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many questions?”
    “Uh—just interested,” Brian said, smiling innocently. “I’ve never seen a big hotel kitchen before.”
    “We’re very busy right now,” Ann said, “especially since we’re a little shorthanded because of the employee talent show.”
    “But that’s not until nine,” Sean said.
    “The people in the show have got to get ready,” Ann told him. “Some are wearing costumes, and one of the waiters has to go through a few tricks with his dog to get him warmed up.”
    “That’s Palmer,” Jennifer said, “and his dog, Pete.”
    “Right,” Ann said, and smiled. “Palmer brought his dog with him before he went on duty this evening. He put Pete’s crate on the loading dock. Before the restaurant opened for dinner, Palmer took us outside and showed us some of Pete’s new tricks. Pete’s so cute. We even save bones for him.”
    She suddenly glanced toward the double swinging doors that led to the restaurant. “Oh no! Here comes Mr. Otis again, probably for another look around. I have to get back to work,” she said. “Go to the talent show and see Palmer and Pete. They’re good.”
    As Ann reached out and shut the door, Sean said, “If you’re through asking questions, Brian, why don’t we go swimming?”
    “I’m not through asking questions,” Brian told him. “I have one for Martha Wood. Besides, it’s getting dark.”
    “By this time Martha’s left for the day,” Jennifer said. “The pool’s lighted at night, and the water’s still warm. I vote with Sean. I think we should go swimming.”
    “Okay, Jennifer,” Brian said, “but I’m going to keep asking questions. I’ve even got a couple for you.”

6

    W HEN THEY MET AT the pool, Brian sat next to Jennifer on the lounge chair, but Sean threw his towel down on a table and cannonballed into the pool with a big noisy splash.
    As he surfaced and hoisted himself to the edge of the pool, he was disappointed that even though Brian and Jennifer had been splashed, they didn’t seem to notice. They were too busy making smiley faces at each other. I hope I’m never like that, groaned Sean to himself.
    Brian picked up the notebook and pen that he had laid on top of his folded towel.
    “Do you always have those with you?” Jennifer asked.
    “Always,” Brian said. “They’re an investigator’s most important tool.”
    “Big investigator,” Sean said disapprovingly as he climbed out of the pool, but Brian ignored him.
    “I’ve been so curious, Brian,” Jennifer said. “What are all these important questions you’re going to ask me?”
    “Probably, ‘Did you commit the crime?’ and ‘Will you confess?’ ” joked Sean.
    “My questions are about Martha Wood and her nephew,” Brian answered. “Martha doesn’t have a police record, too, does she?”
    “Oh, no,” Jennifer said. “She’s worked for Dad for years and years.”
    Sean broke in again. “Dad can find out anything about anybody. He could do a computer check into her background,” he said.
    Brian frowned. “We can’t ask Dad to do it because he’d ask why we want to know, and when we told him he’d tell us to stop investigating because he’s not here to make sure we don’t get into something dangerous.”
    “Dangerous?” Jennifer asked worriedly.
    “If you’re scared,” Sean said hopefully, “you don’t have to help us.”
    “I’m not scared, and I want to help,” Jennifer insisted.
    Suddenly Sean looked over his shoulder toward a stand of trees near the Hamburger Hut, which was closed for the night. “Did you hear something weird just now?” he asked. “Like a cough or something?”
    “Stop trying to be funny,” Brian told him. He turned to Jennifer. “Sure, investigations can be dangerous. If a perpetrator knows you’re suspicious of him, there’s no telling what he could do. But during any investigation, there comes a time when it’s important to go to adults for help. Sometimes we call on Dad, sometimes the police. In