Town Secrets - The Book of Adam 1 Page 13

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  They all took seats around the small rectangular coffee table, with Adam across from Mark. Adam started telling the story, with Jimmy and Kevin filling in the holes and providing small skits of live-action replay. Mark was so intent on the story that he forgot he had a soft drink in his hand.

  When they finished telling the story, they sat in silence for a while. Recounting the events brought out their curiosity as they thought about the previous night.

  "Wow! That's all I can say." Mark looked at each of them in turn, breaking the silence. "I'm not sure if I'm happy or mad that I missed being there!" He sipped his drink for the first time since the story started.

  "Adam and I were thinking, Jimmy, that we can't keep having you borrow the keys from your mom. You might get caught," Jimmy was nodding in agreement as Kevin continued, "so, we want to make a copy of the key."

  Jimmy's nodding in agreement turned to head shaking in disagreement halfway through the sentence. "No way. That was way too close last night." He folded his arms in weak defiance.

  Adam and Kevin looked at each other. They knew Jimmy was just as curious as they were, but Jimmy sensed an opportunity to get something out of his friends.

  "Don't try and tell us you aren't bursting with curiosity after last night?” asked Adam.

  "Of course I'm curious, but I'll be grounded for the rest of my life if I get caught. I actually do want a girlfriend someday! You have to be able to leave the house for that." The politician side of Jimmy came out, trying to minimize the bad press if he got caught doing wrong.

  "Ok, we understand," said Adam. "How about this; if you get caught, we'll swear to everyone that we forced you to come along with us. Kevin threatened to crush you, and I said you might have an 'accident' riding your bike. Will that do?" Kevin looked hurt that he was being positioned as mean.

  Jimmy was thinking it over. "Just one more time?"

  "Yep,” said Adam.

  "Deal." Jimmy looked pleased.

  "Do you think you can get it today?" asked Adam.

  Jimmy cringed a little. "I'll try. Town Hall is open every second Saturday, but not today, so Mom's at home.”

  Adam looked confused. “Yesterday Jeff said your mom was working today.”

  Jimmy laughed. “If it wasn’t for my mom, Jeff wouldn’t know what day of the week it is. She wasn’t there yesterday, and Jeff never comes in on a Saturday during work hours, so he has no clue.”

  Adam seemed satisfied with the answer. “If she’s at home, won’t that make it tough to get the keys?” he asked.

  “She always goes out for groceries on her Saturday off. Usually around 10 or 11 am. That’ll give us about half an hour."

  "That would work. The hardware store is only a block from your house, so we can do it quick. Does anyone have any money to pay for it?" Adam asked, slightly embarrassed.

  The others emptied their pockets and came up with a few dollars.

  "Are we planning on going back in tonight?" asked Mark. The others nodded yes. "Ok. I'll get a couple of good flashlights."

  "I want to get in at least an hour earlier tonight. I know it's still light out, but we want to get everyone home in time for their curfews," said Adam.

  There was general consensus in the group.

  "We're going to check the files tonight. Wandering through the tunnels will likely get us lost, or caught. We need to find some information about the symbol and why the town and tunnels were built. Hopefully something will tell us what is going on around here," added Adam.

  "Can I take a look at the pin?" asked Jimmy, "I haven't had a good look at it yet."

  Adam placed the pin on the table and Jimmy picked it up.

  Adam continued, "I think that we should have a lookout at the top of the stairs just-in-case someone comes in Town Hall. Just a precaution. The other 3 can go through the files without worrying that someone is sneaking up on them." Adam was remembering Jeff's surprise earlier.

  "I'll be the lookout," said Kevin before anyone else. "I’d rather do that than look through paperwork."

  "Buuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrp.........," Mark let out a deafening belch, then slammed down the empty Coke can.

  "Gross," said Jimmy, "I think I saw chunks of your breakfast fly out!"

  Mark grinned, happy with himself.

  "Here's your pin back," said Jimmy as he placed it on the table.

  As soon as he set it down, the Coke can flew across the table and stuck to the pin.

  CHAPTER TEN