In Lenny Matczynski's baronial executive director office, Shirley Blanchard sat in a deep leather chair.

Kush said "I know something about what John wanted to tell you."

She looked surprised. "He told you about The Buonorotti Anagram?"

So she knew already.

"Did he tell you anything else?"

"Well, he said people would be pretty upset not to be able to buy it."

She focused a steely gaze. "Tom, this isn't about people 'getting upset' over book inventories. John must have thought it was The Sign."

Kush gave her a blank stare, and she added sharply "Honestly, Tom, do you remember anything from our book group meetings? Besides that new triple-crème and the English crackers?"