Algorithm - Book 1 - The Medallion

Chapter 3

Adam was about to elaborate when the phone in the kitchen rang. He stood up and answered, then looked at Linda.

"It's George. He's frantic. Excuse me a moment."

Adam moved away from the kitchen table, leaving Linda and his mom to chat while he positioned himself outside the kitchen door to continue his conversation with George. After a few minutes he cradled the phone and sat down.

"George is beside himself. He was calling from McArdle. It was his lab that blew up and he's afraid that everything in there was destroyed … equipment and data, even data that collected last night. He's there now with the firemen trying to sort everything out."

Looking up at the kitchen ceiling, Linda responded, "What a mess. Thank goodness no one was hurt." After a moment, she added, "You could always analyze that thing again … somewhere else."

"I suppose you're right."

Actually, we found out quite a bit last night.

The photos were with his laptop, which, he just recalled, he left behind in the breakroom.

"Linda, I've got to go back. Back to the chemistry building, to get my laptop. I left it in the breakroom."

"You think there's a chance it didn't get destroyed? You could call George."

It was not so much the laptop that was of concern.

"Why don't you stay here with my mom. I should be back in a half-hour."

Before Linda could respond, Adam had fetched his windbreaker and was out the door.

Linda turned to his mother. "Is your son always so headstrong?"

Adam's mother calmly topped off Linda's coffee cup and replied, "He's a very focused person. If I've learned something over these many years it is that Adam has a way of seeing things that is unique, and when his mind wraps itself around something, nothing can stop him."

***

When Adam stepped out of his car, he winced at the acrid stench of smoke which had reached the parking lot.  There were several fire engines surrounding the chemistry building. People in red and yellow helmets were moving in and out of headlight beams. Some had gathered near their equipment while others rolled up firehose. The fire was out.

As he neared the entrance, someone yelled out. "Sir. Sir, you can't go in there yet!"

Adam turned to the approaching policeman. "But I just want to get to my laptop. It was on the first floor, in the breakroom."

"I'm sorry, sir. You'll need the fire marshal to clear you. They've got men inspecting on the second and third floors, and I think he's up there with them. You'll have to wait until he comes down."