Cupid's Treasure - Mystery of the Golden Arrow Read Online Free Page B

as he, too, watched the new flurry of activity. Not waiting for her answer, he half jogged over to the vehicle.
    Amber knew it was her turn to leave. She looked down the street where only a few people were looking out of windows to see what was happening outside. She took a few steps toward the sidewalk and was startled by a young man who came out of nowhere. “What’s up?” he said as he passed by the front of the ambulance and continued on his way.
    She remembered him from his earlier visit to the library. He’d been doing a report on Greek mythology and had asked for assistance finding a book on Aphrodite.
    “Are you new in town, sugar?” Charlene asked as she came around the side of the ambulance and joined her near the open back of the ambulance.
    “Yes,” Amber said as she turned back around with a sigh of regret. They both stood watching the commotion near the squad car and the gathering crowd.
    “Hmm- hum,” Charlene said, mistaking her sigh and nodded in the direction of Jonathan. “That is one fine man. If I wasn’t married to Hank, I might be tempted.”
    “I am the new librarian,” Amber said, changing the subject.
    Charlene gave her a quick glance. “I can see that.”
    Officer Tom’s voice rose above the commotion. “What do you mean he’s missing?”
    “He vanished,” the younger officer claimed.
    “He can’t have just vanished into thin air!” They could hear Tom shout as he threw open the door of the squad car to use the radio.
    “I wonder what that’s all about,” Charlene said as both she and Amber looked on.
    “We have an all-points bulletin out for a man in his mid-sixties, medium height, a hundred fifty pounds, with grey hair.” They heard the officer’s voice come over the speaker in the ambulance.
    “Well, that answers that,” Charlene said as they listened.
    “He was last seen wearing a cloth diaper in the vicinity of Elm Street.” The voice over the speaker paused. “He is not armed, but he is considered dangerous.”
    “What a spectacle!” Charlene said. “How could they have lost a diapered man right under their very noses?”
    Amber looked out at the dark street. The shadows seemed to jump out at her as she stood in the bright light. She felt vulnerable and had to stamp down a new flood of fear as she watched both the officer and Jonathan walk toward them.
    Officer Tom spoke up first. “Miss Smith, I have asked Mr. Peterson to take you home. I have some other business to attend to.”
    “It’s not that easy for a diaper wearing man to walk around unnoticed,” Charlene said, putting a comforting arm around her. “You’d think it was a full moon out.”
    “If it wasn’t Mardi Gras I might agree,” Jonathan said.
    “Oh, that’s true.” Charlene nodded.
    Tom cleared his throat. “Since I have to conduct a man search,” he looked uncomfortable as he addressed her, “I must ask if you have anywhere safe to go, Miss Smith.”
    “The motel,” Amber said.
    The officer scratched his head. “I am understaffed this evening and am unable to offer police protection; However, Mr. Peterson assures me that he has a place where you will be well cared for and safe.”
    “Are you talkin' about Ms. Katie’s bed and breakfast?” Charlene butted in. “Oh, sugar, you are just going to love Ms. Katie, and that heart shaped bed of hers is divine.” She winked. “Hank and I got that room for our anniversary last year.”
    “But, I can’t,” Amber said.
    “Why not?” Jonathan asked.
    “I have a cat,” Amber said.
    “Great!” Jonathan surprised her by saying, “This particular bed and breakfast owner happens to love cats.”
    “It’s settled then.” Tom quickly looked back at the camera crew. “I’ll come by tomorrow to get the rest of your statement,” he said as the cameraman and the busy bee started to walk in their direction. “You two had better leave before this becomes more of a circus than it already is.”
    Amber stood rooted to the