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require an entire notebook. “I have a rather lengthy list of research needs. I would like to commandeer the majority of Miss O’Brien’s time for the better part of the next few weeks.”
    That set Mr. Spofford back on his heels. “All the librarians are very busy with the move to the new building. Their time is scarce.”
    Luke glanced out the window, where the extravagant new Library of Congress could be seen through a break in the trees, its copper dome gleaming in the sunlight. Congress had appropriated a fortune to build a gaudy palace unlike anything the world had ever seen. Luke had voted against the additional funding. No library needed imported marble or engraved bronze doors. His arguments had fallen on deaf ears. The library was fully funded, and the public’s excitement to see the new building was mounting by the day. That didn’t mean Luke couldn’t try to curtail their operating expenses in future years.
    â€œSuch a shame if the business of the people is neglected while we turn the new building into a gaudy showpiece rather than a legitimate research facility. Remind me again how much we’ve spent on that palace so far? Because the vote for the library’s operating budget is coming up and I’d like to know.”
    â€œHeavens, I did not mean to imply we could not handle your research. No, no . . . my, no. Close the door and tell me what you need. I am certain we can be accommodating.”
    Luke closed the door. As he’d told Miss O’Brien, he had always been good at getting exactly what he wanted.

    Anna was pulling maps to document water rights in the Dakotas when the bell over the door announced a visitor. Shesmiled when she recognized Mr. Spofford. Was there ever a more kindly man than Ainsworth Spofford? Despite his decades struggling to fund, engineer, and build their new library, at heart he was a scholar, and Anna sensed he would like nothing better than to curl up with a stack of good books. He almost never mentioned the female librarians’ probationary status, and she suspected it had long since slipped from his concerns. Anna, though, couldn’t afford to forget it—not after Lieutenant Rowland’s threat yesterday.
    â€œMiss O’Brien,” the elderly director said as he tottered into the room, “I gather a member of Congress asked for assistance this morning and you refused to provide it.”
    She gasped. “I asked him to fill out a request card,” she sputtered. “He refused to use the pen!”
    â€œI understand,” Mr. Spofford said, holding up a hand. “He refused to fill out the card for me as well. I spent a great deal of time with Mr. Callahan and have a complete list of his requests. They are extensive. I am assigning you entirely to Mr. Callahan until these requests have been met to his satisfaction.” He set a stack of pages down on a map case. There must have been at least ten pages of handwritten notes!
    â€œAll my time? But there is so much to do with the move.”
    Mr. Spofford stepped forward and spoke in a firm voice. “Just do it. These questions are outside of map research, but you are a good generalist and I want you to look up whatever he needs. We can’t afford to alienate Mr. Callahan. He’s down on his luck right now, but I’ve been in this town long enough to know how quickly fortunes can change, and we don’t need an enemy like him. I’ve screened his requests, and they are all legitimate. No more arguing, is that understood, Miss O’Brien?”
    Anna swallowed hard. She wasn’t used to being reprimanded at work, especially by Mr. Spofford.
    â€œI’ll get right on it, sir.”
    â€œAnd whatever you did to annoy the navy, stop that as well.”
    She sucked in a quick breath. Had Lieutenant Rowland already started the wheels moving to revoke her employment? “I didn’t mean to cause any trouble,”