Ghost in the First Row Read Online Free

thought I knew all of Alice’s friends.” Aunt Jane frowned. “I don’t recall anyone with those initials.” Putting the appointment book aside, she looked around at the children. “I guess you’ve got a busy day planned,” she added, changing the subject.
    Jessie nodded. “I can’t wait to see the inside of the theater.”
    “The whole town’s curious to see it,” Aunt Jane said. “All the seats have sold out.”
    “That’s great!” said Violet. “I knew everything would work out.”
    “The play runs all summer, Violet,” Aunt Jane reminded her. “We can’t be sure tickets will keep selling.”
    “One thing I don’t understand,” said Henry. “Even if they don’t sell a lot of tickets, why would they close the theater down? It doesn’t make sense when they just fixed it up.”
    “It costs a lot of money to produce plays,” Aunt Jane explained. “The town can’t afford to keep the theater going if tickets don’t sell.”
    Benny, who was spreading honey on his toast, looked up. “Well, tickets won’t sell if Fern quits.”
    Aunt Jane agreed. “Fern’s a wonderful actress,” she said. “It would be a disaster if she walks out on the play.”
    Violet frowned. “You don’t think that’s possible, do you, Aunt Jane?”
    “There’s no telling what Fern might do,” Aunt Jane replied. “Especially if she thinks the theater’s haunted.”
    “I wish we could do something to help,” said Violet.
    Aunt Jane smiled. “Putting posters up around town is a big help.”
    The children quickly finished breakfast, then set off for town on the bikes that Aunt Jane kept for them. When they reached the theater, Jessie noticed something different.
    “Looks like Fern got her wish,” she said, pointing to the billboard.
    The others looked up at the sign. Fern’s name now appeared above the title of the play.
    “Wow,” said Benny. “I guess Ray really wants to keep her happy.”
    After leaving their bikes behind the theater, the Aldens made their way around to the front.
    “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting,” Ray called out, as he hurried towards them. “I was having breakfast at the diner—with a reporter from the local paper.”
    “No problem,” Henry said, as the director unlocked the theater door. “We just got here ourselves.”
    As they stepped inside, the children glanced admiringly at the fancy lobby with its red carpeting. Huge mirrors in gold frames covered the walls and a crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling.
    “Oooh!” cried Violet. “How beautiful!”
    “Is that where you found Lady Chadwick’s hat?” Benny pointed up at the light.
    Ray nodded. “It still baffles me how it got up there.”
    “It sure is weird,” said Jessie, as they followed the director to the far end of the lobby.
    As Ray opened the oak doors that led into the auditorium, he suddenly took a step back in surprise. “What in the world?” he cried. “Somebody’s been tampering with the lights.”
    Sure enough, a large standing spotlight was shining directly onto a seat in the first row of the theater! The Aldens could hardly believe their eyes.
    Ray clicked his tongue. “Wait here, kids. I’ll only be a minute.”
    As the director hurried backstage, Jessie said, “I wonder why the spotlight’s pointed at the first row?”
    “Let’s check it out,” Henry suggested. He headed down the aisle, the others close behind.
    At the front of the theater, Benny’s eyes widened. The others followed his gaze to where the circle of yellow light was shining on a seat in the front row—a seat that was littered with popcorn!

    “Oh!” Violet’s hand flew to her mouth.
    “Alice has been here again,” Benny said in a hushed voice.
    Henry put a comforting arm around his little brother. “Anyone could’ve done this, Benny.”
    “Whoever it was,” said Jessie, “they wanted everybody to notice.”
    Violet nodded. “They shone the spotlight right on to the seat.”
    “Let’s clean this up before