Mystery on the Ice (2 page)

At seven o’clock, Jessie was the first one ready, so she sat by the fireplace, waiting for the others. She read and petted Watch, who snuggled next to her on the loveseat. She was looking especially pretty tonight, wearing a hair clip that had been a gift from Grandfather. She wore a blouse and skirt.

Soon Violet, in a green velvet dress, joined

Jessie. “What! No lavender?” Jessie teased.

“Not tonight,” Violet said, sitting on a footstool before the fire. “This is my holiday dress.”

Henry appeared the most grown-up in his gray blazer and navy trousers.

Benny rushed in. “I’m ready.” His hair was neatly combed, and he was wearing a navy jacket and gray pants.

Grandfather was elegant in his tuxedo and bow tie. He held out two elbows to escort Jessie and Violet to the car.

When they arrived at the arched doorway of the Murrays’ mansion, a woman in black, with a white apron and cap, opened the door and took their coats. Violet gasped at the large oak-paneled hall, the glittering crystal chandeliers, and the flames dancing in the marble fireplace.

Benny admired the toy soldiers lined up on the mantelpiece.

A tall woman, with white hair piled on top of her head, held out her arms and came toward them. “James! How nice to see you!”

She brushed Grandfather’s cheek with a quick kiss. Then she smiled at the younger Aldens. “I haven’t seen your grandchildren for some time. Let’s see,” she said, tapping a ringed finger on her chin, “this is Jessie, and Violet, and, oh, my,” she paused to gaze at Henry, “how tall you’ve grown, Henry, and this is … is …”

“Benny!” Benny piped up.

“Of course. Benny,” Sara said.

Wide-eyed, Benny stared at Sara. “You shine more than all the holiday lights put together,” he marveled.

“I guess I do,” Mrs. Murray said with a laugh, touching her diamond necklace. Her dangling diamond earrings, diamond ring, and ruby bracelet shimmered in the light.

William Murray hurried to greet them. “The Aldens! I’ve been waiting for you! I want you to meet our honored guests, the ice skaters.” William Murray and James Alden were the same age, but there the resemblance ended. James was tall, William was short and chubby.

William patted Benny on the back. “Make yourself at home, young man.”

“I will,” Benny promised.

After welcoming the other children, William left with James for a discussion in the study.

Jessie craned her neck, attempting to spot the ice skaters. In the center of the room, a small blonde woman chatted with an attractive young man. Apparently they were members of the troupe.

But before Jessie introduced herself, a plump woman with short black hair bustled up to Sara Murray. “Have you seen Ollie Olson?” she asked. “I can’t keep track of him.”

“The last I saw of Ollie, the clown,” Mrs. Murray said, “he was filling his plate at the buffet table.”

“Aha!” the frowning woman exclaimed. “I knew it! He’s breaking training again!”

Mrs. Murray introduced each Alden. “Children, meet Janet O’Shea, the owner of the Starlight Troupe.”

Janet, however, scarcely noticed the children. “I must find Ollie,” she said, pressing her lips firmly together. “I’m sending him back to the hotel!” She strode off, leaving the Aldens to stare after her.

A short time later she passed by with a skinny man, who towered over her. They walked swiftly through the room. Janet was saying, “Go back to the hotel! And don’t order room service! I can’t afford it!” That must be Ollie with Miss O’Shea, Jessie thought.

The clown skater gave Janet a mock bow and was gone before they could meet him.

“Ollie’s impossible!” Janet muttered.

What a rude woman, Jessie thought. If the other skaters were like her, she didn’t care whether she met them or not!

When Sara Murray asked the Aldens if they’d like to meet a pair of skaters, Jessie forgot about the unfriendly owner of the troupe.

Mrs. Murray steered Jessie, her brothers, and sister through the crowd and over to the same blonde woman and young man Jessie had seen earlier. “This is Alexandra Patterson and Carl Underhill. Carl used to play hockey.”

Alexandra turned, pleased to meet the Aldens. Carl, just as friendly as Alexandra, shook hands with each of them.

From the way Carl gazed at Alexandra and the way Alexandra’s eyes lit up when she looked at Carl, Violet thought the two were in love.

“You’re lucky to live in Greenfield,” Alexandra said, holding a pink rose, a shade darker than her chiffon dress. “From what I’ve seen, it’s a lovely town.”

Jessie kept staring at Alexandra. Finally she said, “We like it here. Where are you from, Alexandra?”

“I’m from Chicago, the Windy City. And, please call me Alex.” The dainty girl’s laugh tinkled lightly on the air. All at once she dropped her rose. Carl stooped to retrieve it, but Henry had already scooped it up and returned it to her.

“Why, thank you, Henry,” Alex said, her green eyes sparkling with pleasure.

Amazed, Benny watched as a flush of crimson crept over Henry’s face.

“Ever play hockey?” Carl asked.

“Wh-what?” Henry stammered, still gazing at Alex.

“Ever play hockey?” Carl repeated.

At last Henry turned to Carl. “Yes. I like hockey.”

“Good. Is there a place we can play outdoors?”

“Down at Burton’s Park,” Benny said. “The city floods it in the winter. All the kids skate there.”

“Sounds good,” Carl said. “How about a game?”

“You name the time,” Henry said. “I know you need to practice.”

“Oh, yes.” Carl glanced at Janet O’Shea. “Boss lady is cracking the whip. The company could go under if our show doesn’t earn more money.” He paused, then grinned. “But we’ll play on Tuesday. How about it?”

“A game with you would be great,” Henry responded. “I’m sure you can teach me the finer points of hockey.”

“Me, too.” Benny rubbed his chin. “First, though, I’m too wobbly. I need to learn how to stand up long enough to hit the puck.”

