Cupid's Treasure - Mystery of the Golden Arrow Read online

  Over his shoulder Amber could see the news crew standing near the squad car. The younger officer who had been left to guard the prisoner in the back waved his hands excitedly as he spoke to Tom.

  “Wait here for a second while I see what is going on,” Jonathan said 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 spot.

  “Did you want to be on the news?” Jonathan asked her, stepping closer.

  “No,” she squeaked a little too breathlessly. She didn’t need to be in his company either.

  “Does she even know who you are, Jonathan?” Charlene asked with hands on hips.

  “Ah–” he chuckled, “I’m Jonathan Peterson.” He grinned. “How about you?”

  She just stared blankly at him.

  “And you are?” he asked slowly.

  “Amber.”

  “Okay, Amber,” Jonathan said. “Now can we go?”

  She swallowed. The idea of going anywhere with him sent alarms off in her head and body. She glanced up at him, hoping she didn’t expose her inner turmoil. She couldn’t afford that type of complication.

  “Are you sure you’re feeling okay?” Jonathan asked. “Did an arrow hit you?”

  She glanced back at Charlene and shook her head. “No!” She glanced over at the reporter who was talking with Tom and pointing in their direction.

  “No, you cannot question the witness,” the officer said as he continued walking toward his squad car.

  “I think we can sneak away while Tom distracts them,” Jonathan whispered in her ear.

  She was definitely starting to feel queasy.

  “Darlin', are you alright?” Charlene asked. “I know the hospital has security.”

  “No!” Amber said, perking up. “I mean, yes. I’m fine.” She looked back at Jonathan frantically. “Let’s go.”

  Amber couldn’t believe the words had left her mouth.

  “Well, I’m comin' over to Ms. Katie’s after my shift to check on you in the mornin'.”

  Amber gave her a quick hug, surprising herself. “It had been so long since she’d had a friend, heck anyone who cared. “Thank you,” Amber said.

  “Hmm-hmm.” Charlene grinned. “We’ll have one of Ms. Katie’s special blended coffees out on the porch.”

  “Now, to get out of here unseen,” Jonathan said. “My truck is on the other block.

  “That’s the easy part, sugar.” Charlene winked. “I’ll just give you two a lift.”

  Chapter 3

  “Let’s get out of here then,” Jonathan said. Grabbing Amber’s hand, he pulled her around the other side of the ambulance and hopped in the front.

  “Why did those arrows just bounce off of you like that?” Amber asked as they waited for Charlene to get in.

  “I’m sure that’s not what happened,” he said calmly as Charlene slid into the driver’s seat.

  Amber knew that wasn’t the truth of it, but realized with Charlene in the car she wasn’t going to press for the truth. With my luck tonight, Charlene might drive me straight to the loony bin if I do.

  “Now we’ll just slowly pull away and hope they don’t follow,” Charlene said as they drove away. “You know ambulance chasing is a crime.”

  So is shooting arrows at people, Amber thought, but she remained silent while they drove around the block and stopped in front of a big blue truck.

  “Let’s be quick about this,” Jonathan said as he opened the door.

  “Thank you,” Amber said to Charlene as she scooted over and got out of the ambulance.

  “Sugar, he’s a good man, and those are good people where you are going. You’ll be just fine,” Charlene said as another call came through the speaker. “I’ve got to run, but I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Amber stepped out of the ambulance and followed her rescuer to the passenger side of his truck. Somehow he seemed more threatening than a diaper wearing madman with arrows. “I think I should just go back to my motel,” she said.

  “You need to go to a place where you will be safe,�
�� Jonathan said.

  She shook her head sadly. “I think I’ll be fine at the motel.”

  “Until that man is caught, I think a house full of people is a safer bet.”

  “A house full of people?” She glanced at him standing a few feet away. That is almost worse. “If someone is truly after me,” she started, “it stands to reason that I will only endanger anyone who helps me.”

  “Are you in the witness protection program?” he asked.

  “No,” Amber said, surprised by his abrupt question.

  “Is someone after you?”

  Amber took a big breath, but didn’t answer.

