It gave him time to pocket a book of his own -- choosing not to sign it out, but to pilfer it quietly. He didn't need a paper trail. But on his way to the door, he came across her lost ribbon and pocketed it, too.

At the exit, he peered out into the weather. It was decent enough, so he plunged head-first into the outdoors. "You're still so damned skittish," he muttered.