Page 62 of The Timeless Vigilante

“I assure you that I’m not,” Gen countered. “The glazing techniques on the object weren’t used until that time period. Also, the vase is from Bruges, Belgium based on the clay used, which wouldn’t be available in Italy.”

“You know that by just studying the vase through the glass?” Hamilton Dixon asked, arching an eyebrow at her, skeptically.

“I know that because medieval artifacts are my specialty,” Gen stated. “Which is how I know this vase wasn’t used in religious ceremonies but rather for storing and serving wine.”

“Are you sure?” Scott asked.

“I’m certain,” Gen said with confidence. “How long do you plan to have this exhibit here? Maybe I can help you to fix any more inconsistencies.”

“For at least three months,” Scott said.

“Good, that gives us time,” Gen said. “And I noticed that there were some vans around the perimeter of the building. What is happening there?”

“Oh, we’re moving this exhibit down to the eastern side of the museum,” Hamilton answered. “It’s a more secure area.”

He is lying, Gen said in her head, talking to Emperor. She worked to keep her face neutral.

You can read the lie on his face, Emperor said in her head. But I sense it in his thoughts and can confirm, you’re correct.

But why is he lying? she said, needing more information.

“When will this move be taking place?” Gen asked and then added, “Maybe I can help.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Hamilton said, narrowing his eyes at her. “We have all the arrangements in place and everything will be seamlessly moved tonight.”

Again, Gen sensed he was holding something back. She was, after all, the one who programmed Jude and Diabolos and knew all the ways people were hiding things and being untruthful. She just didn’t know what the Director of Security for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art was lying about or why. But she was definitely going to find out.

“Very well, then I’ll return once the collection is in place and help with identifying false information,” Gen said, diplomatically.

Scott enthusiastically clapped his hands together. “That would be lovely. Now how about we show you around and then you can hopefully consider our museum for some of the Smithsonian’s prized collections in the future.”

Gen clasped her hands behind her back. Nodded. And allowed the two men to lead her forward on a tour. She didn’t know what was going on behind the scenes of this museum, but she was going to find out. If the medieval artifacts were moving around tonight, Gen and Emperor would be on the scene to find out exactly what was happening.

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

WEAPONS, ARTIFACTS AND HIDDEN AGENDAS

Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, United States

From the rooftop, Gen’s eagle vision, enhanced by the chi of the dragon, made it so that she could see everything on the ground with pristine crispness. Even in the dark of the night, she easily made out the various unmarked vehicles that were lined up outside the backside of the western loading docks of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The men stationed around and charging into the open doors were clear in her vision. Not just them, but also the weapons they held and wore.

“Why do those men need those guns to move ancient medieval artifacts?” Gen asked, watching as the men on the ground looked around like they were moving something very sinister, rather than museum items.

“Maybe they are afraid they are going to conjure the spirits of a medieval warrior with a bad attitude who tries to chop their head off for talking out of turn,” Emperor offered, looking down at her from his perch beside her on the rooftop.

“I feel like you’re referring to me,” she said with a growl.

“Maybe I am,” the dragon said coyly, referencing a time in a bar in the 1400s when Gen got herself in a little trouble. Emperor had access to all of Gen’s memories once they magnetized to each other in 1420. Since then, nothing had been a secret from the dragon and he often used it as evidence against her.

“That was one time and that guy deserved it for not having manners,” Gen refuted. “And I didn’t chop any heads off. Just with my words and maybe I threw some fists, but he totally deserved it.”

“Did all of his mates as well?” Emperor countered, playfully.

“Well, they tried to defend him,” she argued.

“Against a girl, no less,” Emperor scoffed. “And when they thought they could simply hold you back and you turned it into a brawl, well things got out of hand didn’t they?”

“Sort of…” she replied, cutting her eyes to the side.

---