Alchemy of Secrets

by Stephanie Garber

“I still can’t believe it’s gone. This one rarely gets checked out.” “What was here?” Holland repeated. “It was a book. An old, medieval-looking thing. The last time Ben came in here, he was holding a set of chains, and he asked if he could put them on it.” Holland shot a glance at Adam. His expression made her suspect he was thinking of the Professor’s Chained Library myth, too. Only he didn’t look excited. He probably thought a hiding place like this would be too obvious for the Alchemical Heart. “Can you find who checked it out?” Holland asked. If someone had actually checked it out. If it had been taken or stolen, if someone else had found it first, then none of her father’s clues for the Alchemical Heart mattered at all. Tom checked his watch. It was now nearly six. Then he pulled out his phone and made a call. “Hey Devon—real quick. Do you know who checked out the old chained-up book?” He murmured and nodded as Devon said something on the other end. “Thanks, man. Have a good Halloween.” Tom hung up and smiled at Holland. “I didn’t tell you this. But the book is on the set of Knife and Cross. Stage 10. Sounds like they wanted it for the season finale.” “Thanks for all the help,” Adam said.