Chapter 24: The Second Leaf

"It has a lid," Mo said. "It has liquid," the archivist replied, and held out her hand. "The liquid is contained." "Until it isn't." At four minutes past eight in the morning, the county archive confiscated Mo's coffee. He watched the black coffee Lili had prepared under his direction go behind the desk, beside the archivist's own flowered cup. Su handed him a pencil. "The county has defeated you." "It has taken a hostage." The corner of her mouth lifted. She was still pinning up her hair with one hand, and two strands had already escaped near her jaw. Mo had spent enough time among police to understand that this meant she had left home in haste. He also knew she drank coffee before eating when a lead had kept her awake. The paper bag folded beneath her arm confirmed the second omission. County Archivist Elena Ortiz led them through…