The Celebrity Cat Caper Read online

  “That is amazing,” Violet agreed. Benny applauded.

  “I couldn’t believe it myself when it first happened,” Robbie said. “It was about a year ago. I didn’t even notice that sly cat sitting quietly on the fence. When I finished with Pepper, Walter simply jumped down into the yard and did everything I’d been working on just like the dog. And to my surprise, without any mistakes!”

  “How long had Walter been watching? Was he alone?” Henry asked, glancing back toward the house. “I thought Olivia was always supposed to be with him.”

  “Olivia, the babysitter?” Robbie snorted.

  “Cat nanny,” Violet corrected.

  The Aldens realized just then that Olivia hadn’t come looking for Walter yet. But wasn’t that her job?

  “Sure…cat nanny,” Robbie repeated. “She’s worthless. If she wasn’t family, she’d have gone back to wherever she came from a long, long time ago. It was one of those days when she’d lost track of Walter again…and of course, like a million times before, Olivia was nowhere to be found. Mrs. B. came looking herself. She loved that cat like a dog loves a bone. That was when Mrs. B. saw Walter copy all of Pepper’s tricks.”

  “Was she surprised?” asked Jessie.

  “She said she didn’t realize you could teach an old dog new tricks.” He laughed. “I told her that Walter was an old cat, so it didn’t apply!” Robbie chuckled again, holding his belly. “No one knows how old that cat is, but he sure can learn tricks!”

  “That’s for sure,” Violet said.

  Robbie went on. “Mrs. B. asked what else he could do. I didn’t know. So we tested him. Turned out that fancy feline had learned everything I’d ever shown Pepper.”

  Robbie went to a hose and filled two water bowls. One for Walter and one for Pepper and set them side-by-side. “Mrs. B. wanted to make videos. I helped. And the rest is Internet history.”

  Jessie turned to a clean page in her notebook. “Can I ask you some questions?” she asked Robbie. “We’ve been warned that something bad might happen to Walter. Do you have any idea why someone might

  hurt him?”

  “I can’t imagine anyone hurting Walter. He’s the best cat ever. But, I guess if I was forced to say why someone would hurt him…well, someone might want the mansion,” Robbie suggested, adding quickly, “and the millions.”

  Henry asked, “Did you know there is a Cog Fan Club?”

  “Nope,” Robbie said. “But then again, I suppose every dog has his day.”

  Violet told Benny, “That means anyone, or thing, can be famous for a little while.”

  Benny thought about that.

  Henry said, “Mr. Morales, is there any way the videos are fake? Did Mrs. Beresford know how to use movie making software?”

  Robbie stared at Henry as if he was talking nonsense. “You just saw Walter do the obstacle course with your own eyes. Did that look fake to you?”

  “Write that down, Jessie,” Benny told his sister. “Walter’s not a fake!”

  Finished with her questions, Jessie closed her notebook. “It’s getting late. Grandfather is coming to pick—” she started when Benny interrupted.

  “Can you teach our dog to do tricks?” Benny asked. “Watch is smart, but…maybe not as smart as Walter,” he admitted.

  Jessie protested. “Watch is super smart.”

  “I can teach any ankle biter. And I’d be happy to work with Watch,” Robbie told the Aldens. “But, I’m afraid to say, with Mrs. B. gone, I am going to need to find a way to make money. Can you pay for the lessons?”

  The children moved aside to talk about it.

  “I’ll use my allowance,” Benny said eagerly. “I want to see Watch do tricks like Pepper and Walter.”

  Henry thought about it. “I can contribute too. It’s a good idea. This way we can come back and investigate what is going on around here.”

  “We should come back,” Jessie said, taping her notebook. “I’ll put in my allowance too.”

  “We need to find out if Walter is really in danger.” Violet agreed to add her money.

  They went back to Robbie and agreed to set a date for the first lesson.

  “How about the middle of next week?” Robbie said. “I’m going to be out of town for a couple days.”

  “No problem,” Henry said.

  “I can’t wait!” Benny cheered. “This is going to be so much fun!”

