The Mystery of the Stolen Snowboard

  Violet was about to agree when it became clear that the coach wasn’t yelling at Mercedes. She was yelling at the coach.

  “No!” She threw a dripping wet Burger Bonanza ski cap at him and stomped away. He ducked and it landed in the snow.

  Coach McNaught picked it up and caught up with her. He said something the children couldn’t hear.

  Mercedes’s face turned red. “No one is listening to me! No one ever asks what I want!” She reached into her pocket and this time, threw a wadded-up piece of paper at the coach. “I want to win! And I want it so much, I’ll do anything.” She sneered at him and repeated, “I’ll win. You’ll see.”

  Mercedes stormed off in a huff.

  “Yikes,” Benny said. “Mercedes is scary when she’s angry.”

  “I wonder…” Henry was quiet for a second then said to Jessie, “Mr. Fellows might have taken Clayton’s board, but now I’m wondering if we need to research another suspect too.”

  “Mercedes?” Jessie asked, opening her notebook. “I’m not sure how she would have gotten it. She was with us when the board disappeared.”

  “Was she?” Violet asked. “I don’t remember her standing at the scoreboard.”

  “I saw her by the fence, after she got her snowboard,” Benny said. “I think she only took the pink one.”

  “And her ski hat was wet,” Violet said. “She might have melted the snow and dropped the hat in the puddle.”

  “Can any of us be absolutely sure Mercedes didn’t have a chance to steal the snowboard? Or at least hide it somewhere she could come back to later and get it?” Henry asked them all.

  No one answered.

  “I guess it’s possible,” Jessie said, writing down Mercedes’s name in her journal.

  “She just made it clear she’d do anything to win,” Violet said. “Maybe that means cheating.”

  “But Mercedes couldn’t be the yeti,” Jessie said.

  Henry shrugged. “Maybe the yeti and the snowboard aren’t related. I have to think more about it and—”

  “Let’s think more while we eat,” Benny suggested. “Come on.”

  The snowboarders had gone ahead of them. Benny ran to catch up.

  “Hang on, Henry.” Violet went back to the place where Mercedes and her coach had been fighting. “I don’t want to leave trash around.” Violet picked up the rumpled paper that Mercedes had thrown at her coach. It was Mr. Fellows’s protest flyer. Violet smoothed it out and reviewed the advertisement for the writing competition on the back.

  “I’m impressed he used both sides,” she said, thinking about the flyers again. “This is all a little confusing to me. Mr. Fellows might be the bad guy here, but he really cares about the environment, and that makes him a good person too.”

  “It really is complicated, isn’t it?” Henry remarked while he lifted the lid on a nearby recycling container.

  “Mysteries are never easy,” Jessie agreed.

  CHAPTER 7

  Suspect Number One

  When the Aldens arrived at the hotel, they noticed the lobby was a mess. Chairs were knocked over, a broken table lay near a smashed vase, and Mr. Fellows’s protest flyers were scattered in every corner like oversized confetti.

  Henry held the others back. “I’m not sure it’s safe to go inside,” he said, searching for the sheriff.

  Jessie saw the sheriff interviewing a well-dressed couple by the front desk.

  Henry went to the front desk and asked the manager, “What happened here?”

  “Mr. Fellows came in here complaining about the winter sports camp and handing his flyers to all the hotel guests.” She looked back over the damage and sighed. “I asked him to leave and reminded him this is private property. This time, he agreed to go away.”

  “How’d everything get broken then?” Jessie asked.

  “Coach McNaught came downstairs from his room as Mr. Fellows was leaving. He approached him and they began to argue,” she explained.

  She bent down to pick up a piece of broken glass and held it tenderly in her hands. “I know Ralph. We both grew up here. Sometimes he gets emotional. I understand why he threw paint on the plans for Majestic Mountain this morning. He’s mad about the development.”

  “I noticed how quickly the paint was cleaned up,” Henry remarked.

  “Typical Ralph. It was an environmental blend,” Martha told him. “Cleaned up easy with soap and water.” She shook her head. “He might mess up some big international company’s drawings to protest what they’re doing, but he’d never break my grandmother’s vase on purpose.”

