The Cartographers

At Haberson, Felix reels from the news of Irene’s murder. William also reveals that Nell is the prime suspect. Desperate and worried, Felix impulsively warns Nell that she has been framed, but his messages do no go through. He reveals that Nell is in danger because of the Junk Box map, catching William’s attention.

This section of the chapter outlines Romi’s flashback to an earlier time frame in the history of the Cartographers. By August 1990, Romi could see the group falling apart. Wally was hardly ever present, and Francis often accompanied him; both were secretive about their whereabouts. One day, Romi found a suspicious note about a bookstore in Francis’s pocket, written by Wally. Romi contacted the bookstore, who reported a recent robbery, as well as a sudden odd demand for road maps. She researched more robberies and confronted Francis and Wally about their crimes. During the argument, Wally revealed Francis’s affair with Eve. Devastated, Romi left for a motel and intended to exit the Agloe project, too. Bear visited her, asking for help. She agreed.

Nell, Swann, and the Cartographers go to Classic. Nell finds the Junk Box map—safe and sound on her desk where she hid it before the NYPL party—and Humphrey (Bear) charges in.