Finders Keepers Mystery (7 page)

“It’s enough that he knows they’re valuable,” Henry said. “Coral said he only stopped working at the museum last week. Maybe he overheard something before he left.”

Jessie nodded. “Yes,” she said slowly.

“Well, it’s not Coral,” said Violet as they walked back to the shop. “We know why she was acting so strangely when we visited her. It was because she’d just found the old quilt pattern and wasn’t sure what to do.”

“That leaves Dirk Grey, Regina Lott, and Mr. Munsey,” said Henry.

“And the hidden treasure,” Benny added.

When the Aldens entered the shop, Lina was getting ready to leave. “Thank you again,” she told Coral.

Coral nodded. “I’m glad to give you another part of your great-great-aunt’s story — even if I did have to give up that quilt pattern.” She picked up her quilting and waved them toward the door. “I’d better get to work on this pillow cover if I ever want to finish it,” she said, and waved them out the door.

“Well, you’ve certainly helped me solve a mystery,” said Lina.

“We have?” asked Violet.

“Yes! I know what kind of wedding quilt Aunt Hope made. I know it had lots of green in it, to match her eyes. I even have the pattern for it,” said Lina. “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have any of that.”

The Aldens were glad that they had helped Lina. But they knew the biggest mystery was yet to be solved.

“Let’s have some tea and cookies at my house to celebrate,” Lina went on.

“Okay,” said Benny promptly.

But the tea and cookies would have to wait. When they reached Lina’s house, two cars were parked out front.

“That’s Regina’s car,” said Jessie.

“And that’s Mr. Munsey on the porch,” said Benny.

“Regina’s on the porch, too,” reported Henry. “It looks like they’re arguing.”

The Aldens and Lina hopped out of the van and walked to the house.

“Why are you here?” Jessie blurted out.

“I drove up and saw this person snooping around the house. I thought she might be a burglar,” stated Mr. Munsey. “You’ve told a reporter about the quilts?”

“We didn’t tell her!” Benny said.

“Then who did?” demanded Mr. Munsey. “The more people who know about the quilts, the less safe it is for you to keep them in an old trunk in the attic!”

“But…” Benny began. He stopped when Violet squeezed his arm. He looked up and she put her finger to her lips. “Oh,” said Benny. He knew Violet was reminding him that where they’d hidden the quilts was a secret.

“I’m a reporter. I find things out. It’s my job,” Regina said. She glanced at Lina. “And I had an appointment with Lina.”

“No, you didn’t,” Lina said. “Not today. I told you to call first.”

“So what?” Regina hissed.

Mr. Munsey said, “It’s a good thing I decided to stop by here on my way home from the airport. Things are getting out of hand.”

“The airport?” Jessie asked.

“I’ve been at a conference in Canada,” said Mr. Munsey.

“When? When were you at the conference, I mean?” asked Jessie.

“Since last week. I left for it a couple of hours after I came here,” Mr. Munsey said impatiently.

“Did you see Dirk Grey before you left?” asked Henry.

Regina had gotten quiet and was listening intently.

“Dirk Grey! You haven’t told him about the quilts, have you?” Mr. Munsey said.

“We didn’t tell him, but we think he knows,” said Jessie.

“Worse than telling a reporter,” Mr. Munsey muttered.

Regina’s face had suddenly turned red.

“Oh, dear,” Mr. Munsey went on. “Dirk Grey. That spy. He must have overheard someone at the museum. Oh, dear.”

“You worked at the museum, too?” Regina asked.

“I’m an expert on textiles. I specialize in quilts,” said Mr. Munsey. “Oh, dear.”

“You’re a quilt expert?” asked Regina, holding out her microphone. “And in your expert opinion, are the quilts extremely valuable?”

That seemed to shake Mr. Munsey out of his mood. He gave Regina a cold look. He turned to Lina. “I’m going,” he said. “But I’ll be back.”

Mr. Munsey marched to his car and drove away.

“Okay, time for my story,” said Regina.

“Not now,” said Lina.

Regina’s sharp eyes focused on the large envelope Lina was clutching. Coral had put the quilt pattern in there for safekeeping.

