Kelsey the Spy Read Online Free PDF Page B

from creaking. He’s worried the noise will distract the actors on stage.”
    â€œIs that an oil stain on your vest?” I can’t resist teasing because Leo’s clothes are usually spotless.
    â€œWhat stain? Oh.” Leo touches a dark spot on his vest, then sniffs. “Yeah, it’s oil. I’ll have to be more careful.”
    â€œAre you part of the drama club now?” Becca asks Leo.
    â€œI’m not interested in drama.” He swats the idea away like an annoying insect. “I enjoy assembling mechanical animals. After I finish the giraffe, I’ll program the hyena headpieces to raise and lower like they’re lunging at each other.”
    â€œYou can do that?” Becca asks, impressed.
    â€œIt’s basic robotics.” Leo steps on his gyro-board, then turns back to us. “Frankie came up with the idea. He’s really smart.”
    â€œAnd sneaky,” I remind Leo, my tone sharp with accusation. “Have you forgotten that he followed you to our clubhouse and spied on us?”
    â€œWe spy on people too,” Leo points out.
    â€œOnly when we’re trying to help animals,” Becca says.
    â€œFrankie followed me because he was curious why I was going into the woods and thought I might need help. He guessed we have a club although I didn’t tell him the name or how we help animals. He loves animals too and will want to help out.”
    â€œHelp out how ?” I ask with a bad feeling.
    â€œFinding missing pets and solving mysteries.” Leo looks at us hopefully. “Can I invite him to join the CCSC?”
    â€œNo way!” I shake my head firmly. “I don’t trust him.”
    â€œHe’s 100 percent trustworthy,” Leo argues.
    â€œWe don’t need any new members. Tell him, Becca.”
    Becca looks uneasily back and forth between the two of us. “I’ve never thought about more members.”
    â€œFrankie is already too busy with the drama club.” I cross my arms firmly over my chest. “He doesn’t have time to look for lost pets or attend club meetings.”
    Leo taps his chin thoughtfully. “You have a good point, Kelsey.”
    â€œI do?” I’m always surprised when Leo agrees with me.
    Leo nods. “We need requirements for potential new club members.”
    â€œ If we allow new members,” I point out. “I like CCSC with just three of us.”
    â€œThree is the perfect number for a club.” Becca twists the end of her ponytail. “With four Sparklers we have trouble agreeing on anything.”
    â€œBut if we do invite someone,” I add, trying to be fair, “they’d have to prove they can be trusted, are dedicated to helping animals, and are good at solving puzzling mysteries. Also, it has to be a unanimous vote.”
    â€œUnanimous?” Leo frowns at me. “Why not a majority rule?”
    â€œWhich majority do you want to rule?” My grip tightens on my handlebars. “What if Becca and I voted in someone you hated?”
    â€œYou’d do that?” Leo’s blue eyes widen.
    â€œIt could happen,” I warn.
    Leo gulps, then straightens his shoulders. “On second thought, a unanimous vote is an excellent suggestion. Being trustworthy, helping animals, and solving mysteries are good requirements. I’ll type up a membership plan, and then we can vote on Frankie at our next meeting.”
    I nod, although Frankie has a lot of proving to do before he gets my vote.
    We split up, Leo wheeling off to see Frankie while Becca and I ride our bikes toward her house. We’re quiet for a while, pedaling at a slow pace side-by-side.
    When we wait at an intersection for little kids to cross the street, Becca smiles at me. “So when does your mother start her new job?”
    â€œMonday.” I grin because I’m thrilled about Mom’s job as the new animal control officer. The last officer had some honesty