Mystery in the Fortune Cookie Read Online Free PDF

going on?”
    “Yes,” Henry answered. None of them liked the sound of this.
    Just then, Martin pocketed his cell phone, got to his feet, and walked out of the coffee shop. As the door closed, the Aldens leaned closer together and began speaking in low voices.
    “Do you think something fishy really is going on?” Violet said in alarm.
    “I hope not.” Jessie found it difficult to swallow. She put down her fork. “I really like Martin. He’s always been so nice to us.” She didn’t like to think of him doing anything wrong.
    Henry took a sip of his cola. “He was acting weird in the jewelry store today.”
    Jessie nodded. “He looked as if we’d caught him in the middle of something he wanted to keep secret.”
    The four children fell silent for a while. They were all wondering the same things. Who was Drum Keller? And what on earth was Martin Howard up to?

CHAPTER 5
Fortune Cookie Delight
    The afternoon was getting hot as the Aldens headed for the Elmford Ice Cream Parlor. When they stepped inside, Benny stopped in his tracks. “Isn’t that Lucy, from the Kowloon Restaurant?”
    “I’m sure of it,” said Violet, glancing over at the young woman standing at the counter. Although Lucy’s back was turned to them, Violet recognized the waitress’s thick auburn hair, pulled back with a green headband. Lucy was deep in conversation with Angela, the owner of the Elmford Ice Cream Parlor.
    Angela was standing behind the counter, shaking her head. “I just can’t get over it!” she said. “A secret identity! It’s so exciting.”
    “The whole thing makes me nervous,” responded Lucy. “What if something else goes wrong?”
    “Did you hear that?” Violet whispered as Jessie and Henry came up behind them.
    Jessie nodded. “I wonder what Angela meant about a secret identity.”
    Just then, Benny stepped up to the counter. “Hi, Lucy. Remember us?”
    “Oh!” Noticing the children for the first time, Lucy seemed startled. But she pulled herself together quickly. “Yes, of course I do. You’re the Aldens,” she said, smiling uneasily. “I was ... uh, just checking out the ice cream flavors.” She seemed unable to look them in the eye. “Anyway, I think I’ll go find a quiet table and read for a while.” She quickly walked away, leaving the Aldens to stare after her.
    “That was pretty strange, wasn’t it?” remarked Violet.
    Benny sighed. “I don’t think anyone in town likes us.”
    “I’m sure they like us just fine, Benny,” Jessie assured him. But she couldn’t help thinking that people in Elmsford suddenly seemed very eager to get away from them. First Martin. Then Lucy. It was hard to figure out what was happening in the little town.
    Angela spoke up. “What’ll it be today, kids?”
    “Ice-cream cones, please!” Benny told her. “But we haven’t decided what kind we want.”
    “Take your time.” Angela smiled at the youngest Alden. “I’m not going anywhere.”
    The children turned their attention to the metal containers of ice cream that were lined up in the freezer under the glass countertop. There were so many flavors, it was hard to choose.
    “That Strawberry Swirl looks good,” said Violet.
    “I think I’ll get it,” Jessie said. “What are you having?”
    After much thought, Violet decided on Blueberry Joy.
    “I might give the Peanut Butter Crunch a try,” put in Henry. Then he turned to his little brother. “Benny, do you know what you want?”
    “I can’t decide between the Chocolate Chip and the — ” Benny suddenly stopped talking. He froze on the spot.
    “What is it, Benny?” Violet wanted to know.
    Benny swiveled around on his heel. “It’s ice cream!” he almost shouted.
    Henry’s eyebrows furrowed. “Of course it’s ice cream, Benny,” he said in a puzzled tone. “This is an ice cream parlor, remember?”
    Jessie could tell by her little brother’s face that he had discovered something important. “What’s going on, Benny?” she