A Whisper of Words

The scent of books hovered in the air as I pushed the book cart around the library. It started off great but took a turn for the worse when the opening headline mentioned that the police found a prominent local doctor dead from a gunshot wound, execution style. I shook my head in disbelief as I knew her, and doctor Tabitha Grey was one of my favorite regulars.

She took my book recommendations to heart, and when she returned them, I'd chat with her about the story, plot, and how much she loved the main character. It hurt a bit as I knew I'd never see her again. The rest of the staff also loved her, but I sometimes saw her as the mother I never had. Tabitha also treated me like a son, which is why it hurt so much to learn of her unjustified death.

I laughed a bit and remembered her last words. "Connor, you can't take life too seriously. Always remember to never give up on doing the right thing no matter the cost."

"Yeah, I hope the police find out who did this to you," I said, picking up the last returned book that needed to be shelved.

The library spun around me, and my vision blurred. I leaned against the cart for support and heard Doctor Grey's voice. Confusion clouded my mind as I couldn't figure out what was happening.

Connor. Find my killer. I know you can do it.

"Doctor Grey? What's going on?" I asked, gripping the book so hard my fingertips turned white.

Follow the books. They'll lead the way!

Follow the books? I shook my head to clear it as I lifted the book to shelve it. Crimes of a Mafia Family. I paused as I forgot how much Tabitha loved her mysteries and crime books. I always joked that in a past life, she was a hard-hitting detective prowling the streets on her latest case.

She would laugh and say that I'd make the better detective as being a librarian offered me unlimited knowledge and resources during my day. Maybe she was right. I could find the killer myself, but what resources did I have?

Follow the books, Connor! Learn what I learned so I can rest in peace.

There was her voice again. It was as if she spoke through the book in my hand. I can do this. After all, she deserves it, and it's not like the police are doing any better. Maybe she uncovered something she shouldn't have. It wouldn't take me too long to figure out. I may get myself in trouble by doing so, but justice needs to be served, even if it comes from a lowly librarian.

I walked to the nearest terminal and accessed her account. A long list populated my screen. No overdue books, typical of the doctor, as she made it a point to return her books on time. Not everyone did, but I was okay with it as long as they returned.

A few Agatha Christie titles showed up, along with some recent news articles on her search history about the local Janelli Family. That was strange as even the police tended to avoid them as violence and threats of intimidation preceded and followed them everywhere they went.

It didn't surprise me to see Doctor Grey reading up on them. Few other books on forensics, and more followed after the articles. I started with the articles and was shocked to hear about the money laundering, possible murder, and the drugs they allegedly brought into town.

It wouldn't surprise me if this were true, but I didn't want to get involved. I could end up the same way as the doctor. I closed the screen and passed a book that was on her list. Picking it off the shelf, I smiled as I opened it to see what she loved about it. Inside were dozens of notes and mentions of the Janelli family inside it. After I turned a few pages, a folded piece of paper fell out and landed softly on the floor.

Shelving the book, I knelt and picked up the paper. The library spun again, and more than once voice whispered in my head. There were quite a few, and I held my ears in my hands, hoping it'd stop. One voice spoke louder, and that was Tabitha's.

Connor, it would help if you moved fast. The Janelli family knows I'm onto them, and this paper has the proof needed to lock them up forever. They're responsible for my son's death over a decade ago; for once, I found the evidence required and more. Be careful as they're watching. I don't know how they found me, but they did and thought they could silence me. Everything is in my safe before the bookshelf.

Everything went silent. My breathing quickened as I opened the paper, and on it was a list of three numbers, almost like a combination. If what she said was true, I needed to get to the safe or at least let the police know about it before anyone showed up looking for me.

I pocketed the paper and grabbed my hoodie. Popping into my boss's office, I managed to get her attention. "Hey, I'm gonna grab my lunch early. Is that alright?"

"Of course. I doubt we'll get too busy today with it being the start of the workday. Check the return box on your way back in. You know how sneaky those books get at appearing in the box after we've checked it a gazillion times daily," she said.

"No problem."

I headed out the door when a dark SUV with tinted windows pulled up. A bad feeling overcame me, and I moved to the right down the sidewalk, taking a more roundabout route to the doctor's house since she lived close. A couple car doors shut behind me, and I cringed inwardly, my heart racing.

"Mr. Connor Jackson? We want to speak to you about the late Doctor Grey. I believe you knew her well?"

I froze. How the hell did these guys know who I was, let alone that I knew the doctor? Besides voices in my head, it seems the Janelli family had their supernatural secrets too. I turned to see three men in black suits walking toward me. One was in front with the other two at his side but a couple steps behind, like his bodyguards.

"I'm Carlo Janelli. I knew the doctor. It was such a sad thing what happened to her. Wouldn't you agree, Connor?" He said as he fixed the cuff on his suit. As he did so, his jacket opened up a bit, and I could see his sidearm. I'm appropriately intimidated.

