“I still think they are both innocent,” said Henry. “Rick seemed very surprised about how that baggage door was rigged.”
“And Adelita would not have been in the woods searching if she was the thief,” Jessie pointed out.
“And don’t forget that she told the truth to Watch,” Benny reminded everyone.
“Jason is also innocent,” said Violet. “And he had a great idea.”
“Yes, he did,” agreed Henry. “Twila might know who the silver dragon earring belongs to. She would remember who she sold it to.”
“And then we might know who the jewel thief is,” said Jessie.
Chapter 9
Lost Wax
“Uh-oh,” Jessie said when she saw the sign on the door to Twila’s Handcrafted Jewelry Creations. Watch sniffed at the closed door and wagged his tail.
“What’s wrong?” Benny asked. Benny studied the sign. “Closed for lunch,” he read. “There’s a clock too. It’s set for two o’clock.”
“You’re right!” Henry said. He patted his little brother on the head. “So, Twila will be back at two o’clock. I guess we’ll have to wait.”
“Let’s take Watch to the park across the street,” said Violet. “We can have him search for things. Remember what Marianella said?”
“Yes,” said Jessie. “Handlers and their dogs should always be in tip-top shape!”
The children crossed the street to the park.
Benny read the sign at the park entrance. “It says dogs welcome. I like this park!” he said.
They all took turns hiding sticks and encouraging Watch to locate them.
Watch suddenly looked across the street and barked.
“What is it, Watch?” Jessie asked.
Watched yipped again as a man carrying a briefcase walked out of Twila’s Handcrafted Jewelry Creations.
“What’s that man doing in there while Twila is at lunch?” Violet wondered. “And why does Watch care? Maybe we need to follow him and find out who he is.”
Just then Twila came out of her store.
“Wow, she was inside all along,” said Jessie. “Let’s go talk to her.”
“Wait,” said Henry. “Twila is carrying something. Let’s see what she is up to.”
The children stood quietly and watched as Twila walked to the alley next to her store. She was carrying the yellow backpack.
“Look, she just tossed the backpack into the trash bin in the alley,” said Jessie. “I wonder why. It was a nice backpack.”
“She told me it could not be cleaned,” said Violet. “She said she would never buy yellow because it showed dirt so much.”
“Then why did she buy a yellow backpack to deliver the jewelry?” Jessie asked.
They watched as Twila walked back into her store.
“Let’s go talk to that man,” Henry said. “Maybe he knows something.”
Jessie put Watch on his leash. The children headed across the street and caught up to the man with the briefcase.
“Hello,” said Henry. “May we ask you a question?”
The man stopped and faced the children. Watch strained on his leash to sniff at the man’s briefcase. The man noticed and held the briefcase out for him. Watch sniffed it and wagged his tail.
“What do you smell, pal?” he asked. “It’s just a bunch of boring insurance stuff.” The man stooped to pet Watch. “You’re a good dog, aren’t you?” Then he stood up. “What would you like to know?” the man asked Henry.
“Oh, we just wondered if you know where the airport is,” said Henry. He glanced at his brother and sisters. They stood and waited. They all trusted that Henry knew what he was doing.
“Sure,” said the man. “It’s just past the big park across the road. You can take a path to it. I think it’s about a half mile from here.”
“Thanks very much!” said Henry. “Have a nice day.”
“Same to you,” said the man. He gave Watch another pat on the head and continued on his way. The children watched as the man headed up the street.
“Henry, we know where the airport is,” said Violet. “Why did you ask him that question?”
“Because Watch got the answer to our real question,” said Henry. “What was the man doing in Twila’s store?”
“I know!” said Benny. “He was her insurance man. He was giving her money for her missing necklace.”
“Either that or getting the information,” said Henry. “And Watch was very interested in the smell of that briefcase. Let’s go in and talk to Twila now.”
Jessie waited outside with Watch as the other Aldens entered Twila’s Handcrafted Jewelry Creations. Twila was behind the counter at her worktable. She looked up as the bell jingled.
“Hello again!” Twila said, smiling. “You are just in time to learn something about making jewelry. Would you like me to show you?”
“Yes, that would be fun,” said Benny. He noticed that Twila was much more cheerful than she had been before. She was carving something and humming when they walked in.
“I’m creating a jewelry piece from wax,” said Twila. “But it will soon become solid silver.”
“Lost-wax casting!” said Benny.
“That’s exactly right,” said Twila, looking surprised.
“We learned about it today,” said Violet. “But we have never seen it done.”
“How funny,” said Twila. “Okay, I’ll show you the first step for lost-wax casting. Benny, take this ball of wax and warm it with your hands. Then you can form it into any shape you like.” Twila handed a small, light-green ball to Benny.
Benny gasped. Then he watched as Twila demonstrated how to warm it. He pressed the ball of wax between his hands. Then he twisted and worked the ball into a shape.
“It gets softer as it gets warm,” Benny said. He looked at this brother and sister. They nodded their heads.
“That’s right, Benny,” said Twila. “See how easy it is? My, it looks like you’ve made an interesting shape.”
