McKenzie’s Oregon Operation Read Free Page B

them a couple of bills, they ran across the sand to Aunt Becca’s rental house. McKenzie found the key her aunt kept hidden on the front porch, and they slipped inside the back door.
    Aunt Becca’s golden retriever met them at the door. “Hey there, Mickey.” McKenzie scratched the dog’s head as she headed toward the computer in the corner of the living room.
    â€œI’m going to check my e-mail before we go.” McKenzie clicked the mouse until her account popped up.
    â€œHey, you’ve got a message from Inspector Gadget.” Alex giggled as she peered over her shoulder and saw their friend Kate’s name on the screen. “Oh, and there’s another one from Elizabeth. But there’s nothing from any of the other Camp Club Girls, though.”
    The Camp Club Girls were McKenzie’s roommates from camp in Arizona. The six girls came from all parts of the country and had become best friends.
    While at camp they had solved a mystery together. Now when the girls visited each other, they always managed to solve some sort of mystery or riddle. They called their friend Kate Oliver Inspector Gadget because she had every new gadget or electronic device imaginable. Kate was eleven years old and lived in Philadelphia.
    â€œI e-mailed all the girls as soon as I found out about the missing sea lion pups. Maybe Kate has some advice.”
    Kate had written:
    Hey roomies, anything new about the pups? Dad gave me a pair of video sunglasses that are really cool. You can record sights and sounds when you’re wearing them and nobody will know. I’m sending them to you so you should have them in a couple of days. They might come in handy to solve this mystery.
    â€œCool!” Alex said, peering over her shoulder. “I can’t wait to see those.”
    â€œI didn’t even know they made video sunglasses,” McKenzie said, clicking on a message from fourteen-year-old Elizabeth Anderson, who lived in Amarillo, Texas.
    Hi McKenzie and Alex,
    Ever since you told me about the sea lion pups, I’ve been praying and praying. I have the strangest feeling that the pups are still alive. I think God wants you to save them, just like He does us. Keep all us Camp Club Girls posted so we can help.
    Love, Elizabeth
    McKenzie logged off, feeling relieved after reading Elizabeth’s words. The older girl had an amazing faith. McKenzie often wished she was more like her. Elizabeth always remembered to turn to God, while McKenzie often forgot.
    The girls changed quickly out of their swimsuits into shorts and T-shirts. Ten minutes later, they walked through the front door of the lobby to Emerald Bay Resort and Cottages.
    Two employees stood behind a counter, busy with customers making reservations on computers. A rock fireplace stood at one end of the lobby with a leather couch and chairs nestled around it. A display of vacation brochures sat on the polished wooden coffee table in front.
    A pamphlet caught McKenzie’s eye as she approached the table. “Hey, look at this, Alex.” She grabbed a colorful brochure and skimmed the front page. “Newport, a city just north of here, is having a photography contest during their festival later this week. Why don’t you enter? You’re a great photographer.”
    Alex took the brochure from McKenzie, her blue eyes sparkling. “Ooh. This would be fun. Maybe I could take pictures of some of the whales.”
    McKenzie grabbed a handful of various brochures and flicked through them. “We could go to the Heceta Head Lighthouse and Cape Perpetua. You should be able to get some really good shots up there.”
    The girls settled onto the couch with their heads together, poring over the brochures. McKenzie looked up when she heard loud voices at the counter.
    â€œWe reserved the Hideaway Bungalow more than three months ago.” A dark-haired man with sunglasses perched on his head snapped at a young man behind the