Game Store Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page A

copper-colored hair was twisted into a bun and fastened at the nape of her neck. She had a big smile on her face.
    “Queenie!” Grandfather moved toward the woman with his hand outstretched. “How are you?”
    “Just fine,” Queenie replied as the grown-ups shook hands. “These must be your lovely grandchildren.”
    “Yes. This is Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny.” Grandfather introduced them each in turn.
    The children said hello and shook hands with Queenie.
    “I’m happy to meet you all. What do you think of my new store?” She stepped back so the Aldens could take a good look around.
    “It looks great,” Henry said, gazing at the wide aisles stocked with games, puzzles and hobby supplies. Off to the side was a small sitting area with tables and chairs. “It looks like you’re almost ready to open.”
    “Almost,” Queenie agreed. She looked both excited and nervous at the same time. “Most of the inventory is out on the shelves. I’m still hoping to hire another employee or two. And of course, the building inspector still needs to come. But I should be able to open on Monday.”
    “That’s what we thought,” Benny said. He told Queenie about the sign out front with the missing letters and how he and the others had figured out what the sign was supposed to say.
    “Yes, I noticed that sign when I came in this morning,” Queenie said. “I already talked to George about it. He’s the person who owns this mall. He said he’d be out later today with some spare letters to fix that sign.”
    “That’s good,” Grandfather said.
    “Hmph,” said a voice behind them.
    The Aldens turned to see a man around Queenie’s age stocking shelves. He was tall and thin with dark hair that was graying at the temples.
    “I wouldn’t count on George coming out today, Queenie,” the man said as he shifted some boxes on the shelf to make room for the boxes on the floor.
    “He said he would,” Queenie said.
    “That’s what he said the day you had trouble with those new pipes,” the man replied.
    “Oh, Carter. Don’t be unpleasant. I’m sure George will come when he can. In the meantime, why don’t you say hello to the Aldens. James, this is my good friend, Carter Malone. He lends me a hand sometimes.”
    “Pleased to meet you, Carter,” Grandfather said.
    “You, too,” Carter said as he stooped to pick up the boxes on the floor.
    “Hey, what’s that game you’ve got there?” Jessie craned her neck to see the box top. “It looks like a word game.”
    “It is,” Queenie replied. “It’s called Word Master. You start out by looking at a list of letters. Then there are two things you’re trying to do. One, you want to see how many words you can find in that list of letters. And two, you’re trying to fit the words together into a message. It’s a great game, and Carter here is a true ‘Word Master.’”
    “Really?” Jessie said. “Could you show me how to play, Carter?”
    “Oh, I don’t know.” Carter looked a little uncomfortable.
    “Well, I know you’re busy,” Jessie said. “It doesn’t have to be right now.”
    “Nonsense,” Queenie waved her hand. “Carter, you could use a break. Why don’t you take the Aldens into the back room and show them how to play.”
    Carter blushed. “I don’t think so,” he said, refusing to meet the children’s eyes. Then he hurried away without giving any further explanation.
    Queenie frowned at his back. “You’ll have to excuse Carter,” she said as she grabbed a Word Master box off the shelf and handed it to Jessie. “He’s shy, and he doesn’t spend much time with children. He loves games, though. And he’s helped me so much with this store. He gets insulted if I try to pay him. Believe me, beneath that gruff exterior beats a heart of gold.”
    “Any friend of yours, Queenie, is a friend of ours,” Grandfather said.
    Queenie glanced toward the back of the store. “Just let me check on the man who’s installing my safe, and