Alexis and the Lake Tahoe Tumult - Erica Rodgers [13]
“We already know someone probably unlocked the mountain lion cage,” said Alexis as she scribbled. “You found the keys in the snow, and Karen swore they had been hanging up inside that morning. Then we have that threat letter, too. Maybe we can take a closer look at it tomorrow.”
Last but not least, Alexis wrote the most recent piece of information:
“Moneybags” Bruce Benton wants to buy the reserve to put up another ski resort. Would he sabotage the reserve to get what he wants? He did say he would do anything….
“Come on,” Bailey said. “Let’s go to our room. We need to send an e-mail to the Camp Club Girls to fill them in! They need to know about the mountain lions and Moneybags Benton saying he’d do anything to get the reserve.”
Bellyaches and Bears
The bus ride the next morning was pretty quiet. Alexis and Bailey tried over and over to get Angelo to talk to them, but he only nodded his head or shrugged his shoulders. By the time they got to the reserve, Alexis was sure that since Angelo was with them, it would be a very long day.
“Things have been a little crazy here,” said Lisa as she led them into the office.
“What do you mean?” asked Bailey. But as soon as they saw Karen, they knew something was up. She was sitting at the desk, staring blankly at a cup of coffee that looked as if it had gone cold. Large dark circles were under her eyes.
“Been up all night?” asked Alexis. Karen jerked out of her stupor and nodded.
“The coyotes are sick. I was up late taking care of them. Then, when I finally went to bed, the phone rang. It was three in the morning.”
“Who in the world would call you at three in the morning?” asked Bailey.
“That’s what we’re trying to figure out,” said Karen. “I answered, thinking it might be an emergency, but I only heard breathing. Then a voice said, ‘You’re lucky they’re only sick this time.’ And the phone went dead.”
“It was a threat?” asked Angelo. It was the first time he’d spoken.
“Yes,” said Karen. “I guess it was. Alexis, who’s your friend?”
“This is Angelo. We met him at our hotel, and he was interested in our documentary. I hope it’s okay that we brought him along.”
“That’s fine,” said Karen. She walked over to where Angelo was standing and grabbed his hand to shake it. “It’s nice to meet you, Angelo. You all want some hot chocolate?”
Alexis took out her pink notebook while the group sat down on the squishy couches near the fireplace. She hadn’t expected to have new information so quickly, but now seemed like the perfect time to ask some questions. Karen set five cups of cocoa on the coffee table and sat down.
“Karen, you said the call came at three in the morning, right?” asked Alexis. “Do you remember what the voice sounded like?”
“Well, it was definitely a man’s voice. I didn’t recognize it, so it wasn’t anyone I know. It was kind of high pitched.”
Alexis scribbled down every word. Bailey took a gulp of her cocoa then put it down.
“What if the caller was just disguising his voice?” she asked. “Like this?”
Bailey said the last two words in a silly high-pitched voice that reminded Alexis of Elmo. She laughed.
“That’s possible,” said Karen. “I was also exhausted. I mean, it was three in the morning. Jake probably could have called, and I wouldn’t have recognized him.”
That made everyone laugh, including Angelo. Bailey elbowed Alexis and pointed. It really was nice to see him smile.
“Someone’s at the back door,” said Angelo suddenly. Everyone turned, and sure enough Jake opened the door, stomping snow off his boots. Bailey leaned over to Alexis and whispered in her ear.
“How did he know there was a back door?” she asked. Alexis had been wondering the same thing. But Lisa answered.
“I imagine he has amazing ears,” she said. Angelo grinned.
“That’s what my dad says,” he said. “It’s fun to freak people out sometimes though.”
“Often when people don’t have their sight or hearing, their other senses