The Paper Mirror by Dorien Grey Read Free Book Online

library science and current standard cataloging procedures, so we are in many aspects starting the process from scratch.”
    I didn’t want to get into a long discussion of library science and current standard cataloging procedures just then—or ever, now that I think of it—so I just said, “So when would it be convenient for us to meet?”
    “When would you like?”
    “Well, the sooner the better, I think.”
    He was silent a moment, then said, “I’m interviewing potential catalogers this afternoon.” There was a slight pause as though he thought he might have said something he shouldn’t have, then continued. “I know it’s only been a few days since Taylor’s death, but we’re now short two catalogers, and we have a tremendous lot of work to do.”
    Two catalogers? I wondered what became of the other one, but decided to wait until I met with McGill to ask.
    “I won’t take up much of your time, I promise,” I said.
    “I should be through by three. Would that be all right?”
    “Three will be fine. I appreciate your cooperation.”
    “I’m happy to help. Until three, then.” And he hung up.
    *
    After we hung up, I thought of calling Evan Knight. He’d apparently known Taylor Cates in a slightly different way, but he might very well have some pertinent insights into Taylor as a person. I knew full well part of my aversion to seeing him again was my Scorpio jealous/possessive nature, which I’ve tried with only relative degrees of success to keep under control most of my life. I consoled myself with the thought that he would have pissed me off even if he’d been making so obvious a pass at anyone else’s lover.
    But I thought I’d better see what McGill had to say first. It might give me some clues on how to handle my meeting with Knight.
    Once I’d gotten McGill and Knight out of the way, I’d contact the other board members, though I suspected that with the possible exceptions of Chester Burrows’ nephews, who’d been around it all their lives, none of them were all that familiar with the Collection or Taylor Cates’ world.
    *
    After lunch, I busied myself with what little outstanding work I had on my desk, to clear my slate for working on the Cates case.
    I arrived at the Burrows at ten minutes till three, and parked in the almost-full side lot. I walked into the encompassing calm of the library and climbed the steps to the main floor, going directly to the circular desk. There were probably fifteen or so people seated at tables and in the smaller sitting-room areas, and another ten or twelve people visible in the stacks at either side of the room. A very handsome young redhead was pushing a cart with books from the desk toward the stacks, apparently to be put back on the shelves. He gave me a very nice smile, which my crotch and I returned. A middle-aged woman was behind the desk, putting cards into a Rolodex. She looked up and smiled as I approached.
    “May I help you?” she asked softly.
    “Yes,” I said. “I have a three o’clock appointment with Mr. McGill.”
    “Ah, yes. Mr. Hardesty. I’ll let him know you’re here.”
    She picked up a phone from somewhere beneath the counter and punched one of several colored buttons. She then said something I couldn’t hear and hung up.
    “Mr. McGill asks that you go right up.” She pointed back toward the front entrance. “Take the stairs or the elevator to the second floor, and it’s the farthest door on your right.”
    I thanked her and followed her directions. I noticed a young guy with a book watching me, but he quickly looked away when he saw I was aware of him.
    Just as well , a mind-voice said, though my crotch thought it would be a very nice idea for me to go over and say hello.
    I took the stairs.
    The farthest door on the right had a small but dignified sign beside it, saying: “Irving McGill, Director.” I knocked and heard a basso-voiced, “Come.”
    I entered to find McGill just rising from the chair behind his desk.