The old man looked out of his window as the dark clouds covered the whole sky. Like an indication that it might rain anytime. The clouds may start pouring―People are rushing over to reach a safe as they do not want to get drenched in rain.

He chuckled as a memory of him in his twenties started playing in his mind. "Time flew away and didn't know how it flew away..."

He took his cigar and took a long puff of it as he enjoyed the tobacco. The young man standing in the room with the documents in his hands watched the old man silently.

He observed as the old man smoked while he looked out of the window with his mind being somewhere else. The young man looked at the old antic clock and then at the door.

'They have to be here.'

'Why aren't they here yet? Do I have to make a call?'

The young man's mind was now filled with questions. He shifted on his legs and was about to make a call when there was a knock on the door.

The old man didn't care as he focused his senses on remembering the memories. The young man stood up straight and cleared his throat.

"Mr Thompson, they are here," the young man spoke.

The old man placed the remaining cigar into the ashtray, turned his head and looked at the young man. "Arthur, do we have to meet them?"

The young man who was named after his late father gave a nod. "Yes, Mr Thompson. We have to meet them in person."

The old man sighed. "I do not want to meet anyone. Why don't you hand the documents over and explain them?"

"Mr Thompson, it is very important that you meet them and have a conversation before they leave. No one would make them understand the importance of these documents more than you. I would like you to calm down and have a conversation with them."

"They have personally agreed on this. It would be good if you met them before they leave," Arthur said.

The old man nodded his head and stood up from his chair. "You have your seat here, I will invite them inside," Arthur said.

"Hmm." Arthur placed the documents on the vintage table and went over to where Thompson stood and helped him sit on the big sofa chair. Arthur helped Thompson pat down his suit as the people who came to meet him waited for him outside.

"Mr Evans, how long should we be waiting?" Joel asked.

Mr Evans looked at Joel. "As you heard the lady downstairs, it will take some time to meet Mr Thompson. We have to wait here patiently," Mr Evans spoke.

"As you say, Mr Evans," Joel said and stood behind Mr Evans. With them joined Nyra, who was looking at the ceiling of the palace.

"Mr Thompson belonged to the Royal family?" Nyra questioned.

"Yes, Mr Thompson belongs to the Royal family. His family served as British officers and were a part of the establishment of the East India Company," Mr Evans said.

"I believed that Mr Thompson was an archaeologist," Joel said.

"He was and is an archaeologist. Mr Thompson was interested in history and research into the human past. He became one of the renowned archaeologists of our time," Mr Evans said.

Mr Evans is in his fifties and Joel and Nyra are his assistants. They were his students and when he retired as a professor. He hired his best students into his team and now they are on important research.

Arthur made sure that Mr Thompson was sitting properly before he went over to open the huge old doors made of timber wood.

Joel and Nyra waited outside as they let Mr Evans walk first. When Mr Evans stepped into the room, Joel and Nyra followed behind.

"Mr Thompson is waiting," Arthur said. Mr Evans nodded his head.

Arthur showed them where Mr Thompson was. They wandered towards where Mr Thompson sat. Nyra and Joel silently shared a look before looking around. The study room of Mr Thompson is impressive.

"Good morning, Mr Thompson. How you do?" Mr Evans asked politely before bowing his head in respect.

Mr Thompson nodded his head at Mr Evans. "Good, Mr Evans. Have a seat."

Mr Evans took his seat and looked at his assistants. Nyra and Joel took their seats after Mr Evans and Arthur stood behind Mr Thompson's chair.

"When is your team leaving London?" Mr Thompson questioned.

"We will be leaving on Tuesday, Mr Thompson," Mr Evans replied.

Mr Thompson nodded his head. He looked at Arthur and Arthur handed the documents in the file to Mr Evans. "These are the only documents we were able to recover. There isn't much to study there but they are important as there are a few proofs. You will be able to use them," Mr Thompson said.

He sighed as memories started playing in his mind. "I― personally worked on this project for years."

Mr Thompson looked at Mr Evans. He shook his head. "I failed in finding the truth. There―"

"There was a lot of involvement from the government. Maybe it was one of the reasons, why my team and I failed."

Mr Evans's brows frowned in confusion. "Involvement of government?"

Mr Thompson nodded his head. "Involvement of government means involvement of the mass media, publishing the news and alerting them."

Mr Evans nodded his head, understanding Mr Thompson's words. Mr Thompson glanced at the documents before closing his eyes.

"To the world, it's a mysterious project. Most of them have forgotten about it." Mr Thompson chuckled.

"It's been thirty-five years already and why would the world remember something old? I want you to work on this privately. I do not want the world or anyone to know about this... Work in silence and give me the information."

"Arthur will give you the details of your stay and the people who are going to help you."