  “I’m guessing Mr. Fellows would be upset about the waste as well,” Violet added. “The plant that was in that vase is dead now.” She pointed out the dirt and leaves that were part of the chaos on the floor.

  Just then a car drove up to the front of the building. “Oh no!” The manager moaned. “It’s a bad time for new guests to arrive. I better go and greet them.” She hurried outside to the parking area.

  Jessie leaned into Henry and whispered, “Look there.” Dirt footprints were on the floor; they went behind the front registration desk and through a doorway at the back. “I think Mr. Fellows is hiding in the hotel.”

  Henry looked at the footprints.

  Henry told Violet, and she showed Benny the clue.

  Tiptoeing past the sheriff, Benny led the way behind the desk. He opened the door to the office and saw that there was another door that led to the alleyway.

  “This way,” Jessie said. At the end of the alley was a florist shop with a greenhouse in back. Jessie had a feeling that Mr. Fellows would go somewhere that was full of plants and green things.

  “Let’s be careful,” Henry said as he opened the greenhouse door. “We don’t know if Mr. Fellows is dangerous or not.”

  Violet shook her head. “I’ve been thinking a lot about him. I just don’t think he’s a bad man. I think we’ve read the clues wrong.”

  “We need to find out more,” Henry said.

  They approached Mr. Fellows together.

  He was standing between two long rows of little plants that were being warmed by artificial lights. When he saw the children, Mr. Fellows raised his arms in surrender. “I want to replace the plant from the broken vase,” he said. “After I clean up the mess and apologize, you can take me to jail.”

  “Detectives don’t arrest anyone,” Benny told him. “We have to call the sheriff to come get you.”

  “Detectives?” Mr. Fellows asked, lowering his arms and crossing them over his chest. “Is there a mystery to solve?” He shivered.

  “Do you know what happened to Clayton Hollow’s snowboard?” Henry asked.

  “Is it missing?” Mr. Fellows wrinkled his eyebrows then asked, “Who is Clayton Hollow?”

  “You don’t know?” Benny walked over to Mr. Fellows and looked closely in his face. “Are you joking around?”

  “No.” Mr. Fellows shrugged.

  “He’s one of the snowboarders in the competition,” Jessie told him. “His snowboard disappeared yesterday and we’re trying to help him get it back.”

  “Are you positive you didn’t take it?” Benny asked.

  “Yes. I’m sure I didn’t take anything.” Mr. Fellows looked hard at Benny. “I mean, I don’t want the mountain town to grow, but I’m not a thief. I don’t even know how to snowboard. I’m just handing out my flyers and discussing the issues.”

  “We followed a yeti’s footprints to your cabin,” Violet said. “We thought you were trying to scare the snowboarders away from Hidden Hills.”

  “A yeti?” Mr. Fellows shook his head. “What yeti?”

  “Aren’t you dressing up as the yeti?” Benny’s eyes grew wide.

  “No.” He was confused. “What are you talking about?”

  “Ha!” Benny jumped up and down. “If he’s not the yeti, that means it’s real! I knew the yeti was real! A real yeti!” He was very excited.

  Just then, the Aldens and Mr. Fellows could hear voices
from the street. “I hope they have recycling bins in the jailhouse.”

  “I didn’t do anything wrong, you know,” Mr. Fellows told the Aldens. “That big gorilla wants the training camp to be here. When I gave him a flyer, he attacked me.” He frowned. “Unfortunately, I broke Martha’s grandmother’s vase trying to escape his grip. I hope she’ll forgive me.”

  “I have a feeling she will,” Violet said.

  “I don’t understand,” Mr. Fellows said. “Just a few hours ago, Coach McNaught came to the Coffee Hut complaining he was cold. He bought a reusable insulated coffee cup. I filled it with hot water to heat him up. That’s what I drink when I’m cold. He seemed happy when he left the shop.” He pinched his lips together. “When I saw him in the hotel lobby, I thought he’d read my flyer and we could have a conversation. Instead he tried to hit me.”

  The voices in the alley grew louder. They were just outside the greenhouse. “Ralph? Are you in there?” It was the hotel manager.

  “I’m here,” he said.

  “Come on out,” she told him. “We’ve watched the security video from the lobby. We know you didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “I don’t have to go to jail?” he shouted out.

