Mystery At Riddle Gully Read Online Free Page A

theelbow to a hard narrow chair. She placed a hand on top of his now-famous head and sat him down. ‘I take it you’d like a word with my visitor.’
    Mayor Bullock checked his hairline with manicured fingers. ‘If I may,’ he said. With the starched yellow handkerchief from his breast pocket, he dabbed at the corners of his mouth. He straightened the sleeves of his jacket with two tugs, and allotted a smile to Sherri. ‘As you would both be aware, I regard the youth of Riddle Gully as its lifeblood. Not only do I embody youth and forward vision myself, but since taking office it has been my mission to support our youngsters in every wholesome endeavour.’
    â€˜Huh! Like closing down the skate park because it woke you up on weekends?’ said Pollo.
    â€˜However,’ Mayor Bullock pressed on, ‘in light of your abuse of the privilege granted you by my ... err ... the town council and your lack of integrity, Miss di Nozi, I have no option but to put a stop to this nonsense of yours, once and for all.’
    â€˜Nonsense? Lack of integrity?’ Pollo jumped off the desk. ‘It’s all true and you know it!’
    The mayor raised his finger. ‘Aah, but therein lies the lesson, young lady! Truth and the public interest—not always the best of friends.’ He smiled sideways at Sherri. ‘It’s something one learns with experience.’ Fishing a black-and-white-striped humbug from his trouser pocket, he popped it triumphantly into his mouth.
    â€˜But it is in the public interest if you’re going around pretending to be a lot younger than you really are, and telling everyone that you’ll steer Riddle Gully into the future!’
    Mayor Bullock levered himself from his chair and, his back to Sherri, leaned so close to Pollo that she could smell the peppermint humbug on his breath. ‘That’s enough,’ he snarled. ‘I’m allowing you one last issue, its purpose being a full apology for the scurrilous report on today’s front page.’
    Pollo gasped. Only one more issue? He couldn’t do that to her! She had the backing of the town council. She opened her mouth to protest but Mayor Bullock, standing to his full height, got in first.
    â€˜And don’t think you can go running off to the council to object. I’m not a man to let a little red tape get in the way of what’s good for Riddle Gully!’ He started for the door, but paused. ‘I have friends in high places,’ he added, ‘the editor-in-chief of the Coast news network among them. I hear you’re thinking about that Youth Reporter cadetship. I want a full apology, Miss di Nozi, or I’ll see to it that the editor-in-chief runs a mile at the mention of your name.’
    Pollo’s throat was clamped like a clam.
    Mayor Bullock wrapped a hand around the doorknob. ‘While you’re at it, you can do something useful and discover who is responsible for the graffiti at the school this morning. The Graffiti Kid, they’re calling theperpetrator, as though the scoundrel is some kind of hero. The youth of this town! Humph! Ungrateful layabouts the lot of you. I’ve half a mind to have a word with the editor-in-chief whether you print that apology or not.’
    He pasted on a smile and turned to Sherri. ‘Thank you for your hospitality, madam. I’m sure you appreciate, it sometimes takes a strong hand to rein in a wild horse. Good day to you. It’s always a pleasure catching up with my townsfolk.’
    Mayor Bullock clanged through the door and out onto the footpath, bumping into old Mr McNutty, who was shuffling home with his shopping. As the elderly gentleman’s fruit and vegetables rolled towards the gutter, the mayor dug a humbug from his pocket. Lifting his polished shoe to let an onion pass, he pressed the lolly into Mr McNutty’s hand, patted him on the back and strode towards his glossy black car.
    Sherri