Old Motel Mystery Read Free Page A

hurried to fling open the door.
    Jessie found a string and played with Willie, but soon the cat went to the door. Henry let Willie out into the warm night and watched as the cat dashed up the hill to Kay’s house.
    Weary but happy, the Aldens undressed for bed. The next morning, while they were eating a big breakfast of cereal, scrambled eggs, toast with grape jelly, and milk, someone tapped on the door.
    Benny cracked open the door. A short plump woman peeked in. Her gray hair curled about her round face.
    â€œHello.” She smiled sweetly. “I’m Millicent Fair. Call me Millicent,” she said, stepping inside. “I want to say welcome.”
    â€œHello,” Jessie said pleasantly, “come in.”
    â€œLooks like I am in,” Millicent said, hiding a giggle behind her hand. She bustled forward and dropped into a chair. “I heard you were visiting Kay.” Her bright blue eyes darted from one Alden to the other. “How long are you staying?”
    â€œWe’re not sure,” Henry answered.
    â€œI see you cleaned the swimming pool,” she said happily.
    â€œYes,” Jessie said. “We hope Rolf Jensen will fill it.”
    â€œIt was a big job,” Benny said, holding his palms outward. “See how red my hands are?”
    â€œWhy in the world are you doing all this?” Millicent Fair asked.
    â€œWe want to go swimming,” Benny said.
    â€œAll this work.” Millicent sighed. “Don’t you know Kay plans to sell this place?”
    â€œKay’s not going to sell,” Jessie said, shaking her head hard.
    â€œShe’s not?” Millicent said with surprise, leaning forward. “You mean she’s staying?”
    â€œWe hope she will,” Violet said softly. “And we’re going to help all we can.”
    â€œWith a little repair we’ll make the motel look like new,” Henry said. “Then Kay will stay for sure.”
    Millicent sank back in her chair. “I declare,” she said. “And the Adventure Hotel chain made her such a splendid offer, too!”
    â€œShe told us,” Jessie said, smiling. “But this is such a lovely spot, surrounded by cypress trees. Compared to the tall hotels, this motel has a cozy warm feeling.”
    â€œWait until you see it when the painters are finished,” Violet said.
    â€œPainters?” Millicent’s small mouth formed a big O.
    â€œYes, they’ll be here today,” Henry said. “Kay arranged for them last night.”
    â€œSoon this ugly brown paint will be painted over,” Violet said.
    â€œWhat color?” Millicent asked with interest.
    â€œA glistening white,” Violet responded.
    â€œWon’t the motel be beautiful set against the green grass and trees?” Jessie said.
    Millicent blew out a breath of air, then she stood up. “Yes, it will be beautiful,” she said. “I’m so glad!” Then she added, “I must go, but I’ll see you soon.”
    When the two painters arrived, they began removing all the old paint. They appeared to be brothers, for they were both tall, though one was skinnier than the other. Each of them wore loose-fitting white overalls and white-billed caps from which a fringe of yellow hair stuck out from all angles.
    At the end of the day they lined up six cans of white paint against the motel’s outside wall.
    â€œWon’t the motel look nice and clean?”
    Benny asked, his brown eyes twinkling with excitement.
    â€œYes, it will once the paint is on,” Henry said.
    Then Benny, his lower lip sticking out, said, “I’m hungry.”
    Jessie laughed. “I’m hungry, too, Benny.”
    They headed back to the motel, but this time they didn’t hurry. They were too tired and their feet dragged.
    That night they slept so deeply that they didn’t hear a sound, not even the prowler outside their window.
    In the morning, after breakfast,