down.â
That night the children had planned a special dinner, and they were glad they had. Edward needed something to take his mind off the animals.
As soon as they got home they began preparing meat loaf, broccoli with cheese, mashed potatoes, and apple salad, plus lemon cake for dessert.
As the meat loaf baked, the children fixed the rest of the dinner and discussed the case.
âWe didnât see Helen Brooks today,âViolet said. âMaybe she canât find enough information to bring before the town council. Maybe sheâs given up.â
âDonât we wish,â Jessie said, chopping up the apples and celery. âBut I think Helen Brooks is the kind of woman who, once an idea pops into her head, wonât let go.â
Benny agreed. âShe never smiles. I know sheâs thinking of ways she can get rid of the animals!â
Henry peeled potatoes and dropped them into boiling water. He frowned. âJust because Helen Brooks doesnât smile doesnât mean sheâd stoop to such low tricks to close the zoo.â
Benny set the table in the dining room. Returning, he reported, âEdward and Grandfather are playing chess again.â
âGood,â Jessie said. âThe game will take Edwardâs mind off his problems.â She opened the oven and was pleased to see the meat loaf was nicely browned. Taking it out, she set it on a platter.
Violet stuck a fork in the boiling broccoli and decided it was cooked just enough. She put it in a bowl and poured the cheese sauce over it.
Henry put the mashed potatoes in a bowl while Benny poured the milk.
âI think,â Jessie said, âthat Mac Thatcher is acting very suspicious lately. Weâve seen him at the zoo, and heâs curious about whatâs going on there. Why is he so interested?â
âYouâve got a point, Jessie,â Henry said, dishing up the mashed potatoes. âMacâs a sourpuss all right, but he really hasnât any reason to put the zoo out of business.â
âNo,â Jessie agreed, slicing the meat loaf. âHe doesnât have as much reason as Pat. Remember what she said about buying the zoo?â
Violet placed the steaming broccoli on the table. âI really donât think Pat meant that.â She shrugged her shoulders. âWanting to buy the zoo was just a passing remark.â
Henry sprinkled dressing over the apples and celery. âWe all like Pat,â he said, âbut you canât deny that sheâs had the best opportunity to carry out everything thatâs taken place. After all, she works at the zoo.â
Bennyâs mouth formed a big O. âSo does David.â
âI donât think it could be David,â Violet said with a smile. âHeâs so sweet, and you can tell he truly loves the animals.â
âDinner is ready!â Jessie called.
Grandfather and Edward seated themselves at the table. Edward rubbed his hands together when he saw the wonderful dinner the children had prepared.
Jessie, sitting next to Grandfather, thought of the suspects. Each person theyâd talked about had some reason to see the zoo shut down, but the Aldens didnât have any proof. Whoever the guilty one was, it seemed that he or she was going to get away with being cruel to innocent animals and maybe, closing a wonderful zoo.
CHAPTER 9
Whereâs Amos?
âT hat was a delicious dinner,â Edward said, leaning back and patting his stomach.
âAre we going to finish our game of chess?â Grandfather asked.
Edward pushed back his chair. âAfraid not, James. Iâm too tired, and I have to be wide awake to beat you! In fact,â he said, rising and stretching, âIâm going to bed. I need to be at the zoo bright and early.â He gave them all a half smile. âI donât know if Iâll get much sleep, though.â
Jessie glanced at Henry. It was too bad that Edward couldnât