Free McKenzie’s Branson Brainteaser by Shari Barr Page A

over all our clues in case we’re overlooking something obvious.”
    McKenzie started to warm up lunch. “The woman who wrote the letter must know Miss Val, and she obviously knows Reggie Ford. But if Miss Val has a friend who knows him, wouldn’t Miss Val have heard his name mentioned sometime?”
    â€œYou would think so,” Sydney said, setting three plates on the table for lunch. “Unless Miss Val doesn’t know this person very well. Miss Val knows a lot of people.”
    McKenzie nodded as she stuck a leftover casserole in the microwave. “I think we’re onto something. Lots of people could know Miss Val has a couple of girls staying with her, and it wouldn’t be that hard to find out our names. Keep your eyes open this afternoon at Silver Dollar City. See who Miss Val visits with. Maybe by the end of the day, we’ll know what to do.”
    Miss Val stepped through the back door with a small bucket of tomatoes. “I had no idea it was so late. Thanks for heating up lunch.”
    When lunch was on the table, Miss Val asked McKenzie to say the blessing.
    â€œDear Lord,” McKenzie prayed. “Thank You for the meal Miss Val has made for us, and please help us find Reggie Ford. It would mean so much to Shara to find her missing uncle. Protect us all as we go to our jobs today. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
    Miss Val and Sydney murmured, “Amen,” and Miss Val heaped generous portions of chicken casserole onto the girls’ plates. “I work a short shift this afternoon, so I can pick you up, McKenzie, when you’re finished with your Dixie Showcase performance. I saw an old friend the other night while we were down on the Strip. She wants to have supper tonight, so you two girls can have the evening to yourself. Any ideas what you’d like to do?”
    McKenzie looked at Sydney as she squirted some strawberry syrup into her glass of milk. “Could we camp out in the backyard sometime?” she asked, clinking her spoon in her glass.
    â€œSure, you can do that tonight. I’ve got a tent and sleeping bags. If you want to do something in the evening while I’m gone besides sitting around the house, let me know,” Miss Val said, tucking her hair behind her ear.
    After lunch the girls cleaned the kitchen while Miss Val went to work in her flowerbeds. McKenzie’s phone beeped, signaling a new text message.
    â€œOh, good. It’s from Elizabeth. She wants me to call her,” McKenzie said after flipping her phone open. “Do you want to call woodworking shops while I call her back?”
    Sydney plopped onto the couch with the phone book in her lap while McKenzie quickly called Elizabeth.
    â€œHi, McKenzie. Thanks for calling back so soon. I was afraid you were eating lunch, or I would have called you,” Elizabeth said. “Alexis filled me in on the letter you received. I think the writing looks like a woman’s, too. But, I think this woman cares a lot for Reggie Ford, and she probably wrote the letter to protect him. You probably should tell Miss Val about it. She needs to know someone is slipping you notes.”
    â€œI guess you’re right,” McKenzie said. “Maybe she would have some ideas as to who might have written it.”
    â€œJust because she hasn’t heard of Reggie Ford doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a friend who knows him,” Elizabeth explained.
    â€œThat makes sense,” McKenzie said, scratching a mosquito bite on her arm. “Maybe I should do that now, before she goes to work.”
    They chatted briefly and then hung up. “Any luck yet?” McKenzie called to Sydney, sprawled on the couch.
    â€œI’ve called three different shops. One has never heard of the Shara Smiles man but the other two have. But they have no idea where he lives or his real name. He just brings in his products to sell.”
    â€œWe’re not getting anywhere very fast,