After a light breakfast the next morning, Calen called up the address for Veronique Dupree on his GPS and tracked the best route to get there. Once again it was a storefront, but this one was set in a more suburban area of Geneva. It reminded Mac of the small area of Little Five Points in Decatur – back in Georgia. Private. Quaint.

     Kyle's limo sat on the opposite side of the street from the store, and the Hollow One stepped out as Calen pulled the M5 up alongside the sidewalk.

     The four of them waited just outside the store for a few minutes. Mac checked his internal clock. It was nearly 1:30. There was no sign of Arden or Derrick. He turned to Kyle. "Did you see them leave Prague?"

     The Hollow One nodded. "They left before I did."

     Mark sighed. "Well, I suggest we go ahead and exchange the dagger." He turned to Mac. "Feeling okay?"

     The Adept arched an eyebrow at the Chorister. "I'm fine."

     But Mark only smiled. "You have the dagger?"

     The Adept held up the bag. "Lead the way."

     Calen nodded. "Link up."

     Mac did and the two stepped into the shop.

     The store was nearly as crowded as Demova's antique store had been, only this one was filled with puzzles of every type. From books on crosswords to children's cardboard puzzles. To the right was a low counter and a pleasant middle-aged woman smiled at them. She spoke to them in slightly accented English. "Hello, welcome. Is there anything I can help you with?"

     Mark stepped forward. "We're here to see Miss Veronique Dupree. Is she in?"

     "That's me."

     "Hello, my name's Mark Davins, and this is my friend Mac Mcgyver. We're from America – you should go there one day. You have a lovely collection of boxes. We come with bad tidings, I'm afraid."

     Abruptly a squealing of tires from outside broke their conversation. Mac went to the window in time to see a pair of sports cars - the Lamborghini Diablo Arden had been driving and a red Testarossa - slide to a stop outside in the street. He shook his head as Derrick got out of the Ferrari. The familiar yellow Diablo moved ahead just a bit, and the door opened. Out came a shapely leg, followed by a high white skirt. Arden Vervain emerged, a smile of triumph on her face.

     What did they do? Race to Geneva?

     He turned back to Mark and smiled. The Chorister rolled his eyes and turned back to Miss Dupree. "Tourists."

     Veronique nodded and gave him a knowing smile. "Follow me,"

     They followed her to the back and into what Mac could only assume was the woman's livingroom. Boxes filled every corner, some labeled from Russia. A few had United States postage labels on them. A well worn couch sat at one end facing a television and a desk sat to the side, also cluttered with several different shaped boxes.

     Veronique gestured for them to take two folding chairs in front of the couch. "You have bad news?" She looked at each of them. "It is Miguel, no? He is gone?" when they nodded she sighed. "The hour is late indeed, if Miguel did not survive."

     "We are sorry to bring such news, and we do not wish the same hardship upon you." Mark nodded at Mac. The Adept pulled the box from his bag and handed it to their host.

     She took the dagger and without opening it, stood and walked to a wall safe hidden behind a stack of boxes. She placed the dagger inside and retrieved an orange puzzle box about the size of a small jewelry box. She returned and set it on her coffee table. "I have no way of opening this – you'll have to do that yourself."

     Mark took up the box and handed it to Mac. He put it into his bag. Mark spoke, "All I know is that death is following us, and you should be careful."

     "I thank you for that warning, Mr. Davins. And I suggest you watch yourself as well."

     The two left and joined the waiting group outside.

     "I won!" Arden jumped and down.

     "Only by this much," Derrick grinned and created a minuscule space between his index finger and thumb.

     "Please, calm down you two," Mark said. He looked at Calen. "Nicholas, any danger?"

     The VE shook his head. "But I do suggest we get back to the hotel and not stand around out here."

     Mark nodded. "Nicholas has booked us rooms at this fabulous bed and breakfast a few miles from here. Fabulous place."

