Backyard Bandit Mystery Read Online Free Page B

you’re missing?” Dee Dee asked.
    There was Dunkum’s old radio on the dresser.
    â€œWhat’s it doing here?” asked Stacy.
    Dee Dee explained. “I traded some of my stuff with the boys.”
    Stacy couldn’t believe her ears.
    â€œHow can we make any money that way?” she demanded.
    â€œOh, there’s plenty of money,” Dee Dee said.
    â€œThere is?” Stacy said, surprised.
    â€œSure! Your granny paid bunches of money. She bought that smelly old cologne. Your grandpa’s pajama top, too,” said Dee Dee.
    â€œFor how much?” Stacy asked.
    â€œTwenty bucks,” answered Dee Dee.
    â€œTwenty? That’s way too much,” said Stacy.
    â€œI know, but she wouldn’t listen,” Dee Dee said.
    Stacy couldn’t believe her ears.
    â€œYour granny wanted to make some nice kids happy,” Dee Dee explained. “That’s just what she said.”
    â€œNobody told me about this,” Stacy said.
    Dee Dee shook her head. “I guess you were busy makin’ lemonade.”
    Stacy thought about everything. “So, we’ll buy the flags with Granny’s money?”
    Dee Dee grinned. “Yep.”
    â€œWow,” Stacy said.
    â€œReal cool,” Dee Dee added.
    â€œWell, there’s only one other problem now,” Stacy said.
    Dee Dee looked up at her. “The beanbag angel?” she asked.
    Stacy nodded. “I need to get it back. What can I do?”
    â€œI have an idea,” Dee Dee said. And she whispered in Stacy’s ear.
    Stacy listened carefully.
    Then she said, “You’re right. Thanks for a great idea!”
    And up the street she ran—to see Eric about the angel.

    When Stacy found Eric, he was playing with his hamster. A teeny-tiny cat collar was on Fran the Ham’s neck.

    â€œNice trade,” Stacy said. She meant the cat collar.
    Eric looked up. “Oh, you heard?”
    She nodded. “You traded your treasures. Wanna trade something with me?” she asked.
    â€œWhatcha got?” he said.
    â€œA whole sale table full,” she replied.
    Eric smiled a strange little smile. “Really? You’d give me everything on the table?”
    Stacy nodded. “Only if you give back my beanie angel.”
    Eric rubbed his head. “You must really want it,” he said.
    â€œSure do,” she said.
    â€œWhat’s so special about it?” he asked.
    She took a deep breath. “Abby gave it to me a long time ago.”
    Eric’s eyes nearly popped out. “Abby gave it to you?”
    â€œThat’s why,” she said softly.
    â€œWhy didn’t you tell me?” Eric said.
    â€œI should’ve,” Stacy replied. “I’m sorry.”
    Eric grinned at her. “This is our secret, OK?”
    â€œThanks,” Stacy said.
    â€œAnd you can forget about trading the sale stuff,” he said. “I don’t want it.”
    Stacy smiled. “You’re a cheerful giver.”
    â€œHere, hold my hamster.” Eric ran inside to get the angel.
    Stacy held Fran the Ham carefully.
    At that moment, Abby and her family rode up the cul-de-sac. The Hunter family waved to her.
    Stacy called to them, “Welcome home!”
    Abby leaned out the van window. “Did I miss anything?” she asked.
    â€œYou just wait,” Stacy said, grinning.
    Abby smiled back. “Double dabble good,” she said. Then she picked up two suitcases and ran to her house.
    Fran the Ham made twittering sounds in Stacy’s hand. Nothing special. Justcute little hamster noises.
    Stacy leaned over and whispered in the teeny-weeny ear. “Flag Day’s gonna be super. Thanks to a super-duper Granny.”
    She thought for a second. “Thanks to Eric, too.”
    Stacy felt great. Even if she had to say so herself.

THE CUL-DE-SAC KIDS SERIES
Don’t miss #16!
    TREE HOUSE
TROUBLE
    Abby Hunter and Stacy Henry are busy with a spring project.