Something Suspicious in Sask by Dayle Gaetz Page A

both hands.
    â€œYes?” she whispered.

9
    Katie slipped into Aunt Margaret’s office and stood quietly listening, aware that behind her the kitchen had gone deathly silent.
    â€œWhat?” Aunt Margaret’s voice exploded into the room. Then, more quietly, “I don’t understand.” She leaned over her desk and picked up a pen. Moving some loose papers around, she selected one and pulled it closer. She glanced up, spotted Katie, and turned away as if, by looking away, she could prevent Katie from overhearing.
    â€œGM Canola? Of course not. I’ve never grown it.” She scribbled something on the sheet of paper. “Who is this?”
    Katie moved closer to the desk. She heard the deep rumble of a man’s voice.
    Aunt Margaret stopped writing. “How would you possibly know?”
    The voice replied, and Aunt Margaret cut in. “Look, I don’t know where you got your information, but you’re dead wrong. I’ve never planted it and never intend to, so why would you say such a thing?”
    The voice rumbled on, and she laughed bitterly.
    â€œIf you’re trying to blackmail me you’re wasting your time because I don’t have any money.”
    Aunt Margaret slammed the phone down. She remained very still, head bowed, her hand still on the receiver. Then she tossed down the pen, crumpled the paper, and threw it in the wastepaper basket. She took a couple of deep breaths to compose herself and started for the door.
    â€œSomething’s wrong,” Katie said. “You know it and I know it. Maybe I can help.”
    â€œOh, Katie. Thank you, but there’s nothing you can do.”
    â€œYou think I’m just a little kid,” Katie said. “What you don’t realize is that I really am a very successful detective. I’ve already solved three mysteries this summer.”
    Aunt Margaret patted Katie’s shoulder. “I’m sure you have. But this is not something you should get involved in.” She left the room.
    Katie dashed to the wastepaper bucket, grabbed the crumpled paper and smoothed it quickly on the desk. She folded it and slid it into the front pocket of her shorts. Then she followed her aunt to the kitchen.
    â€œWhat’s wrong, Margaret?” GJ asked. “You look horrible.”
    â€œGee, thanks, Dad.” Aunt Margaret attempted a smile and sank into her chair.
    â€œWhat your father means,” Gram said, “is that you look frightened. What’s happened?”
    â€œIt’s…nothing you can help with.”
    â€œTry us,” GJ said.
    Whatever Aunt Margaret might have said next was cut off by a man’s angry shout outside the screen door. “Get off this property before I run you off!”
    Katie ran for the door.
    â€œI only wanted to see Megan on her birthday. Is that a crime?” Another male voice answered from farther away.
    Katie stopped at the screen door. Partway along the driveway, Cliff waved his fist in the air. “Get out!” he yelled.
    A much younger man, a teenager really, faced Cliff from closer to the road. He was tall and thin with long jean-clad legs. His white T-shirt made his tanned arms look rich brown. His sun-bleached hair was inches long on top but cut short and dark over his ears.
    Megan stood between the two. “Leave him alone,” she growled. “We were only talking.”
    â€œIf he’s not out of here in ten seconds, I’m calling the cops,” Cliff yelled.
    â€œCalm down, Cliff, or you’ll have a major heart attack.” Megan turned back to the teenager. “Please go, Scott. I’ll talk to you soon.”
    â€œBut Megan,” he pleaded, “it’s your birthday. I thought you and me and Em—”
    â€œForget it,” Cliff broke in. “And get off this property. You’re not welcome here.”
    â€œMegan?” Scott looked only at her.
    â€œPlease just go. I’m going inside to