Mystery of the Mixed-Up Zoo (6 page)
Pat Kramer hurried forward as the gates clanged shut. “I'm glad you're here,” she said. Her usual smiling face was sober.
Alarmed, Violet stared at Pat. “Is something wrong?” she asked in a shaky voice.
“Yes,” Pat said shortly. “Come with me and you can judge for yourself.” She headed for Edward's office.
Without a word the children followed her. Grandfather, grim-faced, walked so fast that it was hard to keep up with him.
In the zoo office they were astonished to see Edward sitting slumped in his chair, his head in his hands.
“What is it?” Mr. Alden asked.
Edward lifted his head and opened a drawer in a file cabinet. It was empty. “Someone came into the office in plain daylight and stole all the animals' papers.”
“How could that happen?” Henry asked.
“Pat and I were busy checking the animals. I didn't get to the office until late this afternoon.” He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “The thief cleaned me out.”
“What do the papers say?” Benny asked.
“Information about the animals,” Edward answered. “Special diets are recorded, when they had their vaccinations, when they arrived at the zoo, and where they came from, facts I need to know.”
Pat bit her underlip. “This is the worst prank yet!”
“I'd call it more than a prank!” Grandfather exclaimed. “It's vicious and damaging to the animals.”
Edward shot his old friend a grateful glance. “You're right, James. I'll have to start over, recording all that information. I can remember a few things, but only a few.”
“Between the two of us,” Pat said, “we'll manage.”
Papers were scattered on the floor, as if the robber had made a quick exit. The saddest sight, though, was the empty file drawers.
“Don't you think you should call the police now?” Henry asked.
Edward hesitated before replying. “I'd like to, but if I do, I know the zoo will close down. This is just the ammunition Helen Brooks is looking for!”
“Perhaps the police will be able to solve the case before Helen Brooks can find out,” Jessie said, sitting down.
“Believe me, Jessie,” Edward said, “I want to bring the thief to justice, but I can't risk having my zoo closed down.”
That night the children had planned a special dinner, and they were glad they had. Edward needed something to take his mind off the animals.
As soon as they got home they began preparing meat loaf, broccoli with cheese, mashed potatoes, and apple salad, plus lemon cake for dessert.
As the meat loaf baked, the children fixed the rest of the dinner and discussed the case.
“We didn't see Helen Brooks today,”Violet said. “Maybe she can't find enough information to bring before the town council. Maybe she's given up.”
“Don't we wish,” Jessie said, chopping up the apples and celery. “But I think Helen Brooks is the kind of woman who, once an idea pops into her head, won't let go.”
Benny agreed. “She never smiles. I know she's thinking of ways she can get rid of the animals!”
Henry peeled potatoes and dropped them into boiling water. He frowned. “Just because Helen Brooks doesn't smile doesn't mean she'd stoop to such low tricks to close the zoo.”
Benny set the table in the dining room. Returning, he reported, “Edward and Grandfather are playing chess again.”
“Good,” Jessie said. “The game will take Edward's mind off his problems.” She opened the oven and was pleased to see the meat loaf was nicely browned. Taking it out, she set it on a platter.
Violet stuck a fork in the boiling broccoli and decided it was cooked just enough. She put it in a bowl and poured the cheese sauce over it.
Henry put the mashed potatoes in a bowl while Benny poured the milk.
“I think,” Jessie said, “that Mac Thatcher is acting very suspicious lately. We've seen him at the zoo, and he's curious about what's going on there. Why is he so interested?”
“You've got a point, Jessie,” Henry said, dishing up the mashed potatoes. “Mac's a sourpuss all right, but he really hasn't any reason to put the zoo out of business.”
“No,” Jessie agreed, slicing the meat loaf. “He doesn't have as much reason as Pat. Remember what she said about buying the zoo?”
Violet placed the steaming broccoli on the table. “I really don't think Pat meant that.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Wanting to buy the zoo was just a passing remark.”
Henry sprinkled dressing over the apples and celery. “We all like Pat,” he said, “but you can't deny that she's had the best opportunity to carry out everything that's taken place. After all, she works at the zoo.”
Benny's mouth formed a big O. “So does David.”
“I don't think it could be David,” Violet said with a smile. “He's so sweet, and you can tell he truly loves the animals.”
“Dinner is ready!” Jessie called.
Grandfather and Edward seated themselves at the table. Edward rubbed his hands together when he saw the wonderful dinner the children had prepared.
Jessie, sitting next to Grandfather, thought of the suspects. Each person they'd talked about had some reason to see the zoo shut down, but the Aldens didn't have any proof. Whoever the guilty one was, it seemed that he or she was going to get away with being cruel to innocent animals and maybe, closing a wonderful zoo.
“T
hat was a delicious dinner,” Edward said, leaning back and patting his stomach.
“Are we going to finish our game of chess?” Grandfather asked.
Edward pushed back his chair. “Afraid not, James. I'm too tired, and I have to be wide awake to beat you! In fact,” he said, rising and stretching, “I'm going to bed. I need to be at the zoo bright and early.” He gave them all a half smile. “I don't know if I'll get much sleep, though.”
Jessie glanced at Henry. It was too bad that Edward couldn't sleep because of worrying. If they could only do more to help.
