seymoure

Chapter 31
“Waiting”

The library was dark, in a Medieval Dungeon whose Head Torturer is expected soon, sort of way.

Harriett Dante had spent a lot of time in the dark, and that, in itself, rarely bothered her.

But, this was something different. Vaskania might, or might not, be coming. Claus had lost everything, including the very real chance of losing an eye. Jeanne Gary was dead.

She had called her home, but the machine didn’t pick up. It could be full of messages (something that happened far too much for someone who was supposed to be seriously in business to let happen) or the house around it might no longer be standing.

Sitting in a glass case before her were the three rare books by Collier Paige.

The books had been here, in the libraries possession, for years. The library, with the possible exception of today’s electrical problems, seemed to be thriving. If there was a curse on any and all who possessed the book, why was this building still standing?

Harriett made up her mind. This was baloney and she was going to show it up for what it was.

Opening the lock was no problem, and, since there was no power alarms would alert no one. With a slightly shaky hand she reached into the case. After a short hesitation she picked up the copy of “The Hacksaw, The Rose and the Parthenon Parrot.”

Nothing had happened after a moment, and she thought she should make the gesture that would make her possession of the book assured. She put the book under her coat.

Nothing.

She laid the book on the case. This would create an entirely new case. It wasn’t the book, so what was the center of all of this?

“I brought a soda,” came a quiet voice.

She looked up and saw Aubrey Stillwell standing at the top of the stairs.

“We’ve closed down due to lack of patrons,” He told her, “And I thought you might like a cola.”

She smiled and took the can of soda and the two of them sat in the dark and talked about books.