Free Old Motel Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner

me an extra uniform he kept in his truck. I was going to ride out of here with them.”
    â€œAnd why did you enter Kay’s home and mess it up?” Aunt Jane asked.
    â€œI was looking to see if you had any money in the house. Without money, Kay, I didn’t think you could go ahead with remodeling. That wretched cat tripped me up twice. He scared me half to death when I stepped on him. I couldn’t get out fast enough.” She paused to remove a hanky from her sleeve. “The second time Willie tripped me up was when he uncovered my disguise by causing me to sneeze.” She looked at Violet. “I saw how suspicious you were and knew I had to get away.”
    â€œYou even had the nerve to dump the oranges in the pool,” Violet said. She hated to believe someone she had liked and trusted could do such mean things.
    â€œI must admit,” Millicent said, “that I couldn’t think up all these destructive things alone. Most of them were Mr. Warner’s plans.”
    Jessie asked, “Where is Mr. Warner?”
    â€œHe works in the Adventure Hotel office in downtown Lyndale,” Millicent said. “He came over and put the six cans of paint in the car and also carried the orange baskets down to the pool.”
    Behind her, Kay reached for a pad and pencil on the desk to jot down the name.
    â€œThe worst thing,” Rolf said, “was stealing the six cans of paint and ruining the shingles. It was expensive.”
    Millicent gazed at her hands. “I’m not proud of what I’ve done.” She looked up. “I thought if I got rid of the paint, you’d stop.” Tears glistened in her eyes. “Before you call the police, I just want you to know I’m sorry, Kay.” Her gaze shifted to the Aldens. “I apologize to all of you.” She gave Benny a trembling smile. “I really did enjoy baking for you.”
    â€œI enjoyed eating it, too,” Benny admitted. He felt unhappy at the thought of Millicent in jail.
    â€œI’ll try to repay you for all the damage I cost you, Kay,” Millicent said.
    â€œNo,” Kay said firmly. “I mean to have a little chat with Mr. Warner. I’m certain the hotel will be happy to pay damages rather then risk bad publicity.”
    Millicent’s smile returned. “Oh, what a good idea.”
    Kay cleared her throat. “Millicent, I’m not calling the police. I don’t want to prosecute you because I think you’ve suffered enough.”
    Millicent gave a sigh of relief.
    â€œBut,” Kay continued, “I think you should leave at once.”
    â€œYou’re not sending me to prison?” Millicent’s face lighted in wonderful disbelief. “Oh,” she said, “I promise to leave today, Kay. Believe me, I’ll never become involved in anything dishonest again.” She fumbled in her purse. “Here are the reservations.” She handed Kay a bundle of letters. “You’ll have plenty of tourists to keep your motel occupied all winter.”
    â€œWhere will you go, Millicent?” Kay asked.
    Millicent answered slowly. “I have a sister in Cleveland. I’ll stay with her until I find a job.” She stood up. “I’m still a fine secretary, you know. I know I’ll find a job.”
    With her hands on the doorknob, she turned. A tear rolled down her cheek. “I really was fond of all of you,” she choked.
    Willie padded into the room. Suddenly Millicent sneezed. Three small sneezes. “That’s my cue to leave,” she said. She smiled weakly, and quickly left, shutting the door behind her.
    The only sound in the room was Willie’s purr as he settled in Violet’s lap.
    Finally, Aunt Jane broke the silence. “Tomorrow we must return to Greenfield, too, Kay. The children need to get ready for school, and I need to return to Andy. My husband misses me,” she said with a smile, “and I miss him