The Secret of the Skeleton Key

by Penny Warner

“Yezzil!” Luke high-fived her. “So maybe the words are anagrams—all scrambled up—instead of the letters. Let me try rearranging them.”

  Luke took the notebook and pen from M.E. and went to work. He wrote out his first attempt.

  “Will the ashes lie inside.”He shook his head and drew a line through the sentence.

  “Inside will lie the ashes.”He scratched out another line.

  “Ashes lie inside…”

  Quinn held a hand up. “Wait, Luke. It’s not ashes. Only the word ash is highlighted. Try again with just ash.”

  “Inside the ash lies will,”Luke wrote, then he shrugged. “It still doesn’t make sense.”

  “Maybe it’s a question,” Cody said. “Try starting with ‘will.’”

  “Will the ash lies inside…Will inside lies…Will lies inside the…ash?”Luke tried some other combinations, ending with the nonsensical phrase, “Ash the inside lies will.”

  “I think I got it!” Quinn said. He’d been standing opposite Luke and reading the message upside down and backward. “How about ‘Will lies inside the ash’?”

  “The will …,” Cody slowly repeated, “lies … inside the ash…I think you’re right, Quinn. It’s will—a noun, not a verb, like in Skeleton Man’s will. ‘It lies’—it’s hidden—‘inside the…ash’?” The excitement in her voice faded. “But if the will lies inside the ashes—”

  “Then it’s burned to a crisp,” M.E. said, finishing her sentence.

  Quinn frowned. “It doesn’t say ‘ashes,’ remember? It says ‘ash.’”

  “Why not ashes?” Cody insisted. “You can’t have just one ash.” She looked out the broken window, trying to think what Skeleton Man could have meant. As her eyes moved from sculpture to sculpture, she went over the possibilities in her head. Where could Skeleton Man have hidden the will, if not in the ashes? In the ash can? In the ash tree…

  Her eyes locked on the only tree sculpture in the yard that didn’t look like the others. In addition to the cat sculptures, there were at least a dozen metal trees in the yard. They all looked pretty much the same—except one.

  She pointed out the window. “See that tree out there?”

  The others followed her finger.

  “Notice how it’s different from the others?” she continued.

  Quinn shrugged. “Maybe Skeleton Man got tired of making the same old tree over and over. That one sort of looks like the one in your yard, Cody, only made out of metal.”

  Cody’s eyes brightened. “Exactly! And guess what kind of tree that is.”

  Quinn frowned. “An ash tree?”

  Luke’s eyebrows lifted. “Dude! You think Skeleton Man’s will is hidden in that tree sculpture?”

  “I think we better find out before that crazy lady and her sidekick show up,” Quinn suggested. “They said they’d be back. I’m guessing we don’t have much time.”

  They raced outside to the sculpted ash tree. While the other trees had thin trunks and wide leaves, this metallic work of art had a broad trunk, spindly branches, and dangling leaves that tinkled in the breeze. Cody marveled at the effort that had gone into creating it. Skeleton Man, er, Mr. Skelton, might have been a strange hermit, but he was also quite the artist.

  Quinn knelt down and checked the base of the tree. The others examined the branches and leaves, searching for some kind of secret opening, hidden compartment, or engraved message.

  “I found something!” Quinn said. “Look, this part is loose, and it slides. There’s a hole underneath.” Quinn slid the metal plate at the base of the trunk aside and reached into the opening. Seconds later he withdrew a large envelope. On the front were the handwritten words, Last Will and Testament of Jake Skelton. Quinn held it up to show the others.

  “OMG, you found it! Skeleton Man’s will,” M.E. said. “Open it. Hurry!”

  “Do you think we should?” Cody asked. “Maybe we should take it to my dad, since he’s a lawyer.”

  “Good idea,” Luke said.

  But Quinn didn’t appear to be listening. He’d already lifted the back flap of the envelope and was pulling out a handful of folded papers.

  “Quinn!” Cody said, shaking her head.

  “I’m just taking a quick peek. Then we’ll take it to your dad.” Quinn unfolded the papers and scanned the top sheet for a few seconds before he spoke.

  “Whoa,” he said, refolding the papers and stuffing them back into the envelope. “You’ll never guess how much money he has. And who he’s giving it to!”

