Chapter 3: A Visit To The Library

Bottom man quickly explained to the Countess that they had to go to the Library. After the Countess had gathered her books and grabbed her handbag, they drove off in her Mercedes.

BM and the Countess used to go to the library lots. They liked wandering around the shelves browsing all the different books. There was so much to read, and best of all it was all free!

While the Countess went to the counter to return her books, BM strolled over to the duty librarian.

"Good morning ma'am. Ivor Longbottom from the Bethesda Courier," said BM, putting on his most charming smile. "We're doing a story on internet usage in county libraries. I wonder could you explain to me how you do the bookings."

"Why certainly, Mr Longbottom," replied the Librarian. If you want to use one of our computers, you simply put your name in this book. You see, you choose which computer you want and what time you wish to use it."

BM quickly checked the entries for that morning around 10am. There had been only one user at that time. He made a note of the name.

"I've been told in other branches that you sometimes get strange, even scary, people using the computers," said BM in his best investigative journalist's voice.

"Well usually we don't have any trouble because only people with library cards can use the computers. But this morning there was a very odd-looking chap using the computer for about 10 minutes. After he left, we got a call from a member who said his library card had been stolen. And sure enough, the strange-looking fellow had been using the stolen card."

"How curious," said Bottom Man. "Just in case it turns out that the same man has been using the other Branches, could you describe him to me?"

"I can't see why not," replied the Librarian, who to tell the truth thought that this was all too exciting for words. "He was a tough-looking guy with a crew-cut. And he had a scar. Where was it now - wait a minute - yes, it was over his right eye."

"Hmm," said BM. "Well thank you for your assistance, ma'am, the Courier is most grateful."

"The pleasure was all mine, Mr Longbottom. Have a nice day."

As BM and the Countess headed across the library car-park toward the Mercedes, Bottom Man noticed a large tough-looking guy getting out of a green SUV. He didn't look like the usual library user. BM peered hard at the man and saw that he had a crew-cut and a scar over his right eye. Bottom Man immediately started walking quickly in the man's direction, but as soon as the man saw this, he jumped back into his car and sped off, nearly knocking the Countess over as he drove past.

"Quickly, Countess, follow that car," yelled BM, but by the time they had got to the Countess' Mercedes, the green SUV had disappeared around the corner. BM quickly rang the Chief of Police and gave the registration of the green car and a description of the driver.

"Nothing doing here, let's get back home," sighed BM.


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