Sly the Sleuth and the Food Mysteries by Donna Jo Napoli Read Free Book Online Page A

buckets with snow. That way we’ll have enough for the whole week.”
    I looked at Jack.
    But he didn’t have any more questions.
    We misted all those trees.
    Then we stood in a little group.We admired our work.
    I finally saw my chance. “Hey, Princess, did anyone visit your house last night?”
    â€œNo. My father went out and got us a video. Our whole family likes to curl up together on the couch when it snows.”
    â€œWhat about this morning?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œDid anyone visit your house this morning?”
    Princess gave me a cockeyed smile. “You two.” She laughed.
    â€œBesides us,” I said.
    â€œNo. What’s this all about?”
    â€œJust asking.”

Lunch
    â€œWait here,” said Princess. She left us in the sunroom.
    Jack looked over his shoulder. “Have you got any leads on my case?” he whispered.
    â€œMaybe.”
    Princess came back. “Want to stay for lunch?”
    â€œSure,” said Jack.
    â€œThanks,” I said.
    â€œDo you like gorgonzola?” asked Princess.
    â€œWhat’s gorgonzola?” I asked.
    â€œIt’s smelly cheese.”
    â€œHow smelly?” asked Jack.
    â€œVery.”
    â€œDo you like it?” I asked.
    â€œI love it,” said Princess.
    â€œI’ll try it,” I said.
    â€œThe smellier, the better,” said Jack.
    We sat at the table with Princess’s mother and father and her big sister, Angel.
    We ate polenta with gorgonzola. It was really corn mush with blue cheese. But they called it polenta with gorgonzola.
    It was fabulous.
    Afterward Mr. Monti brought out a bowl of oranges.
    Jack threw me a quick look.
    â€œAre those from your trees?” I asked Mr. Monti.
    â€œOf course,” said Mr. Monti. “Aren’t they beautiful?”
    â€œYes.”
    Mr. Monti and Jack exchanged glances.
    Princess grabbed the bowl. She took two oranges and passed the bowl. Away from Jack.
    â€œHey, I want one,” said Jack.
    â€œI know,” said Princess. “I’ll fix it for you.”
    â€œI don’t want you to,” said Jack.
    â€œI’ve seen you eat apple cores.You’ll probably just eat the orange whole too,” said Princess.
    â€œSo you’re the one,” said Angel. “I heard all about you. That’s gross.”
    â€œGross and dangerous,” said Princess. “I already told you that, Jack.”
    Dangerous?
    Princess peeled an orange.
    â€œIt’s red,” I yelped.
    â€œBlood oranges,” said Princess.
    â€œAw, cool,” said Jack. “Blood.”
    â€œThat’s just the name. Because the flesh is red.” Princess divided the orange into sections. She popped the seeds out onto her plate. She gave the seedless sections to Jack.
    â€œWant an orange?” Princess asked me.
    I didn’t like the idea of eating bloodcolored fruit. “Next time,” I said.

    â€œI’ll take Sly’s orange,” said Jack. “And don’t peel it.”
    â€œThat’s okay. I’ll save one for Sly.” Princess rolled an orange in her hands. “I’ll put it with the oranges for Noah.” She put my orange into a bowl on the shelf.

Nutrition
    Jack and I walked back to my house.
    â€œPrincess is saving oranges for Noah,” Jack said. He sounded worried.
    â€œWhat’s wrong with that?” I said.
    â€œOne of them was really big. Perfect. I wanted it. Maybe Princess is saving it for him because . . . ”
    â€œBecause what?”
    â€œNothing.You better take my case.”
    â€œWhere is Noah today?” I asked.
    â€œHe’s working on a school project.You know, the nutrition one. His partner is Princess.”
    â€œOh.” Now it made sense. “That’s why Princess thought it was Noah at the door. That’s why she’s saving him oranges. So he can have a snack when he comes over to finish the project.”
    â€œI hope