Chapter 5: "A London Lead"

An upscale apartment in London, midday.

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Ethan's flight to London had been uneventful, giving him time to prepare for the encounter with Lord Gregory Whitmore. His mission was to confirm if the bronze disk mentioned in the 1984 auction was indeed part of the set they were seeking.

The upscale apartment was nestled in a quiet, affluent part of the city. Ethan stood before the grand entrance, double-checking the address on his phone. Satisfied, he pressed the doorbell and waited, mentally rehearsing his introduction.

The door swung open to reveal an older man with sharp eyes and a posture that spoke of military discipline. "Lord Whitmore?" Ethan asked, extending his hand.

"Yes. And you must be Detective Chase. Please, come in," Lord Whitmore replied, shaking Ethan's hand firmly.

Ethan stepped into the apartment, taking in the luxurious yet tasteful decor. Antique furniture, priceless paintings, and shelves lined with rare books hinted at the owner's refined tastes and wealth.

They settled in the sitting room, where Lord Whitmore offered tea. "I understand you’re interested in an old auction item," he said, cutting straight to the point.

Ethan nodded, appreciating the directness. "Yes, sir. Specifically, a bronze disk you purchased in 1984. We believe it might be part of a set of historical artifacts from the Renaissance period."

Lord Whitmore’s eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of curiosity and caution crossing his features. "It’s a fascinating piece, isn’t it? Though I must admit, it’s been sitting in my collection, largely forgotten."

"We believe these disks might hold a significant historical message, one that could shed light on certain Renaissance activities," Ethan explained. "We’re hoping to gather all five disks to decode the message."

Whitmore leaned back, his interest clearly piqued. "A historical message, you say? How intriguing. I’ve always been fascinated by history’s mysteries. Let me show you the disk."

He led Ethan to a small study where, amidst a collection of eclectic artifacts, the bronze disk sat on a wooden pedestal. The disk was remarkably similar to the one Luca had discovered, adorned with cryptic symbols and intricate engravings.

Ethan’s heart raced. "This is it," he said, carefully examining the disk. "Would you be willing to lend it to us? We’re working with experts who can decode it and hopefully reveal the full message."

Lord Whitmore pondered for a moment before nodding. "Yes, I believe I can help. But I want to be kept informed of your progress. This is as much my discovery as it is yours now."

"Of course," Ethan agreed, relieved by Whitmore’s cooperation. "We’ll keep you updated on everything we find."

Back in his hotel room, Ethan contacted Luca, Isabel, and Jamie via video call. He placed the disk carefully on the desk in front of him, the camera capturing its details.

"We’ve got it," Ethan announced, watching Luca’s face light up on the screen.

"That’s amazing!" Luca exclaimed. "It looks just like the one we have. We’re one step closer."

"Lord Whitmore has agreed to lend it to us," Ethan continued. "He’s interested in the historical significance and wants to stay involved."

Isabel nodded approvingly. "That’s good. Having him on our side might open more doors."

Jamie, who had been analyzing auction records and private collections from his end, added, "I’ve found another potential lead. There’s a collector in Paris who might have one of the disks. His collection is known for rare Renaissance artifacts."

"Looks like Paris is our next stop," Luca said, his voice tinged with excitement. "We’re building momentum."

They discussed logistics and formulated a plan to approach the Parisian collector. Jamie would continue his digital sleuthing to gather as much information as possible, while Ethan and Luca would travel to Paris.

As the call ended, Ethan couldn’t help but feel a sense of camaraderie and purpose. This quest was bringing them closer, their shared goal forging bonds and driving them forward.

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**Setting:** The following day, Ethan's return to Luca's apartment, late evening.

Ethan arrived back at Luca’s apartment, the disk carefully packed in his carry-on. The group was eager to examine it alongside the first disk. They spread their materials out on the dining table, the two disks at the center.

"This is incredible," Luca murmured, comparing the symbols on both disks. "Look at this—some of the symbols match, but others are different. It’s like they’re part of a larger puzzle."

Isabel took notes, her mind already whirring with possibilities. "If we can find the remaining disks, we might be able to piece together the full message."

Jamie chimed in, "And once we do, we need to figure out what it means. These symbols could have layers of meaning."

As they worked late into the night, a sense of progress and excitement permeated the room. They were no longer just theorizing; they were uncovering tangible pieces of history, each disk a step closer to unraveling a centuries-old mystery.

The journey was far from over, but with each discovery, they grew more determined. The shadows of the past were beginning to yield their secrets, and they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

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