Animal Shelter Mystery Read Online Free

these strays. Why, I haven’t even a matchbox to keep a mouse in!”
    The Aldens looked at each other without saying a word. Then Jessie made an announcement. “We have something bigger than a matchbox, Dr. Scott. Much bigger. Something that could shelter a lot of your animals.”
    â€œAnd what would that be?” the doctor asked.
    â€œOur boxcar!” Jessie, Violet, and Benny cried out at the same time.
    Dr. Scott looked surprised. “You mean the boxcar you lived in before your grandfather found you?”
    Jessie’s big brown eyes were shining. “Yes. Grandfather had it moved to our backyard.
    We use it as a playhouse, but it would make a good kennel for some of your strays. Henry’s been helping Mr. Seed put up new fences this summer. He gets to keep the old fences and chicken wire. We could use them to build animal cages inside the boxcar.”
    Violet looked up at Dr. Scott’s thoughtful face. “You’ve taught us so much about taking care of animals, Dr. Scott. I know we could do a good job taking care of your strays until we find homes for them.”
    â€œI’ll walk them and feed them every day,” Benny said. “I gave this cat the rest of my blueberries and ice cream last night. These animals would be happy in our boxcar. So would that crow out there.”
    Dr. Scott smoothed back Benny’s hair. “You know, Benny, I think even that crow would like your boxcar. But one thing.”
    Benny looked up at Dr. Scott. “What’s that?”
    â€œJust give the crow plain blueberries. No ice cream.”
    Benny nodded. “Okay, no ice cream. Just blueberries.”

CHAPTER 4
    The Hidden Notebooks
    T hat day when the Greenfield Library bell rang out at noon, the Aldens could hardly pull themselves away from their work at the shelter. Jessie wanted to finish lining the indoor cages with newspapers. Violet was busy making flyers for adopting cats and dogs and more FOUND CAT notices to put up around town. And, for a change, Benny Alden wasn’t chattering or hungry.
    â€œEven animal doctors stop for lunch,” Dr. Scott said when she found the three Aldens still hard at work at twelve-fifteen.
    Dr. Scott smiled down at Benny. “I’ve never known you to forget about your lunch.”
    Everyone was laughing when Dr. Scott put up the CLOSED FOR LUNCH sign on the front door of the shelter. “Have a nice big lunch so you can tackle that old shed when you get back with Henry. Maybe by then I’ll have some information about our mystery founder. I’m going to spend my lunchtime making phone calls. Now off you go.”
    On the short walk to the hardware store, Violet stopped to post one of her FOUND CAT signs on a telephone pole in front of the bank. “Our phone number is on these posters. I hope Grandfather or Mrs. McGregor is home in case anyone calls,” she said.
    Benny ran up ahead. He expected to see Henry waiting in front of Seed’s Hardware the way he usually did at lunchtime every day. But Henry was nowhere around.
    â€œMaybe we came too late,” Jessie said. She tried the door and it opened. “That’s strange. Usually Mr. Seed closes up right at noon. He must have a customer.”
    In fact, Mr. Seed had three customers.
    One man was at the cash register where Henry was carefully counting out money. The Aldens could see two other men in back with Mr. Seed.
    â€œDon’t bother with the change, sonny,” the man told Henry. “It’s not worth counting just a lot of loose coins.”
    That didn’t stop Henry. “My grandfather says every dollar starts with a penny, sir. Besides, Mr. Seed wouldn’t like it if his customers didn’t get the change they were due.”
    â€œWhatever you say, sonny, but make it fast.” The man grabbed the change Henry gave him and shoved it into his pocket without even counting it.
    Everyone looked up when Mr. Seed came in from the