Free Old Motel Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page A

also.”
    â€œNot so soon!” Kay protested.
    Aunt Jane laughed. “You’ll do fine now. And we’ll be back, won’t we, children?”
    â€œYes,” Violet said, and the others nodded enthusiastically.
    â€œThen tonight we’ll have a party to celebrate,” Kay pronounced.
    â€œOh, boy, a party,” Benny said.
    â€œI’ll bring steaks,” Rolf offered.
    â€œWe’ll bring broccoli,” Jessie said.
    â€œAnd potatoes,” Henry said.
    â€œAnd ourselves!” Benny said in a loud voice.
    â€œOh,” Kay said. “Invite Catherine, too, will you?”
    â€œWith pleasure,” Violet said.
    For their last night, they dressed in their best. As they left unit number one a yellow taxi was leaving. Millicent was on her way.
    Going up the hill, they talked and laughed. How good it was to have the mystery solved.
    When they arrived at Kay’s house, they were all, including Catherine, seated about a round table. Rolf brought in the steaks.
    â€œHere they are!” Rolf boomed, dishing up a beautiful charcoal-broiled steak at each plate. He sat down next to Kay.
    â€œWell, children,” Kay said, beaming at them. “You and Jane convinced me to stay and I’ve never been happier.”
    â€œYes,” Jessie added. “This place is too beautiful to leave.”
    Kay chuckled. “ Now it’s beautiful. Thanks to your hard work.”
    â€œThere were lots of mean things that happened,” Benny said, helping himself to the broccoli. “I was scared once or twice.”
    â€œYes, Benny, there were lots of bad things,” Rolf said emphatically. “But they’re all over now!”
    â€œWe even suspected you,” Violet admitted, glancing at Rolf.
    â€œMe?” Rolf’s black brows shot up. “Oh, I see. When you didn’t know who the guilty one was, you were suspicious of everyone.”
    Jessie smiled. “Yes, everyone.” She gave a sideways glance at Catherine.
    â€œNot me!” Catherine said, her dark eyes sparkling with humor. “I wondered myself who it could be.” Catherine looked especially pretty tonight in a soft yellow dress.
    Jessie gave an embarrassed little laugh. “I have to tell you, Catherine, that when we made up your bed I knocked a book to the floor and your map fell out.”
    Catherine said, “And you saw the big red circle around Kay’s motel, and the Adventure Hotel, right?”
    â€œYes,” Jessie said. “We wondered why.”
    â€œBecause,” Catherine explained simply, “this was the map I used to come to Florida. I marked Kay’s motel and the hotel because I wasn’t sure which one I’d stay at.”
    â€œOh,” Jessie said, laughing with relief.
    â€œIt’s over now,” Kay said. “I’ve gone through the reservations, and my motel will be occupied most of the winter.”
    Rolf reached over and covered Kay’s hand with his big tanned one. “That’s wonderful, Kay. I must admit I wanted you to sell because I thought your motel was making you unhappy. I can see now that it’s just the opposite. But running a ten-unit motel will need a lot of work.” He gave her a lopsided smile. “And I’ll be here to help.”
    Benny poked Henry, grinning and motioning at Rolf.
    â€œWon’t your regular Snowbirds be surprised when they see the changes you’ve made?” Jessie asked.
    â€œThey’ll be delighted!” Kay answered. “Excuse me,” she said, pushing back her chair and going into the kitchen.
    Henry and Violet cleared the table.
    Kay reentered with a large cake. On the frosting were four figures outlined in pink icing, and underneath were the names Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny. “This is to thank you for your work and to thank your Aunt Jane for bringing you to visit me.” She cut big slices for each one.
    Benny’s eyes grew big.