Page 111 of The Missing Pages
“So there’s no proof now that you’re part Widener,” he said. “Why on earth did she not name him on the birth certificate? The nun said they were all sealed back then too. So no one would ever have known.”
“Maybe she was too scared? Maybe she thought someone might see the name and the adoption wouldn’t have been done for love, but money? I have no idea…”
“I’m sorry, Vi.”
She hadn’t yet had the energy to start driving back home. The day had been such an emotional whirlwind, Violet still was trying to get everything straight in her head.
“Don’t feel sorry for me. Honestly, I feel bad for my grandma. She always wanted to know where she came from… and this is such an incredible story.”
“Well, one thing is pretty clear to me. There was a reason that Harry’s ghost was trying to communicate with you. You’re his great-granddaughter, for chrissakes.”
She felt her eyes grow wet. “Now I understand why he said the reason he wanted to reach me waslove.”
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 theCrimsonin 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 ofTreasure Islandinside,” 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 ofTreasure 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.”
