The Tree of Knowledge, Daniel Miller [unputdownable books txt] 📗

really quite good,” said Turner. “In the vast majority of situations, I will be able to defeat my opponent and, normally, multiple opponents. Where I would have difficulty is against an enemy who was both younger than I am and well trained. For example, Sergeant Travis would be able to defeat me easily. Luckily, we have the Book Club on our side, so I don’t anticipate us having a problem.”

“How long are we going to hide from the police?”

“We’re not hiding from the police, Albert,” Turner snapped.

The professor pulled the Buick over to the shoulder of the road, shifted the car into neutral, and looked out the driver’s side window. His sudden change in demeanor shook Albert and Ying.

“I’m afraid I haven’t been completely honest with both of you. I was trying to protect you, but . . . Albert . . . the people who hold my journal hold the key to absolute power. Do you understand? Absolute power. Fortunately, they haven’t been able to decipher it yet. The only reason you and I are alive right now is because for some reason they decided that they wanted us alive. But at some point, that will change, and when that day comes, I won’t be able to stop them alone, and neither will the police. And if they are coming for me, then that means they are coming for you, and there will be no classroom, no place that will be safe from them. Our only hope is for you two to lay low out here with us while we figure out how to get that book back and clear your name.

“If you stay close and keep an open mind, you might learn something.”

Chapter 7

It’ll all be over soon, thought Eva as she opened the door to the underground R&D lab. Eva loathed the “code lab,” as they called it. Deep under the ground and completely absent of natural light, the code lab echoed confinement and isolation, two of Eva’s least favorite words. The woman in the black pinstripe suit made sure to take shallow breaths through her mouth to prevent the dank, musty smell from seeping into her nostrils. As she walked along the cold, rugged cement floor and approached the two men in front of her, she attempted to mask her scowl.

Eva nodded at the pale, gaunt, craggy military man and the corpulent scientist in front of her. “General . . . Dr. Belial . . . how are you?”

“I would be better if the burglary at Princeton weren’t front-page news,” said the scientist in his nasal lisp. Every movement the cryptographer made, from his heavy nose breathing to the sweat under his double chin, screamed of ill health. Eva found this deeply unappealing and representative of a profound character flaw. That Belial was willing to levy criticism at everyone but himself heightened her disdain.

“You let me worry about the issue with the police, Doctor. You worry about cracking that code,” snarled Eva.

“Yes, Doctor,” growled the general. “Give us a summary of your progress.”

The code-breaker snorted as if reporting on progress were somehow beneath him, but then continued in his sardonic manner. “Well, thanks to the fine work of Ms. Fix here, we now have the book that we need. Unfortunately, it is written in an extremely complex cipher. I can solve it—if I don’t get any more interruptions from detectives.” He paused and threw a smug gaze at Eva and the general. “However, I have grave concerns about moving forward with this project due to all of the public scrutiny.”

“What did you just say?” countered Eva, her voice reaching a crescendo.

Once again, the general intervened. “What are you getting at, Doctor?”

“Well, the whole point of us stealing the book was so that nobody could trace it back to us, but now, because of Ms. Fix’s bumbling, people know. In addition, it’s difficult to solve the cipher unless I have the whole book. You’ve given me a mere five pages.”

“Doctor, I appreciate your concerns, but the only people that know of the theft of the Tree are the people in this room, an overmatched police officer in Princeton, and a couple of fugitives who will be behind bars or dead shortly. I assure you, everything is well in hand. As far as the book is concerned, five pages will have to do. The full text is far too sensitive to share and will remain in my safekeeping for now.”

The large, lizard-like scientist with the patchy hair adjusted his tie. “I don’t know, General,” he said, rubbing his scaly hands in overly dramatic fashion. “Maybe if my compensation for this project weren’t so limited, I could take the risk.”

Eva crossed her arms to prevent them from reaching out and choking the scientist.

The general smiled a shallow, yellow-toothed grin, and his eyes glittered. “Ah, so that’s what this is about . . . Money . . . You want more money?”

“It might help grease the wheels,” said Belial, now slightly unnerved by the general’s grin.

“Well, you have completed most of the job, correct? I mean, you know what type of cipher it is, right?”

The scientist nodded his head and began rubbing his hands.

In an instant, the general’s smile vanished, and he reached into his military jacket to produce a black service revolver. “Then what do we need you for?”

The general held the revolver up to the scientist’s temple and discharged a single shot.

The crack echoed throughout the subterranean laboratory and was followed by the sickening sound of the scientist’s body crashing against the cement.

Eva flinched from the specks of blood flecking her face, then stood motionless. No decision tree would produce this result. This was madness.

The general placed his pistol in his holster and moved his tall, steely frame toward the exit of the code lab. The staff watched his every move in horror. As he passed Eva, he put his arm around her shoulder, guiding her to walk with him. She could feel the weight of his bones around her neck. The general ate very