Taking an old compass and laying it carefully over the map Devin waited as the needle began to swish back and forth. While the needle began to slow down he took out his modern compass and watched the needle point towards the doorway where the older man was waiting. Devin couldn't hid his smile as he watched the compass on the map have its needle pointing almost 90 degrees south. As he dragged it down the map he was interrupted by the woman who had joined him down in the basement. 

Before he was able to explain that he was just a simple insurance auditor or some other position that made his actions make sense she leaned in close to him and whispered a small interview. Her breath could be felt on his ear and made a small tingle roll over his spine. He could see how close he was to getting the answers he needed from the map so he decided to work and talk at the same time. 

“The original map was actually drawn and made by Marco Polo. The people who recreated it weren’t privy to all the hidden information the original creator left on the map.” Devin played the pronoun game on purpose so as to peek the woman’s interest rather than get an abrupt obstacle appear in front of him. As he dragged the old compass down the map he was careful to lift it above the papyrus so the metal wouldn’t damage the map.

While the compass continued to point south Devin returned to telling his story. “Marco Polo’s journey was one of the most complete writings of a person traveling at the time. He wasn’t just sharing a story, but sharing the entire world with those back in Italy and the rest of Western Europe. Every stop, obstacle, person, animal, and plant was written about and even drawn in great detail except for a single stop. The last stop before he made before heading out on land via Jerusalem.”

Only recently had historians discovered that before that Marco Polo had traveled to Alexandra before making port in the Holy City. There was still a great debate over why this was left out and at times seemingly actively hidden from Polo’s journey and stories. Some believe that it was as simple as Polo leaving the city off due to it being a business trip for someone else on the boat. A minor detour before the true exploration began. Others have varying levels of conspiracy theories. 

“I am sure you heard about this. It was in all the peer review papers your boss seems keen on.” Devin gave a wave of his head over to the old man who was now looking over their way. Devin then saw the needle swing back north just as he passed it over the city of Alexandra.” The smile on his face wouldn’t be bigger even if he had just been given a million bucks. What he just found was worth more. He found validation. 

“Eccellente!” Devin exclaimed in Italian. He looked up at the woman and smiled again. “That feeling when you know you are on the right trail. Almost as good as sex.” He then reached up and kissed the woman square on the lips. “But I guess that depends on the partner. You have been a wonderful assistant…” Devin realized he didn’t know the woman’s name. “Anyways I need to get to Alexandra. You know the best way to the airport?” Devin was already packing his bag up and getting ready to leave.

“Looks like everything here is checking out. Not that we thought there was anything shady going on. You obviously have the best in the business looking over everything.” Devin looked back at the women and then started to make his way to the door.