The next morning began early, with Mackenzie still resting in the hospital. Mason woke up and decided to visit the cafeteria for breakfast. He ordered an egg sandwich and a soda before returning to the room. Upon his arrival, he discovered that Mackenzie had woken up. 

“Hey, sis, how are you feeling?” Mason asked.

“Okay,” Mackenzie replied. “I’m hungry.”

“I can share half of my sandwich with you, or I can grab something else if you’d prefer. It’s up to you,” Mason offered.

“I would love a ham and cheese sandwich with sausage and bacon,” Mackenzie said eagerly.

“One ham and cheese sandwich with sausage and bacon coming right up,” Mason replied with a smile.

“Thanks, Mason,” she said as he set off back to the cafeteria to get her sandwich. On his way, he ran into his father, who was headed to visit Mackenzie.

“Hey, Dad,” Mason called out. “I was just on my way to the cafeteria to grab some breakfast for Mackenzie. Do you want anything?”

“A cup of coffee would be great. Do you need money?” David asked.

“If you don’t mind,” Mason replied.

“Not at all. Here’s $20,” David said, handing him the cash.

“Thanks, Dad,” Mason said gratefully. “I’ll be back shortly.” 

Continuing toward the cafeteria with the intention of picking up the sandwich for his sister and coffee for his father, Mason called out, “Oh, and Dad, how do you take your coffee?”

“Regular coffee with cream and sugar,” David replied.

“Okay, got it,” Mason said as he approached the counter. “Hi, I’d like one ham and cheese sandwich with sausage and bacon, and one regular cup of coffee with cream and sugar, please.”

“Thank you,” the clerk said as Mason handed over the payment and made his way back to the room. “Thanks, Mason,” Mackenzie said with a warm smile. Moments later, the doctor entered to provide an update on Mackenzie’s discharge plans.

“Good morning, everyone. I have some updates regarding your release. Your leg is healing nicely, and you should be able to go home in a few days,” the doctor announced.

“That’s wonderful news, Doctor. Thank you,” David replied, relieved.

“By the way, your mother should be arriving shortly. We have an important announcement to make,” he added.

“I’d also like to check in on Alexa. I hope she has found a good home,” Mason interjected.

“Hey, Doc, could you reach out to your contact at CPS? I’d really like to know how Alexa is doing,” Mason requested.

“Of course, I’ll contact him and update you as soon as I have more information,” the doctor assured him.

“Thanks, Doc,” Mason replied gratefully.

Eventually, Melissa arrived at the hospital to join the rest of the family.

“Now that everyone is here, your mother and I have something important to share. Once Mackenzie is discharged, we will be taking a trip to California to visit your grandparents for the holidays,” David announced.

“Cool! I can’t remember the last time we saw Grandma and Grandpa,” Mason exclaimed.

“However, there’s one more thing I need to mention: Grandpa hasn’t been well. The doctors don’t expect him to make it through the year due to the progression of his Alzheimer’s,” David continued, his tone turning somber. “I’m sorry, Mackenzie. I know you and Grandpa are very close.”

“I actually have something to say as well,” Mackenzie spoke up. “I want to apologize to all of you for making you worry about me. I know Mason feels responsible for what happened, but none of this is his fault. I brought this upon myself, and I accept that I must face the consequences. If I can’t go to California with you all, I understand.”

“Honey, we are so proud of you for taking responsibility for your actions. I’m sorry if we ever made you feel unappreciated,” Melissa said. 

“Are you sure you’re not mad?” Mackenzie asked. 

“No, sweetheart, we’re not angry, and you’re not in trouble. As Mason pointed out, I believe that breaking your leg is punishment enough,” David responded. 

“Thanks, I think,” Mackenzie replied hesitantly. “So, can I still go to California with you guys?” 

“Absolutely,” Melissa assured her. “However, you will have to limit your activities until that cast comes off, okay?” David added. 

“Yeah, I understand,” Mackenzie said. 

At that moment, the doctor returned to provide an update on Alexa's situation. “I just spoke with my friend at CPS. He mentioned that Alexa is doing well, and they are still searching for a new home for her,” the doctor informed them. 

“I’ll need a few minutes to make some calls; let me see what I can do,” Mason said. His first call was to Olivia, inquiring if her father might be willing to take Alexa in temporarily. 

“Hey, Olivia, could you do me a huge favor?” he asked. 

“Of course, Mason, what’s going on?” she replied. 

“I know this is a big request, but do you remember Alexa? The girl we saved not too long ago? Her parents are in prison, and she has nowhere to go. Do you think your dad would be willing to take her in, even for a little while? If not, that’s perfectly fine; I have a backup plan,” Mason explained. 

“Hmm, I can see what I can do, but I can’t promise he’ll say yes,” Olivia responded. 

