Creature in Ogopogo Lake (2 page)

“It looks like Patch was an expert carver,” she said.

“Oh, yes!” Abby’s face brightened. “And you know, he made an especially wonderful carving of Ogopogo just for me. He left it to me in his will,” she said, “along with his old boat, and—” She stopped herself in mid-sentence.

“And what, Abby?” Benny wanted to know.

Abby hesitated, then laughed a little. “Well, this is going to sound strange,” she said, “but Patch also left me something rather odd.”

The four Alden children were instantly curious. “What was it?”

“A riddle,” said Abby. “It’s supposed to lead to a treasure.”

Henry blinked in surprise. “A
treasure
?”

“Wow!” Benny clapped his hands. “If you found a treasure, you could keep the resort!”

Abby smiled. “That’s a nice thought, Benny,” she said. “The problem is, Patch never owned anything of real value. Of course, I’d love to figure out the riddle,” she quickly added. “But … I’m afraid I can’t.”

“Maybe we can help,” Violet offered, and the others nodded.

“You never know,” insisted Benny. “The treasure
might
be worth lots and lots of money!”

“My grandchildren are first-class detectives, Abby.” Grandfather sounded proud.

“You’re welcome to take a shot at it,” Abby said, looking pleased. “I’ll show you the riddle right after dinner if you like.”

At that moment, a maroon car pulled into the driveway. A woman with reddish-brown hair, wearing a business suit, stepped out of the car. Jessie recognized her immediately. It was the woman she’d overheard on the phone at the fruit and vegetable market.

“Oh, that’s Rilla Washburn.” Abby waved her hand. “Rilla’s a local real estate agent. And a good friend,” she added.

“I thought you might enjoy these,” said Rilla, rushing over with a basket of cherries.

After thanking her friend, Abby quickly introduced everyone.

Rilla gave the Aldens a brisk nod, then turned her attention back to Abby. “So … have you made a decision yet?” she asked in a businesslike voice. “About selling the resort, I mean.”

Abby shook her head. “No, I’m afraid I haven’t decided yet.”

“You haven’t decided?” Rilla did not look happy to hear this. “Listen, Abby,” she said. “I don’t mean to be pushy, but my client made you a very generous offer. If you keep dragging your feet like this, he might back out.”

“I know.” Abby sighed. “But this whole thing upsets me very much.”

Grandfather turned to Rilla. “The resort’s been in Abby’s family for years,” he pointed out. “It’s not an easy decision to make.”

Rilla frowned. “Well, isn’t it lucky Abby has such good friends to look out for her,” she said, but it sounded like she didn’t think it was lucky at all.

Henry and Jessie looked at each other. Why was Rilla Washburn so unfriendly to them?

“It kills me the way you try to keep this place going, Abby,” Rilla continued. “Don’t you think it’s time to move on?”

“Perhaps,” Abby admitted. “But as James said, it’s not an easy decision to make. I’m afraid your client will just have to wait.”

Rilla looked as if she wanted to argue, but Benny spoke first.

“Don’t worry, Abby,” he said. “We’ll find the treasure, then you can keep the resort.”

“What?” Rilla turned around to face the youngest Alden.

“We’re going to find a treasure!” Benny was all smiles. “The one Patch left for Abby.”

Rilla threw her head back and laughed. “You must be kidding! Patch O’Brien never had a nickel to his name. Everybody knows that.”

“But—” Benny began.

“No buts about it!” snapped Rilla. “Oh, I’ve heard those stories before—how Patch wasn’t as poor as he let on. But you know what? That’s about as crazy as believing in a lake monster. Absolute rubbish! That’s all it is!” She turned to Abby. “Trust me, Abby. The sooner you decide to sell, the better.”

“That’s a very determined lady,” Grandfather said, as Rilla walked away.

Abby unlocked the cabin door. “Yes, that’s probably why she’s such a good salesperson. You know, she’s been runner-up for the top sales award seven years in a row. I’m keeping my fingers crossed she’ll win this year. The award ceremony’s just a few weeks away.”

Inside, the Aldens found an old couch and some worn-out chairs grouped together around a crumbling stone fireplace. Tattered yellow curtains hung from the windows, and faded green wallpaper covered the walls.

Grandfather looked around. “Things haven’t changed a bit.”

Abby laughed. “That’s just the problem, James.”

“Well, I like it here!” said Benny.

Abby smiled warmly at the youngest Alden. “I wish everybody felt that way, Benny,” she said. “I’d better go and let you get settled in. Now, don’t forget about that picnic supper by the lake,” she added, then hurried away.