  “Shhh!” Cody said. She glanced around. “Those strangers might hear you. Let’s get out of here.” The kids checked one last time for spies, then ran from the yard.

  None of them noticed the beat-up old car parked across the street, nor the two passengers scrunched down in the front seats.

  Chapter 15

  Cody and her friends headed for the clubhouse to hide the will until they could get Cody’s father to look it over. She knew her dad was in court all day. On the way, Quinn told them the details of the will: that the old man had planned to donate his money—over a hundred thousand dollars—to the SPCA. Cody was stunned at the amount and glad it would be going to a good cause—to help animals.

  Just as they arrived, Cody noticed something odd about the door to the clubhouse. She put a finger to her lips and pointed to the bottom of the door.

  Luke held up a hand. “I’ll check it out,” he whispered, and knelt down to examine the marks. He stood up. “Looks like someone’s been kicking at the door.”

  Luke glanced around the area. Cody figured whoever it was—probably Matt the Brat—was long gone. He’d been obsessed with their clubhouse ever since he’d followed them to the secluded area one day. Cody knew it was only a matter of time before he brought the right tool and broke in. Matt the Brat was the main reason they hid their important stuff under the metal floor.

  “Doesn’t look like whoever it was got inside,” Luke said. “The chain and lock are still here.” He spun the combination lock, opened it, and yanked open the clubhouse door. After Luke checked the inside, the others followed him in.

  Quinn lifted part of the aluminum floor. “We’ve got to hide this will until your dad can look at it, Cody.” He placed the will in the hole and recovered the floor. “Meanwhile, we’ve got to—”

  Cody shushed Quinn. She thought she’d heard a noise outside.

  The kids froze, their eyes glued to the clubhouse door.

  A loud thud hit the door, startling them. M.E. screamed, then covered her mouth.

  The sound was followed by another loud thud, then another.

  Someone was trying to break the door down!

  Before the Code Busters could do anything, the door came crashing in, splintering into pieces that narrowly missed Cody and M.E. They all ducked and covered their heads. When the dust settled, they looked up to see what appeared to be a giant flower garden standing at the entryway. Peeking around from behind was a short, balding man.

  Jezebel and Jasper!

  The kids scooted back against the clubhouse wall in terror. By the looks on the intruders’ faces, this was not a friendly visit. How had they found them? Cody wondered. She tried to duck past Jezebel, but the Flower Lady caught her by her shirt and yanked her back. In that split second, she’d had time to catch a glimpse of freedom. Jezebel pushed Cody against the far wall. The woman was not only large; she was strong. Cody rubbed her head where it had hit the side of the billboard wall. She felt dampness on her fingers and held up her hand.

  Blood!

  “Where is it?” Jezebel growled at them. “We know you have it.”

  “Yeah,” Jasper added. “We were watching you from across the street.”

  “Where’s what?” Luke asked, pretending ignorance. Cody knew he was stalling for time.

  “You know what I’m talking about,” Jezebel shouted. “The will! Give it here!”

  Quinn shook his head. “We…We don’t know what you’re talking about. We don’t have a will.�
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  Jezebel looked at Jasper, who’d remained standing quietly behind her. He stepped forward and grabbed Quinn’s arm, holding it behind Quinn’s back. “You better tell us, kid,” Jasper squeaked, “or Jezebel here will sit on you. And you don’t want that.” Jasper grinned, until he caught a sharp look from Jezebel, who apparently didn’t like the reference to her size.

  Meanwhile, Cody tried to think. The bump on her head Jezebel had given her had made her mad, and she was determined to outwit these money-hungry creeps.

  “Okay, okay, I’ll tell you!” she said. The others shot her a look. She rubbed the bottom of her chin sideways, and the kids relaxed a little. She’d just given them the American Sign Language sign for “lie.”

  “That a girl,” Jezebel said. Jasper let go of Quinn’s arm.

  “We … hid it,” Cody continued. “In a cave … in the forest.” She pointed up the hill where the Code Busters had gone exploring one day and found an abandoned cave.

  Jezebel frowned at her suspiciously. “Where exactly?”

  “I’ll draw you a map,” Cody said. She got out a sheet of paper and drew a map, labeling landmarks along the way—“Go Out. Turn uphill. go Around Pit. Look for A Natural cave.”

