condensed master

Will Bonner
end of the sitting-room that opened into a small walk-in closet.
"In here then?"
"Wrong again." He flicked on the light switch and then a second switch
alongside, which appeared to do nothing. He pointed to it. "That switch releases
the mechanism that holds the safe cover in place, but there's more yet."
It was becoming painfully apparent that Mr. Garner had gone to extreme
lengths to protect the safe from being burgled. There's got to be vital information
in there! They moved back into the sitting-room and Paul pushed on a section of
the oak panelling and the whole section opened up, revealing a six foot by four
foot movie screen. Paul turned and smiled as Will gasped, but still no safe. Pushing
on the lower edge of the screen caused it to pivot at the centre and there it was -
a small recessed wall safe!
Will had, up to now, been totally absorbed in the process of getting to the safe
but now he suddenly felt vulnerable. He quickly glanced across at the viewing
window and felt as though he was standing in the window of a city store. His only
desire was to get the hell out of there and his attention quickly centred on the safe.
The size indicated it's use for small valuable items which could include highly
sensitive documents. The final shock though was the presence of not one, but two
magnetic devices. One over the tumblers, the other positioned to prevent the
locking handle from being turned. Will's heart sank until he took a closer look. He
recognized the workmanship. These devices represented the analogy of a landmine
waiting to be triggered. There was no need for further inspection. They were the
invention and manufacture of Maxwell Scrieber. He knew Max, and had worked
with him on security devices in the past. A visit to Maxwell's Electronic laboratory
was going to be essential.
"Do you know the combination, Paul?"
"No."
"Have you seen what's inside this safe?"
"Yes, quite recently, but not close up. Dad happened to be putting some
papers back in one evening when I walked into the room. All the family know of
the safe but only Dad knows the combination."
"It just contains papers then? No money or jewellery?"
"Yes, only papers."
There was no doubt in Will's mind that this was what Margaret was looking
334