Mystery at the Alamo (6 page)

Benny had painted hot dogs on his egg. He proudly held up his cascarone so everyone at the table could see it. The other children laughed and clapped their hands.

“Food is always on Benny’s mind,” Henry said.

“Speaking of food, I almost forgot our snack,” Antonio said. “I’ll be right back.”

Antonio returned with a tray set with a large bowl of
queso
,or hot melted cheese, some spicy salsa, and a platter of chips. His mother brought in a pitcher of lemonade and some glasses. She looked at each one of the children’s cascarones.

“You’ve made such unique cascarones,” Mrs. Rivas said. “They’re lovely. We’ll let them dry. But you know, there’s more to cascarones than just making them.”

“What do you mean?” asked Henry.

Mrs. Rivas’s eyes twinkled. “You’ll just have to trust me — the best part is still to come.”

“Sounds like another mystery,” said Benny.

Dr. Rivas and Grandfather Alden came in to admire the cascarones.

“Children,” Dr. Rivas said, “you did a fine job on these eggs. Congratulations.”

“It’s time to go home now,” Grandfather said. “You all have a full day tomorrow.”

The Rivases drove the Aldens back to their hotel.

“
Buenas noches.
Good night,” Antonio said. “I’ll see you on the movie set.”

“Okay,” Henry said. “We’ll see you tomorrow.”

I
’ll be coming by the movie set today,” Grandfather said to the children the next morning. “Amy has asked to use Angelina Dickinson’s ring in several scenes.”

“Is Mr. Fambles coming too?” Benny asked.

“Yes,” Grandfather said. “He wants to make sure nothing happens to that ring. It’s priceless.”

“There have been a lot of mysterious things happening on that movie set,” Henry said.

“If there’s a mystery to be solved, I know four children who can do it,” Grandfather said with a smile. “Take care and I’ll see you all in a little while.”

The Aldens waved good-bye to their grandfather and walked to work. When the children arrived on the movie set, they saw Amy talking to Claire.

“Claire doesn’t look very happy,” Violet said as they approached the two women.

“Look, why don’t you two duck around the edge of those boxes and see if you can hear what’s going on,” Henry suggested to Violet and Jessie. “We’ll go on to the costume tent.”

“Good idea,” Jessie said. “Maybe we’ll find out something that will help us solve this mystery.”

“Good morning,” Violet and Jessie called out as they walked by the two women.

“Hello,” Claire said. She looked close to tears.

“Hello there, girls,” Amy said. “We’ll be starting in just a moment. I need to finish talking with Claire.”

“That’s fine,” Jessie said. “We don’t mind waiting.”

As soon as the girls were out of sight, they ducked behind a tall stack of boxes.

“Claire, my hands are tied,” the girls heard Amy say. “The people who financed this film told me last night that they won’t tolerate any more delays. If you can’t do your part, you’ll have to be replaced.”

“Oh, no,” Violet whispered to Jessie.

“I’ve been doing the best I can,” Claire said. “I can’t help it if these accidents keep happening.”

“I realize that many of the incidents are not your fault, Claire,” Amy said. “But I have to tell you that your job is hanging by a thread.”

“Look, Amy,” Claire said. “When I agree to do a job, I do my very best. From now on, I’m going to try even harder to make this movie a success.”

“That’s good to hear, Claire,” Amy said. “Because if you don’t, Janice Fishman will be our new leading lady. Now let’s get to work.” The two headed back to the set.

“Let’s go, Violet,” Jessie said, “They’re gone now.”

The girls ran to the costume tent. They quickly got their costumes, signed the checkout sheet, and rushed to change their clothes.

“Poor Claire,” Violet said as she slipped into her long dress. “I feel so sorry for her.”

“Well, maybe we can help her,” Jessie said.

Mary walked in carrying an armful of clothes. “Good morning, girls,” she said. “Did you sign out your costumes?”

“We sure did,” Jessie said.

“Okay, then,” Mary said. “It looks like everyone has signed for their props and costumes except for Bob Branson and Claire LaBelle.”

“I’m sure they’ll be in soon,” Jessie said. “We’re going to be filming again in a few minutes.”

