Mystery in San Francisco Read Online Free

Where?” she asked.
    Just as Benny said “Chi — ” a tall, dark-haired man ran up.
    “Charlie!” he said. “What’re you trying to do? Ruin my business?”
    Charlie looked flabbergasted. “Vito . . . I . . . I . . .”
    “Fresh fish! That’s what I need! Not rotten fish!”
    “Rotten fish?” Charlie said. “What are you talking about, Vito?”
    “Yesterday’s order. Half of it was rotten. You think my customers want rotten fish?”
    Charlie straightened his shoulders. He stood up tall. “My fish are always fresh,” he said. “Always. In all my years, no one has ever complained about my fish.”
    “Well, I’m complaining,” Vito shot back. “And if it ever happens again — ”
    “Listen here, Mr. Vito Marino, maybe it’s you ,” Charlie interrupted. “Maybe you don’t know a fresh fish when you smell one.”
    Vito’s mouth dropped open. He seemed to be searching for words. Finally he turned on his heel and stalked off.
    “Who was that?” Henry asked.
    “Vito Marino,” Charlie answered. “He owns a restaurant on the wharf. It’s called Vito’s Vittles.”
    “Vito’s Vittles,” Benny repeated. He thought that was a funny name. He was about to laugh when he saw Henry’s warning glance.
    “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about,” Kate said. “Vito’s been telling everyone on the wharf that you sold him rotten fish.”
    “What? That’s not true,” Charlie said.
    Another man joined the group. He was tall and blond. “Great day for fishing, wasn’t it?” he asked. Then, noticing Charlie’s worried expression, he asked, “What’s the problem, Charlie?”
    “Oh, Joe,” Charlie said. Then he told Joe about Vito. “Can you believe it?” he concluded. “Me, selling rotten fish?”
    Joe shook his head. “Nobody needs this,” he said. “If I’d been at it as long as you, Charlie, I’d be thinking of pulling in my nets.” Still shaking his head, he wandered off.
    “Now, who was that?” Benny asked.
    “Joe Martin,” Kate answered. “He’s a fisherman, too.”
    “He looks very young,” Uncle Andy observed.
    “He’s new to the business,” Charlie said. “But he’s a good man. With a little time, he’ll be a good fisherman.”
    Jessie saw someone else — another man — down the way. Although he was dressed casually, she was sure he was the man they had seen lurking here yesterday. She was about to ask if Charlie recognized him when he disappeared behind a building.
    “Charlie, perhaps we should wait a day or two before the children go out on your boat,” Aunt Jane said.
    Charlie looked at her. “Why should we wait?”
    “Well, with this trouble and all,” Aunt Jane explained. “I just thought that maybe — ”
    Charlie waved that away. “I’m not the first fisherman to have trouble,” he said. “And I won’t be the last. Besides, the routine doesn’t change.” He glanced at the children. “With all this sightseeing, do you think you’ll be up to it?” he asked them. “We sail before dawn.”
    The Aldens looked at Uncle Andy. He would have to drive them to the pier.
    “Is that too early, Uncle Andy?” Jessie asked.
    Uncle Andy took a deep breath. “Before dawn? That is awfully early.” He sounded serious, but there was a twinkle in his eyes.
    “Oh, you’re teasing,” Benny said.
    Before Uncle Andy had a chance to answer, Kate spoke up. “I have an idea,” she said. “Why don’t you children stay with me.”
    Aunt Jane said, “That’s nice of you, Kate, but we wouldn’t want to put you to any trouble.”
    “It’s no trouble,” Kate assured her. “I’m right over there.” She pointed behind her. “It’d be fun having company and it’d save time in the morning.”
    Benny was staring off into the distance. “I don’t see any houses,” he said. “Just boats.”
    “I live on a boat,” Kate said. “That red and white one right down there.”
    “It doesn’t look like a houseboat,” Violet said.
    “It isn’t,” Kate