Singing in Seattle Read Free Page A

few days until the next round,” AJ reminded her. “I’m sure it will turn up before then.”
    Claire nodded. “Thanks.”
    She packed up her guitar case and left, casting a sad glance around the room before she went through the door. Aly and AJ were alone backstage now.
    â€œI feel so bad for her,” Aly said. “I hope it turns up.”
    â€œI do, too,” AJ said. “But I have a feeling—”
    â€œOh, no,” Aly interrupted. “I know what you’re thinking. This is another mystery, isn’t it?”
    â€œIt could be,” AJ said. “There is a big prize for the winner of this contest. Maybe one of the contestants stole Claire’s notebook so they’d have a better chance of winning. See how upset she got? I wouldn’t be surprised if she dropped out.”
    Aly sighed and sat down on a bench. “I hate to admit it, but I think you’re right,” she said. “I guess we’ve reached the next stop on the Aly and AJ Mystery Tour!”

CHAPTER FOUR:
    SIGHTSEEING IN SEATTLE
    â€œLook! A coffee shop! Can we please stop?”
    Aly watched the coffee shop disappear into the distance as the car sped past it.
    â€œOh, come on, Jim,” she moaned. “We were on a plane all day yesterday. Then we spent all night judging that contest. I feel like I barely slept last night! A latte would really help right now.”
    â€œDefinitely,” AJ agreed, yawning.
    Their tour manager looked into the rearview mirror. Jim’s light brown eyes sparkled with amusement.
    â€œSorry, but your tour of the Space Needle starts in ten minutes,” Jim reminded them.
    The girls’ mom turned to look at them from the passenger seat. Carrie never seemed to look tired, no matter how little sleep she got.
    â€œWe’re very lucky to get this special tour,” she told them. “I remember taking you girls to the top of the tower when you were little. We waited more than an hour in line!”
    â€œI think I remember that,” Aly said. “I was scared to go in the elevator.”
    AJ frowned. “I don’t have any memories of the Space Needle at all.” Two years younger than Aly, she had been very young when her family moved from Seattle to California.
    â€œWell, today we’ll have to create some new memories,” Carrie said. “I’ve got my camera!”
    The sisters looked at each other and smiled. Their mom’s positive attitude was contagious, even when they were feeling tired.
    â€œLook, we’re almost there,” Jim said.
    The tall, metal tower was visible from most points in Seattle. Now that they were close, they had to crane their necks to get a good look at it. The round observation deck sat on top of the tall steel tower.
    â€œIt almost looks like a flying saucer up there,” Aly remarked.
    â€œMaybe that’s why they call it the Space Needle,” AJ guessed.
    Jim parked the car, and they were met at the elevator entrance by a young woman with a bright smile.
    â€œAly and AJ,” she said. “Welcome back to Seattle. I’m a fan of yours, you know. Your new album rocks.”
    AJ shook her hand. “Thanks . . .”
    The woman laughed. “Oh, sorry. My name is Malika. I work for the Space Needle Corporation. I’ll be giving you a tour today.”
    â€œWe’re really excited about this,” Carrie said. “Thank you for arranging it for us.”
    â€œNo problem,” Malika said. “Follow me.”
    She led them past the line of tourists and stopped by the elevator door.
    AJ grinned at Aly. “Still scared?” she teased.
    â€œI think I’ll be okay,” her sister replied dryly.
    â€œIt takes forty-one seconds to get to the top,” Malika explained. “The Space Needle is six hundred feet high—about the same height as a sixty-story building.”
    â€œWhy did they build a tower this high?” AJ