I
It was early on a Thursday morning when Edith Lime, 57, and local librarian, sat down to read the paper that had just been delivered to her doorstep. She eyed the front page with interest. For, written there in large letters, were the words, "Jewels Stolen From Museum." How interesting, she thought, how out of place.
"Nothing like that ever happens in Opal Bay," she said to herself as she skimmed the article. It was quite a shock to everyone involved. The local museum, the Opal Museum of History, had been displaying several large and precious jewels that belonged to a monarchy of old. "Had been," being the key words. Sometime late on Wednesday evening, the jewels had been heisted. There didn't seem to be much in the way of evidence, either. After several minutes of scanning the page, Edith glanced down at her watch.
"Oh, my, I'll be late for work at this rate," she said. She folded the newspaper and put it face up, so the large letters were still visible upon the table.
"My goodness, my goodness indeed." Her thoughts were full of the bold jewelry heist, it had been a long time since anything had made waves in the local community. It had been just about ten years since the fire broke out at the Mill. That was the last time a major sensation had occurred in Opal Bay.
The cool spring breeze flew through her hair as she sped toward the Opal Bay Public Library on her new red bike. She had decided that, since she was getting older, she would do as much to keep her physically active as possible. And the library was not so far, anyway, and all that fresh spring air wouldn't hurt, either.
She strolled into the front doors of the public library and was greeted by the familiar faces of the regular patrons who had been coming to the library for years. It was a kind of bond that one built while working with the public. A friendly smile here, a wave there. It was another wonderful day in Opal Bay and the public was hungry for more knowledge, adventure, and the type of satisfaction that only a book can bring you.
"Morning, Ms. Lime." Said a bright faced young man, flipping through a large red book.
"Good morning, Percy," she said as she snuck into the back. She hung her bag up and adjusted her yellow sweater, which had ridden up slightly on her bike journey. She came back out to the square desk and observed all that was before her.
"Ready for another day, Edith?" Came a voice form behind her. She turned and was greeted by her boss, Mr. Leonard Pen.
"It's always a lovely time to be here in spring, Mr. Pen." Edith said with a smile. Then she let out a little laugh, for she had not meant to imply that other times were not as good to be at the library.
"Yes. Quite right," said Mr. Pen, smoothing his black mustache.
Just then, the doors opened and in strolled a handsome man in his 30s. His long brown hair flowing behind him. He carried a briefcase and wore a suit.
"Lance!" Cried Edith, who ran around the corner to greet her son.
"Mother," he said, returning the hug.
"I didn't know that you were coming by today. You should have told me." Edith replied.
Oh, I though a surprise would be nice." Lance said with a smile.
"Oh Lance, I just remembered the article I read this morning—"
"Yes, it's awful, the museum is in an uproar, we haven't ever seen anything like this before." Lance Lime had held down a steady job at the museum for several years now, and as one of the curators, he was close to the jewels when they went missing.
"It's such a terrible thing. Have any leads?" Edith asked. Lance shook his head.
"Nothing yet, I'm afraid." His face grew grim. "We're all under suspicion of course. Even me. Barbara, too."
"Oh, you poor souls. First the two of you dissolve the engagement, and now you're under suspicion of major theft."
"Yes, it's awful." Lance said with a sigh. "We've all been ordered not to leave town by the police. There's a real bulldog of a detective working the case. Jack Woods."
"Oh, Jack, yes," replied Edith. Jack, being a public figure in Opal Bay, was known quite well to those who read the newspaper. His name had been attached to the fire at the Mill, as well, and he had tracked down the arsonist who had started the fire. Whenever anything needed done in Opal Bay, they got Jack Woods to do it.
"Well, he's treating us all like we're guilty, I can't say I care much for the man," concluded Lance with a frown.
"Ah, come, let's forget about that for a while. What can I do for you, Lance?" Asked his mother.
"Why, I came to see if you'd like to do lunch later today. With the library and the museum being so close together, I'm not sure why we don't do it more often." Edith raised a hand in protest.
"Now, now, Lance, I understand when a man is grown, he's busy."
"Still, since dad passed, I can't help but feel—" Lance trailed off as Edith squeezed his arm.
"I understand, son. Let's do that little Mexican place on Fifth street, shall we?" She asked with a faint smile.
"I would like that. Let's meet at one?" Lance asked. Edith nodded and gave her son another hug. He turned and exited through the double doors.
"I wish he wouldn't worry so much. It's been a year since Paul passed." Edith said to Mr. Pen. "Lance has got to live his own life. I've got my books and my bike and who knows what else I'll find to keep myself busy." Edith shook her head sadly.
"Yes well," began Mr. Pen, straightening his tie, "come now, we have the public to attend to."
"I suppose they would be lost without us," she replied with a grin. And with that, another normal day was set in motion for Edith Lime.
II
The sharp ringing of the telephone awakened Edith in the middle of the night. Or, as she would find out as she rolled over and looked at the alarm clock on her nightstand, early in the morning. As she made out the time, the phone rang once more.
"It's two o'clock in the morning," she said angrily as she fumbled for the phone. She cleared her throat.
"Hello? Who is this?"
"Mom!" Cried the voice on the other end.
"Lance?" She asked, sitting up in panic. "What's wrong?"
"They arrested me." Lance replied, desperation ringing in his voice.
"Arrested you?" Edith echoed. "Arrested you for what?" She asked, dangling her feet over the edge of her bed, probing for her slippers.
"They found the stolen jewels on me!" Lance exclaimed.
"Wait a minute YOU stole those jewels?" Edith asked. There was a moment of silence and she heard Lance swallow on the other end.
