KEY LARDO
A Chet Gecko Mystery
From Chapter One — Penguin Pal
It all started with a muffin. And despite my best intentions, it went downhill from there, quicker than a walrus on roller skates.
Wednesday is Italian Day in the cafeteria. Bellying up to the lunch counter, I could tell that the baked goodies had been a hit. All had vanished but one. And that one had Chet Gecko's name on it.
"Hey, Brown Eyes," I said to Mrs. Bagoong. "What would it--"
A plump figure barged in front of me. "I say, dear madam," he said. "Could a poor bloke please have another of those heavenly muffins?"
Mrs. Bagoong lifted the golden muffin with her tongs.
"But!" I squawked. "That's mine!"
The queen of the lunchroom raised an eyebrow. "Now, now. This charming penguin asked first, and he asked politely." "But--"
Her frown could have brought on an eclipse at high noon. "Why, Chet Gecko," she said. "Can't you be generous with the new boy?"
"New boy?"
I stepped back to size up the muffin thief. His webbed feet were planted wide, to support his swollen belly. The penguin's broad butt tapered to a small head, giving him the look of a bowling pin that needed to hit Weight Watchers.
"Don't believe we've met," he said, extending a flipper. "The name's Bland. James Bland."
He reeked of fermented fish and onions. My eyes watered. I returned the briefest handshake. "Gecko. Chet Gecko."
Mrs. Bagoong beamed. "So nice to see y'all getting along. James, you've found a new friend already."
" Friend ?" I said. "Now, wait just--"
The lunch lady's glare cut me off like a sushi chef hacking a halibut. "Chet will be happy to show you around, introduce you." Her eyes completed the thought: If he ever wants to have seconds in my lunchroom again .
I heaved a sigh. A good detective can tell when he's outmaneuvered. "All right, Bland. Come on."
