Mystery of the Mixed-Up Zoo by Charles Tang Page A

now!”
    â€œThat’s possible,” Violet said, then turning to Grandfather, she asked, “Could you please drive us to Bridgeport?”
    Grandfather raised his bushy brows. “Yes, but why?”
    â€œEdward’s storeroom was broken into, and valuable food and vitamins were stolen,” Jessie explained. “Edward needs these things.” She showed Grandfather the list of supplies.
    â€œOf course I’ll drive you,” Grandfather said.
    â€œFirst, we’ll eat a little lunch, then we’ll go,” Violet said, going into the kitchen.
    â€œI’m not hungry,” Benny complained, but he followed her.
    â€œ Not hungry?” Henry exclaimed. “That’s the first time I ever heard you say that, Benny.”
    â€œCould you eat just a little?” Violet urged, pouring milk.
    Benny shook his head.
    â€œWell,” Grandfather said, pulling up a chair to the table, “after we buy pet food, we’ll take it to Edward. And,” he added, with a twinkle in his eye, “I’ll bet Amos will be flying through the air on the trapeze.”
    Benny attempted a smile. “And I’ll be holding out his tin cup to him.” Grandfather chuckled. “That’s right.”
    â€œNow, can you eat a cup of chicken soup and a ham sandwich?” Jessie asked.
    â€œI’ll try,” Benny said.
    So after a good lunch, they cleaned up, and jumped into the station wagon.
    Driving to Bridgeport, Benny was unusually quiet, but he wasn’t as sad as before. When they arrived in town, Grandfather pulled into a space in front of the Bridgeport pet shop, and they all went in.
    On a perch a green, yellow, and red parrot squawked, “Welcome! Come in!”
    A clerk, waiting on a tall thin man, smiled at them and said, “I’ll be with you in a moment.”
    Violet nudged Henry. “Isn’t that Mac Thatcher who the clerk is helping?”
    Glancing at the man, Henry nodded. “I wonder what he’s doing here,” he said.
    Mac turned his head. When he saw the Aldens, a frown darkened his face. “You’re everywhere, aren’t you?” he snarled.
    The salesman, ignoring Mac’s remark, ordered, “Please put the cage up on the counter, sir, so I can get a better look at the monkey.”
    â€œMonkey!” Benny burst out, whirling around to have a look. Much to Mac’s displeasure, Benny peered inside the cage. The monkey began to chatter and hop about. “It’s him!”Benny shouted.
    â€œWhat are you babbling about?” Mac asked harshly, lifting the cage onto the counter. He glared at Benny. “Go away!”
    â€œThat’s Amos from the zoo!” Benny gasped.
    â€œMind your own business!” Mac snapped. “Besides,” he added, “how can you tell one monkey from another?”
    The clerk studied the monkey from every angle. “I’ll pay five hundred dollars for this little fellow,” he announced, opening the cash register.

    â€œHe’s worth four times that!” Mac snarled.
    â€œI know,” the clerk said smugly, then lowered his voice, “but monkeys are on the endangered list. I shouldn’t buy it at all, but I happen to have a buyer.”
    Benny pulled on Grandfather’s sleeve. “Please! Stop Mac from selling Amos.”
    â€œWe have no proof that that’s Edward’s monkey,” Grandfather said kindly.
    â€œAmos shouldn’t be in such a little cage,” Benny begged, looking from one person to another. “I know it’s Amos.” He thought for a minute. “Wait, I’ll show you.” He reached in his back pocket and pulled out the small tin cup, holding it out to Amos.
    The monkey chattered wildly, taking the cup. Lovingly, Amos rubbed his head against the cup, then held it close, like he always did.
    â€œSee? It’s Amos!” Benny exclaimed.
    â€œI’ll tell you what we’ll do,”