  “Don’t worry.” Jonathan came forward. “We have everything you need, but standing out here in the dark with a nutcase on the loose is not smart.”

  “I—I,” she stuttered, looking back at the dark street. “I can’t go with you,” Amber said, wishing that she could. For just a moment, wouldn’t it be nice to be protected and not be alone.

  “Yes, you can,” he said taking matters into his own hands as he propelled her the last feet toward his vehicle.

  Before she knew it, she was standing beside his big blue truck. He opened the door and said, “Climb in, princess.” She stopped and stared at him wide eyed. How is it that my life has just been thrown up in the air, and now that it’s landed, this big guy is in charge of it?

  “It’s just a euphemism,” he said at her confused look. “Chop-chop, time’s a wastin'.” He placed her purse in the truck and encouraged her to follow.

  She was suddenly overwhelmed at the sheer size of him as she stood looking up at him. She was actually tall at five-feet seven inches, but this man was a good foot taller than her.

  She couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief when he stepped away and jogged around to the other side. She climbed up into the truck and shut the door, hugging it like she just might pop back out at any given moment as he hopped in.

  “See? You’re okay,” he said, looking over at her with a smile one might give a mud covered puppy.

  Amber nodded as she pushed her glasses up on her nose and looked away while he started the engine. What am I doing leaving with him? She glanced at him then at the street where she could still glimpse the lights of the squad car.

  “Did you want to make the news?” Jonathan asked as she craned her neck as they turned the corner.

  “No,” Amber said, turning back around. She glanced at him again. “Was he really in a diaper?”

  “It was more a loin cloth with a drape across one shoulder.” Jonathan moved his hand across his chest to explain the garment as he drove. When silence prevailed he asked, “Where are you from?”

  “The Mid-west,” she answered vaguely. She’d been saying it so long it even had a ring of truth to it. “You know I’m really concerned about my cat. I think you should take me to the motel to get her.”

  “I understand your concern, but if someone is after you, that is the worst place for you to go,” Jonathan said. I have had some experience with this, and I’ll get your cat.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she said worriedly. “My cat hates men and is really feisty.”

  “She will love and adore me.” He grinned at her.

  “I’m very serious,” Amber said. “When she’s agitated she can really devastate a room. She likes to swipe everything off the counters, and with the storm I worry she will be difficult to manage.”

  “It will be fine.”

  Amber knew it wasn’t going to be fine—ever! She sighed. “I really think you should take me to the motel to let me get my cat.”

  “No can do. Besides, it’s too late.” He smiled. “We’re here.”

  Amber looked away from him in frustration and gazed up at the large mansion. She was surprised by the vision that greeted her. Far from the gloomy place she’d been imagining, the structure was ablaze with light and life. A young woman came out on the porch and waved, waiting as they pulled into the driveway.

  “That is Jessie,” Jonathan said. “And her husband,” he added as a man joined her followed by an older woman with bright yellow hair. Amber blinked at the sight, remembering the card in her pocket. “Is that Gloria?” Amber asked.

  “Yeah,” Jonathan said in surprise then laughed. “My mother didn’t talk you into a makeover, did she?” He turned to her, watching her in the light from the porch.

  “She may have mentioned it,” Amber said with a slight smile.

  “There’s a smile,” Jonathan said and watched as she pushed her glasses up on her nose and fidgeted nervously with her sweater. “You are in a safe place, Amber, and we are aware of the threat.” At her doubtful look, he added, “We can handle it.” He watched as she chewed on her bottom lip. “Trust me.”

  She knew he was an even bigger threat to her senses, but she was tired, needed to clean up, and get some rest. She looked up at him, remembering him standing in front of her as the arrows hit him and fell away harmlessly. Well, except the last one. Despite his protest that it hadn’t happened, she knew what she had seen . . . perhaps she could believe him to be invincible for just a moment.

  Jonathan went from being serious to lighthearted banter once again. “Get ready for the welcoming committee.” He got out and came around the other side. “Hey, Chiquita,” Jonathan said when he opened the passenger side door to the ladies who had come out to greet her. “This is Gloria.” He introduced her to the yellow haired woman approaching. “You’ll love her.”

