Free McKenzie’s Branson Brainteaser by Shari Barr Page B

are we? Liz thinks we should tell Miss Val about the letter, and I think she’s right. She might be able to help us.”
    Sydney agreed, and the two girls stepped outside to look for Miss Val. They found her kneeling by the flowerbeds in the backyard. A garden hose lying on the ground hissed as water leaked around the nozzle.
    Miss Val rose and wiped her dirty hands on her shorts as the girls told her about the letter. She brushed her hair out of her eyes with the back of her hand, leaving a streak of dirt across her face. She frowned as she read the letter.
    â€œI don’t like the thought of someone leaving anonymous notes to you,” Miss Val said, her eyes growing serious. “Whoever it is probably means no harm, but I’d like to know who wrote this. I know a woman who runs one of the largest craft shops in Branson. I’ll ask her if she knows Reggie Ford. She has lots of connections with woodcrafters.”
    Miss Val glanced at her watch and continued. “By the time I get cleaned up, it’ll be time to go to work. We’ll talk more about this later.”
    The girls followed her inside and went to their room to change. “I just thought of something,” McKenzie said, dragging a brush through her hair. “Miss Val said she’s going out to supper tonight with a woman she talked to the other night on the Strip. That was the night we were at the Treasure Trove looking at statues. Maybe Miss Val mentioned our names to that woman. Maybe she knows Mr. Ford.”
    Sydney’s eyes flashed. “Yeah, maybe she wrote the letter.”
    â€œLet’s mention it to Miss Val.” McKenzie pulled her hair into a high ponytail.
    Later, on their way into Branson, McKenzie asked Miss Val about the friend she was meeting that night. “Did you tell her we were looking for fairy statues the other night when you saw her?”
    Miss Val thought for a moment before answering. “I’m not sure, but I think I might have mentioned it. Why?”
    â€œWe’re trying to think of someone who might have written the note.” McKenzie didn’t want to think Miss Val’s friend was suspicious, but right now everyone was a suspect.
    â€œLibby? Oh, she would never slip an anonymous letter into my mailbox,” Miss Val said, turning the SUV onto the highway. “But I will ask her if she knows anyone by the name of Ford.”
    Miss Val dropped McKenzie off at the Dixie Showcase for the performance. McKenzie slammed the car door and walked absentmindedly toward the building. Her cell phone rang, making her jump. “Hi, Bailey,” she said, recognizing the youngest Camp Club Girl’s number.
    â€œHi, McKenzie. I’ve been looking through the pictures you and Sydney sent. In one of the pictures, you can see a statue in the hills.”
    â€œOh, I know the one you mean,” McKenzie said. “That was taken from Table Rock Lake when we were riding the Duck.”
    â€œWell, I enlarged the picture,” Bailey added. “I can see the face perfectly clear.”
    McKenzie felt a twitch in the pit of her stomach. “And …?” Her voice trailed off, waiting for Bailey to continue.
    Bailey spoke in a rushed voice, “The face on the statue looks just like the fairies Reggie Ford carves!”

Lost in the Hills
    â€œI wonder if that statue could possibly be at Mr. Ford’s workshop,” McKenzie said, feeling her excitement mounting.
    â€œI was wondering that, too. Maybe you and Sydney could go check it out,” Bailey suggested.
    McKenzie thought about that for a second. “I’ll ask Miss Val about that when she picks me up.”
    McKenzie glanced at her watch as she got off the phone. It was time to get ready for the performance.
    The moment she stepped inside the Showcase, her boss, Mr. Stewart, waved at her from the far end of the hallway and hurried toward her.
    â€œMcKenzie, I’ve been waiting for you,”