Read Online The 100-Year-Old Secret by Tracy Barrett - Free Book Online Page B

pocket. She had figured out English money by now and thought that she had enough. Maybe after a little food they could concentrate on the case.
    Xander brightened and Xena hid a grin. The mention of food always cheered him up. “There'sa place around the corner with amazing scones,” he said. “Mom and I went there a couple of times when we were staying at the hotel and you and Dad were sleeping late.”
    Xena had been thinking more of something like fish and chips, but it was nice to see Xander looking eager for something instead of brooding about soccer. So she agreed.
    They sat by the window and hung their wet things on hooks by the door. It was warm and bright in the café, and as they watched people hurry by in the semidarkness with their faces ducked against the rain, they felt very cozy.
    The waitress said, “Oh, it's the American boy!” She smiled at Xander as he flashed her his killer dimples. “Scones and clotted cream?” she asked, and laughed at his eager “Yes, please!”
    â€œAnd some cocoa too, please,” Xena added.
    The cocoa warmed their bellies as Xander spread cream and jam all over his first hot scone.
    â€œThere are only two days until the Batheson exhibit opens,” Xena said. “We've got to find out something else.” Xander nodded and took a huge bite.
    â€œSo what's our next step?” she went on.
    Instead of answering, Xander sat upright, his mouth full of scone, and pointed out the window.
    He spluttered something that Xena couldn't understand.
    â€œWhat?” she asked, peering at the mist. But just as she caught a flash of purple, Xander bolted out the door, leaving behind his raincoat, umbrella, everything. Even his scones.
    Xena slapped some money down on the table, hoping it was enough, and then took off after her brother. She ran out the door, barreling into a fat man who said, “Here now, young lady!” She caught her balance, blurted “Sorry,” and dashed onto the sidewalk.
    The crowd of pedestrians had thinned a little, but people were still blocking her view. Thank goodness the drizzle had stopped, though the visibility was poor in the misty air. Where's Xander? she thought in a sudden panic. And what made him take off like that? There could be only one explanation, she realized. He must have seen that girl.
    She looked left, then right, standing on tiptoe on the step of a small shop to peer over heads through the darkening afternoon. Nothing. What will I do if I can't find him? What if—Then she saw him a block away, tearing down the sidewalk, barely missing other pedestrians, and she chased after him.
    People stared at her as she splashed through puddles and dodged around lampposts. She hadn't run track since last year at school, and she was afraid of slipping on the wet pavement, but even so her long legs ate up the distance between them. She caught up to Xander and grabbed his upper arm to get his attention. He barely slowed.
    â€œWhere did she go?” Xena asked, panting.
    Xander pointed wordlessly down a narrow street lined with brightly lit shops, and Xena took off again. She didn't see a purple hat or anyone with golden curls but she kept going. When she reached the corner the light was red, and she leaned over with her hands on her knees, waiting for the light to change, trying to catch her breath.
    Xander could not keep up with his sister's long strides. He saw her stop at a traffic light up ahead, but when he reached the corner, she was gone. He peered in all directions, and then finally spotted her standing under an awning. She had her back to the brick wall of a building and was leaning sideways, peering through a plate-glass window where paintings and sculptures were displayed under bright lights. When she caught sight of Xander, she beckoned him to come closer.
    â€œShe went in here!” Xena said. “I'll go in andsee if I can find her. You go around back and guard the emergency