The Curiosity Machine by Richard Newsome Page B

continued, ‘plans that you found in the cellars under the Billionaire’s Club.’
    â€˜For the curiosity machine?’ Gerald said. He was tired of Sir Mason Green’s mannered riddling. It was time to talk turkey.
    Green flinched—only a twitch at the corner of the mouth but enough to let Gerald know that he had scored a point.
    â€˜How stupid do you think I am?’ Gerald said. ‘I know you want those plans, and what’s more’—he straightened his back to sit as tall as he could—‘I know why you want them.’ Gerald did not have the first clue why Mason Green wanted the plans. But the impact that his words had on the man on the other side of the television screen showed the depth of Green’s desire.
    â€˜How could you possibly know?’ Green blustered. ‘That machine has been shrouded in mystery for centuries. We only completed the final translation describing its full purpose from the Voynich manuscript a few months ago.’
    Gerald knew he was in treacherous waters. He decided to swim on. ‘It was King Rudolph’s greatesttreasure,’ he bluffed, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. ‘And we all know what he valued the most.’ Gerald paused, hoping for Green to fill in the gaps.
    Sir Mason lifted his chin and took in a slow breath. ‘For one still so young, you continue to impress. As you have somehow stumbled on the secret that lies behind the curiosity machine I hardly need tell you of its worth.’
    Gerald blinked. How long could he keep this up?
    â€˜Nor of the danger it poses if it falls into the wrong hands,’ Green continued.
    â€˜And you’re the right hands, are you?’ Gerald said.
    Green narrowed his eyes. ‘I’m the most reliable hands, if you get my meaning.’
    Gerald nodded. He had no idea what Sir Mason Green was talking about.
    â€˜If it’s in my hands, I can promise that lives will be saved. Many, many lives.’ Green lifted his eyes and glanced at a point somewhere off-screen. He dropped his voice low. ‘Not everyone can make the same claim. You do understand the potential the machine holds?’
    A light sweat bloomed on Gerald’s forehead. ‘Massive potential,’ he said, trying to sound confident. ‘Just so much…potential.’
    â€˜Precisely,’ Green said. ‘I’m glad that we agree on that score, and that I am the logical choice of person to take possession of the plans.’
    Gerald tilted his head. ‘What gives you that idea?’ he said. ‘You’re the last person I would trust.’
    The shadows under Green’s eyes lengthened, casting his face in a cadaverous scowl. ‘You will deliver the plans to me,’ he said, ‘or I will kill Professor McElderry.’
    Gerald shrugged. ‘Do what you want,’ he said. ‘I tried to save him and he didn’t want to be rescued, so the professor has made his choice as far as I’m concerned.’ Gerald hoped Mason Green couldn’t see his knees shaking under the sheets.
    There was a moment of tense silence, broken by Green. ‘Well done, Gerald,’ he said. ‘You have seen though my hollow bluff. McElderry still has important work to complete here so he will be the last person I kill. Frankly, I’m surprised the whole threaten-to-kill routine has got me this far. You leave me no other option than to take our negotiations to the next level.’
    Gerald swallowed. There was a level above killing someone? ‘What do you mean?’ he asked.
    Sir Mason smiled a greedy smile. ‘Money,’ he said. ‘I’m going to offer you an unimaginable sum of money.’
    â€˜I’ve already got an unimaginable sum of money,’ Gerald said. ‘Like, heaps of the stuff. More than I know what to do with.’
    The smirk returned to Green’s lips. ‘Your billions will pale to insignificance when you hear my