  “This time you have to promise to stop holding your protests in the hotel. You can’t mention Majestic Mountain or hand out flyers when you’re on my turf. You have your own coffee shop. Protest there all you want.”

  “Oh, fine. I think everyone knows my opinion anyway. I’m on my way.” Mr. Fellows quickened his steps as he neared the door. “Hey, Martha, don’t let anyone touch the mess. I’ll clean it all up by myself.”

  “Why won’t you let anyone else clean up?” Violet asked, though she guessed the answer.

  “This town is run by people who want development—more people coming around and making more trash. They don’t care. All those tourists and sporting kids will put glass in with paper and plastic with the compost!” he said. “No one knows how to use the recycling bins correctly. This town needs me.”

  Violet smiled. “That’s what I figured. We know how to recycle too. Want some help?”

  Henry, Jessie, and Benny agreed.

  “We’re good helpers,” Benny said.

  “I’d appreciate it,” Mr. Fellows said. “Thanks.”

  As they went back to the hotel, Henry asked Jessie, “Who’s next on our suspect list?”

  “There are two names left. Ms. Taylor and Mercedes. I think we should find Ms. Taylor,” Jessie said. “We need to go to Burger Bonanza.”

  “Jessie!” Benny shouted up at his sister. “There are three suspects left, not two—three! Ms. Taylor. Mercedes. And the yeti. Don’t forget about the yeti!”

  CHAPTER 8

  Burgers and Lies

  When the hotel lobby was clean, Jessie sat on the chair and opened her notebook. She crossed off Mr. Fellows’s name.

  “I’m too hungry to keep solving mysteries,” Benny said, lying down on the couch. “I feel faint!”

  “The snowboarders are all at the Burger Bonanza,” Jessie said. “We can meet them there and check out Ms. Taylor at the same time.”

  At that, Benny jumped off the couch and hustled out the hotel and onto the street.

  “He’s not faint anymore,” Violet said as she ran after him toward the Burger Bonanza.

  Grandfather had brought Watch to the lobby so Jessie could take him along. She fed him dog treats while Ms. Taylor led the children to a large table in the back of the restaurant. The snowboarders were there busy talking about the competition.

  “We waited for you,” Patricia told Benny. “Just like we promised.”

  “Thanks!” He sat in an empty chair between her and Jasper. “What do you recommend?” Benny asked Ms. Taylor.

  “The Burger Bonanza Bonanza of course,” she replied, casting a quick glance toward Clayton. “It’s a double big burger for a big belly.”

  Benny rubbed his tummy. “I’ll take two!” he said. “I’m starving.”

  Jessie laughed. “One Bonanza is plenty for Benny. And a side of fruit please.”

  “I like fruit,” Benny said, licking his lips. “Delicious.”

  “Oh we don’t serve fruit,” Ms. Taylor said, “But he can have French fries.”

  “I told you,” Clayton leaned in and whispered. “It’s not that the food tastes terrible, it’s that there’s nothing healthy here. They don’t even put lettuce or tomato on the burger. There isn’t a fresh vegetable in the whole place.”

  Jessie swore she heard Ms. Taylor snarl, but when she looked up, the Bonanza owner was all smiles.

  “I’ll take a Bonanza Bonanza too,” Jasper said.

  “Double Bonanza Burgers for everyone, then?” Ms. Taylor asked the crowd.

  “Not for me,” Clayton told her. “I’ll just have water.”

  “What is wrong with you?” Ms. Taylor was suddenly angry. “It should be an honor to wear the Burger Bonanza hats and snowboard on a Burger Bonanza board! When you advertise for me, I’ll give the camp money. We all win.”

  “We’ve gone through this before. I think the food is bad for you and I won’t represent a product I don’t believe in,” Clayton said with a casual shrug. “Sorry. But that’s how I feel.” He added, “And if I make the camp, the group has to vote unanimously on who the sponsor will be.”

  “I hope you don’t come to camp.” Ms. Taylor glared at Clayton. She repeated what she’d said before on the slope, the first time the Aldens had met her. “I hope you never find your snowboard.” With a mighty huff, she stormed off to the front counter.

