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juice. “And that’s a kind of mirror.”
    “Right, but … don’t forget the last part of the riddle,” Henry reminded them. “The code word is made out of stone.”
    The Aldens left the kitchen spic-and-span, then headed for the mall. After dropping Violet’s film off at the one-hour photo shop, they made their way to the House of Mirrors.
    Each mirror was different from the next. Some were tinted, some were plain. Some were star-shaped, some were half-moons. Some were full-length, some hung from chains. The four children peered long and hard at each and every one. But after trying the magic words on the salesclerk, they finally turned to each other in dismay.
    “That didn’t exactly pan out, did it?” Violet said, as they left the store.
    “Never mind,” said Henry. “We have to consider every possibility.”
    As they walked through the mall, Benny began to recite the riddle aloud in a sing-songy voice. “Through a looking glass/ all will b e shown;/ the code word you’re seeking/ is made out of stone.”
    “I’m not sure what to make of it,” Jessie said. “Any ideas, Henry?”
    But Henry wasn’t listening. He was looking over at a man in a business suit who was sitting on a bench. “Isn’t that Chopper Dan?” he asked.
    The others followed their brother’s gaze. A tall man with curly hair was talking to a boy about Henry’s age. The boy had a WGFD baseball cap on backwards—and he didn’t look very happy.
    Jessie nodded. “I think you’re right, Henry.” She recognized the curly-haired man from the WGFD posters.
    Benny’s eyes widened. “And that’s the boy who signed up for the race,” he realized. “The one on the skateboard.”
    Just then, Chopper Dan got to his feet and walked away. When he was gone, the boy slouched down on the bench, his arms folded.
    “I wonder what that was about,” said Violet.
    Henry shrugged. “There’s no way of knowing.”
    As if feeling their eyes on him, the boy suddenly looked over. When Benny waved, the boy waved back.
    “Come on,” said Jessie. “Let’s go over and say hello.”
    As the Aldens headed his way, the boy sat up a bit straighten
    “Hi!” Henry greeted him with a friendly smile. “You signed up for the race, right?” The boy nodded. “We signed up for it, too. I’m Henry. And these are my sisters, Jessie and Violet. And that’s my brother, Benny.”
    “I’m Chris Beamer.” The boy shook hands with Henry. Then he shook hands with everyone else.
    “Are you having any luck?” Violet asked him shyly. “With the race, I mean.”
    “Not really,” he said with a shrug. “How about you?”
    “Well, it’s not easy,” Jessie replied. “But we’re hanging in.”
    Chris heaved a sigh. “Well, at least somebody still has a chance for a helicopter ride.”
    There was something in the way Chris said somebody that alerted Jessie. “But you still have a chance, too,” she said. “Right?”
    “Not anymore.”
    Benny’s face fell. “You mean—somebody won?”
    “What?” Chris looked over at Benny. “No, what I meant was, I’m out.”
    The Aldens looked at each other in surprise. “You gave up?” Benny asked him.
    “Not exactly,” said Chris. “I just found out I’m not allowed to be in the race.”
    “Oh, kids are allowed to enter the race,” Jessie argued. “I’m sure of it.”
    Chris shook his head. “Not if somebody in the family works at the station,” he pointed out. “Somebody like Chopper Dan.”
    “Somebody like Chopper Dan?” Benny repeated, not understanding.
    “Don’t you get it?” said Chris. “I’m Dan Beamer’s son.”
    “Chopper Dan”—Benny paused—“is your father?”
    “Yup,” Chris answered with a frown. “I signed up so I could get a ride in the WGFD helicopter. But my dad just told me it was against the rules. For family members to enter the race, I mean.”
    “That’s too bad,” Violet said in her soft voice. “But I’m sure your dad will take you for a ride another