The Answer of the Book Cipher (Day 2)

"Count the words?" you repeated again, making sure you heard right.

"That's correct. Count the words, my dear friend."

You counted the words from that passage. "There's 87... 87 total. How is that supposed to help us?"

Detective W sighed as he went through Professor Cho's books. "You're on the right track, my friend. Don't think about it too hard."

"Don't think about it too hard?" you muttered, thinking about what he said. Huh, what could he mean by that? Word count... word count... count the words? Wait a sec! Is this what he meant?!

You quickly grabbed your notepad from your backpack. "If word 1 is the... and word 2 is... amber... and 8 is reaching..."

You wrote down what you have found. "The, Amber, Reaching, All, Non-significant, The, Of."

"So, boss, what does this all mean?"

"You're so close, my friend. You have found seven words. You need another hint?"

You unabashedly answered, "Yes."

"Fine. Take the initial letter from each word." Detective W sounded a bit disappointed.

"Uh. So, it's... T... TA... Taranto?"

"That's it, my friend. Taranto it is."

Suddenly, you recalled the name. It was during a trip in elementary school, you remembered. "Ah! I know where it is! The Taranto Museum! That's the only place with the word Taranto in it!" you loudly exclaimed.

"Shh!" Ha-Eun harshly shushed you, and stomped on your foot. "Be quiet! Other people could be here, and they could eavesdrop on us! Calm down!"

"But, they all left already. No need to worry!" you retorted. You were correct. The only people in the room were you four. The will reader had also left.

"Taranto Museum?" Ha-joon asked, perplexed. "What is that place? I've never been there before."

Detective W closed the encyclopedia he was reading. "Ha-joon, do you know who Piero Taranto is?"

"Absolutely not," Ha-joon shook his head as he spoke.

"Piero Taranto was an Italian-American engineer who pioneered geothermal energy in the central part of Pennsylvania. That's how Owlsburgh became so wealthy. It was mostly due to his innovative usage of geothermal energy. He also tinkered with several other inventions in his life. So, when he died, people dedicated a museum to him," Detective W explained. "That's the Taranto museum-a museum primarily for showcasing science and technology."

"Oh... wow, that was a succinct explanation. Thanks, Detective W."

"My pleasure. So, Ha-Eun, Ha-joon, do you want to go to the museum right now? It's open on Sundays."

Ha-Eun instantly agreed. "We need to get to them before any other family members do! Let's go!"

They instantly left for the museum in Detective W's black SUV.

Unbeknownst to them, Ji-young was hiding in the closet next to library, listening to every word they said. "Huh... the Taranto Museum... you heard that, Signor Bartolo? Signor Bartolo?"

"Yes, Signora Ji-young. I heard you perfectly. So, the next hint is at the Taranto Museum." a deep, baritone voice replied.

"Yeah. You promised, right? If I were to give you $5,000,000 dollars, you will give me a happier life! Right?!"

"Yes, indeed, Signora. Ciao, Signora. I have other matters to attend to..."

The phone was cut off. Ji-young clenched her fists, opened the door, and punched the wall.

"I heard you... Ha-Eun, you sneaky little fox. You think you can get past Auntie with this? No way! In fact, you don't deserve anything! Just like your parents! Argh!"

She punched the wall one more time, and exited from Professor Cho's house. "Those little undeserving punks gonna get to it first?" Ji-young angrily grumbled as she got on her red, sleek sports car. "Not if I can help it!"

Day 2, END