The Case of the Blue-Hair Heist: #3

By Mandy Broughton

Memories aren't the only thing missing in this quiet little community of blue-haired grandparents. When Cece and her sister, Dee Dee visit Gram and Gramps for Christmas, jewelry begins to disappear. 

The amateur sleuths investigate the crazy cast of suspects including blue-hair busybodies, furry pets and annoying boys. Is the jewelry truly stolen or have the blue-hairs misplaced the jewelry like they've misplaced most of their memories? 

Kids and parents alike will enjoy this clean-read mystery and all the furry friends found throughout the book. Ages 7+ 

What are the reviewers saying? 
"This is a good mystery for younger kids. The plot of the story was fun to read and kept me reading. It was a pretty quick read for me and the story was easy to follow." Erik- from This Kid Reviews Books 

"This book may have a few characters who are a little forgetful, but the story itself is wonderfully memorable... This book is great for everyone from school-aged kids to blue-haired grandparents!" 

"Very amusing with lots of clues and wrong turns to keep the kids guessing until the end." 

"Fun pet-centered mystery that will keep amateur sleuths guessing...and laughing. The main characters really make the story. **This is a clean read for kids that parents can trust.**"

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mandy Broughton
• Release date: Jun 15, 2013
• ISBN: 9780989497534

Book preview

The Case of the Blue-Hair Heist

By Mandy Broughton

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For my favorite blue-hair, Great-Aunt Ruby (whose hair was white)

Staying the summers at her house, we played Parcheesi, Pollyanna and strolled through the cemetery across the street. She lived to 102 years old and my kids grew to love her as much as I.

What more could a kid want for a summer visit? A mystery would have been fun...

Dedication

With loving dedication to the

ONE who gives the words . . .

Let the words of my mouth and the

meditation of my heart be acceptable in

Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and

my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14 New American Standard

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The Case of the Blue-Hair Heist

Copyright © 2013 by Mandy Broughton

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used, reproduced or stored electronically without written permission of publisher. Exception is made for brief quotations in critical articles and reviews.

Cover design and interior artwork using Shutterstock.com royalty-free stock images

Cypress Professional Group, P.L.L.C.

PO Box 41186

Houston, TX 77241

ISBN 978-0-9894975-3-4

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Chapter 1: Forgetful Misplacement or Something More Sinister?

Cece slapped a soap bubble as it floated up from the sink. "Gram, there are machines called dishwashers. They help wash dishes quickly." Eleven-year-old Cece shoved a dirty lunch plate into the clear water next to her soapy mess.

Her sister, a year older, and keeper of the rinse section of the sink, shoved the plate back into the dirty soapy side. That’s not clean.

And the dishwasher would get the plates clean, too. Cece attacked the plate, venting her frustration.

If I had a machine, then how would you two learn to wash dishes? Gram asked, sipping her coffee. The blue in Gram’s flowery dress matched her hair, a stark contrast to the orange and green tablecloth where she sat. When I was a girl—

A knock on the door followed by a yoo-hoo interrupted her.

Cece stopped washing to watch an ancient blue-haired lady stick her head into the kitchen. Edna! Are you here? Not waiting for an answer, the rest of her appeared through the door.

Startled, Cece elbowed her sister. No one answered the door. She just walked in.

Dee Dee shrugged and rinsed another plate. She lowered her voice. They’re old. It’s a small town. They’re kooky.

Myrtle! Come in, Gram said, standing up. Myrtle, who was already in, took a chair at the table across from Gram. She held the table with one hand and lowered her small frame into the chair. As she sat, she looked at her other hand which held a mug. She frowned.

Did you come over for coffee? Gram reached for the coffee pot.

Myrtle released the mug and adjusted herself in the chair. No, I didn’t come over for coffee.

Curious, Cece raised her voice and yelled, Why did you bring the coffee cup?

Dee Dee covered her ear with a wet hand. That was my ear!

Gram held up her hand. Myrtle—Mrs. Myrtle to you girls—can hear perfectly fine. Can’t you, dear?

Yes. Myrtle fingered her mug. It’s the remembering I have problems with.

Did you need something? Is that why you brought the mug? Gram glanced at the door then back to her friend. It’s cold outside, what about hot chocolate?

I like hot chocolate, Cece said, this time her volume not deafening the rest of them.

Me, too, Dearie, but that’s not what I need either. Myrtle scratched her head. A cup of flour? That’s it. I need flour. I thought I had some but I seem to be out. I'm in the middle of making banana pudding.

Taking her flour container off the counter, Gram said, Banana pudding doesn't need flour.

It doesn't? Then why am I borrowing flour? Mrs. Myrtle picked up her mug and peered inside. Cece wondered how Mrs. Myrtle even managed to walk from next door. Maybe she was just wandering the neighborhood?