  Clayton turned to Henry. “Is she a suspect? I mean, she doesn’t want me to succeed and she keeps saying she hopes Bessie is gone forever.” He glanced toward the cash register where Ms. Taylor was helping another customer. “Seems pretty clear to me she must be the thief.”

  Jessie opened her notebook and showed him the page. “She’s on the list.”

  “Who else are you investigating?” Clayton asked.

  “Mercedes might have taken your board,” Henry answered.

  “No way!” Clayton exclaimed. “Impossible. We’re friends.”

  “She told her coach she’d do anything to win,” Jessie said. “She knows you are a really good snowboarder, so we think she might be trying to get you out to guarantee a slot for herself.”

  “No way,” Clayton repeated. “Mercedes would never do that.” He looked around the table. “Are Hyun, Jasper, and Patricia suspects too?”

  Jessie pinched her lips. “No.” She thought about it. “They were all with us at the scoreboard when Bessie disappeared.”

  “So was Mercedes,” Clayton said. Then he paused, “Wasn’t she?”

  “That’s the problem,” Henry said. “We can’t seem to remember.”

  Clayton sat quietly. “I don’t think it’s Mercedes, but maybe you should keep checking.” His eyes showed that he’d be very sad if she was the one. He really liked Mercedes and trusted her. “I want Bessie back.”

  Ms. Taylor brought their food and set it on the table. She gave everyone Burger Bonanza stickers, even Clayton. “Maybe you’ll change your mind about the restaurant,” she said before walking away.

  Benny poured ketchup on his burger and then smelled it. “Mmmm.” He opened his mouth to take a big bite then suddenly set the burger down.

  “What’s wrong?” Violet asked. “That burger was almost in your tummy.”

  “I know,” Benny said. “But I thought of something and I had to tell you right away.”

  “What?” Jessie and Henry asked at the same time.

  “Ms. Taylor is lying,” Benny said. “Clayton isn’t the only one who doesn’t want Burger Bonanza as a sponsor.” He explained, “I don’t think Mercedes would like riding a Burger board either.”

  “We saw her throw the restaurant’s hat at her coach,” Violet recalled. “I thought it was because she was mad.”

  “She’s a vegetarian,” Benny said. “I offered her beef jerky and she t
old me she doesn’t eat meat.” He picked a sesame seed off his burger bun.

  Henry asked Clayton, “Have you ever talked to Mercedes about the sponsorship?”

  “No,” Clayton admitted. “I never thought about it.”

  Jessie took out her pen. “As long as Mercedes gets to be part of the camp, there will be a vote against Burger Bonanza sponsoring the snowboarders.”

  “I don’t think Ms. Taylor is a suspect anymore,” Violet said. “If Clayton isn’t the only one against her, she’s got no reason to steal his board.”

  “Maybe she doesn’t know Mercedes is a vegetarian,” Benny suggested. He put down his burger and stood up. “I’ll get her so we can ask.”

  Benny returned a minute later with Ms. Taylor. “Is something wrong?” she wanted to know.

  “Mercedes doesn’t eat meat,” Benny told her. “So we just figured out that Clayton isn’t the only one who doesn’t want to advertise for the restaurant.”

  “I’m willing to pay a lot of money to the camp,” Ms. Taylor said. “Coach McNaught promised me he will talk to Mercedes about it and get her to change her mind. She doesn’t have to eat burgers to wear the restaurant’s name on her stuff.” She turned to Clayton, “You don’t have to eat here either, but it would be better if you did.”

  Clayton looked Ms. Taylor in the eye. “Did you steal my snowboard?”

  She looked shocked. “What?” Then her face softened. “Of course not. If you’re going to represent Burger Bonanza, I need you to win. Everyone knows Clayton Hollow can’t win without his board, Yellow Bessie.”

  “But you keep saying you hope he never finds Bessie,” Benny said.

  “I’m just saying that because I’m mad about the sponsorship. That’s all.”

  “So you didn’t take my board to force me to use yours?” Clayton asked. “Or to keep me out of the camp?”

  “Not my style,” Ms. Taylor told him. “I want to win your heart with my food.” She snapped her fingers and a waiter brought a burger to the table. He set it in front of Clayton. “This one is for you. It’s free. I hope you’ll change your mind and want to represent it.” She walked away.