Martin Widmark - Gold Mystery #8

GROSSET & DUNLAP

Penguin Young Readers Group

An Imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

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Original title: Guldmysteriet

Text by Martin Widmark

Original cover and illustrations by Helena Willis

English language edition copyright 2016 Penguin Random House LLC. Original edition published by Bonnier Carlsen Bokfrlag, Sweden, 2004. Text copyright 2004 by Martin Widmark. Illustrations copyright 2004 by Helena Willis. Published in 2016 by Grosset & Dunlap, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, 345 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014. GROSSET & DUNLAP is a trademark of Penguin Random House LLC.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

ISBN 9780451533043

Version_1

The Gold Mystery

The books in The Whodunit Detective Agency series are set in the charming little town of Pleasant Valley. Its the sort of close-knit community where nearly everyone knows one another. The town and the characters are all fictional, of course... or are they?

The main characters, Jerry and Maya, are classmates and close friends who run a small detective agency together.

Five Hundred and Fifty Pounds of Pure Gold

I t was a beautiful, warm afternoon in July. School was out, and Maya and Jerry had nothing but free time. So far that summer they had spent a lot of time riding their bikes, looking for adventure. That morning they had set out on their bikes as usual. And now, they had joined the police chief on a dock in the harbor. They were watching a wooden crate as it was hoisted out of a big ship.

Here comes the gold, said the police chief with excitement. Five hundred and fifty pounds of solid gold!

I wonder how much its worth, said Jerry.

Lets see, said the police chief, pushing his cap to the back of his head. Probably more like sixteen million dollars, Id say.

Wow, said Jerry, impressed.

Why is all this gold coming to Pleasant Valley? asked Maya.

Well, its not going to stay here, explained the police chief. Tomorrow the gold heads to a big bank in another city. But tonight we are responsible for it.

Where will the gold spend the night? asked Jerry. The hotel, like other visitors?

Very funny, Jerry, said Maya, rolling her eyes.

Well keep it in the safest place in Pleasant Valley, replied the police chief. The bank vault, of course!

The crate was loaded next to another similar-looking crate on the back of a truck. A dark-haired woman in uniform walked over. She saluted the police chief, who saluted her right back.

Maria Gonzales de la Cruz, said the woman with a smile. Head of security at the bank.

Randolph Larson, replied the police chief. Its a pleasure to meet you! Are you new at the bank? I dont think weve met before.

Thats right. The security officer smiled. Ive been at the bank for about three weeks. Now, she said, holding out a piece of paper, I need your signature here.

Whats that youre signing? Maya asked the police chief. She stood on tiptoe to see what was on the piece of paper. Gold: five hundred and fifty pounds, she read. Maya couldnt see what else it said because the security officers thumb was in the way.

A consignment note, explained Maria Gonzales de la Cruz, smiling at Maya.

It shows that we received the gold, explained the police chief, who signed the bottom.

The security officer tore off a yellow copy and gave it to the police chief, who folded the paper and tucked it in the pocket of his uniform.

Okay, were off to the bank, said Maria Gonzales de la Cruz as she jumped into the truck.

Come on, kids, said the police chief, hopping onto his bike. Lets head that way, too.

When Jerry, Maya, and the police chief reached Pleasant Valleys bank, the security officer was hard at work wheeling the second crate inside. A bald-headed man in a gray suit watched from a nearby spot. He looked worried.

Careful there, Maria. Make sure it doesnt tip over, he said to the security officer.

Do you need a hand? asked the police chief.

The man in the gray suit looked up in surprise. Jerry thought he seemed pretty nervous.

Id probably be jumpy, too, he thought. That gold is worth a lot of money.

Thanks for the offer, but Ive got this, said Maria to the police chief. After a few more grunts, she disappeared into the bank.

Maya rested her bike against the wall of the building and looked through the window into the bank. She saw the security officer wheeling the crate into a big bank vault. Maya looked at her watch. It showed ten to six.

Then she saw Maria Gonzales pulling the heavy door to the vault closed.

Well, well, the police chief is here to make sure everything goes smoothly, said the man in the gray suit.

He walked over to the police chief and held out his hand. The police chief and the man shook.

This is the bank manager, Larry Mernard, said the police chief to Jerry and Maya.

Maya looked into the bank again. The security officer was now standing with her back to Maya and the others, adjusting something above the door to the vault. Maya leaned closer to the window but couldnt see exactly what Maria Gonzales was doing.

Its a big day for our little bank here in Pleasant Valley, continued the police chief.

And a stressful one, acknowledged the bank manager. Just imagine if something were to go wrong!

Larry Mernard wiped his forehead with a handkerchief.