  “Oh, sweetheart,” Gloria said as she came forward. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve got your room ready and fresh towels set out in the shower. We’ll have you feeling better in no time.”

  “And this is her daughter, Jessie,” he said as the younger one came around her mother to her other side.

  “Hello.” Jessie smiled. “Welcome.”

  “Thank you.” Amber smiled back shyly. She wasn’t used to so many people fussing over her. She also wasn’t prepared for what the waves of compassion made her feel. Amber adjusted her glasses and sniffed, trying to fight back the tears that threatened. She didn’t normally cry. . . . It is just the stress of the day.

  “That’s okay, sweetheart,” Gloria said, hugging her to her quickly. “Let’s just get you inside.”

  As Amber walked up the stairs, yet another woman appeared on the porch next to the gentleman who was with the other one’s daughter. Amber thought it was all getting a little confusing as she looked at the woman who looked exactly like the one with yellow hair, only this one had bright red. She did a double take.

  “And this is Ms. Katie,” Jonathan said. “They are twins.”

  “Ciao, darlin’. Let’s get you inside and into some warm bubbles.” Katie grinned.

  “And this fine gentleman is Jacques,” Jonathan said as the thirty year old man chuckled and smiled.

  “A pleasure to meet you,” he said.

  Amber immediately recognized his voice from the earlier call that Jonathan had made. Though why he would call this young man Grandpa was beyond her.

  “I also have a pot of homemade chicken soup if anyone is hungry,” Jessie said.

  “Now you’re talking my language!” Jonathan said. “Where is Harold?”

  “He’s in the attic, dear,” Gloria said.

  Jonathan looked at Amber. “I’ll leave you in these women’s capable hands and catch up with you later.” He smiled. “Are you okay?”

  It was the umpteenth time he’d asked it, but this time she nodded.

  “Good,” Jonathan said. “You look a little overwhelmed, but that’s to be expected I think.” He winked as he tapped his finger on her nose before leaving.

  Amber was not only dumbfounded by her feelings for him, dazed by her day, overwhelmed by the new faces, but also stunned that, in this moment, it didn’t even matter. She wanted the comfort the friendship offered, if only for the night. She’d denied it for so long. . . . Would it be so very wrong of her to want to feel loved and not so alone if just for
the next half hour even? “A bath sounds very good.”

  ~*~

  Jonathan climbed the ladder to the attic and wondered what had hit him. A ton of bricks out of nowhere couldn’t have been more surprising. “Harold, are you up here?” he called out.

  “Over here,” an older gentleman wearing a lab coat answered from the corner where a blue test tube was glowing, offering light as he took notes.

  “How is it going?” Jonathan asked.

  “Good,” Harold said as he checked through the microscope at his elbow. “So far the blood sample you provided seems impervious to everything.”

  “With one exception,” Jonathan amended as Harold looked up at him curiously. “I was struck by this tonight.” He took the arrow out of his pocket and handed it over to the older man who clicked on a brighter light and stood scrutinizing the piece.

  “I’ve never seen anything like it,” Harold said as he placed it on a scale and weighed it. “Fascinating.”

  Jonathan waited, knowing there would be more information to follow.

  “It appears to be an antique, yet is in pristine condition. The workmanship is astonishingly intricate. It also looks like gold, but is much too light, and the arrow tip itself looks like titanium,” Harold said, “which would make it quite a bit newer than I originally suspected.”

  “Not exactly the weapon for your everyday stalker.”

  “Heavens no,” Harold said, “unless he is particular in his pursuit of his prey.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “A weapon like this would be highly specialized and expensive,” Harold said.

  “Whatever it is, it sliced through me like butter.”

  “Really?” Harold turned to him. “May I see the wound?”

  “You may,” Jonathan said, “but it’s probably already healed.” He lifted his shirt off and sat on the swivel chair the professor had just vacated. “What do you know about drugged darts?”

  “Are you saying that the substance that you suspect is on the arrow affected you in some manner?” Harold asked.

  “What is this about a drugged dart?” Jacques asked as he finished climbing into the attic that was a temporary laboratory for the professor and stepped into the area, walking around some low beams.