Read Charlie Bone and the Shadow of Badlock (Children of the Red King, Book 7) for Free Online Page B

watching Ezekiel Bloor as he thumbed through her precious book. She didn't want to wrestle it away from him in case even more damage was done. When he saw Paton Yewbeam, however, the old man looked up.
    "Aha! Paton Yewbeam!" Ezekiel declared. "Thought you didn't go out in daylight?"
    "I go out when I please," Uncle Paton retorted, snatching his fedora from a hat stand in the corner.
    "Hmmm," the old man sniffed as Paton strode to the door. "I suppose that's why this oldie-worldie shoppie is so dark. You could do with a bit of electricity in here, Miss Books."
    Uncle Paton stopped mid-stride, causing Benjamin to walk straight into him. "Watch your tongue, Ezekiel Bloor," growled Paton.
    "Or else... ?" sneered Ezekiel. "I hope you're not thinking of asking this good lady to marry you, Paton.
    She'd never have you, you know." He broke into a fit of cackling.
    The boys watched uneasily as both Miss Ingledew and Paton Yewbeam turned very pink. Ezekiel had let go of the book to wipe his mouth and Miss Ingledew took the opportunity to slide the rare book away from him. But Mr. Weedon pulled it back again.
    Recovering his composure, Paton said, "Kindly keep your nose out of my business, Mr. Bloor."
    "And you run along about yours." Ezekiel waved his wet hand dismissively.
    Paton hovered, glaring at the old man. "I hope you're not damaging a rare book." He looked at Miss Ingledew. "Ju... Miss Ingledew, do you want me to... ?"
    "No, no," said Miss Ingledew, still very pink. "You go, Pa... Mr. Yewbeam. I can see it's urgent."
    "It is, rather." Paton was now in an agony of indecision. He clearly wanted to stay and protect Miss Ingledew, but Benjamin was already halfway up the steps and tugging at his sleeve.
    "I'll call you" - Miss Ingledew picked up her cell phone - "if anything goes wrong...."
    "You do that." Paton gave her a meaningful look and stepped through the door that Benjamin was impatiently holding open.
    "What are you going to do, Mr. Yewbeam?" asked Fidelio, as they sped down the street.
    "It depends what is called for," said Paton.
    "Look!" Benjamin pointed down the street.
    Running toward them were two girls: Emma Tolly, in a blue jacket, with her blond hair flying over her face, was struggling with a large basket. Beside her, Olivia Vertigo also carried a basket, this one smaller and obviously easier to hold. Olivia looked quite spectacular in an oversized sweater with "star" spelled out in gold sequins on the front. She also wore a sparkly white hat and a gold scarf. Her hair was a deep purple today.
    "Mr. Yewbeam," called Olivia. "You've got to help."
    "Please, please, please," cried Emma. "Something awful has happened."
    The two parties met in the middle of the street.
    "We're extremely busy, girls." Uncle Paton brushed past them and continued on his way.
    "What's your awful happening?" asked Benjamin, stopping in spite of himself.
    "The Pets' Cafe has been closed," wailed Emma. "Permanently. It's awful. We could see Mr. Onimous sitting at the table. His head was in his hands. He looked so depressed."
    "We can deal with that later, Em." Fidelio stepped around the girls. "Something worse has happened to Charlie."
    "And Runner Bean," Benjamin added. "They've both gone. Vanished. Completely disappeared into a painting."
    Emma lowered her basket, from which a loud quacking could be heard. "What are you going to do?"
    "We won't know till we get to Charlie's house," said Fidelio, anxiously watching the departing figure of Uncle Paton.
    "We'll come!" Olivia was never one to be left out of things. "Let's leave our pets at the bookstore, Em."
    "Wouldn't go in the store if I were you," Fidelio called over his shoulder. "Old Mr. Bloor is there."
    The two boys ran on while the girls stood making up their minds. Eventually, Emma decided she couldn't leave her auntie Julia alone with Mr. Bloor. She carried on up the street with her pet duck, Nancy, while Olivia hastened after the boys with her white rabbit, Wilfred.
    It was a tricky