“What’s that? More letters?” Regina asked.

“Not now,” said Lina, unlocking the door.

“But…” Regina said.

The Aldens followed Lina inside. Lina closed the door.

“Tomorrow,” Regina shouted from the porch.

After a long wait, they heard her car drive away.

“Tea,” said Lina, sounding a little tired. “And cookies.”

“Yes,” Benny agreed. “Cookies.”

The Aldens sat on their front porch after dinner, talking softly. Watch was curled on a pillow, and Benny petted him as they talked.

“Mr. Munsey has been away,” said Jessie. “He couldn’t have tried to break into the house. And he didn’t tell Dirk Grey or Regina Lott or Coral about the quilts — not unless he’s a very good actor and is just fooling us.”

“I don’t think he is,” said Violet.

“If it’s not Mr. Munsey and not Coral,” said Henry, “that just leaves Mr. Grey.”

“He’s the best suspect,” said Jessie.

“Mr. Munsey thinks he could have overheard about the quilts at the museum,” said Benny.

“If Dirk Grey heard about the quilts,” said Henry slowly, “he must have told Coral and Regina.”

Violet was nodding. “I just remembered, Regina asked Mr. Munsey if he worked at the museum, too. Who else does she know who works at the museum?”

“Or worked at the museum,” said Henry.

They looked at one another.

“Dirk Grey,” said Jessie.

“Her face got very red when she heard his name,” Violet recalled.

“She must know him. He’s her source. He’s the one who tipped her off about the quilts,” said Jessie.

“So he’s definitely the one who tried to break in?” Benny asked.

“Maybe he is, Benny,” said Violet. “But why would he tell a reporter about the secret quilts he wanted to steal?”

“For that matter,” Jessie added, “why was Regina snooping around today when she knew Lina wasn’t home?”

“Regina has no reason to steal the quilts,” Henry said. “She just wants the story.”

“Stolen quilts would be an even better story,” said Jessie.

Benny was shaking his head in disbelief. “Why do so many people think old quilts are like treasure?”

They fell silent, thinking hard.

Benny kept petting Watch, who was sleepy after his big dinner.

“Watch’s pillow looks sort of like a quilt,” said Benny. “It’s covered in patches.”

No one answered. They were still thinking hard.

“You know what, Watch?” Benny said.

Watch wagged his tail just a little bit to show he was listening.

“You need a quilt of your own,” said Benny, “to cover your old dog bed and keep in the stuffing. A new patchwork quilt to cover the old patchwork quilt.” Benny laughed.

Violet looked up. She stared at Benny, then at Watch.

“What?” said Benny.

Violet said, “Benny… that might explain it!”

“Explain what?” said Henry.

“Explain where the hidden treasure is — where Hope hid her wedding quilt,” Violet said.

Jessie looked up, excitement in her face. “A quilt to cover a quilt,” she said.

“Like the quilt cover that Coral was making to cover the pillow,” Henry said, catching on. “Hope made a new quilt and hid her wedding quilt inside!”

“She did?” said Benny.

Violet jumped to her feet. “Well,
if
she did, we’ve found the most valuable quilt of all, Benny,” said Violet.

Now Jessie jumped to her feet. “And I think I’ve thought of a way to catch a quilt thief,” she added.

“How?” Benny said.

“We’ll need Coral’s help,” said Jessie. “Listen.”

She told them her plan.

“Those are good stitches, Benny,” Coral said. “You’re really getting the hang of this.” Coral was giving the Aldens a quilting lesson — and helping them set a trap to catch a thief.

Customers came into the shop as they worked, and Coral answered questions, sold sewing and quilting materials, and gave people advice. Meanwhile, the Aldens sewed and waited for their chance to act on Jessie’s plan.

Then, near lunchtime, Henry glanced up at the open door of the shop and saw what he’d been waiting for. He quickly looked back down at his sewing and said, in a loud, clear voice, “I can’t believe those letters had the clue to where the treasure is hidden.”

“I know,” said Jessie, just as loudly. “It was right there in the attic at the bottom of that trunk.”

