Mystery in the Fortune Cookie (4 page)

“Some people call the circus the
big top
!”

Benny scrunched up his face. “I don’t get it.”

“I think I do,” said Henry. “You’re talking about the Big Top T-Shirt Shop, aren’t you, Violet?”

With that, the children hurried back along Main Street. Inside the T-shirt shop, Benny made a beeline straight for the salesman. “Excuse me, please,” he said. “I was wondering if you have any shirts with exploding rainbows or twisting tigers on them.”

His brother and sisters exchanged smiles. They could always count on Benny not to waste time on small talk.

The salesman rolled his eyes. “Look, I just started this job today,” he said irritably. “I have no idea what’s here.” Then he turned his back on Benny and walked away.

Benny spoke in a small voice. “I tried to be polite.”

“You
were
polite, Benny.” Violet stepped up beside her brother and put a comforting arm around him.

“We can look through the T-shirts ourselves. It won’t take long if we split up,” Jessie suggested in her practical way.

Jessie and Violet set to work checking out the T-shirts on the shelves. Henry and Benny searched through the T-shirts piled on the half-price table. They looked and looked. But they didn’t find any T-shirts with exploding rainbows or twisting tigers on them.

At last, they stepped outside. “Looks like we struck out again,” Violet admitted.

Henry shook his head. “It’s a real mess in there,” he remarked. “No wonder that new salesman didn’t know what T-shirts they had.”

“What now?” Benny wanted to know.

Henry looked at his wristwatch. “Why don’t we figure it out over lunch?”

“Great idea!” cried Benny. He gave his brother the thumbs-up sign.

Soon they were all settled in a booth at the Elmford Coffee Shop. “Maybe we didn’t find any clues,” Violet said. “But at least we didn’t come away empty-handed.” She held up a shopping bag.

Jessie smiled. “Won’t Grandfather be surprised?”

“I can’t wait for him to see it,” added Benny.

As Henry passed out the menus, he said, “What could be a better gift for Grandfather than a T-shirt with ‘World’s Greatest Grandfather’ on it?”

When the waitress arrived, Henry ordered a toasted cheese sandwich and a cola. Jessie had a chicken sandwich, cole slaw, and milk. Violet chose tuna on a bun and lemonade. And Benny ordered a hamburger, fries, and chocolate milk. The waitress wrote down their orders and hurried away.

While they waited for their food, the Aldens turned their attention back to the mystery. “Isn’t it funny?” Jessie remarked. “The clues seemed to fit so many places.”

Nodding, Henry started adding everything up on his fingers. “First, there was the Rainbow’s End Jewelry Store, then Albert’s Fruit and Vegetable Cellar, and finally the Big Top T-Shirt Shop.”

“That seems weird,” said Violet.

Henry shrugged. “It’s amazing what you can talk yourself into.”

“What do you mean, Henry?” Benny wanted to know.

“Well ... ” Henry hesitated. “It turns out the clues weren’t really leading us to any of those places,” he pointed out. “Maybe we just made the clues fit because ... ” He paused for a moment to sort out his thoughts. “Well, because we wanted to believe there was a real mystery to solve.”

The corners of Benny’s mouth turned down. “You mean this isn’t a real mystery?” He looked crushed.

There was a long silence. In a quiet voice, Henry finally answered Benny’s question. “It’s beginning to look that way.”

Violet bit her lip. “I really don’t know what to believe.”

“I don’t, either,” put in Jessie. “But I guess it’s possible we got all worked up about nothing. Maybe Martin was right after all. Maybe the fortune was just some prank.”

Benny didn’t look very happy to hear that. The enthusiasm seemed to drain out of him.

No one said anything for a while. There was nothing to say. If the fortune was just a prank, then there wasn’t a mystery to solve.

As the waitress brought their food, Benny spoke up. “We can’t just do
nothing
, can we?” he protested.

Violet felt her brother’s disappointment. “Maybe we should check out a few more stores.”

“Okay, Benny,” Henry said. “We’ll go to
all
the stores.”

“We promise,” added Jessie.

Benny felt more cheerful after hearing this. “Maybe we can check out the ice cream parlor next,” Benny suggested, with a grin on his face. He dipped a french fry into ketchup. “And while we’re there, we can get — ”

“Ice-cream cones for dessert!” finished Violet, who couldn’t help laughing.

Jessie swallowed a bite of her sandwich. “Are you sure you’ll have room for dessert, Benny, after a hamburger and so many fries?” She smiled as she waited for her younger brother’s answer, even though she knew what it would be.