The four Alden children began to unpack groceries while Grandfather napped on the couch.

“I really like Abby,” said Violet.

“So do I.” Jessie nodded, as she opened the refrigerator and put the lettuce away. “I sure hope we can find that treasure for her.”

Benny passed a box of cornflakes to Henry. “Rilla Washburn doesn’t think there
is
a treasure,” he said with a frown.

“Well, it does seem odd,” Henry had to admit. He put the cereal into the cupboard. “How could Patch O’Brien have left Abby a treasure in his will if he was flat broke?”

“That’s a good question, Henry,” said Jessie. “Still, it’s worth checking out.”

“I hope Abby doesn’t sell the resort before we have time to find the treasure,” Benny said.

“Rilla sure was trying to get Abby to sell as soon as possible,” said Violet. “I wonder why?”

“She’s a real estate agent,” Henry pointed out. “Whenever one of her clients buys or sells property, she makes money. That’s how she earns her living.”

“That’s true, Henry,” said Violet. “But she’s also Abby’s friend. Don’t you think she should back off and give Abby a chance to make up her mind?”

“She won’t back off until Abby sells the resort,” said Jessie.

“What makes you so sure?” Violet asked in surprise.

Jessie quickly told them about the phone conversation she’d overheard at the fruit and vegetable market. “Rilla said she needs this sale, and that she doesn’t want to come in second this year.”

Henry nodded. “I bet she was talking about the top sales award.”

“I have a hunch,” Jessie said after a moment’s thought, “that if Abby doesn’t sell the resort, Rilla won’t win.”

“I think you’re right,” said Violet. “And she plans to do whatever it takes.”

“Well, guess what?” said Benny. “We’ll do whatever it takes, too—to find the treasure.”

“For sure, Benny,” said Henry.

“See that boat over there?” Benny was standing by the water’s edge. “The one at the end of the dock?”

The four Alden children were helping Abby get ready for the picnic. Henry looked over. “What about it, Benny?”

“I bet that’s the one Abby was talking about,” guessed Benny. “The one Patch left to her, I mean.”

“You’re right on the mark, Benny,” Abby said, coming up behind them. She was carrying a bowl filled with pasta salad. “That’s the
Seven Seas
.”

“What a great name for a boat!” said Jessie. She made room for Abby’s salad among the plastic containers and covered dishes.

Abby nodded. “Patch spent most of his life sailing the seven seas searching for treasures. When he finally saved up enough to buy that old boat, he decided the
Seven Seas
was the perfect name for her.”

“Was Patch a
pirate
?” Benny’s eyes were wide.

“No, nothing like that, Benny.” Abby couldn’t help smiling. “When ships sailed the oceans long ago,” she explained, “they were often caught in terrible storms. Sometimes the ships would sink to the bottom of the ocean. Patch was part of a diving crew that searched for lost treasures on sunken ships.”

“How exciting!” said Violet.

“Wow,” added Henry.

“Maybe that’s what he left you, Abby,”

Benny exclaimed. “One of the treasures he found at sea!”

“That’s not likely, Benny,” Abby told him. “Patch had nothing but the clothes on his back when he arrived on my doorstep. I’m afraid he never got rich looking for treasures on the ocean floor.”

Violet shook her head sadly. “That’s a shame.”

“Oh, not really, Violet,” said Abby. “You see, Patch never placed any importance on money. He always said it was the search he enjoyed.”

The Aldens understood. They were never happier than when they were on the trail of clues.

“Did Patch live around here?” Henry wondered.

“Yes, he made his home in one of the cabins,” Abby told Henry. “He’d give me a hand with the chores in exchange for a roof over his head. Of course,” she added, “I got the better end of that deal.”

“Why do you say that, Abby?” asked Violet.

“Because Patch worked very hard. When he wasn’t helping me, he was busy painting or carving. And let me tell you, everything he made sold like hotcakes. That’s how he bought that old boat.”

Just then, Grandfather came down the path, carrying a pitcher of lemonade. “Where do you want this, Abby?”

Abby laughed. “Wherever you can find room, James.”

“Who else is coming, Abby?” Jessie asked. She had noticed the two extra places at the table.

“I invited Max Lowe and his son, Adam, to join us,” said Abby. “They’re staying in the second cabin down from yours.”

“Will they be coming soon?” Benny asked hopefully.

