The Mandie Collection Read Online Free Page B

said.
    â€œThen how did anyone get into his office?” Mandie asked, watching her uncle. She was aware that Joe was also watching him.
    Nobody replied as they all looked at one another, waiting for an answer from someone.
    Finally Mrs. Taft spoke, “It’s possible, John, someone could have discovered your hiding place for your office key. If the door lock was not broken, then the key was used to gain entry.” She paused and then added, “Unless you did leave the door open some time or other.”
    John Shaw smiled and looked at Mrs. Taft. “I believe we are going in circles with our questions,” he said. “What I think we need to do now is concentrate on the witnesses’ names. If we could locate them, we could have something solid to work on.”
    Suddenly Mandie had an idea. “Uncle Ned, Uncle Ned!” she exclaimed. “Uncle Ned might know who the witnesses were on my father’s will! In fact, he might have been there when my father made it.”
    Everyone quickly agreed.
    â€œYes, you are right, Amanda. We must send for Uncle Ned,” John Shaw agreed. “He has known us all our lives, and I would imagine Jim confided in him about various things after he went to Swain County, away from his family.” He looked at Jason Bond without speaking.
    Jason Bond smiled at him and said, “I’ll be ready to ride as soon as we finish here. I just hope I find him at home.”
    â€œThank you, Jason, for volunteering to go,” John Shaw said.
    Dr. Woodard rubbed his chin and said, “If you don’t mind my saying so, I don’t see any purpose in sending for the old man today, since we are all leaving here early Monday. He’d no more get here than we’dhave to leave. Why don’t I go by and get him on the way to my house and bring him home with me?”
    â€œYou’re right,” John Shaw agreed.
    â€œIn fact, I can leave here tomorrow and go on by his house, just to be sure we get to my home by the time y’all arrive there,” the doctor suggested.
    â€œYes, that is a good idea,” John Shaw replied. “I’d certainly like to talk to him before we have to go to the courthouse.”
    â€œThen I’ll plan to leave first thing in the morning,” Dr. Woodard said, resuming his eating.
    â€œAfter breakfast, of course,” Elizabeth said with a smile.
    â€œThank you, I will have breakfast with y’all before I leave,” the doctor agreed.
    â€œDr. Woodard,” Mandie quickly spoke up, “Joe doesn’t have to go with you, does he? Couldn’t he wait and go with us? Please.” She smiled as she glanced at Joe.
    â€œNo, Miss Amanda, Joe doesn’t have to go with me,” Dr. Woodard replied. “If he wants to stay here, that’s fine with me.” He looked at his son.
    â€œThanks, Dad,” Joe said as he set down his coffee cup. “I would like to wait and go with everyone else on Monday.” He grinned at Mandie and added, “Mandie would never forgive me if I went off without helping her solve the mystery of the missing will.”
    Mandie grinned back as she said, “That’s right. I need some help because we don’t have much time.”
    John Shaw laughed and said, “Then I would suggest that you two hurry up, eat, and get back to your detective work.” He took another biscuit from the platter.
    â€œUncle John, you don’t really believe we can find any clues, do you?” Mandie said in a disappointed voice.
    â€œLet’s put it this way. I hope you do, but I doubt there is any evidence anywhere as to what happened to that will. But good luck anyway,” her uncle told her.
    â€œWe’ll see,” Mandie said, smiling at him.
    â€œNow, John,” Mrs. Taft said as she laid down her fork. “You should have a little faith in Amanda’s ability to solve puzzles because she has found solutions to quite a few