Chapter Fourteen - Name

The Director of The Morgan Library met Benson, Stabler and Dawn just outside of his office.

"Detectives Benson and Stabler," he said. "I met with two of your colleagues a couple of days ago."

"That would be detectives Munch and Tutuola Dr. Crowther," Stabler said. "We're here following up on a lead."

"Anything I can do to help," Director Crowther said. "Ms Gaston was a fine woman. As you know she did an appraisal for us last year. I was delighted to learn she would be based in New York permanently. A terrible loss. Please step into my office," he motioned the three into a well appointed office. Dawn was reminded of a few of her professors' offices from Oxford.

"I did not catch your name young lady," the Director said as he motioned for them to sit down.

"Dawn Summers," she replied.

The director did a double take. "Dawn Summers? You run Guardian Research?"

"Yes."

"You wrote the article on translating renaissance texts? Your theory on the role mythology and mysticism played in influencing writing styles was fascinating. And surprisingly well documented."

"Thanks. I wrote that during my last year at Oxford," Dawn replied. "Professor McAdam arranged for it to get published last month. At some point I plan on expanding it into a full doctoral dissertation. But that's a ways off."

"I look forward to reading it," he said. "But I digress. Detectives what is it you require of me?"

"We need to see a set of books from a Joseph Beiner, "Benson said.

"Beiner?" the director turned to a computer on a small side desk. "I don't recall the name."

"The Library purchased the collection in 1928," Dawn said. "I believe they were purchased because of the bindings and printing methods used to make them."

Crowther nodded his head, "Ah yes here it is. Beiner. Terrible scholar. But quite innovative in the process he used to make his books. Why do you need to see them?"

"We believe the person who killed Ms Gaston may be following a ritual described in the books," Benson said.

"Ah yes Beiner believed in all that supernatural claptrap," Crowther said. "I can take you down the archive rooms. But please be careful. You understand we don't just let anyone see these books."

"It won't take me very long to confirm what we looking for," Dawn said.

"Who does have access to Beiner's books?" Benson asked.

"The staff here of course," Crowther replied. "And visiting scholars or researches can make an appointment to examine the texts."

"We'll need to see a list of everyone who either had access to those books or made an appointment to study them in the last six months," Stabler said.

"My secretary can get you a list of researches," Crowther replied. "But I can't believe any of my people would be involved in something like this."

"That's for us to decide Doctor," Stabler said. He paused in thought. "Do you keep a mailing list of patrons? A friends of the library sort of thing."

"Yes of course," Dr. Crowther replied. "Many of our patrons like to be notified when a certain collection goes on display or when new material comes in."

"And that list include address, occupation, family information?" Stabler asked.

"Yes," Dr. Crowther answered. "Patrons can fill out that information out if they wish too."

"I'd like to see that list while my partner and Ms Summers examine the Beiner texts," Stabler said.

"My secretary can take you down there," Dr. Crowther said. He pushed a button on his phone. "Janet could you step in here for a moment," Janet stepped into the office a few seconds later. "Janet please take detective Stabler down to patron services. I'll be taking these other two down the archives."


About an hour later Benson, Stabler and Dawn met again in Library's main reading room.

Dawn was nodding her head. "There's a translation of the scrolls. And it explains some of the discrepancies from the original ritual. Beiner left out everything about preparing the sacrifice. He also screwed up the timing. He said the first sacrifice needed to be done on a full moon, but after that the next sacrifice can be done at any point in the next thirteen months. With the remainder following every two to five days."

"I found the link between our victims," Stabler said. "All four are on the library's patron list. They put down home address and occupation."

"Emily Gaston I can understand," Benson said. "But why would the other three be on the list?"

"Mrs. Charney was a grade school teacher," Dawn said. "The Morgan has an extensive collection of children's literature. Thomas Nickles may have come here to research something for school. I don't get Amanda Peterson though."

"Her mother, Diane Peterson, is a professor of literature at NYU," Stabler said. "Her name, along with the names of her three children, is on the list."

"I'll call Cabot," Benson said. "We can get a subpoena for their employee records just in case Dr. Crowther decides to be uncooperative."

"Already did it," Stabler said. "It will be here in thirty minutes. Munch and Fin say they found the shop where our perp bought his supplies. They're taking the shopkeeper down to the station house to do a sketch. As soon as they have it, they'll bring it here. Maybe we'll get lucky and get an ID."


A short while later Tutuola was handing Dr. Crowther a sketch.

"That looks a little like Alan," Dr. Crowther said.

"Alan who?" Stabler asked.

"Alan Cummings," Dr. Crowther replied. "He left us about four weeks ago now. His main job was cataloguing our collection and sorting new materials. Bright young man, Bachelors in Literature and a Masters in Library Sciences. He started as an intern when he was working on his Masters. Had the same position for eleven years now."

"We'll need to see his file," Stabler said.

"Yes of course," Dr Crowther looked towards the door and raised his voice. "Janet," he waited until Janet poked his head in the door. "Take the detectives down to personnel. They need to get a file," Tutuola and Munch left with the secretary.

"Do you know if he could have translated the ritual in the Beiner book?" Benson asked.

"He spoke both French and German," Dr. Crowther replied. "He did occasionally help with the translations of texts written in those languages."

"Does he have access to your patron's list?" Stabler asked.

"I don't know," Dr. Crowther said. "When we get new material in, some of staff do request copies of the list in order to include special notes with the mailings. And I suppose anyone with access to one of our computers can look up the information."

"We need to talk to Cabot about a warrant," Benson said.