They all went to bed shortly after Edward had turned in.
Violet, however, couldn't sleep. She gazed at the big yellow moon outside her window and hoped the animals were safe. She tossed and turned and hit her pillow. It wasn't fair that Edward, who was such a wonderful man, had to put up with trouble at his zoo.
At last Violet drifted off into a restless sleep. She dreamed a huge van hauled all the animals away. And when they visited the zoo, it was quiet and still. Not a bird whistled or a lion roared. Not one animal remained.
When Violet awakened, sunlight streamed in, and she heard voices from the kitchen. Leaping out of bed, she dressed and ran downstairs.
Jessie laughed, handing Violet a glass of orange juice. “Good morning, sleepyhead. You're just in time for breakfast.”
Violet smiled. “I'm sorry I wasn't here to help.” She was glad that she had only
dreamed
that the animals had disappeared.
After eating oatmeal and toast, the Aldens cleaned the kitchen, bought groceries at the store, and chatted with Grandfather, who was working in the yard.
“How do you like these red rosebushes I planted?” he asked.
“Beautiful,” Violet said.
“Do you want us to do anything?” Henry asked.
“No,” Grandfather answered. “I'm happy when I can dig in the dirt.” He straightened, rubbing his back. “You run along to the zoo. I'm sure Edward needs you more than I do.”
Suddenly, Violet stood on her tiptoes and kissed her grandfather. They were so lucky he loved them.
So the Aldens left for the zoo, hoping there would be no more trouble. Today they'd have fun looking around.
But when they saw Edward, he was standing by the seals with Pat, and both of them had grim faces.
“What now!” Jessie murmured.
“Hi, kids,” Edward called, then turned back and studied a list with Pat.
Violet's heart picked up a beat. Fearfully, she glanced around, but all the animals were in place and seemed happy and content.
“You two aren't smiling!” Benny said, not smiling himself. “Did another bad thing happen?”
“Yes, it did,” Edward answered. “I went into the storeroom where we keep expensive animal food and diets.” He shook his head. “Most of it is missing!”
“Oh, no,” groaned Henry.
“Some animals,” Pat explained, her forehead wrinkling, “have special diets, others need expensive vitamins, and it's all gone. Our storeroom was ransacked.”
“What can we do?” Violet questioned.
“Do you suppose your grandfather would drive you over to Bridgeport and you could pick up a few items at the pet store? Pat and I have to stay here.”
“We'd be glad to,” Henry responded.
“There's no rush,” Edward said. “Enjoy the zoo this morning, and this afternoon you can buy the food.”
“Oh, good,” Benny said. “I wanted to say hello to Amos!”
Pat smiled and handed the list of pet foods that were needed. “I don't know what we'd do without the Aldens,” she said, squeezing Jessie's hand. Jessie smiled at Pat. Edward was lucky to have such a good worker. Then her smile faded. At least she
thought
he was. Surely Pat couldn't be the guilty one.
For the next hour they wandered around the zoo. They watched the seals as they dived and played in their pool.
“Remember the bad shape the seals were in when their pool was drained?” Violet said.
“Yes, they look much healthier today,” Jessie said, pleased at their antics.
They moved on. The panther, sleek and black, sat and stared at them; the birds gave them a noisy greeting; and the elephants swished their tails and raised their trunks. The children laughed as they watched the animals, enjoying their playfulness.
“Could we go to the Monkey House now?” Benny coaxed.
“Yes, we've saved the best for last,” Violet said, walking toward the chattering monkeys.
A monkey swung by one arm from a branch, another carefully peeled a banana and ate it. They jumped from the trapeze to the trees, and it was hard to tell one from another.
Benny, his eyes following each one, tugged on his ear, puzzled. “Where's Amos? I know
exactly
what he looks like.”
“He's probably hiding behind those rocks,” Henry answered, chuckling. “Don't worry, he'll come out when he wants to.”
Benny watched more closely. Amos's tin cup lay on the ground. “No,” he said in a choked voice. “He isn't in there.”
Jessie, Violet, and Henry joined Benny in trying to spot Amos. They knew how much Benny cared about him.
“Where could he be?” Benny asked.
“Maybe Pat took him out for an examination,” Jessie said reassuringly.
Sadly, Benny shook his head. “No. Maybe someone has kidnapped him.”
“We'll find out right now,” Henry said.
They hurried out of the Monkey House. Henry spotted Edward by the Lion House.
“Edward,” he called, running to meet him. “Is Amos being examined?”
Edward appeared startled. “Why, no. Isn't he in with the others?”
“We can't find him,” Henry said. “Could he be hiding?”
Edward hurried over to the Monkey House and scanned each monkey. “He's not there,” he said calmly. “We'll start a search, but there's no way he could have gotten free.”
Benny's lowered lip trembled. “I knew it. Someone stole Amos. He'd never leave his tin cup behind unless he was snatched up before he could grab it.” He reached in and grasped the cup and hugged it to his chest. Then he put it in his back pocket.
Jessie stared at the monkeys. If anything happened to Amos she knew how sad Benny would feel. Where could the poor little monkey be?
O
n the way home from the zoo Henry tried to coax a smile out of Benny, but no matter what he did to cheer him, his little brother remained sad and silent.