“It’s a dinosaur,” said Benny. He held up his green wax creation. It had a head, tail, and four stubby legs.
“That’s very nice,” said Violet. She looked at Henry.
“Very nice, Benny,” said Henry.
“You have now made something for a lost-wax casting, Benny,” said Twila. “I guess you already know what happens next.” Twila turned to Henry and Violet. “So, what can I do for you children? Did you find my missing necklace? Not that it’s a big deal anymore. My insurance is going to pay for it.”
“We didn’t find the missing necklace, but we did find something else,” said Violet. She held up the silver dragon earring.
“Oh, this is very interesting,” said Twila. She took the earring from Violet and peered at it.
“We thought that it might be one of your creations,” said Jessie.
“Why, yes, it is,” said Twila. “Where did you find it?
“It was close to where Watch found the yellow backpack,” said Henry. “We think whoever bought this earring from you is the person who stole your necklace.”
“Really!” said Twila. “That is also very interesting. The problem is, I can’t remember who bought it. I don’t even know if there was one earring or two.” Twila laughed nervously. “Sometimes my memory just isn’t what it used to be. Besides, I already know who the thief is. It is Adelita.”
The children exchanged looks. They remained quiet. Twila talked faster.
“Adelita knew how valuable my necklace was because I told her. She must have set up the baggage compartment door to flip open. That door has sprung open before. I heard all about it. Then she disappeared and later you found her in the woods. It all makes sense. Adelita is the thief!”
Just then Twila’s door burst open and Watch charged inside. Jessie was being dragged from behind, trying to hold him back. Watch brok
e free from Jessie and raced around the counter to where Twila was standing.
All the children tried to grab Watch as he sniffed at Twila’s shoes and then her apron pocket. He ran circles around her, barking wildly.
“Watch, no!” Jessie yelled. “Come here!” Jessie ran to Watch and grabbed him by his collar. “I am so sorry!” she said. “Watch is usually very well behaved. I don’t know what’s wrong with him.”
“Get that mutt out of my store, right now,” said Twila. “The rest of you may leave with him.”
The children apologized and left. They walked back to the park.
“Watch acts like that only when he’s found something important,” said Jessie. “He did the same thing when he found the backpack and the earring.”
“And now he’s found something else,” said Violet.
“Or someone,” said Henry.
“Do you mean Twila?” asked Jessie. “Why would Watch be interested in Twila?”
Chapter 10
A Party!
“Watch smelled something on Twila’s shoes,” said Violet.
“And something in her apron pocket!” said Benny.
“Twila also acted happy just now,” said Henry. “Like she was happier to have the insurance money than her necklace. Just like Adelita said.”
“Why would she no longer care about her necklace?” Violet wondered.
“Because…the necklace isn’t missing,” said Jessie.
Everyone gasped.
“So there is no thief?” asked Benny.
“There is a thief all right,” said Jessie. “I think Twila is the thief. Or she pretended to be…”
“You’re right, Jessie!” said Violet, “Remember the bright yellow backpack? Twila said she would never buy yellow, but she did this time. I think she knew that yellow would be easy to find in the woods.”
“And what about the green wax she uses for lost-wax casting?” Benny asked. “You didn’t get to see it, Jessie. It was sticky! It looked and felt like the green goo from Adelita’s baggage compartment.”
Henry was thoughtful for a moment. “Let’s say Twila is the one who set it up so the airplane baggage door popped open. How would she know where to look for the yellow backpack?”
The children recalled that Rick circled his plane over Sunriver Village before he soared over the foothills. Rick told them that it was the usual route planes took from the little airport. Twila could have driven back to her store and watched the plane as it flew.
“Oh!” said Violet. “I just remembered something else. We saw binoculars by Twila’s window!”
“Yes!” said Jessie. “The pair that Rick loaned us made it easy to watch the door of Adelita’s plane today. Twila could have been watching the plane from her store. She would have a very good idea of where the backpack fell.”
“And she would have no trouble finding it in the woods,” said Violet. “She must have been wearing the dragon earring and dropped it when she ran.”
“I just remembered something too,” said Henry. “When Twila left the hangar yesterday, she received a phone call. I think it was her insurance agent.”
“That’s weird,” said Jessie. “Twila had just discovered that her necklace was missing. Yet the insurance agent called her, she didn’t call him.”
“She was already scheming to get the money,” said Henry.
“And keep her necklace too,” said Violet.
“Wow,” said Benny. “That’s probably not right—to pretend something was stolen to get money for it.”
“No, it is not right, Benny,” said Henry. “I think we need to talk to Twila again.”
The children went back across the street and walked boldly into Twila’s Handcrafted Jewelry Creations. Twila popped up from behind the counter. Violet immediately noticed that she was wearing the silver dragon earring.
“What are you doing back in my store?” Twila yelled. “Get that dog out of here at once.”
“We found your thief,” said Henry. “And you know who it is.”
“Yes, I do,” Twila stammered. She looked nervous. “As I told you, it is Adelita! Why don’t you believe me?”