“I
always
have room for ice cream!” said Benny, who loved desserts. He turned to his brother. “Do we have enough money for ice cream, Henry?”

But Henry didn’t seem to hear Benny. He had spotted someone sitting at a nearby booth. It was Martin! He was sipping coffee and talking on a cell phone.

“Of course I’m not getting cold feet!” Martin said into the phone, sounding annoyed. “I’m telling you, there was nothing I could do. It all happened too fast.”

Henry put his finger to his lips. “Don’t look now,” he whispered to the others, “but Martin is here.”

One by one, the other Aldens peeked over to take a look. “You’re right, Henry,” Jessie said, trying not to stare.

Violet turned around slowly to take another glance. “I wonder why he looks upset,” she said in a hushed voice.

The children didn’t mean to eavesdrop. But from where they were sitting, they couldn’t help overhearing bits and pieces of the phone conversation.

“Don’t forget, you’re dealing with Drum Keller.” Martin was talking loudly now. “Even a hint of something fishy going on and it’ll ruin everything!”

Jessie held a forkful of coleslaw in midair. “Did ... did he just say something fishy was going on?”

“Yes,” Henry answered. None of them liked the sound of this.

Just then, Martin pocketed his cell phone, got to his feet, and walked out of the coffee shop. As the door closed, the Aldens leaned closer together and began speaking in low voices.

“Do you think something fishy really
is
going on?” Violet said in alarm.

“I hope not.” Jessie found it difficult to swallow. She put down her fork. “I really like Martin. He’s always been so nice to us.” She didn’t like to think of him doing anything wrong.

Henry took a sip of his cola. “He was acting weird in the jewelry store today.”

Jessie nodded. “He looked as if we’d caught him in the middle of something he wanted to keep secret.”

The four children fell silent for a while. They were all wondering the same things. Who was Drum Keller? And what on earth was Martin Howard up to?

The afternoon was getting hot as the Aldens headed for the Elmford Ice Cream Parlor. When they stepped inside, Benny stopped in his tracks. “Isn’t that Lucy, from the Kowloon Restaurant?”

“I’m sure of it,” said Violet, glancing over at the young woman standing at the counter. Although Lucy’s back was turned to them, Violet recognized the waitress’s thick auburn hair, pulled back with a green headband. Lucy was deep in conversation with Angela, the owner of the Elmford Ice Cream Parlor.

Angela was standing behind the counter, shaking her head. “I just can’t get over it!” she said. “A secret identity! It’s so exciting.”

“The whole thing makes me nervous,” responded Lucy. “What if something else goes wrong?”

“Did you hear that?” Violet whispered as Jessie and Henry came up behind them.

Jessie nodded. “I wonder what Angela meant about a secret identity.”

Just then, Benny stepped up to the counter. “Hi, Lucy. Remember us?”

“Oh!” Noticing the children for the first time, Lucy seemed startled. But she pulled herself together quickly. “Yes, of course I do. You’re the Aldens,” she said, smiling uneasily. “I was ... uh, just checking out the ice cream flavors.” She seemed unable to look them in the eye. “Anyway, I think I’ll go find a quiet table and read for a while.” She quickly walked away, leaving the Aldens to stare after her.

“That was pretty strange, wasn’t it?” remarked Violet.

Benny sighed. “I don’t think anyone in town likes us.”

“I’m sure they like us just fine, Benny,” Jessie assured him. But she couldn’t help thinking that people in Elmsford suddenly seemed very eager to get away from them. First Martin. Then Lucy. It was hard to figure out what was happening in the little town.

Angela spoke up. “What’ll it be today, kids?”

“Ice-cream cones, please!” Benny told her. “But we haven’t decided what kind we want.”

“Take your time.” Angela smiled at the youngest Alden. “I’m not going anywhere.”

The children turned their attention to the metal containers of ice cream that were lined up in the freezer under the glass countertop. There were so many flavors, it was hard to choose.

“That Strawberry Swirl looks good,” said Violet.

“I think I’ll get it,” Jessie said. “What are you having?”

After much thought, Violet decided on Blueberry Joy.

“I might give the Peanut Butter Crunch a try,” put in Henry. Then he turned to his little brother. “Benny, do you know what you want?”

“I can’t decide between the Chocolate Chip and the — ” Benny suddenly stopped talking. He froze on the spot.

“What is it, Benny?” Violet wanted to know.

