“Wow!” cried six-year-old Benny. “Look at all the skyscrapers down there.” The youngest Alden was staring out the window of the airplane.
“Philadelphia’s a big city.” Twelve-year-old Jessie smiled at her little brother. “It won’t be easy tracking down clues.”
Henry laughed a little. “It wouldn’t be nearly as much fun if the mystery’s too easy,” he said. At fourteen, Henry was the oldest of the Aldens.
“We can do it!” said Benny. “We’re good detectives. Right, Violet?”
“Right,” ten-year-old Violet said. Then, with a worried frown, she added, “I know it’s a game of codes and clues, but … we’ve never had cameras following us around before.”
The four Alden children—Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny—were competing against another brother-and-sister team on “The Amazing Mystery Show.” Grandfather, who had business in the city, had come along, too.
“Hey, I can see a river down there!” said Benny, pointing.
Grandfather nodded. “That’s the Delaware River.” He was looking out the window, too, over Benny’s shoulder.
“I remember seeing a painting once,” Henry said thoughtfully. “It showed George Washington crossing the Delaware.”
James Alden nodded. “Yes, that’s a famous painting, Henry,” he told his oldest grandson. “Philadelphia’s a modern city, but it’s also a very old one. It goes all the way back to the Revolutionary War. In fact,” he added, “this is where they signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776.”
Benny’s eyebrows shot up. “That was before I was born!”
“Even before I was born, Benny.” Grandfather chuckled.
“Philadelphia is the home of the Liberty Bell,” put in Jessie. “We read all about it at school.”
“What’s the Liberty Bell?” Benny asked.
“It’s a big bell,” Henry explained, “but it has a crack in it. That’s why they don’t ring it anymore.”
“There’s an inscription on it,” Grandfather added. “RING LIBERTY THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND.”
“Cool!” cried Benny, catching on. “Know what else has a crack in it?”
The other Aldens looked over at their little brother. “What?”
“My cracked pink cup!” Benny said, making everyone laugh. “The one I found when we were living in the boxcar. Did you forget already?”
“We could never forget about your special cup, Benny,” Jessie told him.
After their parents died, the four Alden children had run away. For a while, their home was an empty boxcar in the woods. But then their grandfather, James Alden, found them, and he brought his grandchildren to live with him in his big white house in Connecticut. Even the boxcar was given a special place in the backyard. The children often used it as a clubhouse.
As they made their way through the airport, Violet suddenly slowed her step.
Jessie seemed to read her thoughts. “Don’t worry, Violet,” she said. She knew that her younger sister was shy, and being on television would make her nervous. “When we start tracking down clues, you’ll forget all about the cameras.”
Violet gave her sister a grateful smile. Jessie always knew just what to say to make her feel better. “It will be fun exploring Philadelphia,” Violet admitted, quickening her pace. “And I promised Mrs. McGregor I’d take lots of pictures.” Mrs. McGregor was the Alden’s housekeeper. She was staying at home with Watch, the family dog.
James Alden put a comforting arm around his youngest granddaughter. “I think it’ll be a great experience,” he assured her. “And I’m sure everyone on the show will make you feel at ease.”
After flagging down a taxi, the Aldens headed for their hotel in the heart of Philadelphia.
“I sure hope they have good food around here,” Benny remarked as they checked in at the front desk.
The young man behind the desk looked up, “Don’t worry,” he said, smiling at the youngest Alden. “Philadelphia’s known for its great restaurants.”
Henry grinned. “That’s good,” he said. “My brother’s known for his great appetite.”
This made everyone laugh—including Benny.
As they stepped inside their hotel suite, Grandfather nodded approvingly. “Looks like we’ll be very comfortable.”
“That’s for sure!” said Violet, after looking around. “We even have three bedrooms.”
“Henry and Benny can share one room,” Jessie said. “Violet and I can share another. And there’s one for you, Grandfather.”
“We even have a kitchen!” Benny opened the refrigerator. “But no food.”
“Don’t worry,” Henry said. “I just found a note taped to the bathroom mirror.”
As everyone gathered round, Henry pulled up a chair and read the message aloud.
“Welcome to Philadelphia! Join us for dinner in the hotel restaurant at six o’clock.”
Violet nodded as she glanced over Henry’s shoulder. “It’s signed by Hilary Griffin.”
“Who?” Benny said.
“Hilary Griffin,” Violet repeated. “The producer of ‘The Amazing Mystery Show.’ Grandfather spoke with her on the phone.”
James Alden nodded. “It’ll be nice to finally meet her.”
Jessie glanced at her watch. “We’ll have just enough time to unpack before dinner,” she said in her practical way.
The other Alden children looked at each other and smiled. They could always count on Jessie to be organized.
Inside the restaurant, a young woman wearing a blue dress and sandals hurried over to greet them. “You must be the Aldens!” she said, holding out a hand. “I’m Hilary Griffin.”
“I’m James Alden,” Grandfather said, shaking hands. “And these are my grandchildren—Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny.”
“It’s very nice to meet you,” Jessie said, speaking for them all.
“Come and join the Best family,” Hilary said, leading the way to a long table by the window.
As everyone sat down around the table, Hilary introduced the Aldens to the other brother-and-sister team—twelve-year-old twins, Rob and Rosie, and eight-year-old twins, Tim and Tammy. They all had the same curly fair hair and freckles.