“Thanks, Olivia. I’ll make it up to you when I get back from California,” Mason promised. 

“Let me talk to my dad, and I’ll call you back, okay?” Olivia said. 

“Alright, I’ll talk to you later,” Mason replied.

“Olivia mentioned that she plans to ask her father if he would be willing to take Alexa in temporarily,” said Mason. “If that doesn’t work out, I have another option in mind.” About half an hour later, Olivia called back to inform Mason that her father had agreed to let Alexa stay with them until she could find a more permanent home. 

“Good news! My dad said Alexa can live with us until she finds a more suitable place,” Olivia shared enthusiastically. 

“Thank you, Olivia; I owe you dinner for this,” Mason replied gratefully. 

“Could we make it lunch instead?” Olivia suggested. 

“Sure, that works. I’ll take you out once I’m back from California. By the way, you might want to know how Mackenzie is doing. She’s doing great so far! The doctor says she should be able to go home in a few days,” Mason added. 

“That’s wonderful to hear, Mason,” Olivia responded. 

“Great news, everyone! Olivia’s father has agreed to take Alexa in until she finds a more permanent home. Who knows, they might even consider adopting her,” Mason announced to the group. 

“I should go inform the doctor about this arrangement,” he said, heading off to notify the doctor and to ask him to contact his friend at CPS right away. 

“That’s excellent news. I’ll make sure to call my contact at CPS and keep them informed,” the doctor replied. 

“Thanks, Mason. You've been a tremendous help,” he added sincerely.

A week had passed, and Mackenzie was finally out of the hospital and back home, just in time for the family trip to California. Adjusting to life on crutches proved to be a challenge, especially since she had always found it difficult to ask for help, convinced that she could manage on her own. Therefore, she felt a wave of relief wash over her when Mason walked in to check on her.

"Hey, sis, do you need a hand?" he asked.

"Yes, please," Mackenzie replied, and together they began packing.

"Thanks, Mason," she said gratefully.

"No problem; I’m here for you. Just let me know if you need any more assistance, alright? Mom and Dad are ready to help as well," Mason assured her.

Mackenzie nodded in acknowledgment as the family gathered in the car, prepared to head to the airport for their flight.

After a long journey, they finally arrived in California, where they would spend a couple of weeks visiting their grandparents. They arranged for a ride to their grandparents' house and received a warm welcome from their grandmother, Nancy.

"Hi, Mom," David greeted as he entered. "How's Dad doing?"

"Hi, honey. Your father has been in and out for a while now; the doctors aren't sure how much longer he’ll be with us," Nancy replied, her expression tinged with concern.

"Hi, Grandma," the twins chimed in unison.

"Mackenzie, what happened?" Nancy asked gently.

"It's a long story, but I broke my leg," Mackenzie explained.

“Oh, you poor thing! Let’s get you inside and settled right away. Here, let me take your luggage," Nancy offered.

“Thanks, Mom,” David responded appreciatively.

As the family settled into the house, Mackenzie made herself comfortable on the couch, allowing her leg to rest. Later that evening, as they gathered around the dinner table, the conversation shifted to the twins' detective escapades.

"So, Mom, it’s been a while since you’ve seen the kids, so you might not be aware of their detective work," David mentioned.

"Really? You two are detectives? That sounds fascinating! What a fun adventure," Nancy exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with curiosity.

"Perhaps you can assist me with a little mystery of my own," Nancy said. "Of course, Grandma. What do you need help with?” Mackenzie replied eagerly. 

"Well, the other day I was rummaging through the attic in search of some Christmas decorations when I stumbled upon a mysterious photograph attached to a letter that read:

Dear Henry,

It has been far too long since we last saw each other. I often find myself reminiscing about the days we spent going to the movies together as children, where our friendship first blossomed. Even back then, I sensed that you were someone special, destined to be my best friend. However, as the years progressed, my feelings for you evolved; I began to see you as more than just a friend. The night I witnessed you dancing at the ballroom was a revelation—I had no idea you possessed such a beautiful singing voice. Your eyes sparkled in that moment, and your smile is the most delightful I’ve ever encountered. You have a unique way of showing kindness and empathy that makes you truly special. I realize that for you, I may simply be a friend and that we may never formally be together. Consequently, I am writing this letter to express my true feelings, in case we never have the opportunity to reconnect in the future.

Sincerely,

S.D."

"Who is S.D.?" Mason asked. 

"That's what I'm hoping you can help me uncover," Nancy replied. 

"Have you tried asking Grandpa about it?" Mackenzie inquired. 

"Of course, but given your grandfather's condition, I wasn't able to extract much information from him, no matter how hard I tried," Nancy said.

"May I take a look at that photograph for a moment?" Mason asked. "Do you think the person in this picture could be S.D.?"

