The Great Shelby Holmes by Elizabeth Eulberg Read Free Book Online Page B

else. I vowed that I was going to be more observant.
    My focus went back to the Lacys as Zareen finally opened her door, but only to continue her heated argument with her mother.
    I couldn’t believe some of the things Zareen was saying to her mother. If I even raised—
    My heart stopped. My mother. Who I was supposed to meet this afternoon.
    “What time is it?” My voice was near a shrill.
    Shelby casually looked at her watch. “Three twenty-two.”
    “I have to be at the Columbia University Medical Centerat four to meet my mom. She’s going to kill me if I’m late.”
    Shelby didn’t look concerned. “Well, you should probably move along, then.”
    Move along? I had no idea where I was or how to get anywhere. Mom gave me money for a taxi, but that was from our apartment. I didn’t know if I had enough money or enough time. “Will a taxi get me there in time?”
    Shelby snorted. “In New York City traffic? Good luck.”
    My panic wasn’t being helped by the Lacys constantly bickering.
    “Take the one.”
    “What?”
    Shelby threw her head back in exasperation. “Take the one train uptown to 168th Street. You can get it at 86th Street. The ride should be around twenty minutes—you’ll make it in time, but you have to leave now.”
    I remained frozen.
    “ GAH !” Shelby cried out, which finally quieted everybody down. “Fine, I’ll take you. The Lacys are no good to me in this condition anyway.” She turned toward the family. “I’ll be back first thing tomorrow to look around the apartment and the building. Try not to move anything until then. I’d also appreciate it if you could all calm down andremember everything that has happened since Daisy went on her walk last night. Do we think everybody can handle all that?”
    Mrs. Lacy’s eyes were wide. “What? What’s going on?”
    Zane laughed. “She’s apparently some detective from school.”
    Shelby ignored Zane and turned her attention toward Tamra. “I think you need to fill everybody in. We have no time for games and hissy fits.”
    Tamra nodded while Zareen and Mrs. Lacy looked absolutely flummoxed.
    “Come along, Watson,” Shelby said over her shoulder.
    I obediently followed. I felt foolish that I needed her to escort me, but above all, I felt grateful.

CHAPTER
    9
    S helby led me to the subway ( mumbling under her breath the entire time about “ professionalism ”) and took me on my very first New York City subway ride as we headed to Mom’s work.
    I tried not to stare at everybody who entered the subway or grasp the pole too tightly when the train swayed as it made its way uptown. I’d seen the New York City subway countless of times on different TV shows or movies. There I was, riding it like a real New Yorker. Well, a New Yorker who nearly fell over when the subway paused abruptly and I hadn’t properly braced myself.
    I leaned over to study the many multicolored lines that made up the subway map, remembering the list Mom and I had made of all the places we wanted to see once we settled in: the Statue of Liberty, Coney Island, Yankee Stadium, Madison Square Garden, Little Italy—pretty much all of it! I couldn’t wait to really explore. This was my city now.
    “What’s your favorite place in the city?” I asked Shelby.
    “The library.”
    A library? I mean, I love books and all, but New York City has skyscrapers and museums and celebrities. Must be some library.
    “What museums do you go to?”
    “All of them.”
    “Uh, what …” I trailed off because I could tell that Shelby’s curt replies, while something I was getting used to, were probably due to the fact that I dragged her away from her case. I felt guilty, I really did.
    Shelby closed her eyes and began talking to herself. When she finally opened them and looked at me, she appeared disappointed I was still there.
    Since she wasn’t interested in talking to me about New York City, I figured there was one thing she might be interested in: her case.
    “Do you