CHAPTER 9
Talk around the dinner table that night was breezy. Mother had asked about the show at Fair Park on the way home in the car. She had seemed satisfied with their answers. The girls made an effort to keep the conversation light while still trying to discover any information their mother might have gotten from work that day about the burglary. Mother had stopped by the High Tech building before she went to the grocery store. They had already decided not to tell their Mother--yet--about their new case.
Lynda and Cheri knew their Mother would not be excited about this new investigation after what had happened the last time: Sinda, always exploring, had fallen into a mine shaft while in Nevada on vacation last summer and everyone was frantic until she was rescued. The desert area by Virginia City in northern Nevada had seemed quite inviting. But the girls had found it cunning and mysterious. Sinda had fallen into a mine shaft that looked like a small hole in the ground. Lynda was worried that there might be spiders in the mine, but Sinda just wanted to know where the gold was. She hadn’t fallen too far and had only managed to get extremely dirty.
They all thought that the fall was worth it when Sinda discovered a clue that helped them solve the mystery they were pursuing. Mother and the local sheriff saw it all differently. So the girls decided to keep quiet tonight.
"I think I might go to a movie tonight with Diane to get my mind off the burglary. Things are still pretty tense at the office today. Anne was yelling at everyone. You remember Diane, don’t you? She works in the office next to mine, " Mother said. "Would that be all right with you girls? Were you planning anything that you needed me for?"
All three girls said “no” much too quickly. Mother arched an eyebrow.
"Allright. What gives with you three? You aren't planning another surprise party for anyone are you? You really gave the mailman a fright the last time."
Lynda smiled. "No, Mother, we are not planning any surprise parties. You go on to the movies and I'll babysit tonight."
"Oh, right!" said Cheri. "Like I need to be babysat? Give me a break!"
"You can babysit me, Lynda," said Sinda as she spilled her glass of milk. "Oops! Sorry!"
Cheri leaped up. "Does she always have to spill stuff on me? Good grief!"
"Calm down, everyone!" Mother exclaimed, "Accidents happen. Get a towel, Lynda. I won't go if you don't want me to."
"No, No, Mother. You need to get out once in a while without us. It's fine. We'll get along, won't we girls?"
Lynda looked questioningly at Cheri and Sinda, who wisely nodded in reply.