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“Maybe.” He sighed. “Could be. I’m going to see if she called Grayson. Maybe, if she did, he got a clearer message. The moment I hear anything more, I’ll call.”

“I’ll do the same.”

SamanthastayedbyGavin’sside as he approached the research librarian he’d consulted the day before.

The man looked up and smiled. “Ah, you’re back. I’ve got something for you.” He opened a desk drawer and pulled out a leather-bound book. Over-sized by modern standards, it barely fit in the drawer. “I found something that might pique your interest.”

Gavin flipped through the pages, and Sam caught a glimpse of “Continental Alliance” at the top of one of the pages. This could be what they needed. She hoped so.

“Thanks, Fraser. I appreciate your finding this.”

As they made their way to the table in the rotunda where Grayson was waiting, Gavin placed his hand on the small of her back. The gesture seemed both sweet and possessive in equal parts. She wasn’t quite sure what to make of it but decided it meant nothing. He was in the business of protecting people, so that was probably all it was. Grayson grinned at her, and she closed her eyes to keep him from reading too much into her expression. Her thoughts tended to play like a movie screen across her face.

“What do you got there?” Gray asked Gavin keeping his tone hushed so as not to disturb the other patrons.

Gavin set the book down on the table between them. “Our new buddy, Fraser, found us something linked to the Continental Alliance. Let’s check it out. Shall we?”

Since she couldn’t read from her spot at the table, she moved her chair closer to Gavin. His arm brushed hers as he turned the page. “Look here.” She read the text, but didn’t understand the significance. Something about qualifications for membership.

Grayson lifted the book he’d been perusing and pointed at small text near the bottom of the page. “This tome is about the Fraser Fine Arts Library. It says here that there were underground passages. They’ve been sealed off, but were once used to allow servants to move about freely without disturbing anyone.”

“Cate was seen out front, so I don’t think she’s being kept in some passageway in the building.”

“True. But it’s interesting.”

“It is. If it turns out to have any relation to what happened to our sister, though that seems unlikely, I’ll ask my friend, Rita, to tell us more. She has expertise in 19th century architecture.”

Gray leaned forward. “Guy’s wife, Rita?”

“Yeah. They started a business restoring old buildings. They’re working on a church at the moment, but I’m sure she’d make time for a consult if I asked.”

“Good deal,” Gray said.

Sam tapped the book. “Did you read this?”

“What is it?”

“The Continental Alliance was founded here in Philadelphia. My uncle obviously had some connection, and he lived in Benton. Are they tied to both areas? Are they statewide? Countrywide? Worldwide? Are we sitting in a historic building that they had a hand in designing? It would seem so from their symbol up there.” Her gazed wandered to the design mocking them from above the massive oak door.

“Maybe. A man named Frank Furness was the architect for the Fisher Fine Arts Library. I doubt he was a member. But who knows?” Gavin glanced down at his phone. “Pierce is calling. Maybe he has a lead.” Once he walked away, Grayson scooted into Gavin’s former seat, and studied the book with Samantha. There didn’t seem to be any clear connection between the library and the secret society, but her gut told her to keep digging.

Chapter Sixteen

Gavin’svisionblurredashe stared at the words on the page he was reading. Blinking, he closed the book Fraser had found. He wasn’t getting anywhere with it. His phone buzzed. Grace.

He answered in a whisper. “I’m in a library. Give me a second, and I’ll walk outside.” When he reached the outdoors, he leaned against the old bricks. “What’s up Grace?”

“Victoria Mae got a call on her cell from her sister’s phone.”

“What? Is Emmaline okay?”

“That’s the weird part. The call was from a park ranger. Some hikers found it.”

“Do you know what park?”

“Victoria Mae was in a panic. She didn’t catch what park they were calling from.”

“I have Emmaline’s number in my file, but can you give it to me so I don’t have to look it up. I’m going to call it and see if the park ranger answers.”