     Once everyone was settled into a room, they met in the B&B's central parlor. There were no other guests. The room held a fireplace that crackled and popped with a gas fed flame. Two sofas in blue and white print that matched the wallpaper faced one another, separated by a low, wood coffee table. Once seated on the comfortable couches, Mac pulled out the puzzle box and set it on the table. He then called up the address for the puzzle box expert Casada had listed in his encrypted data base.

     He was surprised when Mark suggested they try and open it themselves.

     Calen snorted. "We have a contact – we might as well use it."

     "Oh no," Arden shook her head as she picked up the box. "This should be a piece of cake."

     "Well, call me when you're done with the foolishness." With that he glanced at Mac and left the room.

     I have to agree with the VE. Mac shook his head.

     Kyle was able to tell the box was from the early Tang dynasty and the last time it was opened was in 1700. "But the thing seems to be masked in a cloud of manifestation. It has magic about it."

     As Kyle, Derrick, Mark and Arden huddle about the box, Mac settled into the corner of the couch closest to the fire. He hugged his arms to his chest and slumped down in the chair. He agreed with Calen – why wast time on this? We have a contact. Casada himself was obviously going to use her. Why bother?

     Wake me when the silliness is over. Within minutes he was asleep.

     But it wasn't long before he heard Derricks' commanding voice. "Well it's obvious we can't open the damned thing. We've been at it for over three and a half hours."

     Mac blanched and opened his eyes. I've been asleep for three and a half hours? Damn…am I ever going to get past this narcolepsy?

     "Mac has the contact's phone number," Kyle said and pointed to his own head. "In here. It's unlisted."

     "Wake him up." Derrick said.

     "I'm awake." Mac rubbed his eyes. "Who's got a cell ready?"

     Mark reached inside his suit jacket pocket and pulled out a Nokia. "Here. I'll call."

     Mac repeated the number for him then relaxed back again. Unfortunately, he could hear the conversation – on both sides.

     "Chow."

     "Hello, Fanciulla Markoni? This is Mark Davins and I understand you are good with puzzle boxes. I have one I'd like for you to look at."

     The woman replied with so thick an Italian accent, even Mac had trouble understanding her. Mark leaned over to him. "Italian?"

     Nodding, the Adept downloaded an Italian language program then reached out to touch the Chorister's shoulder. Instantly Mark could speak in her native tongue and the tone of her voice changed from suspicious to delighted.

     "It's a very old Chinese puzzle box and we'd like to get it open." Mark said.

     "You have it with you?" she asked.

     "Yes, we do."

     "Well I am free tomorrow for brunch. Would you care to join me?" There was a anticipation in her voice.

     "That would be lovely. Care if I bring a few friends?" Mark said.

     "That is fine. Hold and I will give you the address to the Bistro."

     After she completed the address, Mark looked at Mac with questioning eyebrows. Mac nodded. He had the address saved to the Navigator. No problem.

     He hung up the phone. "Well, it seems we have a night to kill before we meet up with her. Anyone want to tell Nicholas?"

     No one spoke.

     "Oh, I'll tell him," Arden said. "But later on. I want a long, hot bath and some good food."

     "Me too," said Mark.

     Mac stood and nodded to the small group. "I'll bow out. I have some personal business to attend too." He left the livingroom and went outside. With a quick Google, he located the nearest branch of the Swiss bank. Only a three mile walk. With a sigh and a yawn, he made his way there to transfer funds.

     An hour later, Mac stumbled into the bed and breakfast. He was exhausted and shaking. The exertion of the walk was a bit more than he was ready for yet. The Adept reached out for the banister to the stairs. His room was on the top floor, pretty much away from everyone. And he was again glad Mark had fixed his leg, or all the walking might have been an even bigger problem.

     His bag on his shoulder he took the stairs, wishing all the while that the B&B had an elevator. His hands shook as he tried to insert his key in his door's lock. Finally he stepped inside and dropped the bag. With a sigh he went straight to the bed and tumbled into it.

     He didn't wake until the next morning. And he felt better than he had in months. Mac knew the ordeal was finally over. Or so I'm going to convince myself.

     After a quick shower, the Adept went down to the B&B's breakfast area. Calen was there as he always seemed to be, reading his paper, the remains of breakfast on his table.

