Shannon L. Brown - The Treasure Key

1

Key to a Mystery

J essica Ballow yawned and slouched into her chair. We need something to do. Pine Hill had become every bit as boring as shed imagined when her parents first told her she was going to spend the summer in this small town in the mountains. On top of that, she had to stay with her cousin Sophie, whom she hadnt seen since they were little. They got along well... now.

Sophie Sandoval fell backward onto the sofa. Agreed. Maybe we should go into town.

Why not? At least we wont just be sitting in your living room. We found our first mystery, The Feather Chase, right after I got here, so I barely had time to be bored. Jessica yawned. Now I am.

I doubt well find another mystery, even though I love mysteries

Jessica groaned. I know. The next couple of months might be b-o-r-i-n-g. An endless summer of small-town life stretched in front of her.

Pine Hill isnt boring.

A picture of lying on a sandy beach on Pine Lake with the sun overhead popped into Jessicas mind. Youre right. Lets get our swimsuits on.

This time Sophie slouched, her ponytail of brown hair smashing against the back of the sofa. Again? We went to the beach yesterday. Wouldnt you like to go hiking on Cutoff Trail?

The image in Jessicas mind switched to one of a trail climbing through a pine treelined path. With bugs. And wild animals. Like isnt the word Id use. When she paused, boredom began to sink in again. I might not survive to my thirteenth birthday if Im this bored. Lets do it.

Sophie instantly stood. Really?

Pine Hill was way more exciting than home for a while. Its Tuesday, so most of a long week of nothing is in front of me. Im ready to do something. Sometimes Jessica wished she could be with her parents, but they were on the other side of the world because of her fathers job, and both she and her brother were spending the summer with relatives.

As Sophie ran into the room they were sharing, she said, I think well both make it from twelve to thirteen, even if we are bored. She ran right back out with her backpack. Lets go.

Jessica giggled as she followed Sophie to the door. You arent taking any chances that Ill change my mind, are you?

When the girl who loves shopping and is used to living in big-city London, England, says shell go on a hike, were on our way out the door. She glanced at Jessicas feet and stopped. Sneakers.

I forgot. Jessica raced into their bedroom. After slipping off her pretty pink sandals, she put on her boring-but-useful white sneakers and hurried back. Standing at a mirror beside the front door, she checked her makeup and tucked her blonde hair behind her ears, saying, Sophie, maybe well find another mystery on Cutoff Trail.

Sophie got a faraway look in her brown eyes and sighed. Oh, that would be amazing. She opened the front door and stepped out.

With one foot in midair, she froze.

Jessica peered over her shoulder. Is something wrong?

Sophie stepped to the side and pointed down. Right in front of her sat a perfectly gift-wrapped package. The wrapping paper had tiny pine trees on a white background and was encircled with a forest green ribbon and bow.

Is today a holiday I dont know about?

I dont think its even Mom and Dads anniversary or anything like that. Sophie picked up the box and shook it. I cant feel anything moving around inside it. Stepping back into the house, she held the box close to her ear and shook it again. I wonder if we should open it.

What if its supposed to be a surprise for your mom or dad?

I dont think someone would leave a package for one of them and not put their name on it.

Jessica said, That made sense for a second. Then I thought, why would someone ever leave a package with no name on it? What if its for you? Or even for me?

All good points. Sophie shifted from one foot to the other. Id like to see inside. But I really dont want to get in trouble.

Jessica reached for it. Ill open it so it wont be your fault. Im going home at the end of the summer, but you have to live here all the time.

Sophie grinned and handed her the box. I like the way you think, Cousin.

Jessica carefully removed the wrapping paper and set it on the nearby dining room table. When she opened the lid, an old-looking, yellowed envelope with the word Desk handwritten on it lay inside. Whoa.

What is it?

Jessica stared at the envelope. Had someone set a mystery on Sophies doorstep? The odds were totally against finding another mystery so soon. Maybe even impossible. Laughing, Jessica stepped back from the box. Hey, you set me up. You knew I was bored and you did this to cheer me up! Making the envelope appear old was a master touch.

Sophie leaned over and tried to see into the box. Uh-uh. It wasnt me. Did you say theres an old envelope in there?

Yes. Jessica picked up the envelope. And theres something inside. She rubbed the envelope between her fingers. I think its a key. A sense of excitement ran through her. Could we have found another mystery?

On the doorstep? I agree with your first thought: someones playing a joke on us. Sophie reached for the envelope. Lets open it up. She pulled on the end to tear it.

Wait! We may already be in trouble for opening the present

Sophie dropped the envelope as if it were on fire. And get in much bigger trouble if we open this too. She stared at it. Ill open it carefully, just in case it is a clue for a real mystery. Or mom or dad think its important. She went into her moms office, which was just off the living room. Being careful doesnt mean I wont get in trouble, but maybe it will help.

When she returned with something that looked like a knife with fancy decorations, Jessica said, Youre kind of off the hook for opening the package, so maybe I should

Good idea. Sophie handed the letter opener to Jessica. She carefully inserted it in the end of the envelope and made a clean cut before tilting it and dumping out a key that hit the table with a clunk.