"Yes, Mr Thompson."

Mr Thompson nodded his head. "I have trust in you, Mr Evans. It doesn't matter if we find anything in this research. But keep in mind that it shouldn't meet the eyes of the government and media. I do not want it to be a political or national issue. It is personal and it has to be kept as personal."

"We will take care of everything. If you have any issues over there, please do contact me. I will be taking care of it. Every week we will be having a conference call and Mr Thompson will be there," Arthur said, giving the further files.

Joel took the files from Arthur. "Are they your team members?" Arthur asked.

"Yes, they are my assistants," Mr Evans replied.

"Hello, sir. I'm Joel Bhatt," Joel said.

"Hello, sir. I'm Nyra Khole," Nyra said. Mr Thompson nodded his head in acknowledgement.

"Mr Thompson, we are a team of six members. We have three juniors under us who will be helping with this project," Mr Evans said.

"Okay."

They spoke for an hour, Mr Thompson explained the documents and about the village where they were going to stay and live for a year. Mr Evans pointed out his doubts and questions while Nyra recorded the information on her audio and video recorder.

When the meeting ended, Mr Evans left Thompson's residence with the documents. Joel took the driving seat while Mr Evans took the backseat. Nyra took the passenger seat.

"Have you two found the photographer yet?" Mr Evans asked.

Nyra looked at Joel. "We haven't, no one has been ready to work with us for a year. They are agreeing for one month but not more than a year."

"We only have one day. We need to find a photographer who would be okay with the project."

"Mr Evans, they are not ready to work with us without knowing any details. We have been on search but all the archaeology photography graduates have been signed up for other projects. Without knowing any details of the project, they don't want to be a part of it," Nyra said.

She opened her iPad and went through the list of photographers. She turned around and handed the iPad to Mr Evans.

Mr Evans went through the list and signed. "What are we going to do now? We need a photographer at any cost. Mr Thompson is ready to pay for all the expenses but we need a photographer."

Joel thought about it. "Mr Evans, there is one person."

"Who?"

"She was an archaeology student but left when she was in her second year and pursued her passion in photography. Now she is a travel photographer and she knows about our work," Joel explained.

"Then what is the problem? Why didn't you two contact her?" Mr Evans asked.

"We did, Mr Evans, but," Nyra said.

"But?"

"She is charging sixty thousand dollars, she is ready to do the job done and be with us for a year. But our budget for a photographer is forty thousand dollars," Nyra explained.

"Is she ready to move with us? To wherever we are going without asking any questions?" Mr Evans asked.

"Yes, she is not bothered with the information we provided. She asked about the team and how long we are going to work together and about the contract."

"Hmm."

Mr Evans thought about it. "Will we be able to have a conference call with her?" Mr Evans asked.

Nyra and Joel looked at each other before nodding their heads. "We got her on a conference call. We will contact her as soon as we reach the office," Nyra said.

"Okay."

"Are others ready? I don't want them to miss the flight," Mr Evans said.

"Yes, Mr Evans. Everyone is ready and they will be meeting us at the airport."

Mr Evans sighed and leaned back in his seat. "This is an important project. Mr Thompson is an important person and we cannot ignore this project... Get the photographer on board, we will pay her twice, but I need her on board."

"Yes, Mr Evans."

Nyra took her iPad and started going through the emails to find the woman's details and contact number. They need to get her and have a conference call.

Joel and Nyra dropped Mr Evans at his residence before they left for the office. It took them a while but they reached their old office.

"Did you write her an email?" Joel asked.

"Yes I did, but no response."

"Contact her at her number," Joel said.

"On it but switched off."

"Find her on social media"

"Yeah." Joel pulled out his phone and searched for her on Instagram. "I messaged her on Instagram but I didn't think she would be responding soon."

"Yes, I will text her as well."

"Do we have any alternative number for her?" Nyra asked.

"No, she only mentioned her business number and there is no alternative number mentioned."

Nyra went through her Instagram stories. "Her last story was at Little Buddha cafe."

"Little Buddha cafe?"

Joel opened her stories and signed. "God..."

"She is in Rishikesh," Nyra said, closing her eyes.

"It would be hard to reach her," Joel said.

"We cannot miss her. We got one day, we need to reach her and convince her to join the team," Nyra said.

"Do you think she will be flying from India to here? To join the team? I don't think so," Joel said.

"I know India is far but we could try our luck. First, we need to have a conversation with her before we come to a conclusion," Nyra said.

"As you say..." Joel placed the phone down and opened his laptop.

"She is active on other social media apps."

"Hmm."

Together they stayed back late and tried to contact her. A number of calls, emails and messages on different social media apps were sent but still, they didn't get any response back.