Old Motel Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner Read Free Book Online Page B

about. Jessie stared at the ruined shingles. “Well, this tops it,” she said angrily. “I think Kay should hire a detective!”
    Thoughtfully, Rolf smoothed his mustache. “Let’s not be too hasty about hiring a detective. We’ll talk to Kay first.”
    Henry gave Rolf a sideways glance. Was Rolf afraid of a detective? He was always at the scene of trouble, and he knew Kay’s motel like his own place. He was able to replace the fuses in a flash, knowing just which ones controlled which units.
    â€œCome on, Henry and Benny. Let’s go up to Kay’s,” Rolf said.
    All at once Millicent and Catherine appeared.
    â€œWe heard the commotion,” Catherine said, “and came out to take a look. Who spoiled the shingles?”
    Jessie shrugged. “The same person who’s upset Kay’s plans for the motel.” Jessie was surprised to see Catherine. She thought she was with the Seminoles. You never knew where Catherine was. When you believed she was out in the Everglades, she was there at the motel. Hastily Jessie returned to her planting, afraid Catherine might see the doubt in her face.
    â€œOh, dear, oh, dear,” Millicent said, placing a palm against her round cheek. “I’m astonished Kay would stay here after this! She’s had one problem after another.”
    â€œKay is a fighter,” Violet said quietly. “Maybe she’ll hire a detective to find out who’s doing these things.”
    Millicent’s eyes grew wide. “Oh, I wouldn’t think that would be necessary,” she said. “Maybe the tar spill was an accident.”
    Jessie stopped patting dirt around a red geranium to stare at Millicent. Was she serious? What a weird thing to say. Perhaps Millicent was the guilty one. Jessie hid a smile. It was hard to imagine that Millicent knew how to turn off the water and lights.
    â€œI just don’t know,” Millicent said. “I’ve just retired and want a little relaxation and”—she waved a plump hand in the air—“all these things happen. I said it before and I’ll say it again—Kay’s motel is jinxed.”
    Jessie stood up and said as calmly as possible, “I don’t think so, Millicent. Whoever the prowler is, he’s as much alive as you and I.”
    â€œWell,” Millicent announced, “I’m only staying until the end of the week. All this hullabaloo is hard on my nerves!”
    â€œMeow,” went Willie, rubbing against Millicent’s ankle.
    â€œHeavens! The cat!” squealed Millicent. All at once she sneezed—three tiny sneezes in a row. “Why, oh, why, does that beast come near me!”
    Catherine gathered Willie in her arms.

    â€œCats seem to know when someone doesn’t like them,” she said. “Willie just wants to make friends with you.”
    Millicent threw up her hands in despair. “I’m going inside before I break out.” Rapidly she breathed in and out. “My allergy, you know.” And off she went as fast as her short legs could carry her, sneezing all the way.
    As soon as Millicent was gone, Willie leapt out of Catherine’s arms and padded over to a tree where he clawed the bark.
    Catherine said, “Time is running out for me. On Monday I return to the university.” Smiling, she said, “My money supply is running out, too. Renting a car and staying in a motel are expensive.” She paused. “Although Kay’s motel is much more reasonable than the big hotels.”
    â€œWe’ll be sorry to see you go,” Violet said sincerely. “We just get acquainted and then we’re separated.”
    Jessie nodded in agreement. “Your work with the Seminoles is fascinating, Catherine. We’d like to hear more.”
    â€œMaybe tomorrow,” Catherine replied. “Today I’m hitting the books.”
    â€œDon’t work too hard,” Violet said.
    â€œAnd