“Well, if everyone looks as nice as you two do, I’m sure that the film is going to be a success,” Mary said, smiling.

“Let me take a picture of you in your costume, Jessie,” Violet said.

“Okay,” Jessie said. “Then I’ll take one of you.”

The sisters took turns posing for their pictures. Then they hurried to join their brothers and Antonio on the set.

“
Buenos días
,Antonio,” Jessie and Violet said at the same time.

“Good morning!” Antonio said. “Your Spanish accents are improving.”

“We practiced when we got up this morning,” Jessie explained.

“Did you find out anything interesting from Amy and Claire?” Henry asked.

“We sure did,” Violet said. “Amy told Claire that if they had any more delays, Claire would lose her job.”

“We need to find out who is behind all these accidents right away,” Jessie said. “It’s the only way we can help Claire.”

“Let’s watch carefully today,” Antonio said. “Maybe we can prevent any more delays from happening.”

“I can help, too, Henry,” Benny said.

“You sure can,” Henry said. “We’ll need your help.”

“Jessie and I will watch Janice Fishman,” Violet said.

“Aren’t you forgetting someone?” Henry said.

“Who?” Violet asked.

“Claire LaBelle,” Henry said. “We all hope she doesn’t have anything to do with the problems on the movie set. But we don’t know for sure, do we?”

“I guess you’re right,” Jessie said. “We’ll have to keep an eye on Bob, too.”

After Bob and Claire arrived, Amy came over and explained the next scene. Claire and the children would walk up to the entrance of the Alamo, and Claire would say her lines. Roger Martin, dressed as Davy Crockett, would come out of the Alamo, say a few lines, and exit. Then Claire would say that she had something special to show the children.

“I bet I know what she’s going to show us,” Benny said. “It’s the ring that the real Angelina Dickinson got from her father.”

“You’re right, Benny,” Amy said. “But can you act surprised when you see it?”

“Yes,” Benny said. “I’m a good actor.”

“Where is Roger?” Amy asked. “He knows he is supposed to be on the set at eight o’clock sharp.”

“I’ll go get him,” Bob said. He hurried off and returned in a few minutes, with Roger behind him.

“Roger,” Amy demanded. “Where have you been?”

“I didn’t see the point in getting up at the crack of dawn to say four lines,” Roger said.

“That’s not the point and you know it,” Amy said angrily. “Please take your place. As soon as Mr. Fambles brings us the ring, we’ll begin.”

“Here’s Mr. Fambles now,” Violet said.

“Good morning, everyone,” Mr. Fambles said. “Today is the big day.”

“Amy told us all about the ring,” Benny said. “I’m going to act surprised when I see it.”

“I’m sure everyone will do a good job. Here’s the ring,” Mr. Fambles said. He opened the small black box he held in his hand and held up the hammered gold ring with the cat’s-eye stone.

“That’s a beautiful ring,” Violet said.

“It sure is,” Claire agreed.

“Please be careful with it,” Mr. Fambles said as he put the ring back in the box. “It’s very valuable.”

“I will,” Claire promised as she slipped the box into her skirt pocket.

“Okay, then,” Amy said. “Places, everyone. Action!”

Claire’s scene with the children went smoothly. Roger Martin said his lines, and then Claire removed the ring case from her pocket. She showed the ring to the children. Then she placed a velvet ribbon through the ring and tied it around her neck. Grandfather arrived and stood with Mr. Fambles near the edge of the set watching the children. They both smiled when they saw the ring around Claire’s neck.

“Cut!” Amy said, smiling. “That was excellent!”

“I acted surprised, didn’t I?” Benny asked.

“You’re turning into a wonderful actor,” Amy replied.

Benny smiled happily.

“Okay, everyone,” Amy said. “Let’s take a five-minute break while we set up the next shot.”

The other members of the cast and the children went over to the refreshment table to get something to eat and drink. Before Claire could leave, Violet stopped her.

“Claire,” Violet said. “May I take a picture of you in front of the Alamo? You look lovely in that costume.”

