said crisis, it took two hours to drive to Alewife, catch the Red Line train into Boston, and switched subway lines to get to Copley Station.
The Boston Public Library took up two buildings. A harsh sun heated the wide concrete surrounding a patch of grass called Copley Square. The McKim Building resembled a three-story palace with arched columns and giant entrance. From the first floor, I climbed up to the mezzanine level. Below me, children played in an open courtyard complete with fountain. Resisting an urge to linger and watch their laughter, I followed the signs up to the second floor. I crossed past librarians milling with researchers and other patrons and reached the other side of the building. The ornate grandiosity of Bates Hall caught my eye. Coffered ceilings and arched windows had been architected as a Roman cathedral. Rows of low desks with lamps lined the length of the hall as if waiting for class to begin. Bookshelves lined the sides but didn’t reach high enough to touch the domed ceiling. To the side of the grand hall lay Abbey Room where Edward Austin Abbey's murals covered the walls, floor to ceiling. The gallery held five paintings. I read aloud, “The Vision, the Oath of Knighthood, the Round Table, the Departure, and the Castle of the Grail.”
“About time you found them.”
Matt’s voice made me jump. Except it wasn’t Matt. My pulse went from normal to skyrocket speed in less than a second. Doppelganger-Matt stood casually just inside the gallery. He wore pristine black formalwear with easy confidence. The tailored tuxedo fit him perfectly and the freshness of the material indicated it had been made recently. He’d gotten it made for me, I realized. For today.
A shiny deep-green vest, reminiscent of the sea, fit snugly across his lean chest. A matching green tie was tucked neatly under the vest and shiny black shoes completed the ensemble. Longish brown hair was tamed into submission—something that confirmed Doppelganger-Matt’s true identity.
“Going somewhere?” I asked.
“I have an engagement.” His eyes swam with calm waves and the way they watched me… I could have melted right on the spot.
A glance raked me from head to toe. “You look better.”
“I feel it. No more ugly crutch.” I raised and lowered my hands. “See.”
His gaze lingered on my T-shirt as it stretched across my chest. “I agree. Not ugly.”
I lost the fight to not blush. “How did you find me here?”
“I’ll always find you,” he replied with a roguish grin. He lifted his wrist to glance at a heavy silver watch. “It’s early. Would you like to walk around with me?”
He stuck out a tuxedo-clad elbow. I found myself taking it. A charming Vane was impossible to refuse. Walking around in jeans and T-shirt with a guy in fine formalwear made us strikingly conspicuous, but I found it easy to ignore the occasional passerby’s odd looks. He led me to the first painting in the series. I read a plaque near the painting. “In the Vision, a white-robed nun holds up the child, Galahad. An angel visits. The angel carries a dove, a golden censer, and the Grail under a red shroud. What’s a censer?”
“It holds burning incense.” His arm slipped out of the elbow-hold and a warm palm settled on my back instead.
I struggled to concentrate as we walked to the next painting. My voice had a slight waver as I read the next description. "The Oath. The nuns bring Galahad to Sir Lancelot and Sir Bors, who fasten spurs on him.”
“Getting him ready for his journey.” Doppelganger-Matt leaned close.
All too aware of his proximity, I tried to ignore the sweet, clean breeze of his breath as it traced the curves of my ear. Finally, I couldn’t stand it. I jerked away from him and walked to the next painting. He chuckled behind me. I leaned down to read the next plaque. “In the Round Table, the leaders of Arthur's realm are seated at a full table with only one empty seat when the palace becomes suffused with light and Galahad comes in with an old man to take the empty seat.”
“The one pure of heart is found,” Doppelganger-Matt said softly.
Pure of heart. I paused. Vane had once said that only one pure of heart could pull Excalibur. Also, the picture seemed familiar. Much like the tapestry in the UN Security Council room. I went to the fourth painting. “In the Departure, the knights attend mass with Galahad, who is now a knight.”
Doppelganger-Matt stared at