The Disappearing Friend Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page B

Jessie. “I hope Beth has fun doing it with us. For a minute, I didn’t think she was going to agree to join us.”
    â€œShe’s probably just a little shy,” said Violet, who could understand because she was a little shy herself.
    â€œThat’s true. And it’s a little scary to move to a new place,” Jessie said.
    â€œThis will be an adventure,” said Benny. “Having lots of jobs and making money for the new hospital wing.”
    The Aldens didn’t know it then, but this new project would be not just an adventure, but a mystery.

CHAPTER 2
    Angry Words
    T he Greenfield Hospital was a big, old red-brick building near the center of town. The Aldens pedaled up the long driveway that led to the main entrance and parked their bikes outside.
    â€œWhere do we go to find out more about the fund-raising for the new hospital wing?” Henry asked the receptionist behind the desk.
    â€œFund-raising?” The young man raised his eyebrows in surprise.
    â€œYes,” said Jessica. “We would like some more information.”
    â€œOh.” The young man pointed down a hall opposite the desk. “Go down that hall all the way to the end to Public Relations. It’s the last door on the right.”
    â€œThank you,” said Violet.
    In the Public Relations Department, the assistant asked them to wait. The Aldens sat down on a long sofa on one side of the office.
    Just then, a tall, thin, red-haired woman in a gray suit came into the office.
    â€œIs the director in?” she asked the assistant.
    â€œYes, but—” the assistant began to answer.
    The tall woman didn’t stop to listen. She marched angrily across the office, pushed open the door, and went in.
    â€œWow!” said Henry.
    The assistant, a young woman, looked very nervous. She jumped up and followed the tall woman.
    Through the door, the Aldens could hear everything that was being said.
    â€œI’m sorry, Mr. Alvarez,” said the assistant.
    â€œThat’s all right, Ms. Grady,” a man’s voice said.
    Then the red-haired woman said firmly, “Mr. Alvarez, Silver City needs a new hospital much more than Greenfield needs a new wing. This is not fair! We won’t stand for it!”
    â€œDoctor, I can understand why you are so upset,” said Mr. Alvarez. “But, if you remember, this decision was made by the entire County Board. All the board members agreed that it would be much better to add a new wing to the Greenfield Hospital.”
    â€œNot if I have anything to do with it!” said the doctor. A moment later Mr. Alvarez’s door swung wide open and the red-headed doctor strode out. She didn’t even notice the Aldens. She marched out of the office and slammed the door behind her so hard that the pictures on the wall rattled.
    â€œWow!” said Benny, echoing what Henry had said a moment before.
    Ms. Grady, the assistant, came out a moment later. Her face was pale.
    â€œMr. Alvarez will see you now,” she said, sinking down in her chair. She didn’t look too happy.
    Thanking Ms. Grady, the Aldens went into Mr. Alvarez’s office.
    Mr. Alvarez, who had brown eyes and black hair with gray streaks in it, looked as upset as his assistant. But he smiled at the children. “Hello,” he said. “I’m Mr. Alvarez. What can I do for you?”
    â€œWe’d like to know more about the fund-raising drive for the new wing for the Greenfield Hospital,” said Jessie.
    Seeing Mr. Alvarez’s slightly puzzled look, Henry explained carefully, “We want to help. We’d like to raise money to contribute.”
    â€œThat is very generous of you,” said Mr. Alvarez. “If only everyone felt the same way.” He shook his head. He walked over to a table that had a model of a building on it. He beckoned the Aldens to join him. “This is a model of what the new wing will look like. It will have the latest in