“We think you rigged the door of Adelita’s plane to come open,” said Henry.
“What?” cried Twila. “Why on earth would I do that? And how? Adelita told me that the door had been fixed recently. I trusted her with my precious jewelry. I made sure the door was shut.”
“It was not shut,” said Jessie. “It was just stuck.”
“Stuck with some of your green wax,” said Benny. “Then it popped open in the air. The wax got soft and turbulence made it let go of the door.” Benny looked proudly at his brother and sisters.
“And then you went to the foothills and found the bright yellow backpack,” said Violet.
“That is ridiculous,” said Twila. “How would I ever find it? It fell from a plane!”
“Why do you have binoculars?” Jessie asked. “Don’t jewelers use magnifying glasses for their work?”
“I watch the birds at the park across the street,” said Twila. “I like birds.” She walked around to the front of the counter and pointed to the park. She fiddled with the silver dragon earring in her ear.
“We think you had another reason for using binoculars,” said Henry. “You watched where the backpack fell. Then you drove to the area and found it. It was you we saw running in the woods.”
“And you took only the piece that you loved most,” said Violet. “You couldn’t stand to part with that necklace.”
“But you needed the money,” said Henry. “So you got both.”
Suddenly Watch barked as the door jingled and the insurance man entered the store.
“So, we meet again!” the man said, bending down to pet Watch.
“I’m happy you came back, Mr. Gulbranson,” said Twila, looking at the children. “I have something to tell you.”
“And I have something for you,” said Mr. Gulbranson. “I already have a check for your stolen necklace.” He plunked his briefcase on the counter and snapped it open.
“Oh my,” said Twila, “that was very fast!”
“I pulled some strings for one of my favorite customers,” said Mr. Gulbranson. He handed a check to Twila.
“Thank you so much, Mr. Gulbranson,” said Twila. “But I can’t accept this money.”
Twila handed the check back and reached into the pocket that Watch had been sniffing earlier. She pulled out a huge gold necklace. Bright bangles and colorful stones glimmered in the light from the front window. Violet’s eyes opened wide.
“You see, there has been a big mistake. My precious necklace has been found!”
“Well! I am delighted that your treasure has been located,” said Mr. Gulbranson. “I suppose my work here is done.” He put the check back into his briefcase and snapped it shut.
“Thank you so much,” said Twila. “These children were the ones who found my necklace, with help from their dog, Watch.”
“Ah,” said Mr. Gulbranson, who petted Watch again. “Excellent work, children, and you too, pal.” He waved good-bye and headed out the door just as Rick and Adelita entered the store.
“Hey, everyone, what’s up?” said Rick. The children noticed that he and Adelita were holding hands.
“Hi, Rick! Hi, Adelita!” said Jessie. “We’re so glad to see you. Twila has something to tell you both.” Jessie smiled, finally realizing why Rick and Adelita had been looking at each other earlier. And why Rick had been so protective of his friend.
Twila explained what she had done. “I’m really sorry,” she said. “I hope you can forgive me. I want to make it up to you both if I can.”
“Maybe you can,” said Rick. “You see, I just asked Adelita to marry me. Then I realized that I didn’t have an engagement ring for her! We came here hoping to fi
nd something she would love.”
“Rick has always been a little impulsive,” said Adelita. She gave him a playful shove.
“I appreciate how you’re willing to forgive me,” said Twila. “And I think I have just the ring for you, Adelita.”
Twila reached under the counter and brought out a small wooden box. Violet’s eyes got wide again when Twila opened the box. Inside was a dazzling gold, ruby, and diamond ring.
“I created this many years ago and have never had the heart to sell it,” said Twila. “It is one my best. I love it even more than the necklace.” Twila handed the ring to Rick, who placed it on Adelita’s ring finger.
“Perfect fit,” sighed Violet.
“I think this ring has found its rightful owner,” said Twila. “if you will accept it as my gift?”
“Oh my, yes,” said Adelita.
“It’s beautiful,” said Rick. “Thank you so much. But Twila, I hope you’ve learned your lesson!”
“You bet I have,” said Twila. “I learned that I can’t outsmart a smart dog or four very wise children!” She laughed and gave Watch a pat on the head. “And I learned that I should be more honest in my business.”
“We are very happy we could help you,” said Jessie.
“You do make beautiful jewelry,” said Violet. Henry and Benny nodded.
“Thank you,” said Twila. “And I need to learn to part with my creations if I want to make a living. This is a good start.”
* * *
Saturday afternoon was the annual picnic for the local search-and-rescue dog teams. And it was Marianella’s turn to host the event. On Friday evening, Henry and Jessie helped Victor and their grandfather prepare a huge meal. They made a big fish chowder with potatoes, carrots, and onions. They baked loaves of bread and chopped chunks of cantaloupe and pineapple. Jessie made dozens of homemade chocolate chip cookies.
Saturday morning Violet and Benny helped Marianella unfold tables and chairs. They set everything up in the backyard. Violet covered the tables with bright, colorful tablecloths while Benny set out the plates and utensils.