Read The Cypher for Free Online Page A

happy retirement. You also suffer from diabetes, mild arthritis, and have a piece of shrapnel lodged in your hip, hence, the Purple Heart and your slight limp. You are seventy two years old, with a firm but also fair character and the constitution of a strong ox.”
    Thomas’s mouth was agape. He was astounded at this information. He knew about the medal, but his grandfather had never said anything about a piece of shrapnel in his hip.
    The Doctor continued, “You are the perfect candidate for the job of Overseer in Accounting. You will keep all the other employees in check and honest.”
    “Uhm…Doctor Franco,” Morgan began, but the Doctor interrupted while enumerating with his right hand.
    “Great salary, benefits, three weeks paid vacation a year, and flexible hours. With this job you can secure your and Thomas’s future.” He finished very quickly and extended a hand that Morgan gripped out of reflex.
    Thomas wondered how the Doctor had learned so much about his grandfather in less than two hours. Doctor Franco had just told grandpa word-for-word the dream job he had joked about getting weeks before. In that same conversation, Thomas told his grandfather that he would look for a job in a burger joint to pay for his Tae Kwon Do classes.
    The doctor turned to Thomas. “And you, Thomas,” he said, “you’re almost sixteen-years-old, intelligent, perceptive, already one grade away from earning your black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and, most importantly, you solved the Atheliol. That alone makes you a perfect candidate for the Assistant Librarian job.”
    “What’s an Atheliol?” Morgan asked.
    “The puzzle I told you about,” Thomas said.
    “Incredibly complex,” the Doctor added. “Most people abandon it after a couple of months, but Thomas solved it in almost record time.”
    “And that’s enough qualification?” Morgan shrugged.
    “Way more than enough.”
    The job as Assistant Librarian was something Thomas had never contemplated. It was supposed to be for his grandfather. It was probably better than flipping burgers and maybe even paid more, though.
    “The position I’m offering you, Thomas, could very well be the most incredible job of your life. You’ll learn so much that your previous everyday activities will seem ordinary. The pay is also better than most other jobs for a teenager.” Again, Doctor Franco seemed to read his thoughts.
    “We need to think about this,” Morgan said. He glanced at Thomas and knew that face – the furrowed brow, tight lips. Thomas was contemplating and having doubts.
    “Of course! Please do,” Franco paused. “The jobs are not contingent upon you both accepting at the same time, but,” he lifted a finger, “it’s so difficult to find qualified candidates for these positions that I’d prefer that you started the same day, meaning tomorrow.”
    As soon as the Doctor finished, there was a knock at the door.
    The Doctor smiled. “Could you open the door, Thomas? That’s my assistant with some paperwork you’ll need to fill out.” The Doctor motioned with his hands toward the door and Thomas stood up grudgingly.
    When he opened the door, an incredibly beautiful blond girl stood there carrying a leather briefcase. Her eyes were the most intense green Thomas had ever seen, and she was just a little taller than him. She was dressed in an elegant black dress and wore a beautiful necklace and bracelet to match, her shiny blond hair reached all the way over her shoulders. He was dumbstruck for a second too long.
    “May I?” she asked with a smile.
    Thomas recognized her voice and realized that she was the girl who’d answered his first phone call. “Yeah, sure. Come on in,” he blurted.
    “This is my assistant, Tasha,” the Doctor said as they stood up to greet her. “Tasha, Morgan and Thomas Byrne.”
    “Pleased to meet you,” Tasha said extending a hand which Thomas held for just another second too long.
    Thomas could still feel the softness of her hand