  Just then Olivia came running out of the house toward them. “Oh, there you are,” she said, snatching Walter off the fence. Then she sneezed. Pulling a tissue out of her pocket, she rubbed her nose and told the Aldens, “Your grandfather called. He’ll be here to pick you up in a few minutes. You’d better go out front and wait for him.”

  Jessie wondered why Olivia was in such a hurry to get them to leave. As they walked out the front door, the children saw a police car pull into the circular driveway.

  “W-what’s happening?” Violet asked.

  Olivia wrung her hands. “Mrs. Beresford’s prized diamond necklace is missing!”

  CHAPTER 5

  A Jewel Thief

  As soon as they’d come home from their visit to Beresford Mansion, Jessie and Henry tried to find out more about the missing diamond necklace. But after four days they’d found nothing.

  “I checked the newspaper again today,” Henry said as they sat in the boxcar clubhouse after breakfast. “But still no mention of the theft.”

  “I looked on the local news websites,” said Jessie. “Nothing. And of course, nothing new on Walter’s website either.”

  “I wish we knew what the necklace looked like,” Henry said.

  Violet, who had been reading in the corner, looked up from her book.

  “Oh,” she said, pulling a folded white paper from her pocket. “You mean this necklace?” The drawing was a beautiful golden chain with a large pendant. She’d used glitter to make the diamond shine in the sunlight that streamed through the boxcar window.

  “How do you know what the necklace looked like?” Jessie asked, leaning in close. “It’s gorgeous.”

  “And very, very valuable,” Violet told her sister. “Worth more than a million dollars.”

  “But how do you know so much about it?” Henry asked. “We looked for hours last night and didn’t find anything.”

  Violet smiled. “Remember when Grandfather picked us up at the mansion, and you and Henry were helping him get our bikes into the van? Well, Benny and I were waiting by the police car. Benny was busy looking at the cool lights on the car. But I was busy listening.” She winked.

  She touched the drawing, knocking a little glitter to the floor. “I overheard the police officers saying Mrs. Beresford owned the Hothouse Diamond. It’s famous.” She pointed at her art. “I looked it up at the library yesterday while you were reading.”

  “Clever, Violet,” Henry said, tugging on one of her pigtails. “Let’s take the drawing with us when we go back to the mansion today.”

  “You mean for Watch’s first lesson with Robbie?” Jessie asked. “That’s today?”

  Suddenly the door to the boxcar slid open.

  “Today’s the day!” Benny rushed into the boxcar clubhouse with Watch on a leash.

  “I wonder, though,” Violet said as she put the drawing back in her pocket. “With everything that is going on at the mansion, what if the lesson is cancelled?”

  “It’s not,” Henry said as he adjusted Watch’s collar. “Robbie called last night. He said that his trip was a success and he was back at the guesthouse. And that he can’t wait to meet Watch.”

  “Watch is a natural,” Robbie told Jessie. “You said he was smart…and he is!”

  So far, Robbie had Watch roll over, play dead, and fetch sticks from the yard. Now was time to show him something more difficult.

  “Okay, Watch,” Robbie took out three small glass vials. “I have hidden a few toys in the yard. Each one has a unique scent. I am going to let you smell a vial, and then you have to get the toy that matche
s that scent—not one of the others. Can you handle it?”

  Watch tipped his head. It seemed as if he understood the directions and was nodding.

  Walter was sitting on the fence and Benny thought he saw Walter nod too. “Can Walter do this trick?” Benny asked Robbie.

  “He’s the best at it.” Robbie leaned over and whispered, “Pepper gets distracted and usually brings the wrong thing, but he tries his best. He finds all kinds of treasure in the yard though—from old balls to strange looking rocks.”

  “Why are you whispering?” Benny asked.

  “I don’t want Pepper to feel bad about it,” Robbie said. “He’s sensitive.”

  Benny put his hand on Pepper’s head and said, “Don’t worry. You’re a smart dog.” He then turned his attention to Watch.

  Robbie showed Watch a picture of a pink teddy bear. “Dogs are color blind, you know,” he told the children.

  They knew that.

  “They rely on their sense of smell,” Jessie said. “This is asking them to single out one particular odor. Police dogs do it all the time. And bloodhounds.”

