Previous chapters of the River Road story:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

How should the story continue? Voting is open on the current chapter!

Last time, the group voted to let Mia Duomo join them on their investigation. Mia was surprised that everyone voted for her and reacted humbly. Once the vote had been cast, everyone began to discuss the clues that they had found already and wondered what they should do next. Did they go to the museum to talk to Bonnie Whiteside further or did they go to the hotel where someone had vandalized a display of antiques from the Westwick Mansion that was on loan from the museum? Here’s what you decided.

Chapter 29:
Closed Encounter

“So, maybe our first trip today should be to Miss Whiteside at the museum.” Eben concluded.

“Or should we go back to the courthouse and look for more clues in the daylight?” Kathy asked.

“That’s not a bad idea either.” Mrs. Conn sighed. “Still, I was thinking that perhaps we should go to the hotel to get a first-hand look at the vandalism there. We might find some clues.”

“Whatever we decide, would it be possible to stop off for some biscuits on the way? I’m so hungry; I could eat a leprechaun and all that.”

“You just had breakfast,” Mrs. DeLorca laughed.

“That was half an hour ago!” Mr. DeLorca laughed, too.

“Fine friends, what should we do first?” Miss Trotter asked.

“I have a feeling that the answers to many of our questions can be found at the museum.” Mrs. DeLorca answered.

“I agree,” Eben nodded. “I think Bonnie Whiteside may know more than she’s letting on.”

“They’re right.” Mrs. Conn agreed. “Shall we go to the museum?”

“Yes,” everyone answered at once—except Mr. DeLorca.

“I say, in my experience, many museums have little cafes attached where one might have a cup of hot chocolate or even, say, a stuffed tomato and such.” Mr. DeLorca said.

“I don’t know about stuffed tomatoes.” Mrs. Conn smiled. “However, the museum does have a coffee shop in it. You could probably get a sandwich there.”

“Good enough for me.” Mr. DeLorca said. “I’m a big fan of sandwiches. I wonder if they have a little ham, sausage and bacon sandwich. That would be quite tasty and all that. Sort of a Three Little Pig sandwich, if you will.”

“We’ll have to see.” Mrs. Conn nodded.

“Also good enough for me! We’ll get to the bottom of this mystery and, also, get a little snack. Everyone wins. Jolly good.” Mr. DeLorca grinned.

With that, they all gathered their things to go to the museum. Dividing into two smaller groups, they traveled in two cars, one driven by Annie Trotter, the other driven by Uriah.

When they arrived at the museum, they were surprised to see that it was closed.

“The sign on the door says the museum opens at nine o’clock.” Nancy read. “But, it’s almost ten. I wonder why they’re not open.”

“Perhaps Bonnie has decided not to open the museum today.” Mrs. Conn raised an eyebrow. “She did have a very troubling night.”

“There are other people that work here.” Uriah said. “Even if Bonnie wasn’t coming to work, the museum would still open on time.”

“That’s true.” Mrs. DeLorca peered into the glass door. “But, it looks like no one is inside.”

“Maybe we should knock on the door.” Nancy suggested.

“Is there a separate entrance for the coffee shop?” Mr. DeLorca asked, a little bit of panic creeping into his voice. “That would be most convenient and all that.”

“I don’t think there is.” Mrs. Conn shook her head.

“Well, then, that’s most disappointing.” Mr. DeLorca sighed.

Eben knocked on the museum door. “Maybe there’s a guard on duty,” he said as he knocked.

They waited. No one came to the door.

Eben knocked again.

Through the glass door, they could see a light come on in the back of the museum and, very slowly, an elderly man made his way to the door.

“Oh, look!” Nancy exclaimed. “Someone’s coming.”

“That’s Pete LeVan.” Annie said. “He’s a volunteer. He gives tours of the museum.”

“I knew someone had to be here.” Mrs. Conn smiled.

Pete took awhile to get to the door, but when he did, he opened it slowly.

“Yes?” He said through the partially open door.

“Hello, Pete.” Mrs. Conn said. “My friends and I were hoping to get a tour of the museum and also visit with Miss Whiteside.”

“Miss Whiteside’s not coming in today.” Pete shook his head. “She gave orders not to open up.”

“Really?” Mrs. DeLorca asked. “Isn’t that unusual?”

“I’ll say it is.” Pete sighed. “But, she’s the boss. If she says not to open, we’re not going to open.”

“Pete, do you think we could come in anyway?” Uriah Trotter asked. “Our friends are from out-of-town and we would like to show them around.”

“I don’t know.” Pete shook his head.

“I think what were’ trying to ask,” Mr. DeLorca began, “is, are there any sandwiches?”

“Huh?” Pete shrugged.

“We won’t stay long,” Mrs. DeLorca said quickly.

“I’d like to let you in, ma’am,” Pete answered, “but, I’ve got my orders.”

What should they do?

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