“Of course,” Claire said, smiling. She stood in front of the doors of the Alamo. The ring glittered in the sunlight as Violet snapped the picture.

“Thank you,” Violet said.

“You’re welcome, dear,” Claire said. “I’d love to have a copy of the picture.”

“That was my last shot,” Violet said. “I’ll see if Grandfather can have them developed right away. Then I’ll give you one.”

“That would be wonderful,” Claire said. “I need to go over my lines now. I’ll see you back on the set in a few minutes.”

Violet rewound the roll of film and ran over to where her grandfather was talking with Mr. Fambles.

“Hello, Grandfather,” Violet said.

“Hello, movie star,” Grandfather Alden said. “You all did a wonderful job.”

“Thank you,” Violet said. “Grandfather, I’ve used up all my film. Do you think you could have this developed and buy another roll of film for me? I’d like to give some of the pictures as gifts and take a few more before we leave.”

“Of course,” Grandfather said as he took the roll of film.

“There’s a drugstore about a block away that will develop pictures in an hour,” Mr. Fambles said. “I’m sorry I can’t go with you, but I need to stay here. The next shots are going to be done inside the Alamo.”

“I’ll be just fine,” Grandfather said. “I’ll see you all in a little while.”

“Thank you very much, Grandfather,” Violet said. “I can’t wait to see how my pictures turned out.”

“I’m sure they’ll come out just fine, dear,” Grandfather said.

“I have to go and meet the others now,” Violet said. “I think they’re getting ready to get started.”

“I’ll be back soon with the pictures and the film,” Grandfather said.

“Thank you,” Violet said.

When Violet and Mr. Fambles arrived inside the Alamo, Amy was ready to begin.

“There you are,” Jessie said. “I was just about to go and look for you.”

“I gave my film to Grandfather so he could get my pictures developed,” Violet explained.

“Good,” Jessie said. “I can’t wait to see them.”

“Claire,” Amy said, “before we get started, I just wanted to tell you that you’re doing a wonderful job.”

“Yes, she is,” Bob Branson agreed. “I loved the way she explained the history of Angelina Dickinson’s ring. May I see it up close, Claire?”

“Of course you may,” Claire said. She slipped the ribbon over her head and handed the ring to Bob.

“It’s a little dark in here,” Bob said. “I just want to hold it under the light.” Bob walked toward the door and looked at the ring in the sunlight.

“Mr. Fambles, would you mind if we worked an extra hour inside the museum?” Amy asked. “Everything is going so smoothly, and I’d love to wrap up all the Alamo scenes today.”

“Of course you may,” Mr. Fambles said. “The museum doesn’t open for another two hours anyway.”

“Great,” Amy said. “I think we may even be able to reshoot the scenes that didn’t work the other day.”

“Does that mean that you’re not going to use the scene where I filled in for Claire?” Janice asked. She looked angry.

“Well,” Amy said, “since everything today has been moving ahead of schedule, we’ll have time to redo that scene.”

“But that was my only real speaking part,” Janice said. “Everything else was just fill-in parts.”

“Maybe I can use you in another film sometime,” Amy said.

“I don’t think I want to wait that long,” Janice said angrily. “I’ll be in the trailer if you need me.”

Janice hurried toward her trailer.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jessie whispered to Violet.

“I don’t know, but I’ve never seen Janice so upset,” Violet said.

“I hope she doesn’t do anything to slow the filming down,” Henry said. “Claire will lose her job if anything else happens.”

“Okay, everyone,” Amy yelled. “Let’s get back to work.”

The crew members began arranging the cameras for the next scene.

“Children,” Amy said, “do you think your grandfather would mind if you worked after lunch, too?”

“I don’t think he’d mind at all,” Jessie said.

“He’ll be back soon,” Violet said. “I’m sure he’d love to watch us filming the movie. He hasn’t had much time to see us at work.”

“Great,” Amy said. “Maybe we can wrap this film up ahead of schedule, after all.”

“Here’s the ring, Claire,” Bob said. “Let me help you slip it on.”

“Thank you, Bob,” Claire said. Bob tied the ribbon that held the ring around her neck.