Old Motel Mystery (8 page)

Kay's green eyes darkened. “What next?” she questioned sharply.

“Millicent Fair,” Jessie said briefly.

“She brought us some cookies this morning, and accidentally dropped her purse. Some letters fell out,” Violet explained, “and when I picked them up, I noticed they were addressed to you.”

“To me?” Kay said, a puzzled expression on her face. “Why would Millicent have my letters?”

“We think she's been taking your mail out of the mailbox,” Henry said grimly. “It could be your missing reservations!”

“Oh, my,” Kay said. “I can't believe Millicent is the one who has been doing all these awful things.”

“Neither can I,” said Aunt Jane. “Millicent was always so pleasant. But,” she added thoughtfully, “she always had a hundred questions, didn't she, Kay?”

Speechless, Kay nodded. At last she spoke. “Yes, Millicent always wanted to know my every move. I don't know much about her except that she's retired and lives on a small pension.” She took a deep breath. “Millicent used to work as a secretary for the Adventure Hotel chain.”

CHAPTER 12

The Capture

“I
sn't that the hotel trying to buy your motel?” Henry asked, frowning.

“Yes,” Kay said. “I knew of her connection with the hotel, but didn't let myself think about it. I didn't see how Millicent could be the one. I think, though, now is the time to ask Millicent a few questions!” She turned and smiled at Violet. “You're a good detective, my dear.”

“Shall we run and tell Millicent that you want to talk to her?” Benny wanted to know.

“Tell her to come up for coffee and rolls,” Kay said. “Maybe, then, she won't be suspicious.”

“I have the feeling she might be gone,” Jessie said quietly.

“Rolf is coming to finish the roof,” Kay said. “I'll talk to him about it. I really don't want to call the police again. Not until we're sure about Millicent.” She turned to Benny. “Go ahead and bring her here, Benny.”

“We'll see if she's in,” Henry said, moving to the door.

The four Aldens left, racing downhill.

Benny was the first at Millicent's door. He knocked and knocked.

“No answer,” Jessie said. “It's just as I thought.”

Benny knocked louder.

“I'm afraid you're right, Jessie,” Violet said.

“All right,” Henry said. “Let's spread out and try to find her.”

Three painters, who were finishing the trim on the windowsills, waved to Henry as he went by. One said they would soon be gone for good. Willie was weaving through the painters' legs and they tried to shoo him away.

They searched everywhere, even in the painters' truck and the bike shed, but Millicent wasn't in sight.

Discouraged, the children met back in front of their motel unit.

“From Kay's house, we had a good view of the motel,” Henry said.

“That's right,” Violet said. “No taxis drove in.”

Jessie shook her head. “Where can she be?”

The two lanky painters walked by on the way to their truck. “Good-bye, kids. We're finished.”

The third painter stayed behind. He must be new, Henry thought. And he's so plump and short.

“Let's return to Kay's,” Jessie said wearily. “She'll be disappointed that Millicent has disappeared.”

All at once the painter in the background sneezed—three small sneezes. Violet stared at the painter who was attempting to push Willie away. “That painter,” said Violet, “sneezes just like Millicent sneezes.”

All eyes turned on the plump painter in the white overalls and billed cap who was walking rapidly in the opposite direction.

“Just a minute!” Henry shouted, dashing in front of the painter and blocking his way. “We want to talk to you.”

The painter sidestepped Henry, but Jessie rushed forward and grabbed his arm. The painter yanked Jessie's hair.

“Ow!” Jessie yelled, loosening her hold.

The painter twisted free, but as he did his cap flew off, revealing mussy gray hair and an angry round face.

“It's Millicent!” Benny yelled. “Stop her!”

But Millicent rushed off. She pushed Violet, causing her to topple over. Benny, feet firmly planted, stood in her way and Henry grabbed her. She gasped for breath and held up her hand. “Stop,” she whispered. “I give up. I've had enough of this.”

Henry hoped Millicent wasn't hurt. It was hard to believe that this sweet woman had caused Kay's problems.

Benny stared at her. “Millicent,” he said reproachfully. “Did you do all those mean things?”

Millicent just shook her head.

“Kay wants to talk to you,” Violet said quietly.

“Very well,” Millicent said meekly. “May I change out of these ridiculous overalls?”