“And this is Fiona Best,” Hilary added. She nodded towards a middle-aged woman with gray streaks in her dark hair. “The children’s aunt.”
Fiona forced a smile. “So … you’re the Aldens, are you?” she said. Then she suddenly leaned forward as if about the share a secret. “I don’t mean to alarm you,” she told them in a whisper, “but my nieces and nephews are unstoppable.”
“They’re really good detectives,” Benny praised. “We saw them on ‘The Amazing Mystery Show.’”
“Which city?” Twelve-year-old Rob wanted to know.
Henry answered, “San Diego.”
“Oh, that one.” Rosie yawned. “We’re won so many times, it’s hard to keep track.”
“That’s so true,” said Fiona, laughing. Then she began to tick off each city on her fingers. “Let’s see now, they won in San Diego … in Chicago … in Nashville … and in Boston. One more win and they’ll become—”
“Five-time champions!” finished Tammy, holding up five fingers.
Rob nodded. “And that means we can take part in the Tournament of Champions.”
“That’s right,” Hilary said as she passed around the menus. “The tournament’s in Hawaii this year.”
“Can you imagine?” Fiona clasped her hands together. “Honestly, I’ve always wanted to visit Hawaii.” She had a dreamy look in her eyes.
Timmy put in, “We’re this close.” He held his finger and thumb an inch apart.
“Oh, honestly!” Fiona waved that away. “It’s as good as done.”
Grandfather looked up from his menu. “I wouldn’t be too sure about that,” he said. “My grandchildren are first-class detectives.”
Fiona rolled her eyes. “Yes, I’m sure they’re real pros,” she said, though it was clear from her voice that she didn’t think they were real pros at all.
Henry squared his shoulders. “We have solved quite a few mysteries,” he said, looking Fiona straight in the eye.
Fiona did not seem very happy to hear this.
“But we never solved a mystery in front of cameras,” Violet added honestly. “That must be harder.” She glanced at Jessie nervously.
Fiona caught the look. “Are you sure you’re up to it, my dear?” she asked. Then she reached over and patted Violet’s hand. “Honestly, it’s not easy being on television. I certainly couldn’t do it,” she quickly added. “Not with all those people watching at home.”
Jessie couldn’t shake the feeling Fiona was trying to make Violet even more uneasy. She opened her mouth to say something, but Hilary spoke first.
“Let’s back up a minute,” she said with a frown. “There’s no reason for anyone to be nervous. No reason at all.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” Fiona mumbled. “Not really.”
“Well, I would.” Hilary sounded annoyed.
“The cameras won’t be rolling all the time. Even our cameramen needs breaks.” She looked over at Violet and winked. “Besides, most of the film ends up on the cutting-room floor. It’s only a half-hour show.”
Violet looked relieved to hear this.
After the waitress took their orders, Tim said, “I take my lucky penny everywhere.” He fished a coin from his pocket and held it up. “See?”
“Guess what?” Benny said with a grin. “I take my cracked pink cup everywhere.” Tim grinned, too.
Over dinner, Jessie turned to Hilary. “Working on a television show must be fun,” she said.
Hilary’s eyes sparkled. “I really love my job, Jessie,” she said, helping herself to a roll. “And since every show takes place in a different city, I even get to travel.” Then she added with a sigh, “I plan to enjoy it while I can.”
Henry raised an eyebrow. “While you can?”
Hilary nodded. “You never know when a show might be cancelled,” she explained. “It all depends on the ratings.”
Benny scrunched up his face. “The ratings?”
“That’s the number of people who watch, Benny,” Hilary explained. “If we don’t get enough viewers, then the show’s cancelled.”
“And you lose your job?” asked Violet.
Hilary nodded again. “And so does everyone else who works on the show.”
“From what I hear,” put in Fiona, “the ratings have really shot up lately. Honestly, my nieces and nephews have taken the nation by storm.”
“True enough,” said Hilary. “Can the Best family become five-time champions? Everyone’s tuning in to find out.”
“Do you make up the codes and clues yourself, Hilary?” Grandfather asked over dessert.
Hilary shook her head. “We have a team of writers who come up with the mysteries,” she said. “They do the research on each city,” she added. “Then they decide where the three gold coins should be hidden.”
“Cool!” said Benny.
“Speaking of the gold coins,” said Hilary, “we’ll be meeting in the hotel lobby in the morning. We’ll give both teams the same clues. As soon as you find the first gold coin, come right back to the hotel.”
It wasn’t until the Aldens were heading for the elevator after dinner that Jessie realized something. Hilary hadn’t mentioned what time to meet in the lobby the next morning. As she dashed back to the restaurant, Jessie noticed Hilary sitting at the table talking on a cell phone. Coming up behind the producer, Jessie couldn’t help overhearing bits and pieces of the conversation.
“Of course, I don’t like sneaking around,” Hilary was saying. “Yes, but … what choice do I have? No, no … I’m telling you, I’ll do whatever it takes.”
When Hilary caught sight of Jessie, she quickly pocketed the cell phone. “Oh!” She looked startled, as if she’d been caught doing something wrong. “I was, um, just … checking on a few things.”
“I didn’t mean to startle you,” said Jessie. “We were just wondering what time to meet in the lobby tomorrow.”
“Oh, right,” said Hilary. “We meet at nine o’clock sharp.” The producer seemed unable to look Jessie in the eye.
As Jessie headed back to the elevator, she wondered just what Hilary had meant about sneaking around. |