I So Don't Do Mysteries by Barrie Summy

Author:Barrie Summy
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780375891359
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2008-12-09T05:00:00+00:00

Junie’s waiting at the Wild Animal Park entrance for me. “Where were you?”

“An ostrich farm. I was following a suspect, and he works there, and—”

“Sherry. Stop.” Junie cuts me off. “Try this.” She hands me a wrapped candy. “I got a bunch of saltwater taffy from the candy store underneath the Hotel Del.”

I slowly chew on tacky maple walnut. I know the candy is Junie’s unsubtle way of shutting down the mystery conversation. But I won’t be shut down. When I get my teeth unstuck, I say, “You know, I’ve put up with some strange stuff from you. And I was way, way more understanding.”

“Are you referring to when I joined the chess club? ’Cause that’s a lot different than asking me to believe your mom’s a ghost, your grandfather’s a wren and the three of you are solving a mystery about rhinos.” Junie crosses her arms. “Also, for the record, you were not all that understanding.”

I thought it was going to be better having a friend here. Maybe not. “Where’s Amber?”

“Shopping. The only way I got her to bring me was by telling her about the mall nearby.” Junie sighs. “She actually air-kissed someone when we were leaving the set. She’s driving me insane.”

And things are instantly improved between Junie and me.

I look at my wrist, where there’d be a watch if I wore one. “Time to meet Kendra Phillips,” I say, just tossing it out there like it’s an everyday occurrence.

“What?”

“She’s how I really got up here this morning. I just told you guys I was taking a tour.” We start walking toward Nairobi Village. “Because I was worried Amber would open her big mouth to Damon about Kendra coming to the Wild Animal Park. Which, judging from the argument we overheard, he’s hard-core against.”

Junie shakes her head back and forth like she’s a shaggy dog who’s drying off after a bath. “Wait. I’m still back at ‘Time to meet Kendra Phillips.’ ”

So I tell her about impersonating Sue and how I scored the ice cream coupons.

“What’s she like?”

“Into rhinos.”

It’s not often Junie’s speechless. And I think I see a hint of respect in her eyes. Probably because I was resourceful, not because I’m solving a mystery.

We hook up with Kendra at a grass + dirt picnic area right by Nairobi Village. Surprisingly, she decides to grab chili in sourdough bread bowls with us, even after I tell her I don’t need a ride back to the Del anymore. She must truly be hungry.

Once we’re seated at a round plastic table, Kendra says, “So, Junie, are you as interested in rhinos as Sherry?”

“I don’t know.” Junie fidgets with her napkin. She’s definitely uncomfortable with the rhino convo.

“We’ll make you into a rhino lover.” Kendra’s eyes sparkle. She says to me, “According to Sue, we’ve got some new rhino fans who hang out by the fence. They met on an arthritis Web site. Let’s go say hi, and I’ll extend an official spokesperson welcome.”

“I’m not up for a hike to the rhino exhibit.

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