“We'll wait outside your door,” Jessie said, not unkindly.

In a little while, Millicent, her hair neatly brushed, came out. She wore a fresh pink dress and carried her purse, looking very different from her painter disguise.

“Let's go,” Millicent said calmly.

They climbed the hill to Kay's house. The Aldens were eager to hear Millicent's explanation.

When the Aldens and Millicent arrived at Kay's house, Rolf met them and led them into the living room. Quietly the children seated themselves next to Aunt Jane. Once Millicent was settled in an easy chair by the window, Kay handed her a cup of coffee.

There was an awkward silence as Millicent nervously cleared her throat. “I-I'm sorry for what I did to you, Kay.” She blinked rapidly. “You've been good to me, and I've repaid you by doing terrible things!”

“All of us want to understand, Millicent,” Kay said gently. “I think we deserve to be told the truth.”

Millicent nodded several times. She began in a trembling voice. “As you know, Kay, I once worked for the Adventure Hotel chain as a secretary.” She sipped her coffee and went on in a stronger voice. “The hotel desperately wanted to buy the Cypress Motel so they could build a big new hotel. Mr. Warner, the manager, promised me a large sum of money if I would help them out and force you to leave.” She dabbed at her mouth with her napkin.

“I knew it was wrong, but I needed the money badly. Besides, I thought you'd be happier with all the money the hotel would pay you, Kay. You could leave this old rundown motel a wealthy woman.” She hesitated, looking at the Aldens. “I had no idea the motel could be changed into such a pretty place or that it meant so much to you.”

Rolf leaned forward and said in a calm voice, “You damaged the shingles.”

“And you turned on the running water,” Jessie accused. “That really could have flooded the motel.”

“Oh,” Millicent said, her usual smile returning. “I didn't want
that
to happen, Jessie. I just wanted a little water in your room.”

Kay refilled Millicent's cup, and the older woman gave her a grateful look.

“How did you know how to turn off the lights and water?” Kay questioned.

“Mr. Warner at the hotel told me what to do.” Millicent sighed. “I surprised myself. I didn't know I was capable of some of the things I did.”

“You did awful things,” Kay said sternly.

“How did you end up in a painter's uniform?” Henry asked.

“Oh, I became a good liar, too.” Millicent set her cup down. “But I didn't like what I was doing. I told one of the painters that I wanted to play a practical joke on you, and I asked to borrow a pair of overalls. He thought it was funny and gave me an extra uniform he kept in his truck. I was going to ride out of here with them.”

“And why did you enter Kay's home and mess it up?” Aunt Jane asked.

“I 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.”

“You 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.

“I 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?”

“He 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.

“The 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.”

“I enjoyed eating it, too,” Benny admitted. He felt unhappy at the thought of Millicent in jail.

“I'll try to repay you for all the damage I cost you, Kay,” Millicent said.

“No,” 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.

“But,” Kay continued, “I think you should leave at once.”

“You'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.”

“Where 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 also.”

“Not so soon!” Kay protested.

Aunt Jane laughed. “You'll do fine now. And we'll be back, won't we, children?”

“Yes,” Violet said, and the others nodded enthusiastically.

“Then tonight we'll have a party to celebrate,” Kay pronounced.

“Oh, boy, a party,” Benny said.

“I'll bring steaks,” Rolf offered.

“We'll bring broccoli,” Jessie said.

“And potatoes,” Henry said.

“And ourselves!” Benny said in a loud voice.

“Oh,” Kay said. “Invite Catherine, too, will you?”

“With 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.

“Here they are!” Rolf boomed, dishing up a beautiful charcoal-broiled steak at each plate. He sat down next to Kay.

“Well, children,” Kay said, beaming at them. “You and Jane convinced me to stay and I've never been happier.”

“Yes,” Jessie added. “This place is too beautiful to leave.”

Kay chuckled. “
Now
it's beautiful. Thanks to your hard work.”

“There were lots of mean things that happened,” Benny said, helping himself to the broccoli. “I was scared once or twice.”

“Yes, Benny, there were lots of bad things,” Rolf said emphatically. “But they're all over now!”

“We even suspected you,” Violet admitted, glancing at Rolf.

“Me?” Rolf's black brows shot up. “Oh, I see. When you didn't know who the guilty one was, you were suspicious of everyone.”