Algorithm - Book 1 - The Medallion

Chapter 11

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Herman straightened himself up and crossed his legs. His right hand slipped into a jacket pocket to cradle his Luger. It was all that he had left of his war time mentor. Ludwig had always referred to it as his Parabellum, from the Latin, 'Si vis pacem, para bellum,' – if you want peace, prepare for war. Holding the weapon in his pocket was a personal habit, as it connected Herman to better times and gave him a deep sense of confidence. He looked up at the two uniformed visitors entering the office.

"Good day. How can I help you?"

The police officers took off their caps and stared at Herman in surprise. The lead officer, a sergeant, spoke up first. "We are so sorry for the intrusion, Mr. Borman, but we received a call that there was a problem at the mine." 

He gave his partner a furtive sideways glance and rolled his eyes up in a secretive look of shared embarrassment. Herman recognized the man and managed a pleasant smile.

"A call?  Perhaps there was some confusion. There is no problem here officers. Can you tell me more about this problem?"

The sergeant held his cap in both hands, and responded in a quieter tone. "Well, it would appear that someone may be playing a prank. According to the dispatcher, someone was chasing a group of people here at the mine. It sounded serious, so we came to investigate."

"Hah!" Herman guffawed. "I've been napping here for the last hour or so, you fellows just woke me. I know of no chase. Everything in fact is very quiet."

"It's a matter of formality, Mr. Borman, but I need to ask you, why you are here?"

Herman's advanced years had no effect on the quickness of his mind. "I've invited a few friends to tour the mine this afternoon."

"So, that explains the cars parked outside?"

"Why, yes. They followed my limousine here. My assistants, Steve and Paul, have volunteered as tour guides."

"And who exactly are your guests?"

Herman was careful on this point. "You know Hedda, from the museum?"

Both officers nodded.

"And, Ben Wuicjak?"

"Her boyfriend?" The two officers snickered.

"Hedda and Ben, and two out of town visitors from SchillUniversity are at this moment in the midst of a walking tour of the colliery." 

Herman unconsciously increased his grip on the Luger as he continued. "If you would like, we can go out and try to find them."

The officers looked at each other and shrugged. Borman was a pillar of the community. His history with the River Slope Mine had deep roots, and even the officers knew of him through stories told by their parents. After the flood of 1959, Herman had made Pittston his home. In the intervening years he had become a successful businessman first specializing in mining equipment and clothing, and eventually branching out into outdoor supplies for campers and hunters. His business enterprises had provided jobs for many miners displaced by the collapsing coal mining economy. After the River Slope Mine had declared bankruptcy several decades ago, Herman managed to quietly purchase the land. He had considered preserving it as a testament to local mining history, but was more interested in what might be buried in its inner reaches. To this end, he had provided funding for the maintenance of the mining museum and the research Ben and Hedda were conducting. Hidden behind a philanthropic corporate sponsorship, the real source of the funds remained undisclosed.