Free Paper Treasure by Anne Stephenson Page A

actual certificates, we might be able to prove ownership some other way.”
    Weirdo was right. This was no time to give up. Charlie explored the possibilities. “We could set a trap. We know where he is.”
    “And we know what he wants,” added Lisa.
    “What about bait?” asked Weirdo.
    Charlie thought. “Do you think Mrs. Lovell would help us?” he wondered aloud.
    “She’s kind of old,” said Lisa.
    “All the more reason.” Weirdo thumped the arm of his wheelchair. “What’s the matter, you kids think old people can’t take care of themselves?”
    “No, sir.”
    Weirdo suddenly turned a peculiar shade of grey.
    “What’s wrong?” Lisa rushed to the man’s side.
    “What if this guy Reid’s already tried something? He might have broken into Essie’s house just like he broke into Charlie’s the other night.”
    “Come on,” urged Charlie, “we’re wasting time.”
    Weirdo swung his wheelchair towards the door. “Get my ball cap,” he commanded. “It’s on a hook inside the cupboard.”
    “Are you allowed out?” Charlie grabbed the handles of Weirdo’s wheelchair.
    “Of course, I’m allowed out.”
    “I thought,” began Charlie, “that you had to sign in and out, or something. Like a residence.”
    Lisa handed the man his hat. “Don’t get mad at Charlie, Mr. Weir. He’s only trying to help.”
    “Sorry,” said Weirdo gruffly. “I’m worried about Essie, that’s all.” He leaned back so he could see Charlie. “Truce?”
    “Truce.”
    “You look like an idiot upside down.”
    “So do you.”
    Lisa opened the door. “Cut the mushy stuff, guys. We’ve got a job to do.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” Weirdo pulled his Blue Jays cap over his sparse white hair and snapped on his clip-on sunglasses. “To the elevator,” he ordered.
     
    Charlie and Lisa had given him the slip. They’d said they’d be around when he got back from the library, but he couldn’t find them anywhere. After all he’d done for them.
    Joey called to his mother that he was going to visit the neighbours, then he nipped through the gap in the hedge and rang the side bell at Mrs. Kowalski’s.
    She answered the door. “Hi, Joey. Did you want to come in for a visit?” she asked, opening the screen door. “I’m making chocolate chip cookies.”
    Joey could smell them baking in the oven.
    “No, thanks,” he said. Mrs. Kowalski always put nuts in her cookies anyway. “I’m looking for Charlie and Lisa. I have a message for them.”
    “Have you tried the Kirby’s’?”
    “Yeah,” said Joey, “but there’s nobody home.”
    “That’s too bad.”
    The timer went off in Mrs. Kowalski’s kitchen.
    “If I see them, I’ll tell them you were looking for them.”
    “Thanks.”
    Joey headed back the way he came and sat down on the swing his grandfather had rigged beneath the apple tree when Charlie was little. He pushed himself off the ground and pumped. The branch above him creaked as the swing gained height. He swung back and forth, sun and shade alternating on his bare legs.
    Charlie and Lisa could be anywhere. What he needed was a plan.
    He pumped higher.
    Every time things got interesting they got rid of him. Like last night, when they had followed Reid to the motel.
    The motel! Joey dug his heels into the dry ground and hopped off the swing. He’d find out what Reid was up to, then Charlie and Lisa would have to include him.
    He’d have to be careful. Mrs. Kowalski was at her kitchen window. She waved at him.
    Joey waved back and pretended to go in the house. As soon as he was sure she was no longer watching, he followed the property line to the back of the yard.
    There was a rather large hole in the neighbours’ fence. He’d discovered it the other day when he was on a secret mission behind the lilac bush.
    He took one last look over his shoulder then disappeared amidst the shrubbery and through the fence.
    Less than a minute later, Joey had traversed the neighbours’ yard and made his way to