“To most people,” Gabriella said, “this would seem random. To Abigail Rockefeller, however,
these numbers must have formed a logical order.”
“Where did the Rockefellers live?” Evangeline asked Verlaine, knowing that this was his area of
expertise. “Perhaps these numbers point to their address.”
“They lived at a few different addresses in New York City,” Verlaine said. “But their West Fifty-
fourth Street residence is known best. Eventually Abigail Rockefeller donated the site to the Museum
of Modern Art.”
“Fifty-four is not one of our numbers,” Bruno said.
“Wait a moment,” Verlaine said. “I don’t know why I didn’t see this before. The Museum of
Modern Art was one of Abigail Rockefeller’s most important endeavors. It was also one of the first
in a series of public museums and monuments that she and her husband funded. The Museum of
Modern Art was opened in 1928.”
“Twenty-eight is the first number from the cards,” Gabriella said.
“Exactly,” Verlaine said, his excitement growing. “The numbers two and eight from the lyre etching
could point to this address.”
“If that is the case,” Evangeline said, “there would have to be three other locations that match the
three other lyre renderings.”
“What are the remaining numbers?” Bruno asked.
“Three and eight, three and zero, and three and nine,” Saitou-san replied.
Gabriella leaned closer to Verlaine. “Is it possible,” she said, “that there is a correspondence?”
Verlaine’s expression was one of intense concentration. “Actually,” he said at last. “The Cloisters,
which was John D. Rockefeller Jr.’s great love, opened in 1938.”
“And 1930?” Vladimir asked.
“Riverside Church, which, to be honest, I have never found interesting, must have been completed
around 1930.”
“That leaves 1939,” Evangeline said, the anticipation of discovery making her so nervous she
could hardly speak. “Did the Rockefellers build something in 1939?”
Verlaine was silent, his brow furrowed, as if he were sifting the multitude of addresses and dates
cataloged in his memory. Suddenly, he said, “As a matter of fact, they did. Rockefeller Center, their
own Art Deco magnum opus, opened in 1939.”
“The numbers communicated to Innocenta must refer to these locations,” Vladimir said.
“Well done, Verlaine,” Saitou-san said, ruffling his mess of curls.
The atmosphere in the room had shifted drastically to a buzz of restless anticipation. For her part,
Evangeline could only stare at the cards in astonishment. They’d rested in a vault beneath her and the
other unsuspecting sisters for more than fifty years.
“However,” Gabriella said, breaking the spell, “the lyre can be in only one of these four
locations.”
“Then it will be most expedient if we divide into groups and search them all,” Vladimir said.
“Verlaine and Gabriella will go to the Cloisters. It’ll be packed with tourists, so getting anything out
of there will be a delicate procedure. I believe it best accomplished by one familiar with its
conventions. Saitou-san and I will go to Riverside Church. And Evangeline and Bruno will go to the
Museum of Modern Art.”
“And Rockefeller Center?” Verlaine asked.
Saitou-san said, “It’s impossible to do anything there today. It’s Christmas Eve, for God’s sake.
The place will be a madhouse.”
“I expect that’s why Abigail Rockefeller chose it,” Gabriella said. “The more difficult it is to
access, the better.”
Gabriella took the leather case holding the plectrum and the angelological notebook in hand. She
gave each group the card associated with its location. “I can only hope the cards will assist us in
finding the lyre.”
“And if they do?” Bruno said. “What then?”
“Ah, that is the great dilemma we face,” Vladimir said, running his fingers through his silver hair.
“To preserve the lyre or to destroy it.”
“Destroy it?” Verlaine cried. “From all that you’ve said, it’s obvious that the lyre is beautiful,
precious beyond all reckoning.”
“This instrument is not just another ancient artifact,” Bruno said. “It isn’t something that one might
put on display at the Met. Its dangers far outweigh any historical importance it may have. There is no
option but to destroy it.”
“Or to hide it again,” Vladimir said. “There are numerous places in which we could secure it.”