Sugar, Gram said, putting up the flour pot and pulling out the sugar container. I'll give you a cup of sugar. I bet that’s what you need.

Banana pudding doesn’t have sugar in it either. Dee Dee spoke up.

Like you know what does and doesn’t have sugar in it, Cece whispered to her sister.

Dee Dee grinned. It’s all about what’s important. And desserts are important.

Gram’s glance warned them to be quiet. Try sugar and if you need flour, I can send the girls over with it.

Myrtle thanked Gram as Cece watched Gram scoop sugar into the mug. Not one grain of sugar escaped onto the table.

Sighing, Myrtle asked, Did you hear about Elva? She can't find her gold necklace the boys gave her. The diamond one. She’s usually not that forgetful. It’s a terrible, terrible thing to be forgetful.

I’m sure she took it to the jeweler. Gram plopped the sugar pot on the counter. She refilled her coffee, steam rising from the cup, and sat down again.

She didn’t say anything about a jeweler. She showed me her list; you know how she’s always making lists. Earlan’s Jewelry wasn’t on it.

If she calls Earlan, I’ll bet he says he has it. Gram sipped the coffee again. She makes those lists but she still forgets. I asked her twice before she finally gave me my casserole dish back. She said she gave it back to me. She showed me it was checked off her list, as if that makes it true. Gram snorted. If she had given it back, then why was it still in her pantry? I had to find it myself.

Cece stopped washing dishes. Gram, aren’t you missing your silver bracelet? Dee Dee raised an eyebrow in question. Gram never lost anything. Knowing her, it wouldn’t have the courage to stay lost.

No, I’m not missing my silver bracelet, Gram said. I pulled it out the other day to show Tommy. I must have forgotten—I must have mislaid it. Or Tommy put it up for me. I’m sure it’s in a safe spot.

Cece nudged her sister and Dee Dee spoke up. Where?

I’m not sure yet, but I know it’s around here somewhere. Gram slapped her hand on the table. No forgetfulness for me.

Both girls giggled.

Looking thoughtful, Myrtle thanked them for the sugar, but before she got to the door, Gram stopped her. Myrtle, dear, that’s my silver spoon you have. Gram pointed to Myrtle’s sweater.

Myrtle looked down. Sticking out of her pocket was Gram’s silver spoon, the one that had been on the table next to the coffee. Oh, my! Forgetful me. When did I put it in there? She gave a nervous laugh. Pulling it out, she gave it to Gram, who smiled.

It looks just like yours, Gram said, You just took it by mistake.

Myrtle said her goodbyes again, and before leaving, she promised the girls homemade banana pudding. Cece didn’t think she’d chance eating that banana pudding. Besides flour and sugar, what else would Mrs. Myrtle put in it?

But Dee Dee said she would. Never miss a dessert, Dee Dee said.

Cece watched through the window as the little blue-haired lady ambled down the sidewalk. The window refused to keep the cold air out. Shaking off a chill, Cece didn’t know whether to laugh or be sad when Mrs. Myrtle tried to drink her cup of sugar like it was coffee. Spilling most of the sugar on the sidewalk, she used her shoe to brush it to the side.

Cece smiled to herself. Mrs. Myrtle always makes visiting Gram interesting. I never know what she’s going to say or do. Cece rubbed her arms. Not much had changed since their last visit. Thinking of her last visit reminded Cece of her parents. She sighed, missing her parents. They were on a mini-vacation and wouldn’t be back until right before Christmas.

Mrs. Myrtle has gotten worse, Dee Dee announced, bringing Cece out of her thoughts.

Myrtle is a little senile, Gram said. But no worse than usual.

You’re older than she is but you don’t forget. Cece abandoned her dishes, the soapy water long since cold. Not like she does.

It’s not age. Being a little forgetful in old age is normal. Hers is... more. Gram ran the hot water, refilling the sink.

The girls dried the dishes and Gram put them up.

What about your bracelet? Dee Dee asked. Who do you think stole it?

I'm sure no one stole it, Gram said. I've just misplaced it. It’s in a safe spot.

And Elva?

Mrs. Elva to you, young lady. Gram placed the last dish in the cabinet. Elva’s necklace is at the jeweler. Call him and he’ll tell you.

I think I will, Cece said, hanging her wet rag on the side of the sink, crooked and bunched up.

Will what? Gram straightened the dishrag.

Call the jeweler for Mrs. Elva, Cece said.

And we could help you find your missing jewelry. Dee Dee threw her dishrag on the countertop. Cece and I will get to the bottom of this. We've already solved two mysteries.

So now it’s a mystery? Gram pointed at Dee Dee’s dishrag. Dee Dee looked at the dishrag as if it had jumped up and placed itself there. Grabbing it, she spread it out over the sink’s sideboard.

Sure, Gram, Dee Dee said. "If Mrs. Myrtle had lost her bracelet,