Chapter 12

Summary

• When Sylvia arrives at work, she finds Professor Nash mourning the stolen Medici Manuscript, which feels like a personal loss.
• Sylvia shares information she learned from Stanley and Juan about the symbols they could recall from inside the manuscript.
• They theorize that the symbols have been added to make the cipher more difficult to crack, with each symbol potentially representing a powerful person instead of a letter.
• Sylvia is motivated to solve the mystery of the book, not necessarily to learn about her family's history.
• They connect a symbol representing power with the Pope, acknowledging it is a guess based on info from Gabriel's friend Juan.
• Gabriel joins them in the library, and they share their suspicions about the symbols in the manuscript. They plan to continue research to identify other symbols, specifically looking at historical characters like kings, queens, and wealthy families.
• Later, Sylvia and Gabriel visit Lazarus Sidwell, where he shares an old document listing books from Sir Andrew Sidwell's collection, including the Medici Manuscript.
• The document suggests that the symbols in the manuscript may be alchemical, and one symbol represents the Medici family.
• During their visit, they learn that the manuscript was bought by Dr. Adams from Niccolo di Mario in Florence, speculated to be an alchemist like many doctors of that time.
• They question Mr. Sidwell's whereabouts the night of the theft, which he does not take kindly and becomes suspicious and upset. They leave without learning many new details, but with a plan to continue research and contacting neighbours.

• The chapter begins with the characters, Sylvia and Gabe, discussing Sylvia's family history, which she seems uninterested in uncovering.
• Sylvia makes it clear that she's come to terms with not knowing her roots and doesn't plan to seek information about her family.
• Gabe finds it hard to understand Sylvia's lack of curiosity about her family history. He puts great importance on knowing one's family and history.
• Sylvia insists that she does not need his pity and does not aspire to have what he has.
• Gabe's comments upset Sylvia, bringing her to tears. Gabe apologizes for his thoughtless comments, saying that he's sorry.
• Gabe comforts Sylvia, showing his compassionate side. For a moment, there's an intimate tension between them, possibly indicating a romantic connection.
• However, Gabe quickly breaks off the moment by turning away and continuing to drive, leaving Sylvia confused and emotionally shaken.