Guide Dog Mystery Read Free

children watched as a big black car pulled up at the curb, and a tall well-dressed blond woman got out. “Ginger!” she called again, opening her arms as the dog raced toward her.
    “Mrs. Davis!” Jason said angrily, walking briskly down the hill. When he reached the woman, Jason began speaking to her in low tones. While they couldn’t hear what the two were saying, the children could see how angry Jason looked.
    “I wonder what’s going on,” Jessie said.
    “Jason seemed so nice and friendly, but now he looks like a different person,” said Violet.
    The children watched in surprise as Jason grabbed Ginger’s harness and began pulling her back up the hill. “Please stop this, Charlotte,” Jason called to the woman. “I’ve told you it’s just not a good idea! You did a great job with her, but she belongs here now!”
    The chauffeur of the car, a young blond man, stared straight ahead.
    Mrs. Davis stood silently. Finally she got back in her limousine. “Take me home, Glen,” she said, and the car pulled away.
    “Jason — ” Benny called out as he approached.
    “I’m sorry, but I have work to do now,” Jason said, walking past the children. He still seemed angry.
    “Can we do anything — ” Jessie began.
    “Go eat dinner or something,” Jason said. “I’m busy.” And with that he led Ginger into the kennel and shut the door.
    “I wonder what that was all about,” Henry whispered to Jessie.
    “I don’t know, but there’s definitely something going on,” Jessie replied.

CHAPTER 3
Someone Hiding in the Woods
    F ollowing Jason’s suggestion, the Aldens headed to the dining room. It was a bright, pretty room, and the smells coming from the kitchen were delicious. Each table was covered with a clean white cloth and decorated with a small vase of flowers. Tonight was Taco Night, and several students and instructors were enjoying the food and lively music. The children noticed that there were also several guide dogs, each one sitting quietly under its owner’s chair.
    After dinner the children took a stroll around the beautiful wooded grounds and then went back to their rooms to get ready for bed.
    “I hope all those dogs don’t bark and wake us up the way Watch sometimes does,” said Benny.
    But the dogs didn’t make a sound.
    The next morning the Aldens ran into Jason on their way to breakfast. He was cheerful and friendly, and he seemed to have forgotten whatever had upset him the night before. After a hearty breakfast of eggs and bacon, toast, and milk, the children went outside and watched as Jason worked with Zach and some other dogs.
    Around noon, the children ran into Mrs. Carter, who was walking with a girl just four years older than Henry. She was very pretty and had shiny black hair that hung almost to her waist. The girl had one hand on Mrs. Carter’s arm, and in the other hand she held a suitcase.
    “Hello!” Mrs. Carter greeted the Aldens. “This is Anna Chang, a student who’s come to start working with a guide dog. I was just telling her about you. This is Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny.”
    Anna smiled and said hello as each Alden shook her hand.
    “Would you please take Anna up to her room? It’s right next to yours. Then maybe you could all have some lunch,” Mrs. Carter suggested.
    “Sure,” said Benny. “I’m really hungry!”
    “I bet I’m even hungrier!” Anna said, and everyone laughed. The Aldens knew they had found a friend.
    Anna placed her hand on Henry’s elbow so that he could guide her. Jessie took Anna’s suitcase. Once they were in Anna’s room, Anna asked how the room was laid out. Violet showed her where the bed, dresser, desk, and chair were. Anna paid close attention, placing a hand on each. She wanted to be sure she would be able to find everything later, on her own.
    During lunch, Anna told the children how excited she was to be getting a guide dog. “I’ve been blind since I was born,” Anna told them, “and I’ve never really