The Mystery of Stolen Diamonds by David A. Adler Read Free Book Online Page A

pushed people aside—including Eric. Cam looked straight at the man and said, “Click.”

Chapter Two
    The man kept running and caused a great commotion. He was bumping into dozens of people. He left a path of angry shoppers from Parker’s Jewelry Store halfway through the shopping mall.
    â€œCome back here, young man,” one woman shouted, “and pick up all my packages!”
    Another woman dropped a bag filled with groceries. Eggs broke. Tomatoes and cucumbers were rolling in all directions.
    â€œIf he’s trying to get away,” Cam asked, “why didn’t he run out one of the exits?”
    â€œWhat?” Eric wasn’t really listening. Howie was still crying, and Eric was trying to calm him.
    Just then a young couple came out of the jewelry store.
    â€œLook,” Cam said. “They were inside when the alarm went off.”
    A small crowd had gathered. Cam was still standing on the bench. From there she had a good view of the entrance to Parker’s.
    The couple walked toward the nearest exit. The man was wearing a dark suit. He was tall, and so was the woman with him. She was holding what looked like a baby, wrapped in a pink blanket.
    â€œThere, there, baby,” the woman was saying. “Don’t cry. It’s all over now. Don’t cry.”
    The man was holding a very large pink-and-blue baby rattle. He was urging the woman to walk faster. Cam looked straight at them as they walked past, and said, “Click.”

    Then Eric saw two old women coming out of the store.
    â€œLook,” he said, pointing. “They were in there, too, when the alarm went off.”
    The women were upset. One was clutching her heart. The other was leaning forward and holding a cane with both hands. She walked as if the cane were the only thing keeping her up.
    The women sat down on the bench nearest Cam and Eric. “Oh, my,” the woman holding her heart said. “I never thought I’d live through that.”
    The other woman just sighed.

    Cam watched the entrance to Parker’s a while longer. No one else left the store. Then she saw someone inside shut the door and hang a sign in the window. The sign said, “Sorry, We’re Closed.”
    â€œI wonder what happened,” Cam said as she got down from the bench.
    Eric rocked Howie in his arms. “I don’t know, but I wish they’d shut off that alarm. It’s scaring Howie. I’ll have to feed him if he doesn’t stop crying.”
    Eric held Howie against his shoulder. Howie stopped crying, but just for a minute. A loud police car siren sounded. It startled Howie, and he began to cry again.
    â€œQuick, Cam, get me his bottle. It’s in the insulated bag.”
    Cam opened the bag and looked inside. “Boy, he sure needs a lot of stuff.”
    She gave the bottle to Eric. “Are you sure you know how to feed him?”
    â€œIt’s easy. Watch.”
    Eric cradled Howie in one arm. With his free hand he fed him the bottle. Howie was quiet.
    â€œIt works,” Cam said. “I guess he can’t cry and drink at the same time.”
    The siren got louder and louder.
    â€œThey must have called the police,” Cam said. She watched as the police car turned into the mall parking lot and slowed down. It stopped in front of Parker’s Jewelry Store.
    Both front doors of the car opened. Two policemen got out and went inside Parker’s. A moment later the alarm over the store stopped ringing.
    â€œThey better hurry,” Cam said, “or they won’t catch the man who ran out.”
    The police did hurry. In a very short time they came out of Parker’s. They went over to the people standing just outside the store.
    â€œPlease, we need your cooperation,” one of the policemen said. “Did any of you see a man run from here?”

    Everyone started yelling at once.
    â€œYes, we saw him.”
    â€œHe was