The Clue in the Recycling Bin Read Online Free PDF Page A

restaurant.
    â€œLook,” said Jessie as they neared the restaurant. “There’s Jonah’s Jewelry Store. It’s right across the street from Tío’s Tacos.”
    â€œI didn’t know you were interested in jewelry,” Grandfather said to Jessie, who was already looking at the jewelry in Jonah’s window.
    â€œI’m interested that Jonah’s Jewelry Store got robbed a few weeks ago,” Jessie explained. “I never noticed the store before.”
    Violet and Henry and Benny looked in the window, also.
    â€œI like Kayla’s jewelry better,” said Violet.
    â€œMe too,” said Henry. “And it’s recycled.”
    â€œI like Tío’s Tacos,” said Benny, looking across the street at the restaurant.
    â€œOkay, okay,” Grandfather said with a laugh. “Let’s all cross the street.”
    After they crossed the street, Benny stopped in front of the door to Tío’s Tacos. Even though the Alden family visited Tío’s Tacos often, Benny sometimes didn’t pay attention to signs. This time he noticed a sign in the window. Because Benny was just learning to read, he wanted to read it. “Open,” he read. “Until. One a.m.” Benny frowned. “What does a.m. mean?” he asked.
    â€œThat means that Tío’s Tacos is open very late,” explained Grandfather.
    â€œOne a.m. is one hour past midnight,” said Henry.
    Benny’s eyes opened wide. “Do people eat that late?” he asked.
    â€œSome people do,” said Grandfather. “People who work in places that close at ten o’clock or eleven o’clock might want to eat after they leave work.”
    â€œ Sí , that is correct,” said Tío as he came to their table. His real name was Miguel, but he insisted that his customers call him Tío, which means uncle in Spanish.
    Tío shook hands with Grandfather and each of the children, calling them by name. “I could not help but overhear what you were saying,” he explained. “People who work the evening hours, they need a place to eat after work. The people who work in the jewelry store, for example. Their store closes at nine o’clock. Tío’s Tacos is open, and those good people come here to eat good food.”
    â€œWe’re here to eat good food, too,” said Benny.
    Tío smiled at Benny. “Yes,” he said. “You and your family come here often. I am glad to see you again.”

    â€œI’m happy to hear that your business is good,” Grandfather said. “That makes it worth staying open so late.”
    Tío scratched his chin. “It is good, but it is slow after midnight. Only Mrs. Wickett comes in, and sometimes the man who used to work at the jewelry store.” Tío seemed lost in thought. “It would be good if three or four more people came in after midnight.”
    â€œLook!” said Benny suddenly, pointing toward the ceiling. “You have new piñatas!”
    Everybody looked upward, where five new piñatas were hanging from the ceiling.
    â€œYou have two fish, a star, a llama, and a donkey,” said Benny.
    â€œYou are a very observant niño ,” Tio said. “And do you know why I have new piñatas?” he asked.
    Benny shook his head. Tío looked to the other children.
    â€œNew piñatas are pretty,” said Violet. “Their colors are very bright.”
    â€œThat is it exactly!” said Tío, beaming with pleasure. “The old piñatas, they became dusty on top. And their colors faded from the sun. So I bought new ones.”
    â€œThe new ones are beautiful,” said Violet.
    Jessie and Henry and Grandfather all agreed.
    â€œI am happy to hear that you like my new decorations,” said Tío. “I changed them a few days ago, and that made one customer very angry.”
    â€œWhy was that?” asked Henry.
    Tío shrugged. “Who