Alexis and the Lake Tahoe Tumult Read Free Page B

remember everything you did, step-by-step?” asked Bailey.
    “Of course. I waited for Tiny Tim to finish eating, and then I left, locking the door behind me. Then I brought the keys inside and hung them on the rack. I remember I locked it because I had to try three keys before I found the right one. They all look the same.”
    “Little and gold?” asked Bailey. “Were they the keys I found outside in the snow?”
    “As a matter of fact, they were,” said Jake, puzzled. “I saw you put the keys on the rack this morning, Karen. How’d they get outside again?”
    “You see?” said Alexis. “It’s a mystery. You both know the keys got put away this morning, and you’re sure the door was locked. The door was
open
when we went into the barn, which means
someone
must have taken the keys out of the office and opened the cage.”
    “But that’s impossible!” said Jake. “We’ve been in here all morning!”
    “No,” said Karen.
    “What?” Jake asked, puzzled.
    “No we haven’t. We both left to pick up Lisa from the bus stop this morning. We were gone for about fifteen minutes.” She turned to the girls. “Lisa is our daughter. She’s out right now, but you’ll love her, I’m sure.”
    Jake and Karen stared at each other wide eyed. Could someone have broken into their beloved reserve and let these animals out on purpose?
    “So you see, this
is
a mystery,” said Bailey.
    “And we can help you solve it while we do our documentary,” said Alexis. “Maybe we’ll catch something on tape that will help us figure out what’s going on.”
    The girls looked sweetly up at the two reserve owners. Their big eyes pleaded for the chance to do their video and solve a mystery at the same time.
    “Okay,” said Jake. “But you won’t be allowed to go anywhere on the reserve alone. One of us, or Lisa, will be with you at all times for your safety. If at any time things get too dangerous, we will pull the plug on the project. Sound fair to you?”
    “Yes!” chimed both girls at once.
    “And you’re okay with this, Mr. Howell?” Karen asked.
    “Yep,” he said. “As long as they’re supervised. Alexis almost got eaten by a T. rex last summer, so I’m sure she can handle some sick animals.” Jake and Karen looked puzzled. Mr. Howell winked. “It’s a good story. You should ask her about it sometime.”

Threatening News
    “I hope we can do all of this, Lexi,” said Bailey.
    She followed Alexis through the breakfast-buffet line, stopping every few feet to make sure she wasn’t about to drop their camera bag. It was just a little too heavy for her. But Alexis didn’t notice. She just kept piling cream cheese on her bagel.
    “All of what?” she asked.
    “I mean, I hope we can shoot this documentary
and
solve a mystery,” Bailey said, the camera bag slipping off her shoulder. “We’re only here for a few days, you know.”
    “It’s almost a whole week,” Alexis said, putting the top back onto her bagel. “Besides, we’re the Camp Club Girls! Or have you forgotten? We can solve things like this in our sleep.”
    Bailey smiled and pushed the camera bag back on her shoulder. Then she dumped milk onto her bowl of fruity cereal.
    “I guess you’re right,” she said. “Hey, there’s a table open by the fireplace!”
    The girls gingerly stepped around the other tables and chairs in the room to a knobby wooden table in front of a huge stone hearth. The hotel they were staying in was amazing. It was massive, but it still felt warm and inviting.
    Bailey set down her food tray and gasped.
    “Oh no! Where’s the camera?” She spun around to see if she had dropped it.
    “Ouch!” someone behind her cried out.
    Bailey turned and realized that she had hit the boy at the next table with the camera bag. It had been on her shoulder the whole time.
    “I’m so sorry!” she said, turning to the boy. He looked a little bit younger than Alexis.
    “Everyone’s always sorry!” exclaimed the boy. “Why