“That makes so much sense now. I am really getting turned on by your amazing detective skills.”
With a quick kiss on her lips, I replied, “I have more skills than just detective work. Mostly in the bedroom.”
“Now that is just mean. We’re in the middle of a library, and you’re talking dirty to me?”
I winked and walked over to the information desk.
“Do you have a copy of History of Massachusetts by Thomas Hutchinson?”
The librarian gave me a polite smile. “Yes, it’s in our historical alumni room.”
Sydney and I stole a glance at each other before I focused back on the older woman.
“Is it open to the public?”
“Yes, of course. No one is ever really interested in going in there, so it’s refreshing to see some interest in our history.”
“I’m a history major,” I added.
The librarian smiled bigger.
“Follow me, I’ll show you where it is.”
Sydney poked me in the side as she walked by me. “She was flirting with you, Officer McHotty.”
I rolled my eyes and followed the librarian and Sydney. The room was upstairs and in the far back right corner.
“Just turn off the lights when you are finished, please.”
“We will, thank you,” Sydney said, shutting the door and turning to face me.
“Okay, so this makes more sense.” The old wooden shelves looked to be a few hundred years old. I could smell the must of old books. “This is an old room. If there is a clue in here, surely we’ll find it.”
“I’ll look for the book; you take a look around.”
It didn’t take me long to find the book. I pulled it out and looked around on the bookshelf. It was a normal bookshelf.
“Mike. Look.”
I walked over to the other side of the room and looked at the fireplace. “It couldn’t be that easy.”
“It could. Look closer at the side of the mantel.”
Leaning in, I saw the Truth-seekers symbol carved into the wood. It was small and not as clear as the others we’d seen, as if someone had been in a rush when they made it. The only way you would notice it was if you were looking for it.
“If it’s another secret passage, I’m not going in it.”
I laughed. “No, look at the bookshelves on either side. They are almost exactly like the ones in your house.”