The Librarian's Suggestion

The Librarian pulls a rusty lever and one of the highest shelves begins to descend towards us. She floats up to meet it and runs her fingers across the spines.

"No one's checked this book out in several years," she says, "so it should be here."

She grabs a thin volume that looks more like a pamphlet than a book. She hands it to me delicately, as if the pages might disintegrate.

"Ponce de Leon and the Fountain: Tales for Children. By Luis Delgado," I read aloud. The Librarian clutches my arm earnestly, anticipating my skepticism.

"In his spare time, when he wasn't designing libraries or mazes, the Architect published several books of children's stories. This is the only known copy of his conquistador tales. As you might imagine, Luis was not especially popular as a children's writer. Most of his characters came to a rather bad end. But his tales of Ponce de Leon are so vivid -- I think they might just point you in the right direction."

Looking into the knowing, dark eyes of the Librarian, in which several long years and maybe a few hurricanes have left their mark, I'm inclined to believe her.

"Do you need my library card?" I ask, searching my bag. I hand her Officer Khost's card and she unravels it, looking at all the titles.

"Ahhh, this list, all these strange titles, from the highest shelves, reminds me of our Officer Khost." The Librarian clutches the list tightly and looks at me with immense seriousness.

"Francie, I know we've only just met, but I need you to promise. Look after the Officer. His line of work is most dangerous. I have been lighting candles for him."

I start to speak, but the Librarian quickly stops me.

"I'm sorry. Of course, you're the Officer's assistant. So you know more about his work than anyone. Please, find a quiet nook and I'll be back with your stamped card." She picks up a glowing roach and presses it into my hand before I can protest. In a second, she has floated away down a dark corridor.

I turn around and try to head back the way we came, but the shelves seem to form a sort of maze, leading me further into the bowels of The Great Library.

It seems that no matter which way I turn, I end up back in front of the grinning portrait of Juan Rosado I/Luis Delgado. I set the glowing roach down on the marble, thinking that it might lead the way, but it sees its chance at freedom and scurries between the shelves, leaving me in total darkness.

"Librarian," I call, trying to stay calm. The word echoes in the darkness. For some reason, the lack of light sends my mind spinning. Max -- where was he, anyway? He'd been skittish since the opossum incident, then disappeared. Officer Khost -- his connection to The Great Library and its Librarian, and what kind of detective was he? The Historian, The Architect, The Queen, Grandma...and Ponce de Leon's three points -- connecting (or disconnecting) us all.

I feel my way around a corner. Above me, I can barely see the glowing letters swirling around the dome. I try to follow the letters, like a beacon, and pull the levers that move the shelves in their general direction.

I seem to be making some progress (haven't seen the portrait in a few minutes) when I hear footsteps. Somewhere close.

"Hello?" I say, but no answer. I start to back away, instinctively.

I turn a corner and stumble into the arms of a man in a grey coat. He drops his pile of books.

"Francie?" says Brad, shining a glowing roach at me. "What are you doing here?"