Algorithm - Book 1 - The Medallion

Chapter 12

            Linda said, "I'm afraid that the police were here already. It looks like Herman is good friends with them."

            Adam asked, "Is that right?"

            Herman nodded while an incongruous smile slowly curled up his wrinkled cheeks, "Yes. Yes. The police were here. It seems someone reported a problem at the mine … clearly an error. Of course, I told them everything was fine."  He took a  deep breath and sighed. "You see, this place, this mine, belongs to me. And, you are the trespassers."

            Hedda interjected. "You know perfectly well you gave Ben and me permission to set up shop here. To do some diggin' in the River Slope. You know that!  So what are you gettin' on about?"

            Adam turned to Hedda. "You guys have been working this mine?"

            "A couple of years back, Ben came to the museum. He saw the gold rod that my husband had found. It turns out he were tryin' to track down the source of some coal deliveries to New Jersey just before the mine closed down. Once we figured that the coal probably came from the River Slope, he wanted to go explore it real bad. So, we made a deal with Herman here to do some investigatin'. Herman didn't appear to mind, as he was thinkin' about makin' this place a historical site."  She paused to look back at Herman and spat out, "Probably a tax write-off."

            Herman sat up a bit straighter. "So you see?  I have a perfectly legitimate reason to be here. It is you who have attacked me. Go ahead and call the police again, and see if they believe your wild story … your fabrications."

            Linda asked, "What about Herman's boys, the two who came after you in the breaker?"

            Adam spoke first. "We lost them. But I suspect they'll be on us any moment now."

            Ben said, "I think we should get out of here … the sooner the better. But Adam, what about your artifact?  Shouldn't we look for it?"

            "I think I know where it might be.  We can retrieve it later."

Ben walked over to the front door leading out to the parking area and looked out to see if the way was clear. "I'll take my car. You guys follow me in Adam's car. I know a place where we can stay tonight." 

Linda and Hedda made their way to the door as Ben scurried out. Adam lagged behind for a moment and yelled out to the door held ajar by Linda.

"I'll be there in a moment."

Herman looked on in frustration, barely keeping himself seated. Adam made his way back into the office area, walking over to the microwave perched atop a counter shelf. He opened the oven's door, reached in and pulled out his laptop. When Adam's hand emerged grasping a shiny gold disk, Herman gasped, "Mein Gott!"  He began to sputter, seemingly incapable of coherent thought. Adam waved the medallion at him. By the time Herman could put two words together, Adam was out the door.