The Chocolate Puppy Puzzle Read Online Free PDF Page A

looking forward to it,” she said. “I guess I’d better get back to the shop.”
    “We’d both better do that,” I said. I gathered my own debris—plus Joe’s, since he’d never showed up again—said good-bye to Maia, and followed Aunt Nettie to the trash can. That’s when I saw Joe. He was over on the other side of the picnic shelter, talking to Mayor Mike Herrera and Warner Pier’s police chief, Hogan Jones.
    “I’ll just tell Joe I’m leaving,” I said.
    Aunt Nettie headed toward the shop, and I veered off and walked over to Joe, Mike and Hogan Jones. Mike, and Joe looked solemn, but Chief Jones—a tall skinny guy who could easily find work as an Abraham Lincoln impersonator—formed his craggy face into a big grin as I walked up. “Hi, Lee. What do you think of our Hollywood producer?”
    “He’s definitely Mr. Personality.”
    “Ain’t he, though. Did he tell you that you oughta be in pictures?”
    “No, he saved his charm for Aunt Nettie. He’s taking her out to dinner.”
    Joe whistled, and Mike said that Spanish word I pretend not to understand.
    “They’re going to the Warner River Lodge with Maia and Vernon,” I said. “I first thought it was Maia’s idea, but apparently Aubrey came up with the invitation without prompting.”
    The chief grinned even more broadly. “And you don’t like it.”
    I looked around to make sure Aubrey or Maia or Aunt Nettie hadn’t crept up behind me. “I guess I ought to be glad if Aunt Nettie developed a real social life,” I said. “She’s been much too close to the business since Uncle Phil died. And I think I would be happy for her if . . . well, if we knew a little more about this guy. I’m afraid he’s the type who sees himself as a heartbreaker, and she’s not exactly up on the current dating scene.”
    Joe jumped in with, “Don’t wo—” but Chief Jones cut him off sharply.
    “Now, listen, Lee,” he said. “Nettie’s a grown woman, and if she wants to have a little fling, you just stay out of it.”
    I could have kicked him. I’m sure I pursed my lips until they disappeared before I spoke. “Chief Jones . . . Hogan . . . there’s nothing I would like better than to see Aunt Nettie get some fun out of life.”
    “You sure don’t act like it. You youngsters think all us old folks are so far over the hill that we can’t remember passing the top.”
    “Aunt Nettie’s not over the hill! She’s sharper than I am at nearly everything. But this Armstrong—his eyes lit up like he’d hit the jackpot when she said she owned her own business.”
    Unfortunately for Joe, he decided to join the argument. “Lee, the chief just means—”
    “I know what he means! He means I’m aghast. I mean, ageist! Well, I’m not! Aunt Nettie’s got tons more brains than I have, but she’s never had to deal with a guy like Aubrey Andrews Armstrong.”
    Before I could go on, a voice boomed out right behind me. “Just stay away from my place! I don’t consider leaving a business card under an apple as asking permission to trespass on a man’s property.”
    “But Uncle Silas, he wanted to see the historic site—”
    “I don’t care if he wanted to see the Statue of Liberty! I don’t want to catch another one of those goldurned treasure hunters in my orchard. The next one is likely to get a load of pea shot in his hind end—and I don’t care if he’s a local kid or some big Hollywood producer!”

Chapter 3
    T here was an argument going on behind me, and it was louder than the one I was having with Chief Jones about Aunt Nettie’s romantic life.
    I heard the second voice again, and this time I recognized it.
    “You old silly!” The arch tones could only belong to Maia Michaelson. When I turned around I saw that she was facing an old man who was wearing work clothes even more authentic than Vernon’s. Maia laughed merrily and went on. “Don’t you know you could make money if they use your property?”
    “Make money the way you have?