  “Did I mention I am also a scientist?” Robbie said. “Add it to my job list. I have been working with dogs and scent-fetching for years. You’re right. Some special dogs can do it, but most aren’t trained. And often, they are like Pepper—he wants to play rather than do training tasks.” He had Benny pick one of the three vials in his hand, let Watch smell it, then took it away. Pointing into the center of the grassy lawn, Robbie commanded, “Fetch!”

  Watch bolted forward to the far corner of the yard. He sniffed around some logs.

  “Hmmm…” Robbie said. “The toy’s not over there.” He gave Benny the vial. It smelled like cinnamon.

  “Be patient,” Jessie said as Watch moved to another area in the yard where there was a small vegetable garden.

  “It’s not there either,” Robbie said. He looked over at Walter. “I know you know where it is. Don’t smile at me like that, Crazy Cat!”

  “Is he smiling?” Benny asked, looking into Walter’s face. The W mark on his brow seemed to wrinkle. “It’s hard to tell.”

  “Oh, he’s smiling for sure,” Robbie said.

  Suddenly, Pepper took off across the yard, past Watch, toward a storage shed near the house. He stopped and started sniffing along the ground, digging with his paws. “He’s off the scent!” Robbie said. “That’s where I keep my art supplies. I have no idea what that dog is looking for.” He turned his attention back to Watch. “My dog’s off on his own adventure, but your dog has some woof!” Watch was behind a small patch of roses. “Doggone it! I think he’s part bloodhound!”

  Watch came bounding back and dropped a cinnamon sweet-smelling pink teddy bear at Jessie’s feet.

  She leapt forward and hugged him around the neck. “Smart dog!” Jessie cheered. “Good work.” She took some dog treats out of her purse. “I knew you could do it!”

  “Your dog is a genius!” Robbie agreed. He quickly took out a second vial. When he took off the lid, Benny said, “Mmmm, bacon!”

  “That’s Walter’s favorite,” Robbie said. “I put a bacon cat treat strapped to a plastic toy elephant out there.” He waved his hand at the yard. “This should be fast.” He started a timer.

  After letting Walter smell the vial, the cat disappeared and, less than a minute later, returned with the elephant.

  “Walter was faster than Watch,” Benny said, stroking the cat’s back.

  “It was Watch’s first time,” Jessie said, giving her dog a hug. “He’ll do it faster next time!”

  “Amazing, right?” Robbie said. “I have no evidence of other cats fetching by scent! I think cats have the reputation of being lazy and that when you let them smell something, they think: you want it, then you get it. But Walter is so different! Walter is a go-getter!”

  “That’s why he’s the Cog!” Benny said.

  Just then, Pepper finally came back. He had something shiny in his mouth.

  “What did you find?” Robbie said, bending over to take the item from Pepper. “This isn’t one of my toys…” He looked at Benny and whispered, “Pepper needs more practice…”

  Pepper dropped the item onto the grass. It was a thick, silver, twisted chain.

  “Oh, thanks,” Robbie said, quickly scooping the chain off the ground. “I need that.” He stuffed it in his pocket.

  “It that—?” Henry began, turning to Violet. He wondered if the chain had come from the missing necklace.

  “No,” she whispered, taking the picture she’d drawn out of her pocket. She traced her finger along the chain that held the Hothouse Diamond. “I got a good look. It’s different.”

  “So,” Robbie said, “do you want to see if Watch can do the obstacle course?”

  “Yes!” Benny exclaimed, while Jessie, Violet, and Henry exchanged glances.

  “Come this way,” Robbie said, leading Watch and Benny to the starting place.

  Henry and the girls hung back. “That was odd,” Henry said. “What do you think that chain was from?”

  “I don’t know,” Jessie replied. “But the chain was thick enough for a pretty big pendant.”

  “Is it possible that more of Mrs. Beresford’s jewelry is missing?” Violet asked, looking back toward the house.

  “Maybe we should ask Geoffrey,” Henry said.

  “Ask me what?” the deep voice called from across the lawn.

  Henry and Jessie went to him, while Violet stayed at the fence to keep an eye on Benny and Watch.

  “We were wondering if any more jewelry was missing from the house,” Jessie said.

  “Ah, good. You’re doing your job then,” Geoffrey said.

