Tarnished Armor
Part 157

Adam’s study. Adam is sitting at his desk with his laptop open and running. Liza is leaning over his shoulder.

Adam: Go over to the portrait hanging over the fireplace.

Liza goes over to the portrait.

Adam: Pull on the shelf underneath it.

Liza pulls on the shelf.

Adam: Harder. And press down while you’re pulling. Then duck.

Liza pulls harder and presses down.

Liza: I need to get back to the gym.

She gives a hard yank.

Adam: Duck.

Liza ducks down. The portrait swings away from the wall, revealing a safe.

Adam begins typing into the computer. He presses “enter.”

Adam: Here’s the combination. Go to the right three times until you’re back at 12.

Liza follows his instructions and begins twirling the dial.

Adam: Left twice to 9. Right three times to 26. Left once to 1.

There’s a click and the door to the safe swings open.

Liza: Bad combination. Too easy.

Adam: It’s worked so far. Reach into the safe. On the left-hand side, in back, there’s a metal box.

Liza pulls out the box.

Adam looks up.

Adam: That’s the one. Are you wearing your emerald bracelet?

Liza: Yes.

Adam: Take it off.

Liza: Why?

Adam: Liza.

Liza takes off her bracelet.

Liza: Just so you know, there will be no removal of clothing at the end of this.

Adam: Do you see where the three emeralds in the center join?

Liza: Yes.

Adam: Hold the bracelet facing down. Cup one hand underneath the three emeralds. And then twist the “Made in England” emblem twice to the right.

The emeralds swing away from the bracelet and something falls into Liza’s hand.

Liza holds up a key.

Adam: For the box.

Liza opens the box. There’s a computer disk inside.

Liza: Unbelievable. And you let me wear this thing? What if someone --

Adam: Liza. Bring me the disk.

Liza puts down the bracelet and the box, and brings the disk to Adam. She stands behind him. Adam inserts the disk into the computer.

Liza: Hacking?

Adam: Only to be done in extreme circumstances. Hello, Pine Valley Hospital. What was Jake’s password?

Liza mutters something.

Adam: What?

Liza: Priscilla.

Adam grunts, and types it into the computer. Then he enters a combination.

Liza: What are you doing?

Adam: This will take a few minutes. I’m hungry. Have you eaten?

Liza: Adam.

Adam: I’ll go get some food. We’ll still have enough time for me to explain when I get back.

Adam gets up and goes to the door. He opens the door. Then he turns to Liza.

Adam: Please don’t touch anything while I’m gone.

Adam leaves, shutting the door behind him.

Liza peers at the computer. Then she makes a face at the departed Adam.

 
Tarnished Armor Index
Part One Hundred and Fifty Six
Part One Hundred and Fifty Eight