  Code Buster’s Solution found on p. 207.

  She showed it to Jezebel. “Just follow this map. The will is hidden inside the cave.”

  Jezebel snatched the map out of Cody’s hands, glanced at it, and threw it on the ground. It landed facedown.

  “Forget the map. You’re going to show me. Let’s go,” Jezebel demanded.

  Perfect, Cody thought, as she knelt down and flipped over the paper so the others could see the coded map. She’s following my plan. Cody stood up, leaving the map lying on the floor in plain view.

  “I said, let’s go,” Jezebel repeated. “You’re going to show us.”

  Cody glanced at the others, then nodded to the map that lay on the floor. Quinn looked at it, then smiled.

  He’d figured out her message by reading the capitalized letters.

  “Jasper,” Jezebel continued. “Stay here and watch these brats. If I don’t come back with that will…well, you know what to do.” She sneered at Cody.

  Jasper nodded.

  “Now tie them up,” Jezebel added.

  Jasper pulled a long rope out of the backpack he’d been carrying and began to tie up the other three. He turned them back-to-back-to-back and looped the rope around their torsos, then tied their hands. Cody watched in horror as her three friends were made helpless in front of her eyes. M.E. had begun to cry but was trying hard to blink back the tears. Cody saw Luke whisper something to comfort her.

  “Don’t worry, guys,” Cody said to her friends. “I’ll show her where the will is and be right back. Then they’ll leave us alone.” She turned to Jezebel. “Won’t you?”

  Jezebel ignored her. Instead, she tied a piece of rope to Cody’s thin wrist and tied the other end to her own. Then she gave Cody a shove out the door and followed her.

  Moving slowly, Cody headed up the hill toward the cave, wondering if the mountain lion had made it his home. She hoped the walk would give her time to think of a way to get out of this mess. Otherwise, she’d either end up in the hospital like Skeleton Man, or worse—as a snack for a mountain lion.

  By the time they neared the cave, Jezebel was wheezing and puffing hard. She’d had to rest every few steps along the way. Cody was barely winded, but she held her breath when she thought she heard a noise coming from inside the cave. She couldn’t be sure, since Jezebel was grunting and panting so loudly.

  “Why do you want the will so bad?” Cody asked, stalling for time. “He didn’t leave his money to you guys.”

  “Duh,” Jezebel wheezed. “That’s why we have to find it before anyone else does—so we can destroy it and replace it with another will that’s more beneficial to us.”

  “You made a fake will?” Cody asked.

  Jezebel smirked. “Yeah, it’s all part of our plan. Once Jake is out of the way, we’ll tie up that last loose end.”

  “What do you mean, out of the way?”

  “He’s old, you know. It’s time for him to go. We’re just trying to help him get there a little faster.”

  It was obvious to Cody now: Jezebel and Jasper had set the fire at Skeleton Man’s house.

  “Enough with the questions,” Jezebel said, still trying to catch her breath. “Now go get the will.”

  “It’s in there.” Cody pointed toward the cave opening with her free hand.

  “So, go on. Get it. Now!” Jezebel huffed.

  Cody had an idea and yanked on the rope that connected her to Jezebel. “It’s…way in there. You’ll have to untie me or come with me—if you’re not afraid of mountain lions.”

  “Mountain lions?” Jezebel gulped and glanced around nervously. “There’s no way I’m going in there if there’s mountain lions around here.” She untied the rope around her wrist, freeing Cody. “Now get on in there and get that will, unless you want something to happen to your pals.”

  Cody knew if she ran off, Jezebel and Jasper would do something terrible to her friends. She had no choice but to go inside and possibly face a hungry mountain lion.

  Cody picked up a nearby stone and threw it into the cave.

  “What are you doing?” Jezebel yelled. “I said, get in there.”

  “Just…checking to make sure the mountain lion isn’t in there,” Cody said.

  Jezebel’s eyes narrowed. Cody took a step inside. Then another. Then another, until she was just out of site of Jezebel. Once inside, she made a low guttural noise, then screamed, “Mountain lion!” and ran out of the cave opening.

  Before Jezebel could even move, Cody was halfway down the hill at a full run. The last thing she heard was the shrill cry of a very frightened woman, running as fast as her legs would carry her, no doubt certain a mountain lion was about to attack her.

