Alexis and the Sacramento Surprise by Erica Rodgers

Author:Erica Rodgers [Rodgers, Erica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781607423034
Publisher: Barbour Publishing
Published: 2010-09-10T04:00:00+00:00

By the time the girls got to the park, the tours had already started. Since Jerry and Megan were leading people through the park, the area around the visitors’ center was vacant—except for Jogger. He was looking at the entrance sign.

“Not again!” said Alexis.

Her emotions were torn. On one hand, she had a new crime scene to investigate. That was always exciting. On the other hand, she was angry at whoever was doing this to Miss Maria’s park. She wondered if all detectives had the same struggle. The hunt was thrilling, but wasn’t it sad that people were bad enough to make you hunt them in the first place?

“Kate, look!” Alexis had picked up Jogger to take him back to his fellow Raptors. There wasn’t any mud, but in the loose dust was another human footprint. It was hardly visible. Kate whipped out her camera and snapped a few pictures.

“It’s a Converse, like the other one,” said Kate. She bent to get a closer look. “Our suspect is getting sloppy.”

“I know,” said Alexis. “He didn’t leave us a clue for days, and now we find two footprints in a row.”

Just then, the girls heard a shout from the visitors’ center. Two voices escalated. Someone wasn’t happy.

“I think that’s Mrs. Smith,” said Alexis.

“Yeah. Let’s see who else,” said Kate. Alexis pushed on the front door and it swung wide, creaking slightly. The two arguing adults never even noticed.

Mrs. Smith’s cheeks were bright red. Strands of dark hair swirled around her face. On the other side of the front desk, with his back to Alexis and Kate, was none other than Thad Swotter.

Only today he didn’t have his little notebook and crazy tie. Instead, he wore faded jeans and a fitted polo. An Oakland Athletics ball cap hid his wild blond hair.

“Come on, Mrs. Smith!” Swotter said, trying not to yell. “You can’t be serious!”

“I’m jut as serious as I was the last time, Thad,” said Mrs. Smith. “I said no.”

Swotter took off his hat and ran a hand through his gel-matted mop.

“At least think about it,” he pleaded.

“Thad, no. I’m not interested.” Mrs. Smith wasn’t yelling anymore. She just looked tired. “You’re welcome to look around the park, Thad, or shoot another crazy story, but this conversation is over.” Mrs. Smith gestured toward the two girls. Swotter noticed them for the first time.

“Fine,” he said, jamming his hat back on. “I’ll go. Enjoy your day here at Bible Land!”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” fired Mrs. Smith. Her anger was back.

“I’m talking about the Old Bat’s crazy greenhouse! It’s not like you guys are giving tours through Jerusalem! A visitor can’t bend to smell a rose without getting a cross stabbed in his eye!”

“Come on, Thad,” said Mrs. Smith. “I know you’re angry, but you’re exaggerating just a little—”

“Am I?” Thad Swotter was far from composed. His face was a mixture of red and white blotches, and sweat was running down his neck.

“I’ve told you before that you should get rid of all that stuff!” he said.

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