Carl laughed. “We’ll work on that, Benny.” He thought a second. “What time on Tuesday?”

“Two o’clock, okay?” Henry said.

“You’ve got it,” Carl said.

“Hi!” A young girl on crutches hobbled up to them, her red curls bobbing. “I’m Marcia Westerly,” she said, holding out her hand. “I overheard your names.” She smiled. “I’m new to the company.”

“Were you in a skating troupe before?” Violet asked.

“Yes, the Moonbeams. But I’m sure you’ve never heard of us. You see, I’m from Winnipeg, Canada.”

Jessie knew almost all the famous skating groups, but she’d never heard of the Moonbeams.

“I haven’t had a chance to skate with Carl and Alex,” Marcia said, holding up a crutch. “I’d better start soon, though, or I’ll be too rusty to skate.”

Violet smiled. “I think it’s like riding a bicycle. Once you know how, you can pick it up no matter how long it’s been.”

Marcia winced as she shifted a foot.

“Did you fall on the ice?” Benny questioned, looking at her bandaged ankle.

“Yes, I tried a triple jump and landed in a heap.” She shook her head, apparently reliving her awful fall. She looked sad, but when a maid offered a trayful of tiny tuna sandwiches, Marcia broke into a smile. “I’m starved,” she said.

The maid announced, “The buffet table is ready.”

“Let’s go,” Benny said, heading for the dining room.

Henry laughed. “One mention of food and Benny is off and running.”

But when the others caught up with Benny they were overwhelmed by the lavish display of smoked salmon, baked ham, and roast turkey. Cranberry-and-nut bread, hot biscuits, and relishes were at one end of the long table, and pasta and vegetables at the other. A chef wearing a tall white hat stood behind the table. “What would you like?” he asked.

Benny pointed to the turkey.

The chef carved a slice of turkey and placed it on Benny’s plate.

“And could I have a little ham, please?” Benny asked.

“You may have as much as you like,” the chef said, cutting a generous piece of ham.

Benny waited as the chef drizzled pineapple juice over his ham. Then in a bolder voice he asked, “And some salmon?”

The chef gave a hearty laugh. “I like to see a good appetite.”

Henry, Violet, and Jessie followed Benny. Their heaping plates were just as full as Benny’s.

They sat down at a small table and began to eat. “Did you see the desserts?” Jessie said.

Benny glanced up. “Where?”

“Right behind you,” Violet said, smiling. “I hope you saved room!”

Benny whirled about. He loved desserts. His eyes grew big. A chocolate cake, decorated with strawberries, was surrounded by several pies and many kinds of holiday cookies. “Oh, boy!” Benny said. “I’m having a gingerbread boy and a reindeer and some cake!”

They all laughed.

The party had been lots of fun, and on the way home the children scarcely noticed that it had begun to snow heavily. All they could talk about was the wonderful food, the beautiful mansion, and the ice skaters.

That night, after Violet had gone to bed, she lay awake, thinking about the grand party.

In the morning the surprised children awoke to mounds of flying snow and a howling wind.

Mr. Alden greeted his grandchildren at breakfast. “Today I’ll be working in my office. I have a number of calls to make.”

“You’re not going out?” Benny asked.

“Not today. Because of the blizzard, most roads are blocked and highways closed.”

“A blizzard!” Henry said, looking out the window at the sea of white.

“Yes,” Mr. Alden said. “I’m afraid it’s bad out.” He hesitated. “I have more bad news.”

Jessie looked at Grandfather expectantly.

“What’s the bad news?” asked Benny.

“I just got a call from William. The Murrays were burglarized last night. After everyone left the party and the Murrays went to bed, someone broke in and stole Sara’s jewelry. She discovered the theft this morning.”

“Oh, no!” Violet dropped into a chair. “
Not
Mrs. Murray’s beautiful jewels!”

Grandfather nodded. “All her diamonds and a ruby bracelet were stolen. She had left them in her dressing room. She said she had forgotten to lock the drawer she kept them in. Of course, the Murrays called the police.”

Grandfather slipped on his sweater. “I’ll be working late, but if you need me, don’t be afraid to interrupt me.” He turned and went back upstairs, saying, “Take care, children. Let’s be sure our doors are locked.”

Benny checked the front and back doors. “Now no one can get in here!”

After Grandfather left, the children sat silently at the breakfast table. At last Jessie said, “Who would rob the Murrays?”

“I don’t know,” Henry said. “It’s hard to understand.” He bit his lip, remembering Grandfather’s warning about locking their own doors. Did a thief actually skulk about in quiet Greenfield?

“Let’s see if we can hear the weather forecast,” Violet said, jumping up to turn the dial on the kitchen radio. An announcer was saying, “All highways going in and out of Greenfield are impassable. The airport is closed until further notice. Do not travel today unless it’s an emergency. The storm is expected to last another three to four hours.”

“Will we be all right?” Benny asked in a worried voice.

Jessie smiled. “We’ll be warm and cozy. The storm won’t last forever.” She glanced outside at the weather. At least the robber couldn’t escape from Greenfield. But who could it be? She hoped it wasn’t one of the ice skaters. Could it have been one of the guests?

While the wind howled and the snow blew, Violet cleared the table. Henry washed the breakfast dishes, Jessie dried, and Benny placed plates in the cupboard.

“I wonder who stole Mrs. Murray’s jewels?” Jessie asked, drying a pink cup and handing it to Benny.

“Someone very mean!” Benny said, carefully putting his precious cup on the shelf. Even though it was cracked and old, that pink cup had been with him ever since his boxcar days.

“Maybe one of the ice skaters stole Mrs. Murray’s diamonds, or it could have been Miss O’Shea, or just a robber from Greenfield,” Benny said.