Benny swiveled around on his heel. “It’s ice cream!” he almost shouted.

Henry’s eyebrows furrowed. “Of course it’s ice cream, Benny,” he said in a puzzled tone. “This is an ice cream parlor, remember?”

Jessie could tell by her little brother’s face that he had discovered something important. “What’s going on, Benny?” she asked, stepping up beside him.

“Look!” Benny pointed through the glass countertop. “The ice cream in that bucket is speckled with every color of the rainbow! And look at the one next to it,” he added, hopping up and down on one foot. “It’s striped just like a tiger!” The others huddled closer to look down at the containers of ice cream.

“Omigosh!” Violet blinked. “I can’t believe it.”

Henry shook his head in amazement as he stared at the bucket of colorfully speckled ice cream labeled: RAINBOW EXPLOSION. Beside it was a bucket of orange-and-black striped ice cream called: TIGER’S TWIST. “Way to go, Benny!” Henry smiled at his little brother.

“See?” Benny said. “The mystery in the fortune cookie wasn’t just a joke.” He put his hand up and each Alden gave him a high five.

Jessie began to recite the words on Benny’s fortune, and the others soon joined in. “
Where rainbows explode,/ And tigers twist,/ A mystery awaits,/ Just choose from the list.
” They all knew the poem by heart. “But where is the list?” Jessie wondered.

Violet spotted a list of ice cream flavors on the wall by the door. “That’s got to be it!”

“It’s the only list around,” agreed Henry. They went over to take a closer look.

Jessie read off the ice cream flavors. There was everything from Cherries Jubilee to Peach Crumble. When she got to the end of the list, she suddenly clapped her hands. “Look, they have a Mystery Flavor of the Week!”

“
A mystery awaits,/ Just choose from the list
!” repeated Violet in a hushed voice.

“That’s what I’m going to choose,” Benny decided. “The Mystery Flavor of the Week.”

The Aldens hurried back to the counter and placed their order — Strawberry Swirl for Jessie, Blueberry Joy for Violet, Peanut Butter Crunch for Henry, and the Mystery Flavor of the Week for Benny.

Angela looked pleased. “So you’re willing to try my latest invention, are you, Benny?”

“You
invented
the mystery flavor?” Benny’s eyes were wide with interest.

“Of course. All my ice cream is homemade, you know.” Lowering her voice, Angela added, “The mystery flavor this week is Fortune Cookie Delight.”

The Aldens could hardly believe their ears. “Fortune Cookie Delight?” echoed Benny.

Angela nodded. “It’s made with caramel ice cream — and there’s a fortune cookie on the very top.” She paused as she pushed back a loose strand of hair. “Do you think it’s a good idea?” She looked hopefully at the Aldens.

“Is it a real fortune cookie?” Benny wanted to know.

“You bet!”

“With a real fortune inside?”

“For sure.” Angela smiled at the youngest Alden.

“Then it’s a great idea!” Benny concluded. And the others agreed.

“Whew!” Angela seemed relieved to hear this. “I’m hoping my latest mystery flavor will do the trick. Drum up business, I mean.”

“I’m sure it will!” said a cheery voice behind the Aldens. They turned around to see Martin walking over with Dottie by his side.

Jessie caught Henry’s eye. Martin had sounded so grumpy on the phone just a short time ago. Was it possible that his cheerfulness was just an act?

“All the local store owners are doing a terrific job,” Martin went on. “Bringing shoppers into town, I mean. And it’s not easy these days.”

Dottie nodded as she looked around at the empty tables. “That new shopping center on the highway really draws the crowds away from downtown. But we’re all doing our best to bring the customers back. Right, Angela?”

“That’s for sure,” she said. “Mr. Albert even hired a clown.”

“Entertainment and a free balloon for the kids.” Martin nodded his head approvingly. “Terrific sales gimmick.”

“Sales gimmick?” Benny made a face.

Henry smiled over at his little brother. “A sales gimmick’s an idea for attracting customers, Benny.”

“That’s exactly right,” agreed Martin. “All the store owners are trying to come up with something.”

Angela was busy scooping ice cream into cones. “I suppose you’ll be having your usual flavor, Dottie.”

“You guessed it!”

“Every week we come in here at this time,” Martin told the Aldens, “and every week my partner chooses the Mystery Flavor.”

“I can never resist a good mystery!” Dottie said. “By the way,” she added, looking at the Aldens, “how’s it going with that mystery of
yours
?”