The Ghost and Max Monroe, Case #3: The Dirty Trick
ball Don’t wait up he shouted over his shoulder as he rushed out the door SPOOKY MYSTERIES Max finished doing the dishes then headed into the backyard Sometimes at night he liked to read Starchy comics that his uncle Larry stashed away in the detective agency As he waded through the tall grass he thought about all the years that Larry had been a detective and how he hadn’t solved one single case Now in the short time since Max had come to stay with his grandfather he and Larry had solved two mysteries They’d found a missing zucchini and a girl who disappeared during a magic trick Things were looking up As Max neared the detective agency he heard the phone ring Phone shouted Larry streaking past him In a flash he was inside the office Max climbed through the window The key to the detective agency had been missing for years Larry picked up the phone With a cheery voice he said
Monroe Detective Agency I really need your help said a woman on the other end of the line A note has been slipped into my purse It says Beware a dirty trick Larry covered the mouthpiece and whispered Max A note that says Beware a dirty trick has been slipped into someone’s purse Into whose purse asked Max I don’t know Ask suggested Max Larry nodded May I ask who’s calling please My name is Rhonda Remington I write mystery books Larry covered the mouthpiece again Rhonda Remington She writes mysteries Max’s eyes opened wide Rhonda Remington Grandpa and I have been reading her spooky mysteries She’s great He grabbed the phone Hello Miss Remington This is Max Monroe SICK WITH WORRY Max I’m so glad you’re there said Rhonda
Max frowned Have we met No but the gentleman at the front desk suggested you might be able to help He’d read an article about the Monroe Detective Agency He found the newspaper and noticed the agency’s number was listed in the article There’s something the article didn’t mention said Max What’s that I’m ten Larry’s eyes bugged out Why are you telling her that Ten years old asked Rhonda Uh-huh replied Max There was a long silence on the other end of the line Max watched Larry pace back and forth wringing his hands He knew that his uncle desperately wanted another case and another chance to redeem his reputation Being called a bumbling detective when he was alive had left a dark mark on Larry’s heart I thought you sounded a little young said Rhonda But the young man who programs my computer isn’t much older than you and he’s an absolute genius So I don’t mind
That’s great Miss Remington Larry’s face lit up He leaned in to listen on the line I’ve been nominated for the Mystery Hall of Fame Rhonda continued One person is inducted every year and the ceremony is tonight after a reception I’m calling from Waldon Hall do you know where that is Max looked at Larry Larry nodded his head Yes said Max I know this is short notice but can you meet me here tonight Since I got that note I’ve been sick with worry I’d hate for anyone to play a dirty trick on me when I’m so close to receiving this great honor Max couldn’t believe one of his favorite authors needed
