Deserted Library Mystery Read Free

Grandfather, Henry said good-bye to Pete and biked back to the house.
    He arrived just in time for breakfast, and then they all biked to the library, which was about a quarter of a mile away. Because the narrow winding lane was steep, Benny had to stop several times.
    When they reached the library, they stopped to stare at the gray shingled building. It tilted to one side, and the ground floor windows were boarded up. The front concrete steps were chipped and broken, and the roof had lost half its shingles.

    The second floor had a large window looking to the sea. Because no one had boarded it up, a few glass panes were missing. It was as if the library had one big eye watching the water. Watching and waiting. What was it that Violet had said? Jessie thought. The library looked sad and lonely.
    â€œWow!” Benny uttered, a light breeze rumpling his dark shiny hair. “It’s scary!”
    Jessie pushed her strange thoughts away. “Let’s see for ourselves,” she said brightly. She moved to the first step.
    â€œOkay,” Benny said. “I’m right behind you.”
    Henry laughed, taking Violet’s hand. “This is going to be fun.”
    Jessie unlocked the door.
    After they entered the dark and silent library, they halted. Surprise was written on their faces. Shelves of books lined the room, but many more books were scattered on the floor, some face down. Others were thrown in a corner. In the center of the room was a large desk that had been the circulation desk.
    They walked further into the room. Henry bravely went upstairs. “Come on,” he urged. His brother and sisters followed. They went into a room that also had books, but there was a large reading area by the big window. Under the window was a long seat covered in faded and worn material.
    â€œThis velvet seat was once red,” Jessie said, brushing her fingertips over the cushion.
    â€œIt looks pink to me!” Benny said. His voice echoed through the whole room.
    â€œAll right,” Henry said, “before we go through the books, I’ll remove the boards from the downstairs windows.” He was dressed for work, too, in his jeans, and a shirt with a red stripe and short sleeves. “If we make the library look good, it may be given the landmark status Grandfather wants so much.”
    â€œIt would be wonderful to be able to do that for him,” Violet said.
    â€œI’ll help you, Henry,” Benny said, running downstairs.
    â€œCareful,” Jessie cautioned. “Some of those wooden steps might be broken.”
    â€œI’m okay,” Benny said. “See?” He stood at the bottom of the steps, looking up. His hands were behind his back, and he wore a big grin.
    â€œGood, Benny,” Henry said. “Here we come.” They hurried down after Benny.
    They all pitched in. The boards were removed from the windows, letting the sunlight stream in. They dusted and cleaned until Benny said, “Isn’t it time for lunch yet?”
    Violet halted, wiping her forehead. “Yes, I’m ready for a sandwich, too.” She sat down, straightening the collar on her violet T-shirt. Violet was her favorite color. She even had wallpaper in her room at home with violets on it.
    â€œLunch will be later,” Jessie said. “It’s only eleven o’clock.”
    Willingly, they straightened more books.
    â€œLook,” Benny said, holding up a volume of fairy tales. It was an old book with no cover, but the pages were still in good condition. “Read me this story, Jessie,” he said, pointing to one.
    Jessie, who was on her knees, stood up and took a deep breath. “I’m ready for a break. We’ll sit over here by the circulation desk, Benny. Ah, you’ve chosen Rumpelstiltskin. ”She began to read about the maiden who was forced to weave all day, and the threads she wove that turned to gold.
    When Jessie finished the story, Benny stood up.