“I guess.” Isaac twisted to catch a final glimpse of Wrocław Główny, watching as it rapidly faded into the background of the cityscape. No sign of their pursuer. He turned to face Tommy again. “What just happened back there?”

The agent’s shoulders rose and fell in rapid succession as she slowly caught her breath.

“Uncertain.” The word rebounded off the windshield as she remained focused forward, hands on the wheel. Driving a self-driving car? Seemed like a convenient way of avoiding a real answer.

“Care to elaborate?”

“No.”

A frown tugged Isaac’s lips down. Was she always this succinct? “Hey, if you want my help, you need to do better than that.”

Tommy remained silent, turning the vehicle restlessly chill.

The X5 continued its departure out of the city of Wrocław and into the surrounding fallow farmlands, dotted only by the occasional winter crop.

Eventually four lanes of traffic transitioned into two.

“Might I recommend an exchange of information,” an all too familiar British voice chimed in. “It would certainly save us quite a bit of time, not to mention my petrol.” The last word received extra emphasis.

A soft sigh escaped Tommy’s lips. “What do you know about Project Midas?” she finally asked, still speaking to the windshield.

“Eh?” Isaac shifted uncomfortably at the point-blank question. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“Sole reason why you are here.”

“Sorry.” He shrugged. “I can’t help you with something I know nothing about.”

The agent looked into the rear-view mirror, finally making eye contact. “What can you tell me about Max Hemmerlin?”

An audible chime sounded within the X5. “MaximilianHemmerlin. Renowned GermanPhysicist. ConsideredDuringHisTimeAsOneOfTheGreatestMindsIn Quant-”

“Thank you,” Tommy interjected, cutting the Brit off. She huffed. “Professor?”

Isaac offered yet another shrug. “Unfortunately, there’s not much to say. Growing up I only knew him as having a severe form of dementia. He passed away when I was twelve.”

“Did he ever mention Midas?”

“No. You see, conversations with my grandfather weren’t really conversations. Instead he spoke in a combination of German and English gibberish most of the time. Phrases mostly.”

“Recall any?”

“Umm… eine schachtel mit steinen? And würstchen haben flügel? If I said those correctly.” He shook his head slowly, remembering them only because of their absurdity. “Just those two.” Isaac intertwined his fingers while looking down at the center console. “Anyhow, things were always difficult, so I didn’t spend much time with him. It’s a shame someone has to go like that.”

“It-”

“Caution,” the X5 interrupted. “Detecting abnormal driving behavior.”

“I see it.”

Tommy pointed to the rear-view mirror. Isaac twisted around to look out the rear hatch glass.

Behind them a white van weaved through traffic like a salmon intent on home, dangerously ducking in and out of the oncoming stream in an effort to close the gap. At its current distance he couldn’t make out any other distinguishing features.

Given its rapid approach though, it wouldn’t take long before he could count the number of bugs on its grill.

“Is that a problem?”

“Depends.”