Ruby kept one hand on the closure of her robe and held out the other. “Nice to meet you. I’m Ruby Miller.”

“And what’s your relationship with Miss Archer?”

“I’m not sure that’s got anything to do with what we’ve been discussing,” Bennett said, standing up. “Ruby and I are friends. That’s all you need to know.”

“I see,” Stan said, glancing over at Tully. “I think we’re done here. You ready to go?” When Tully didn’t answer, Stan frowned. “Yo, Tully. You ready?”

“What? Oh…um…yeah…I just, I just can’t believe she has a first edition of this book,” Tully said, gingerly placing the brown leather-bound novel back on the shelf. “I gotta say I’m a little…uh…a little speechless.”

“What book is that?” Bennett went over and removed the one Tully had placed back in the row. “Oh, The Count of Monte Cristo. Quite an excellent read.”

“Yes, it is,” Tully said, his eyes still locked on the novel Bennett held. “It was my absolute favorite when I was a kid. I must have read over a dozen times. I got a sister in Worcester. She’s got two boys, and every time I visit, I keep telling them they should read it, but they’re more interested in video games.”

“Then you should read it to them,” Bennett said, handing Tully the book. “It’s clear you’re passionate about it, and they’ll hear that in your voice. So next time you visit, read a chapter to them one night, and they’ll be hooked just like you were.”

“I…wait…I can’t take this.”

“Why not?”

“We’re not allowed to take gifts from people,” Tully said, holding out the book.

“I’m not giving it to you. I’m giving it to your nephews. You’re merely the vehicle that’ll deliver it.”

“But…but it’s a first edition. It’s gotta be super rare and super expensive.”

“Perhaps, which is all the more reason I need to share it with you and your nephews. The words written in that book and all the others surrounding us should never take a back seat to video games where the sole purpose is to annihilate or destroy. There’s so much more to imagination than that, don’t you agree?”

Tully scrubbed his hand over his chin. “Yeah, but that’s the way of the world now.”

“It doesn’t have to be, and it’s up to us to make sure children see the breadth of the world, not the narrowness. Take the book, Detective O’Brien. Open the minds of those two boys. Who knows? It could help mold their lives in ways you can’t even begin to imagine.”