Elsewhere

by Dean Koontz

He closed the book and pointed to the key to everything. “Maybe I should mix up a barrelful of cement right after dinner, sink that gismo in it, and take it out to sea.” “Bad idea, Dad. We might need it if that Falkirk guy comes around again. Remember?” “But we’re in way over our heads, Amity. We shouldn’t have this thing.” Bringing plates to the table, she said, “Have you wondered why Ed gave it to you?” “I’ve wondered until I’m sick of wondering.” “He liked you.” “So he pulls the pin on a hand grenade and gives it to me.” “The gismo isn’t that dangerous,” she said. “It’s more dangerous than a grenade.” “It’s his life’s work.” “His life’s work will get us killed.” “He couldn’t bring himself to destroy his life’s work. You can understand that.” Jeffy looked at her, his life’s work. Amity said, “So he trusted you to keep it safe.” “He shouldn’t have trusted me.” “He shouldn’t have trusted anyone else but you.”

Jeffy wants to understand 'the key to everything' but!!!??@#