“We’ll Skype you in when we know something. In the meantime, I’ll send him your regards.”

“He won’t remember me.”

“I’m not sure about that, McAdams.” Decker patted his good shoulder. “From what I’ve observed, you seem to make your mark wherever you go.”

Chapter 27

CHAPTER 27

RINA SHOWED THE library guard her deputized license as well as her concealed weapon permit. The provost, who was accompanying them to the third floor—where Rayfield stored its reference material—gave a sniff of contempt. “Do you have to make it so obvious?”

“Would you rather I set off the metal detector with my gun?”

The man’s cheeks pinkened. He was in his forties with glasses perched on his ski slope nose. He whispered, “You have an armed officer. How much do you need?”

“I don’t know, sir,” Rina spoke softly but definitely not in a hush. “How much protection do you need after someone tried to kill you?”

McAdams bowed his head and stifled a smile.

Greg Schultz, the armed guard, cleared his throat. He was a retired mechanic in his sixties who often helped out Greenbury PD and FD when they needed extra brawn. He was built like a tractor. “We’re causing a backup line.” He unlocked the brake on Tyler’s wheelchair. “Can I take him through now?”

Quickly, the provost escorted them through the metal detector, the guard bypassing Rina’s purse. The four of them squeezed into an elevator. On the third floor, there was a long table in the corner with books of old textile photographs along with several pairs of white gloves. Natural light was provided by a window with a view to the outside quad, students milling in the snow like ants in spilled salt. The glass also let in a draft. Rina had dressed in layers. She took off her overcoat but kept on her sweater over a sweater.

The reference librarian was a young woman in her thirties with a short bob of straight blond hair and deep green eyes. Her name was Lisa Pomeranz and she recognized Tyler McAdams from his previous research foray. Her eyes tried to hide the shock at seeing him so disabled. “I read about the incident in the papers. I’m so sorry.”

McAdams tried to put her at ease. “Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow . . . especially snow.”

“I thought that was mailmen,” Schultz said.

“If the shoe fits . . .”

Rina said, “Any more adages, Tyler, or can we get to work?”

McAdams smiled. “I’ll be fine, Ms. Pomeranz. The bullets missed all the crucial areas so I count myself as very lucky.”

“I’m not supposed to do this, but I can get you some hot water. It’s chilly up here.”

“I wouldn’t want to spill anything,” Rina said. “Not even water. We’re fine.”

“Speak for yourself,” McAdams said.