Chapter Eighty-Nine
Winter semester resumed on campus. Violet and Theo had already agreed on a plan to meet.
When Theo saw her in the lobby of Widener, he had a copy of the latest edition of the Crimson in his hand.
“Did you see this?” he asked.
She nodded yes.
“I can’t believe they finally found the slasher over break,” he said. “And that the FBI got involved.”
Violet was even more incredulous. She knew the culprit. It was the night janitor, Mr. Berns.
“They found several stolen books in his apartment, apparently.” Theo pointed to one of the paragraphs in the paper.
“And he ruined so many priceless ones too,” Violet said.
“To think they suggested it might be you.” He shook his head. “It makes me so mad.”
“I’m just relieved,” she exhaled. “And honestly, I’m more focused on whether what we read in Ada’s letter was true—about there being a secret drawer in Harry’s desk.”
“I’m definitely betting there’s a copy of Treasure Island inside,” Theo said. “I can’t wait to see what Madeline’s going to do when you walk into her office with that.” He grinned. “And with those photocopies of Ada’s letters we discovered at Lynnewood Hall.”
They walked up the grand staircase toward Harry’s Memorial Room. Each one of them knew what they had to do.
“Okay. Be on the lookout,” she said as they reached the rotunda.
Theo waited outside the threshold as Violet quickly dipped inside the rope. She didn’t have more than a few minutes to try to locate the drawer and see if there was something hidden inside.
She darted to the desk and went to the left panel, then ran her fingernail to locate some sort of groove that would open the drawer.
Over and over she ran her finger underneath the desk’s lip until she found it.
The drawer slid open. Violet reached in with her hand.
Inside there was what she expected, a worn copy of Treasure Island. But beside it was a surprise. A second far smaller and even older book.
She deftly shut the drawer and rushed out to show Theo what she had discovered.
“Oh my god,” Theo said, staring at what Violet was holding in each of her two hands.
He then wrapped his arms around her, his hug surprising her with its warmth. “Vi, you’re definitely getting your job back at Widener now.”
She laughed. “I really can’t wait to see Madeline’s face when I show them to her.”
Suddenly Violet grew distracted. Her nose wiggled. “Theo… do you smell that?”
He sniffed. “I do. That’s Harry’s tobacco.”
Violet grabbed his hand and together they followed the scent, trying to find its source. Soon it brought them to a window that faced the side of the yard. They peered outside.
“Look!” Theo pointed to the sky. Hundreds of birds were dipping and diving into a vee formation. The flapping of their wings was so thunderous, it could be heard from inside the library.
“It’s a murmur of birds,” Violet whispered, turning to Theo. “I learned that phrase from Hugo.” This time when she said his name aloud, though, it no longer felt painful to her. Instead, she could smile at the memory.
“And they’re starlings.” He gripped her hand tight.
They both knew this was Harry communicating to them one more time.
Violet, however, sensed that the sighting was more than just her great-grandfather expressing his happiness that she had finally learned his and Ada’s complete story.
She would never know for sure, but she also felt that Hugo was signaling her to release her grief over him. But one thing was for certain. A hundred birds flew in the air. And it felt like an undeniable message of love.