     Mark was also up and waved Mac over. "Good morning. You look very well rested."

     Mac checked his internal clock. "I should be. I just slept for fifteen hours." He sighed. "And I'm famished."

     "Good, because this morning, you're going to eat."

     And he did. Everything the Chorister ordered. After his second cup of coffee, Mac noticed Arden had come into the room. She was at Calen's table, seated, and the two were in deep, hushed conversation.

     Then Calen did something the Adept had not seen him do often, and it set every muscle in his body on alert.

     Nicholas Calen genuinely smiled – at the Verbena!

     "Mac?" Mark's hand was on his.

     He looked at Mark. "What…" he nodded to the two at the other table. "What's going on with them?"

     The Chorister shrugged. "I have no idea. With Arden?" He laughed. "Probably out to conquer what was once believed to be the unconquerable."

     Mac smiled. "Maybe I should do Calen a favor and tell him to run as fast as he can."

     The group headed over to the meeting place in Kyle's limo. It was a nice bistro, situated along a very populated side-street. Derrick, Arden and Kyle volunteered to accompany Mark to the meeting. Mac elected to stay in the limo. The moment Calen saw Mac stay, the VE stepped outside and took up a position near the bistro door.

     After a few minutes, Mac realized there was no one inside to relay what was happening. With a low curse, he settled back into the seat and tuned his audio inside.

     The woman openly flirted with Derrick. Oh for the love of… Mac sighed. Just get the damned box open.

     The woman, Fanciulla Markoni, opened the box in only a few seconds. Mac smiled. The others had been at it for hours.

     "Well it took a lot of combined effort," Mark said. "But I see we shinked and should have shunked?"

     Everyone laughed. Mac groaned.

     "Have you been in Geneva long?" Fanciulla asked in Italian.

     "Not long," Derrick answered. "Maybe you could show me around?"

     "I live here. Here is my card."

     Mac sighed.

     She asked them things about the box and gave them a history of puzzle boxes. "Perhaps I should write down that combination, no?"

     "Please do," Mark said.

     There was a pause, then Fanciulla said, "Who recommended me to you?"

     "Miguel Casada."

     "Oh, such a nice man. How is he doing?"

     There is a silence, then Mark spoke. "Fine. Just fine." Another pause. "Well, it's been nice to meet you and thank you for your help."

     The group piled back into the limo with Calen behind them. Mac was sure the VE had listened in on his own. He took the box and turned it over. "Aw shit you locked it again!" Calen said. Mac just shook his head.

     As the driver pulled away, Mark easily reopened the box using the correct combination.

     Inside there was a piece of parchment with an "S" on it. Combining the letters up in the order they found them spelled IXOS. Greek word. Mac ran the word through a dictionary. The only reference he found was of legendary elixir or substance of questionable nature.

     Mark then pulled out a very old bottle; parts of it were newer, such as the cork and what looked like wax around the cork. The label read Askulda, and displayed two lightening bolts.

     Derrick guessed it to contain pure entropy, in liquid form. It would be a tool for assassination. Mark remembered from the diary, that in his confessions, Gareth mentioned that only the highest ranking members of the Ksarifai were given permission to use Ixos, and only in those cases where they wanted the body to disappear without a trace.

     Mark spoke. "This is highly, highly dangerous and deadly. It will make your body into dust. No one open that bottle."

     Kyle was able to discover that the bottle dated back to 1745, the year the White Tower was destroyed, which also coincided with the Ksarifai disappearance. Way back in the day of the Order of Reason.

     Finally – Mark pulled out the last piece buried within the Chinese puzzle box. Another piece to the key. Kyle pulled out the pieces he had, and Arden took out what she had. The three fit together, with the one end forming a cross.

     Mac identified the key by checking into the VA database on antique keys. The style was identified as belonging to a vault in a Swiss Bank.

     The Adept looked at Mark. "I guess we go to another bank."

     The Chorister sighed. "Yes – and I have a very bad feeling about this one."

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