Finders Keepers Mystery

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Book: Read Finders Keepers Mystery for Free Online
Authors: Gertrude Chandler Warner
owner of Weaver Stitch Shop,” said the woman. “I sell everything for people who like to sew. And I’m one of the founding members of the Crazy Quilters Club.” She patted the box. “That’s what these scraps are for. They’ll make a great quilt.”
    “Crazy quilters?” said Benny.
    “We read about crazy quilts at the library, Benny, remember?” said Violet. “They’re quilts without a pattern, made of all kinds and shapes of cloth stitched together.”
    “That’s right!” Coral said, looking pleased. “You like quilts?”
    “Yes,” said Violet. “They’re beautiful.”
    “Lina’s Great-great-aunt Hope was a crazy quilter, too,” said Benny. “But her quilts are all made from patterns.”
    “I’d love to see them,” Coral said. She gave Lina a hopeful look.
    “Maybe some other time,” said Lina.
    “If they’re still up in the attic, I don’t mind climbing stairs,” Coral said. “Really, I don’t.”
    Lina looked startled. “How did you know they’re in the attic?” she said.
    “I love quilts,” Coral said, ignoring the question. “The old ones are so beautiful, so full of stories — I always wonder about the lives of the women who made them. There’s a story in every stitch. Stories of engagements, weddings, births, friendships, even deaths.” Coral smiled. “It’s kind of crazy, I know, but then, some people do call me the crazy quilt lady. Get it? Crazy quilt lady?”
    Lina smiled back. “I love quilts, too,” she said.
    Coral sighed. “Well, I’d better be going. But come to my shop. I’ll tell you everything you need to know about quilts. I’ll even show you how to make one.”
    “That would be fun,” said Jessie.
    “Is it hard?” asked Violet.
    “Not at all,” said Coral. “Nothing you love to do is hard, don’t you know?”
    “I never thought about it that way,” said Jessie.
    “South Street, just around the corner from the bank,” Coral said as she picked up her basket. “Come anytime.”
    “We will,” Jessie promised.
    Coral nodded, smiled one last time, and headed for her car.
    As the gate swung closed behind Coral, Lina snapped the cash box shut.
    “Crazy quilt lady,” she said. She shook her head. “That’s the way I’m beginning to feel, too.”

CHAPTER 7
Without a Clue
    “Lina,” Violet said as the Aldens followed Lina to the house, “there’s something Henry and I need to tell you.”
    Henry nodded solemnly. He and Violet quickly filled in the others on the man with the bouncy walk who had sneaked into Lina’s house during the yard sale.
    When they had finished the story, Jessie asked, “Do you think it was the same person who tried to break in before?”
    “Could be,” said Henry. “He was definitely searching for something, and I’m pretty sure it wasn’t the bathroom.”
    “He was looking in the closet and at the stuff on your dresser,” Violet added.
    “Bouncy walk, bushy eyebrows, neat dresser, did you say? He didn’t buy anything,” Lina said, “or I’d have remembered him.”
    “I noticed him at the yard sale. He inspected all of the china and vases really carefully,” Jessie said.
    Just then the phone rang. Lina dashed into the house to answer it. Through the open door, the Aldens heard her say, “Yes, Regina, of course I remember you. No, not today, I’m too tired. Tomorrow isn’t good for me, either. No. No! Fine, call me Monday morning. Good-bye.”
    Lina came out, shaking her head. “That reporter, she doesn’t give up. She keeps pestering me to let her into the attic again and tell her more about the quilts.”
    Benny, who had been thinking hard, said suddenly, “I saw him. That bouncy man. I saw him with Coral.”
    “You did?” said Henry. Everyone looked at Benny.
    “Yes. During the yard sale,” said Benny.
    “When? Coral didn’t get to the yard sale until late,” Henry said. “The man was gone by then.”
    Benny thought, then said, “It wasn’t late, but it wasn’t early. I saw him

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