"Yeah, she was a regular, and she borrowed a lot of books and was a great lady," I said, trying my best not to sound nervous.

"I hear she was messing around with things she shouldn't have. It would be a shame if you were doing the same because I'm sure you heard what happened to her son a while ago?"

I nodded as I didn't know what to say. Part of me wanted to run, but my legs were paralyzed. Carlo was quite the intimidating figure, and so were his goons, and I knew enough to know not to mess with them as I wouldn't last long.

"I'm a librarian, man. People talk about their lives all the time, and they think I'm a bartender or something," I said.

Carlo and his men laughed. "A librarian? If you want a real job, then come work for me. The pay is better," Carlo replied.

"I'm fine working here."

"Good. I'll assume you won't do anything to mess that up. It'd be a shame you couldn't keep your job here or anywhere in town if you take my meaning," he said.

"I do."

"Good. Have a pleasant day, Mr. Jackson."

I watched as they got back in the SUV and drove off. My lungs hurt from the air I had held for so long, and I exhaled and let the relief wash over me. I hurried to the doctor's house and jumped the fence to the backyard. Lucky for me, there were no cops to see me do it, or they'd lock me up as suspect number one.

I glanced around and found the fake rock holding a door key. Tabitha mentioned it was so simple to get into her house if she had it up front, but no one would expect it at the backdoor. I didn't fully agree with the statement, but she read more true crime books than me.

After unlocking the door, I stepped inside. It was a bit cool since the heat was off. The place was a mess as if Carlo and his men sacked the area before shooting Tabitha. My eyes teared slightly when I saw the blood stain on the floor. I only hoped her death would come fast. She didn't deserve to suffer.

On the coffee table was another mystery book. I slipped my hand into the cuff of my hoodie before picking it up. The room spun, and after the last time, I closed my eyes and waited for it to pass and the voices to come.

It didn't take long, and they were louder this time. In the din, the doctor's voice rang clear. The safe is behind the bookcase, and the information is taken to the police.

I dropped the book and found the bookcase. Most books still stood on the shelves, and I doubted anyone in the Janelli family read. I'll stand behind reading as a way to prevent crime. Reading makes people smarter and too intelligent to do what Carlo and his family do.

Scanning the books, an old dusty hardcover of an Agatha Christie book stood at the top. The doctor always saw herself as an amateur sleuth, and I'd bet my next paycheck that this book was a key. I reached up and pulled on the book, and an audible click reached my ears as the shelf pooped out slightly.

Gripping the end, I opened the shelf and embedded a safe in the wall. I laughed a bit, knowing this was something Doctor Grey would do. Not only did she love her mysteries, but she apparently loved creating them herself. I took out the paper and pressed the buttons on the safe.

It rewarded me with a joyful, pinging sound, and the door popped open. Inside was a small bag. Pulling it out, I looked inside to see photos of Carlo, maps, and even copies of what looked to be contracts. I hit the jackpot and slid the bag over my shoulder.

A car door shut, followed by a few more. Behind me, through the window, Carlo and his thugs were walking up to the front door. I swore unlibrarian-like and slammed the safe shut, and it made enough noise to alert the others. Carlo peeked in the window and smiled, and he saw me, which wasn't good.

I took off for the back door and got outside as one of his goons came around the corner of the house. Leaping the fence, I barely missed getting shot as a gun sent a bullet to ricochet off the chainlink fence. Carlo shouted at me from behind, but I refused to look back.

One gave chase, and the squeal of tires let me know that the rest would try and cut me with the car. I ran faster, heading straight to the police department. My lungs burned as I ran. I tried to take an alley to save time and barely avoided getting hit by Carlo's SUV.

Half a block from the police department, the goon on foot managed to snag my hoodie. A few witnesses ran away as no one wanted to even deal with Carlo and his gang. I brought my knee up toward the man's groin and was given a satisfying oomph as the man let go. He doubled over and tried to grab me again, but I dodged.

I ran into the station out of breath, trying to talk to the nearest cop. "I got evidence of Doctor Grey's death, and it's all in this bag. Carlo Janelli is who did it, and he even killed her son a decade ago. It's all in the bag."

I collapsed to the ground, out of breath. A few other cops rushed to help while another radioed for the detective. Looking out, Carlo's SUV paused before their tires squealed as they drove off.

"That was him. They were after me, officer."

After an hour, my boss showed up. Luckily she wasn't angry but concerned and a bit proud that one of her librarians helped the police solve the case. A warrant was put out for Carlo and his men, who were apprehended before the day was out.

One of the cops handed me a book that he said was in the back. It had my name on it, and he thought I should have it because it wasn't relevant to the case. I took it from him with a smile and held it close.

Good job, Connor. Now, other cases need your help, and you have a gift and unlimited resources to help others.

Maybe she was right. Right now, I am taking the day off and perhaps tomorrow. My boss would probably insist on it, and then it was back to shelving more books. Maybe I'd hear another voice calling me to help them. If so, then I would. Isn't that what librarians do?

***

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