“And I’m so glad we found the wedding quilt — it’s the most valuable quilt of all,” added Henry.

Benny wiggled in his seat, trying not to look up or say anything that would give the trap away.

“Wait until Mr. Munsey hears about this,” Violet said.

“I just hope it’s safe to leave the trunk with the treasure and the wedding quilt there in Lina’s attic,” said Henry.

“Sure it is,” said Jessie. “It’s been safe there all these years, hasn’t it?”

Coral had been straightening a display of thread. Now she turned to the doorway and said, “Oh! Dirk! I didn’t see you standing there.”

Dirk Grey stepped into the shop. “Hello,” he said, bouncing slightly. “Making quilts?”

“Yes,” said Benny, glad to be able to say something at last. “It’s fun.”

“Yes. We’ve even convinced Lina to try it. She’s going to come over this afternoon to join us,” said Henry.

“And she’s bringing pizza!” Benny added.

“That’s nice,” said Dirk, edging out of the shop. “Well, I just wanted to say hello, Coral. See you later.”

“See you later, Dirk,” said Coral cheerfully.

When he was gone, Jessie let out a sigh. “I hope it works,” she said. “I hope so, too,” said Henry.

“Where’s the van?” Jessie said in a low voice as Lina joined them where they were waiting by the back wall of her house.

“I parked it at your house,” Lina answered, “then walked back using the shortcut.”

Lina and the four Aldens dashed through her backyard and in the back door of her house. Moving as quickly and quietly as possible, they hurried up the stairs to the attic.

“Good thing we didn’t clean out everything for the yard sale,” said Violet.

“Let’s hide,” Henry urged. “We may not have much time.”

The five of them scattered around the attic. Jessie stepped behind an old wardrobe. Benny slid behind a chair. Violet crouched beneath a desk. Henry pulled an old blanket over him and huddled in the darkest corner of the attic. Lina hid behind an old door propped against one wall.

Then they waited.

Before long they heard footsteps moving quickly but quietly up the stairs.

Benny held his breath and hoped he wouldn’t sneeze. He clamped two fingers over his nose, just in case.

The attic door swung open. Brisk, sure footsteps crossed the room. They were going straight for the trunk.

The lid of the quilt trunk creaked open. “What is this rag?” a voice muttered. “Where is the wedding quilt? And…”

Henry stood up. Lina stepped out from behind the door. At the same moment, Jessie, Benny, and Violet came out from their hiding places, too.

“May I help you find something?” Lina asked in a cool voice.

Regina Lott gave a small shriek as she jerked upright in surprise. She almost fell over backward. She took a few quick steps toward the door, then stopped when she saw that Henry was blocking the way.

“What — what are you doing here?” Regina stammered.

“Waiting for you,” said Jessie.

“You came to steal the treasure,” Benny couldn’t stop himself from blurting out.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Regina almost shouted.

“Yes, you do,” Violet said quietly.

“Your source told you we’d found the treasure and that it was still in this trunk. He also told you the house would be empty this afternoon,” said Henry.

“Mr. Grey,” said Benny. “He told you. We let him listen to us, and he believed us!”

Regina’s face turned dull red. For once, she seemed to have nothing to say.

“Mr. Grey is the one who told you about the quilts in the first place, isn’t he?” said Jessie.

“He — it was just a news tip,” said Regina. “We’re old friends.”

“A news tip — or was he trying to help you steal the quilts?” asked Violet.

“No!” gasped Regina.

“Yes,” said Henry. “And this isn’t the first time you’ve tried to take them.”

Regina’s face crumpled. “I just wanted to make it a better story,” she explained. “Just imagine the news hook: ‘Valuable Quilts Found — Then Stolen!’ I would have brought them back after I’d aired the story.”

“You sent Mr. Grey to look for the quilts while we were distracted with the yard sale,” said Violet. “But Henry and I caught him.”

Regina looked down. “That was his idea. He’d heard you might give the quilts to Mr. Munsey for the museum. Dirk hates Mr. Munsey, so he wanted to stop you.”

“But he never made it to the attic,” Violet finished. “He stopped to look at china along the way.”