Mystery in the Mall Read Online Free

woman. “Don’t you think we could sell a lot of those? You look as if I told you we’d be selling dead bugs.”
    “Oh, it’s ... uh ... nothing,” Janet said. “I’ll unpack the boxes as soon as they get here.”

CHAPTER 4
Monkey See, Monkey Do
    The Aldens joined other strolling tourists on their way to the mall’s many outdoor restaurants. At sunset, people liked to come outdoors, look at the view, and eat outside.
    Jessie checked the directory of all the shops and restaurants in the mall. “Mr. Bolt said the Dockside Cafe is a good place. It has tables inside and outside.”
    “Look, Benny!” Henry said suddenly. “Those seagulls like to eat outside, too.”
    The Aldens watched screeching seagulls swoop down for french fries that people held out for them.
    “There’s a couple leaving soon,” the restaurant hostess told the Aldens when they arrived at the jam-packed restaurant. “You can have their table as soon as they leave and the busboy clears it.”
    The children studied the menu posted nearby.
    “I’m having french fries just like the seagulls, only I want mine on a plate,” Benny decided. “And chicken fingers and carrot sticks to go with the french fries.”
    While the other children decided what to have, Benny watched the couple. He hoped they weren’t going to order any more food. Luckily for Benny, they got up to leave.
    “Hey, it’s Janet,” Benny whispered to Jessie.
    The older children turned to look.
    “Right! And that crewman is with her again,” Violet noticed.
    Henry tried not to stare. “Put your heads down. I don’t want them to know we saw them. I forgot to tell you that the crewman was in the storeroom. Janet told me he was lost. Doesn’t it seem funny he’s having dinner with her now?”
    Jessie peeked, then looked away from the couple. “Did he say anything about seeing us on the dock this morning?”
    Henry shook his head. “That’s the thing. As soon as I mentioned it, he walked out the back way. Also, I was wondering why he went out the back of the store if he was lost.”
    “Your table is ready,” the restaurant hostess said, interrupting Henry. She led the children over to their table.
    “Goody,” Benny said, settling into his chair. “We’re right by the railing so we can watch the seagulls.”

    Violet laughed and pointed to the sky. “And the seagulls can watch you, Benny! Look how they fly over all these outdoor restaurants. Better watch your food when it comes.”
    Benny took one last look at the menu. “When my food comes, it won’t be on my plate long enough for the seagulls to get it.”
    Benny was right about that. He ate every bite of food and still had room for dessert. While he waited for his brownie sundae, he found a piece of paper under the saltshaker. “Hey, look.” He showed the note to the other children. “I wonder who left this. The handwriting says: ‘ Checklist: Appt. SS Shop; Check all boxes. R.T. ’”
    “If it said ‘J.T.,’ then I’d say that was Janet Trainor,” Jessie said, reading the note. “Well, a lot of people eat at this restaurant. I guess we’ll never know who R.T. is.”
    When Benny’s brownie sundae arrived, he stuck the note in his pocket and forgot about it. It was time for dessert.
    “That was a good dinner,” Henry said later after they paid their bill. “I have a couple of things to do. I’ll meet you all at Penny’s shop at nine o’clock. She’ll tell us whether she needs us tomorrow or the next few days.”
    Jessie pulled Henry away from Benny and Violet. “Where are you going? Are you going to snoop around down on the dock?”
    Henry shook his head. “No, even though I want to,” he whispered. “I’m going to see if I can find another coconut monkey for Benny. I feel rotten that I threw his out by mistake. There are so many shops around here with stuff from all over. Maybe there’s a chance I’ll find one. It could take a long time for Penny’s shipment to arrive.”
    Jessie