CpM11.The Secret at Jefferson's Mansion by Ron Roy

Author:Ron Roy
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9780307477927
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2009-08-15T06:00:00+00:00

5

The Stranger’s Face

The rain had stopped during the night, but the morning was damp and foggy. They waited on the front porch until a green taxi pulled up to the Virginia House. Lois and KC put their bags in the trunk, but Marshall kept his pack with him.

“What’re you hiding in there, Marsh?” Lois teased.

“His snacks, Mom,” KC answered before Marshall had a chance.

The cab drove slowly through deep fog. “Like driving in clam chowder,” the driver muttered.

He dropped them at Monticello. KC could hardly see the building through the fog. Pearl Peeps opened the door as they trooped up the brick walkway.

“Good morning, Mrs. Peeps,” Lois said. “Have the detectives arrived yet?”

“I don’t know about any detectives,” Mrs. Peeps said. Her eyes were red, as if she’d been crying. “We had the police, though. They came yesterday right after you left and searched the house and grounds.”

“Did they find the horses?” Lois asked.

“I’m afraid not,” Mrs. Peeps said.

“I see,” Lois said. “My husband is sending detectives from the FBI office. They should be here soon.”

“The others are in the kitchen,” Mrs. Peeps said.

Lois and the kids left their luggage in the hall and followed Mrs. Peeps. KC glanced at the glass case, still empty. The cloth had been taken away.

In the kitchen, a small group of people were gathered near a long table. Coffee, juice, and cookies had been set out on a red tablecloth. Dr. Spender and Mrs. Cross were talking with a tall stranger. They all held coffee mugs. The stranger was also eating a cookie.

“Ah, Mrs. Thornton, you’re here,” Dr. Spender said. “I wish I had some good news for you. The local police spent hours here last night, but with no luck. The Jefferson treasure has not turned up.”

The stranger looked at KC, Marshall, and KC’s mom. He had pale skin, green eyes, and long reddish hair tied in a ponytail. A raincoat hung over his shoulders.

“May I introduce Mr. Randolph? He traveled all the way from Florida to see the horses,” Dr. Spender said. “William, this is Mrs. Zachary Thornton, the First Lady.” He nodded at KC and Marshall. “And her two children.”

Marshall started to giggle, but KC nudged him.

“How do you do?” Lois said to Mr. Randolph. “Are you a relative of Thomas Jefferson?”

The man made a small bow. “Yes, his youngest daughter was my father’s great-great-great-aunt.”

“I’m sorry you came here for nothing, Mr. Randolph,” Lois said.

“Please call me William,” the man said. “It wasn’t for nothing. I always like to visit Monticello.”

KC thought he looked like pictures of Jefferson she’d seen in her book. She wondered if the president’s eyes had been that green.

Just then Mr. Tea walked into the room. His face was nearly the color of the tablecloth. “I’m s-sorry,” he stammered. “I’ve searched the basement again, like you asked. I really took the place apart, Dr. Spender. The key isn’t where I left it. I know it was in the drawer of my desk, but now it isn’t.”

“Mr. Tea keeps a small office in the basement,” Dr.

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