“Bella, Mrs Anderson had called up and said she wants to meet you.” Jessamine said
“Mrs Anderson, that lady who lives in Dew Street.”
“Yes, your mom’s best friend.”
“Ok, if I have to then all right.”
Within an hour Bella and Jessamine reached there.
“Welcome. You are the amateur detective Bella, my best friend Enid’s daughter. You must be Jessamine Flake, Bella’s cousin sister who has come here to study. Actually Enid has told me all about you. Come on be seated.”
“Thank you Mrs Anderson. So why did you want to talk to me?”
“Bella I have a collection of books. All types of books, Mystery, Horror, Children stories but the type of books I like most is autobiographies and biographies. Do you know Molly Oslo?”
“Yes the award winning actress. Who doesn’t know her?”
“Yes, she has written her autobiography ‘Unfulfilled Dreams’. She has published only one copy and she will auction it at ‘France book fair’ the day after. I want you to get it for me. Place the highest bid; I am ready to give you a heavy amount of money to do so. Will you. I could have done it but actually I am not keeping well you know.”
Before Bella could answer Mrs Anderson gave her the tickets. They had to leave by 7pm that night. Next day by afternoon they reached there.
“We have almost a day left Bella. Let us go for shopping.” Jessamine said
“Yes, anyhow I had to meet my friend Meg. You can come too.”
After shopping they went to Meg’s house. Meg was not there so they had to wait and to utilize the time Bella quickly checked the newspaper. The first page was filled with the review of Molly Oslo’s book and the actress’ interview. The next page was filled with sports news but the next page contained something interesting. It was about Ken Oslo, Molly Oslo’s brother. ‘Unfulfilled dream’ contained the solution to a mystery. When Molly was about to reveal that to the Journalist in an interview, the journalist got a call to immediately stop the interview. Not paying attention to the call when the reporter continued the interview there was an almost deafening sound of a gun. Forced to stop, the journalist went down to see one of the crew member injured. However he was not harshly injured and is steadily recovering.
In the meantime Meg came.
“Hi Bella, another case. Who is this girl? Where is Madhuri your assistant?”
“Hey Meg. Mysteries are my travelling partner. They are always with me when I travel. This is Jessamine Flake, my present assistant. Madhuri has got a new job, though we meet frequently but she isn’t able to find time to help me in my cases. Jessamine this is my friend Margot Penny or Meg. She lived in New York near my house but is now here to continue her studies. Right Meg?”
“Yes Bella. Since my holidays have begun I can help you.”Meg Said
Explaining the case Bella thanked her.
Next day at the auction Bella found herself competing with a man. But Bella placed such a high bid that not only the book went to Bella but also the man left.
“Meg book a ticket from Paris to New York for tomorrow afternoon we already have ours.” Bella said
“Sure.” Meg replied.
That night they halted at a hotel. At mid-night Bella saw a man enter. She woke up and tried to catch the man but he fled. Bella only got hold of his Cap and a piece of his shirt. Next morning she woke up to discover that the book had gone. Meanwhile her house keeper, Ariel called up to inform that Mr and Mrs Brown has been kidnapped.
“Meg you and Jessamine go to the clothes shop named “Blue Moon”. See that is written on the label of the cap. Also show this shirt and ask about it. Mom and Dad have been kidnapped.”
“I am going to all the libraries and see if there is at least one copy of ‘Unfulfilled Dream’.”
After almost an hour they came back.
“Bella, cap and shirt were bought from Blue Moon and a person named Steve had bought it. What about uncle and Aunt?” Meg said.
“I did not find any copy of the book. I had called Ariel and she said that the captor didn’t want any money but the book?”
“Very queer. A book is the main problem. Just imagine.”
“Yes but what about Steve. We can’t go to every house and ask if there is a Steve.”
“So Meg you stay here and see if you get any information about Steve, you know but looking in phone directories.”
“Ok, Safe journey. Should I come to see off.”
“No there is no such need. See you.”
When they reached back home they were shocked to see Enid.
“Mom, you’re back.”
“Yes but your Dad is still with them. They are very dangerous.”
“Ok, so they want the book.”
“Yes.”
“It’s stolen.”
Suddenly the phone rang and Bella picked it up.
“The kidnapper wanted the book but I told it was stolen. He said that to rescue dad book is needed.”
“Bella, there is an award show where Molly will be interacting with her fans, should we go. Mrs. Anderson won’t mind giving some passes. She must have bought. After all her favourite actress is Molly.” Jessamine said
Jessamine was actually correct Mrs Anderson did have some passes and happily gave them to Jessamine and Bella. Bella and her cousin met Molly. Unexpectedly Molly said that she wanted to meet Bella and asked her to come to her room.
Bella and Jessamine went to the room.
“Bella, you wanted my book. There on the table. I had collected them to gift the celebrities but I think my fans should get it. After all I work not for money but for my fans. They made Molly Oslo out of a normal beauty products seller. I will remain forever grateful to them.”
“Thank you so much. Can you tell me anything about your brother Ken?”
“Yes, Ken was murdered by some men but I didn’t want any attention towards this vulnerable incident so I urged to the police not to publicize it. I don’t know who the men were. I had narrated that incident in the book so I think that was the reason the book got stolen and now I am receiving threatening calls from them. Oh my bad luck! “
“Molly I am an amateur detective but do not publicize it I think I can help you.”
“I would be grateful if you can. Meet you really soon.”
Bella was worried about the phone call. When she reached home Ariel told her that the kidnapper said that there was no need to give any book but they only wanted money to be sent to them and wanted to meet at Fort square. Bella went there with a suitcase filled with money. But she got kidnapped and thrown into an underground room.
Bella was wishing that Jessamine finds her but after waiting for a few minutes she heard a familiar voice, it was her dad.
“Bella, Ken was killed by Steve. Meg informed me about his whereabouts. They wanted to steal all the books by Molly Oslo to hide the crime. They kidnapped me as I was working on the case. I had solved the case but I got kidnapped. Ken was killed by Steve. Remember the TV show ‘My fascination with ancient cities’. Steve was chosen to anchor the show but got replaced by Ken so as a revenge got killed by Steve”
“Oh! But how do we get out?”
“I have been digging a passage. It is complete, come on.”
Steve and group got arrested and the book along with other things like- diamond rings, precious bracelets got recovered. Steve was not getting any work so took the path of crime and started stealing things.
Thus Bella solved the case and everyone got their things back- people got back their jewelleries, Molly got one of her book and Bella got the best thing- A friend like Molly.
