity as well."

I put a finger to my chin.

"So Trinity was haunting Lara's father until the day he died."

Suddenly, something else came into my mind.

"Oh no father, don't tell me that we are involved with Trinity as well... Do we have history with them?"

Father shook his head.

"Luckily, there weren't any assaults. Either, they only wanted Lord Croft out of the picture, or they simply forgot about my existence. ... Isabelle, I hope you understand the importance of the project. I chose Lara to finish what Richard and I started because I am aware of her hatred. She has encountered them before, and she knows what threat they're posing. Further, she probably knows best how to handle them."

"It never occurred to me that this family is linked to the Crofts...", I muttered, rubbing my temples. Another question was forming in my mind now, which was completely off-topic.

"Did – did Lara and I encounter before and I just don't remember it?", I muttered while staring at the ground. Somehow that thought evoke an overwhelming melancholy deep within me.

"You two met, but only as toddlers. I doubt you remember anything. After Amelia's passing, Richard and I sometimes talked about setting up playdates, since Lara never had that many friends in kindergarten or school, but unfortunately it never came to that..."

I raised my head to look at father before I spoke. I tried to search for fitting words while I was talking.

"That's... really sad. Lara and I seem to have a deeper connection than I first thought, and I hear about that whole story just now. I mean, I was pretty happy that we sorted things out and became friends, since we seem to be quite alike but... woah. My brain can't handle that right now."

Averting my gaze, I stared out of the window. I wasn't lying – it actually was a bit too much. I took a deep inhale.

"So, only to make sure I got everything right: You're basically telling me that Dominguez is working for Trinity or is actually part of the high council – whatever that is. Lara's task now is to find the dagger and the box, which is also sealed away in some hidden city called Paititi. ... And Lara must find the artefacts before Dominguez does, or else the world will face it's doom. And – not to forget – Doctor Dominguez hinted that Paititi was, or is his home? So that's telling us that Paititi is not just a city of legends and myths."

Father nodded, somewhat proud that I figured out the situation.

I held my forehead.

"Jesus Christ. That is one hell of a historical rollercoaster ride."

I turned to the door.

"Father, if you allow – I must tell Lara about that, I'm sure she – she doesn't know the full story yet."

"Of course", father answered, but just when I was out of the office, he called me back inside.

"Oh, and you know my dear... Next time just take the required information with you. You and Lara could've saved a lot of time and energy."