Only after I had locked all four doors did I finally let myself breathe out.

The brass key had a clear code stamped into its side: C-17.

I had no idea what lock it was meant to open.

Instead of driving straight home, I stopped at the public library in downtown Cedar Falls.

The historical archives were kept in a quiet back room behind the main reading area, and the head librarian, Mrs.

Gable, greeted me warmly the moment I walked in.

“Hannah, it’s so wonderful to see you,” she said softly.