  “I don’t understand,” Jessie said. “You think Walter is in danger, but now there’s a thief too. What are we supposed to investigate?”

  Geoffrey didn’t answer. Instead he said, “The missing items include two rings, a sapphire bracelet, and a ruby pendant on a linked silver chain…” he paused. “The police are still going through Mrs. Beresford’s collection, but I am certain that is all.” He added, “For now.”

  “Do you think whoever is taking the jewelry is also out to hurt Walter?” Henry asked.

  Geoffrey shrugged. “Solving mysteries is your job—not mine.”

  Jessie looked at Robbie and thought about how quickly he snatched up the heavy silver chain. “Is Robbie the thief?”

  “I don’t think this will be so easily solved.” Geoffrey pinned his eyes on Jessie. “Wouldn’t you agree that right now everyone is a suspect?”

  “I suppose,” she said, though the man seemed to talk in riddles. “Even you.”

  He nodded and agreed, “Yes. Even me.” Geoffrey then handed Henry an envelope. “I have an invitation for you. Tomorrow night the Funniest Video Association is having a festival at the Regal Theater in Silver City. They’re giving Walter an award for Funniest Cat Videos. The award ceremony is a formal affair, and Walter’s family and friends are invited. I think you should come. We will all ride in the limousine.”

  Henry looked around at his siblings. “We need to ask Grandfather,” Henry said. “But we would love to come if we can.”

  “Good.” Geoffrey began to walk away, but Jessie ran to catch up.

  “I’m confused,” she said. “The other day, at the reading of the will, why did you say Walter needs us?” she asked. “Stolen jewelry doesn’t hurt Walter. The cousins fighting over the house doesn’t hurt him either. And even though WalterTruthTeller has said some mean things online, there haven’t been any threats.” Shaking her head, she asked, “Is there real evidence that Walter is in danger?”

  “Come tomorrow night,” Geoffrey said, lowering his eyelids. Jessie could see the sadness there. “That bad feeling in my bones is getting stronger.” He pinched his lips together and said, “These old bones don’t lie.”

  CHAPTER 6

  Paw Print Photos

  The next night Henry, Benny, Violet, and Jessie arrived a
t the mansion early so they could ride with Walter to the awards show. Grandfather drove them to the big house, then went to the kitchen to have a quick cup of tea with Geoffrey. Meanwhile, the children waited in the foyer with Robbie. Olivia, Natalie, and Matt were coming with them as well, but they were still

  getting ready.

  “I still don’t know why Geoffrey was so insistent that we come along,” Jessie whispered to Henry.

  Henry nodded. “I know. But it’s fun to be part of the excitement.”

  Olivia seemed to be running late. “I can’t find my medication,” she moaned, sniffling. “I think I am getting a cold.” She was wearing a mustard-colored dress that swept over one shoulder and reached to the floor. Her little matching purse was stuffed with tissues.

  “Maybe you should stay here,” Robbie told her.

  It was clear to the children that Robbie didn’t care for Olivia much, and the feeling was mutual.

  “If you’re worried about catching my cold, maybe you should stay back,” she said, punctuating the thought with a loud sneeze.

  “Ugh,” he said. “Get a mask.”

  “Get a life,” she retorted. She turned toward the grand staircase and called for Walter. “Come!”

  Violet couldn’t help but notice that Olivia was wearing a large blue sapphire necklace. “It doesn’t take an artist to know that pendant clashes with her dress,” she told Jessie in a whisper. “Olivia seems very fashion conscious. I’d have thought she’d pick something with bits of yellow, like topaz maybe.”

  “I bet it’s real…isn’t it?” Jessie said.

  Suddenly Natalie burst into the foyer, followed by Matt.

  “You took it!” Natalie shouted, pointing at Olivia. She marched up to her cousin, high heels clacking on the marble floor, and grabbed the necklace.

  Olivia coughed. “Stop it! You’re choking me.”

  Natalie was wearing a blue dress. Violet was certain she picked it to match the sapphire necklace.

  “That’s my aunt’s pendant and I was going to wear it tonight—you…you…thief!” She tightened her hands around the necklace. Olivia gasped for air.