Algorithm - Book 1 - The Medallion

Chapter 4

The same clipping I received in the mail yesterday.

There was a note here as well, but instead of a number or a question mark there was a marker-inked message: "See Old Flora."  

That name was familiar. Why was it posted near the Mrs. Culp story? 

As Adam collected his thoughts, it occurred to him that there might be a phone in the doctor's office. Although the office entrance was around the other side of the house, he was sure there was an inner access from the living quarters. He found it almost immediately, stepping into an unlit hallway leading to the holding rooms, as he used to refer to them as a child. He felt his way along, moving slowly toward a suggestion of light at the far end, near where he supposed the office might be. Hitting the wall switch at the end of the hall fired up a sputtering fluorescent ring, animated by a distinct, but uneven hum. Adam approached the desk beneath it, outlined in a surreal and continuous cacophony of flickering light. He saw the washboard shape of the fluoroscope in a corner off to the side.

That's Old Flora!

A rapping at the backdoor interrupted the almost mesmerizing, spastic humming. A shrill female voice followed. "Ben! Are you in there?"  

His head began aching again. Adam heard the aluminum storm door creak open and a further knocking. He couldn't see the visitor, but called back. "Hello there. I'm a friend of Ben's. Wait a moment, I'll come to the door."  

When Adam reached the kitchen area, he found the backdoor ajar, but there was no one in sight. A few steps took him outside, where he found the backyard empty. The garage was still open. He called out, but with no effect. Thinking that the visitor may have gone to the garage where she was about to discover Ben's body, Adam jogged over there but found no one. He was about to turn back toward the house when the hairs on the back of his neck suddenly stood tall. He stopped. He felt a light coat of sweat on his forehead even before he was consciously aware of the cause. It was something he saw in the garage.

Something was out of place.

He stood in the middle of the driveway staring at the car, reviewing the scene in miniscule detail. The sun had dipped behind the trees surrounding the property, leaving the interior of the garage shadowed, making it difficult to see details. As his eyes adjusted, he caught the discrepancy and his heart shifted a few gears. The driver side door of the VW was ajar.

I know I shut that door.

He remembered being careful when he reached in through the partially open side window. He was sure that the door had been closed.

Damned sure.

Someone had been here. Adam moved in for a closer look, and nearly jumped out of his shoes. The body was gone. His head started pounding.

It took an enormous effort to control his breathing and calm down. He stared at the empty seat in disbelief. A sickening, nervous feeling began its upward trek from stomach to head. He glanced into the garage and back again to the empty seat to confirm that his eyes weren't playing tricks on him. Then he noticed that the car keys were gone too. The panic light was on and he vaulted from the garage. He sprinted back to the house.