  By the time Cody reached the clubhouse, she had another plan. Still screaming “Mountain lion!” she ran into the clubhouse and frantically repeated them, “Mountain lion! Mountain lion!”

  Jasper stared at Cody. “What are you talking about? Where’s Jezebel?”

  “Mountain lion!” she puffed. “It’s…It’s after Jezebel. Didn’t you hear about it? It was all over the news.”

  Quinn, Luke, and M.E., still tied together back-to-back-to-back, began yelling, “We’ve got to get outta here!”

  Jasper took one look at their terrified faces and bolted out the door. Cody watched him half run, half fall down the hill. He was actually running away from the “mountain lion” and his beloved Jezebel.

  Cody dashed over to her friends and untied the ropes as quickly as she could.

  “Did you really see a mountain lion?” M.E. asked, with a look of terror still on her face.

  Cody shook her head. “No, thank goodness. But as long as Jezebel and Jasper think there is one, it should give us time to get out of here.”

  Moments later the kids were headed down the hill toward the relative safety of civilization. There was no sign of Jasper—or Jezebel—along the way.

  “Shoot!” Quinn said when they reached the street. “I forgot the will! It’s still hidden under the floor. Anyone can go in there now that the door has been knocked down.”

  “We’ll go back for it later,” Luke said. “When we’ve got some backup.”

  “You’re right about that,” Cody added. She glanced back at the forest, glad she remembered about the mountain lion—and happy she hadn’t really seen one.

  She didn’t like the idea of anyone—even Jezebel—being eaten by a mountain lion.

  Chapter 16

  Half an hour later Cody and the Code Busters gang headed for the clubhouse, backed up by two Berkeley police officers: Sergeant Carl Price and Lieutenant Susan Jones—Cody’s mom. Tana had wanted to come along, but Cody’s mom had said it was too dangerous with a couple of ruthless thieves, not to mention a possible mountain lion, on the lo
ose. She had asked their father, who’d gotten out of court early, to watch Cody’s sister.

  So far there had been no sign of Jasper and Jezebel. But as the group neared the clubhouse, Cody’s worst fear was realized. Someone—Jezebel and Jasper?—had smashed down the remaining walls, destroying the clubhouse.

  “Oh, no!” Cody said, shocked to see their secret place turned into a pile of trash.

  Quinn shook his head, while Luke just stared at the remains. M.E. looked near tears.

  “Do you know who did this?” Sergeant Price asked, surveying the damage.

  “Probably Jasper and Jezebel, or maybe Matt,” Cody said, blinking back her own tears.

  “Who are Jasper and Jezebel?” Cody’s mom asked.

  “I told you,” Cody said. “They’re supposedly Skeleton Man’s—I mean, Mr. Skelton’s—relatives. They’ve been trying to find his will. They plan to replace it with a fake one so they can inherit Mr. Skelton’s fortune—” Cody stopped and blinked several times before continuing to explain all that had happened.

  Cody’s mom put an arm around her daughter. “You guys were smart to run away. We’ll send some officers to look for the two of them.” She turned to Quinn. “What’s this about a will, Quinn?”

  Quinn glanced at Cody, as if to make sure it was all right to tell Lieutenant Jones. Cody nodded. “Well, we found Skeleton Man’s will—I mean, Mr. Skelton’s will—hidden in his yard.”

  “What were you doing in his yard?” Cody’s mom asked, turning her attention to her daughter.

  “He sent us a message,” Cody said. “From his bedroom window. It said ‘help’ in semaphore code, only we didn’t figure it out until later. We decoded another one of his messages, and that’s what led us to the will.”

  “Yeah. He left clues. It was like he knew about our Code Busters Club,” M.E. added, wiping her eyes.

  Sergeant Price glanced at the pile of rubble, then turned to the kids. “You guys could have been killed, you know. You’re lucky you got away when you did. Now…where’s this so-called will?”

  Quinn glanced at the others. He was about to give away a top secret—the clubhouse hiding place. But Cody knew he had no choice. Together the kids pushed away the broken walls of the clubhouse until the metal floor was visible. Quinn and Luke knelt down and together lifted up part of the floor.