Old Motel Mystery Read Free Page B

when Violet opened the door, her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, no,” she whispered.
    â€œWhat is it?” Jessie asked, hurrying to her sister’s side. She, too, stopped and stared. Benny and Henry joined them. They were speechless.
    Someone had taken the paint. The painters hadn’t arrived yet, so they hadn’t done it. In the grass were circles where the six cans of paint had been. Not one can remained.

CHAPTER 4
    Alligators and Swamp Birds
    A fter one look at where the paint cans had been, Jessie hurried up the hill to get Kay.
    Rolf, who was working at the house that morning, and Kay ran down to the motel, followed by Aunt Jane and Jessie.
    Grimly, Kay surveyed the circles in the grass. “Six new cans of paint gone,” she groaned, brushing back a strand of hair from her forehead. “What am I going to do?”
    Aunt Jane stopped, too upset to move. Sympathetically, she touched Kay’s hand.
    â€œThe painters won’t be here until nine,” Rolf said calmly, but he was also upset. He looked at Kay. “Do you want me to go into Lyndale and buy six more cans?”
    Kay nodded. “I guess so.” But she seemed uncertain.
    As Rolf left, Kay, a worried look on her face, turned to the four children. “I don’t understand. Why would anyone steal paint?”
    Henry shrugged his shoulders. “We didn’t hear a sound,” he said.
    â€œIt’s a good thing,” Aunt Jane said. “Whoever did this wouldn’t want to be caught. Who knows how they might have reacted.”
    Kay sighed and turned away. “Nothing can be done about the stolen paint.” But suddenly she smiled. “Come up to the house, children. Aunt Jane and I were just about to have a cup of tea.”
    â€œTea?” Benny asked.
    Kay laughed. “For everyone else there’s a pitcher of freshly squeezed orange juice.”
    â€œOh, boy,” Benny shouted. “I’m thirsty.”
    Violet laughed. “Then let’s go up the hill”
    The Aldens followed Kay and Aunt Jane.
    As they climbed the slope Benny asked, “Will Rolf fill the pool today?”
    â€œMaybe,” Violet answered. “But if he does it will be after he’s bought the paint in town.”
    In the dining room, Aunt Jane poured a glass of orange juice for each of the Aldens while Kay stared out the window. Every once in a while she took a sip of tea. “Why?” she murmured, glancing at Jane.
    Aunt Jane sighed. “I wish we knew.”
    â€œDon’t worry,” Henry said to Kay. “We’ll help you.”
    â€œYes,” Jessie said. “The stolen paint will soon be forgotten.”
    â€œI hope you’re right,” Kay said.
    Aunt Jane changed the subject by reaching for a catalog from a large department store in Miami, and opened its pages to bedspreads. “Kay is going to order this style of bedspread for each unit. We decided last night.”
    â€œHow lovely!” Jessie exclaimed, admiring the dust ruffle and quilted cover.
    â€œYes,” Kay said. “Each unit will have a different color bedspread with matching drapes. The order should only take a day or two.”
    â€œWhat colors will you get?” Jessie asked, her voice rising with enthusiasm.
    â€œLots of colors,” Kay replied, catching Jessie’s good spirits. “Your unit will be lavender.”
    â€œOh, good,” Violet said. “My favorite color.”
    â€œI know,” Kay said, the old sparkle appearing in her eyes.
    â€œDoes every unit have a little kitchen, Kay?” Benny asked.
    â€œNo,” Kay replied. She stroked Willie. “Why do you ask, Benny?”
    â€œI was thinking,” Benny said. “Everybody likes to eat! You could serve breakfast in lunch boxes. Each box would be painted the color of the room.”
    â€œWhat an excellent idea,” Kay said.
    â€œAnd,” Henry added, “each box could have a