“Don’t worry, Benny.” Jessie smiled at her little brother. “I’m sure we’ll be eating before long.”

Abby handed the youngest Alden a celery stick with cheese in it. “Here you go, Benny. This should tide you over.”

“Hey, save some for us!” a voice called from the lakeside path.

Everyone turned to see a tall man with a tumble of sandy curls walking towards them. Beside him was a boy about Henry’s age, his nose peeling from the sun.

“There’s enough here to feed an army, Max,” Abby said with a grin. Then she introduced the Aldens to Max Lowe and his son, Adam. “We’ve been talking about the
Seven Seas
,” she told them, as everyone crowded around the long picnic table.

“Patch did a great job restoring that old boat,” said Max, lifting some food onto his plate. “We sure make good use of it.”

Abby nodded. “Max and Adam take folks out Ogopogo hunting,” she explained. “Visitors get a tour of the lake and a chance to catch a glimpse of the famous monster.”

“Sounds like fun,” said Henry. Then he turned to Adam. “I bet you get all kinds of questions about the monster.”

Adam nodded. “Everybody wants to know what Ogopogo looks like.”

“We tell them as much as we can,” added Max.

“They handle the boat tours for me,” put in Abby. “In return, they get a free cabin for the summer.”

“Adam and I really look forward to getting away from the city in the summer,” Max explained.

Grandfather helped himself to the coleslaw. “Sounds like it works out for everyone.”

“It sure does,” said Adam.

Benny was wondering about something. “Adam, have you ever seen the monster?”

“Nope.” Adam smiled at the Aldens. “We’ve been around the lake about a million times and we haven’t spotted anything strange. I don’t think there is a monster out there, Benny.”

Max put down his fork and looked around at the Aldens. “Why don’t we check it out? Who’s up for some Ogopogo hunting?”

Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny waved their hands high in the air.

Max looked pleased. “How about meeting us at the end of the dock around ten tomorrow morning?”

“Sure,” said Jessie. “If that’s okay with you, Grandfather.”

Grandfather nodded. “You can’t pass up a chance like that.”

“I’ll bring my binoculars,” said Benny. He sounded excited.

“And I won’t forget about my camera,” added Violet.

“Then it’s settled.” Max looked pleased. “It’ll give us a good excuse to take the boat out. It’s been a while since we’ve booked a tour.”

“Yes, business has been pretty slow.” Abby sighed. “What we need is a good Ogopogo sighting.”

Grandfather chuckled. “I imagine that
would
bring the tourists into town.”

“Oh, yes,” said Abby. “Business always picks up after a report of a strange creature in the water.”

“If I remember right,” said Grandfather, “Peachland holds the record for the most sightings. Doesn’t it?”

“It sure does.” Max reached for the pepper. “Every summer someone around here says they’ve seen Ogopogo.”

“I bet I know why,” piped up Benny. “I bet it’s because Ogopogo makes his home right across the lake.”

“You catch on fast, Benny.” Abby smiled at the youngest Alden. “Would you pass the butter, Adam?”

Adam didn’t answer. He was staring out at the lake.

“Adam?”

Adam still made no reply. When Abby reached out and put a hand gently on his arm, he suddenly jerked his head around. “Oh!” He seemed to have forgotten where he was.

“You’re a million miles away, Adam,” said Abby. “What are you thinking about?”

“I’m … um, not feeling very well,” Adam said quickly. “Guess I got a bit too much sun today. Is it okay if I go back to the cabin?” Adam looked over at his father expectantly.

“Go ahead,” Max answered, a note of concern in his voice. “I won’t be long.”

Jessie couldn’t help noticing that Adam had eaten every bit of food on his plate. Was he really not feeling well?

“I hope Adam’s better by tomorrow,” Benny said, as Adam hurried away. “For the Ogopogo hunt, I mean.”

“I’m sure he’ll be fine,” said Max. “The truth is, Adam hasn’t been himself lately. I’m afraid he’s upset about the resort being sold.”

Abby nodded her head sadly. “Believe me, the last thing I want to do is sell my home.”

“What if you did some advertising, Abby?” Grandfather suggested. “It might bring in more business.”

Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny all paid attention when their grandfather spoke. James Alden knew all there was to know about business.

“Yes,” agreed Abby. “Advertising would help, James. But it takes money to advertise. And the truth is, I’m pinching pennies right now. Besides,” she added, “it’s awfully hard to compete with the fancier resorts. Some of them even have waterslides.” She let out a long sigh. “Waterslides are very popular right now.”