"It's a possibility, but we'll need to conduct further research first," Mackenzie responded. "I can tell this letter is at least 80 years old based on the type of paper and the writing style. Considering the time that has passed since it was written, along with when this photograph was taken, I'm not sure how much we'll actually uncover," she continued.

"And it's not like Grandpa is going to be much help either," Mason lamented. "So, where do we start?"

"Hmmm, Grandma, do you know where this bar is located?" Mackenzie asked.

"Actually, I do, and we can all go there tomorrow," Nancy replied.

"Are you sure kids are allowed?" David questioned.

"I'm fairly certain," Nancy assured him.

"What about Grandpa?" Mason asked, concern evident in his voice. "We can’t just leave him here all alone."

"I believe some fresh air would do your grandfather good," Nancy replied thoughtfully. "But for now, we should all get some rest for the night. Mackenzie, would you prefer to sleep on the couch, or do you think you can manage the stairs?"

"I think I can handle the stairs," Mackenzie responded confidently. With that, the family retired for the evening.

The following morning, Mason woke up before anyone else and decided to do some research to see if he could uncover information about this mysterious S.D. Eventually, he made his way downstairs to find his father already awake. "Good morning, Dad," Mason greeted him.

"Good morning, Mason. Did you sleep well last night?" David inquired.

"Yeah, I tried to find out who this S.D. person might be, but I didn't come across anything useful," Mason replied.

"Maybe you'll uncover some answers when we head to the bar later this afternoon," David suggested.

"Until then, how about we take a dip in the pool?" 

"That sounds like fun; I'm in!" Mason exclaimed, heading upstairs to change into his swimsuit. While Mason and his father were enjoying their swim, Mackenzie eventually came down to join them, even though she couldn't go into the water.

“Hi, sweetheart, how are you feeling? Did you sleep well?” David asked.

“Yes, I slept just fine,” Mackenzie replied.

“I’m sorry you can’t join us for swimming,” Mason said.

“It’s okay,” Mackenzie responded. “I can still have a good time watching you all.” 

“Hey, sis, were you able to uncover anything about our mystery author? I really hope your luck was better than mine,” Mason continued.

“Nope, even after researching the bar's history, I didn’t find anything,” Mackenzie admitted.

“Well, perhaps we’ll uncover something when we visit the bar later,” Mason suggested just as their mother came downstairs to join them.

“Hey, kids,” Melissa greeted. 

“Hi, Mom,” Mason replied.

"Hey, Mom," Mackenzie said. 

"Hey, sweetheart. How's your leg?" Melissa asked.

"It's okay," Mackenzie replied. 

"Remember to keep it elevated," Melissa reminded her. 

"Yeah, I know," Mackenzie responded. 

"I think we're going to head over to the bar around 1:00. I also called ahead to confirm that they allow kids, and they said they do," Melissa informed her. 

"Great thinking, Mom," Mason chimed in. 

"Anyway, you three keep having fun. I'm going to pick up a few things at the store. I'll be back soon." 

"Okay, dear," David said.

Melissa then left for the store, while Mackenzie chose to return inside to visit her grandmother, who was in the kitchen. 

“Hey, Grandma,” Mackenzie greeted her.

“Good morning, Mackenzie! How did you sleep? I hope your leg didn’t cause you too much trouble,” Nancy replied. 

“I slept fine,” Mackenzie said.

“Well, that’s good to hear. Are you hungry? Would you like something to eat?” Nancy asked.

“No, I think I’m okay for now,” Mackenzie responded.

“Alright, but if you need anything, just let me know, okay?” Nancy said.

“Thanks, Grandma,” Mackenzie replied gratefully. And Mackenzie went into the other room to try and figure out more about this mystery S.D. Person 

About an hour later, around noon, Melissa returned from the store with supplies and ingredients for dinner. She also found a waterproof cast for Mackenzie, which would make showering easier and allow her to dip her toes in the water, even though she wouldn’t be able to swim in the pool. 

“Hi, sweetheart! I found this at the store, and I thought it might help make your showers easier and let you enjoy the pool a bit more,” Melissa said.

“Wow, thanks, Mom!” Mackenzie replied eagerly.

Melissa then made her way to the pool to inform David and Mason that they would be leaving for the bar in an hour and that they should start getting ready. 

“Okay, Mom,” Mason responded, and he and David climbed out of the pool and headed upstairs to shower and change so they would be prepared to leave.

At around 12:45 PM, once everyone was ready, the family got into the car to head over to the bar, hoping to uncover some information about the person in the photograph. Upon arrival, they went inside to find a table, then ordered their drinks while perusing the menu. 

As Mason scanned the room for potential clues that might help them identify the mystery person in the photo, he noticed a picture on the wall that resembled the individual from the photograph.

As the server approached their table, Mason seized the opportunity to inquire about the painting hanging on the wall. “Excuse me, could you tell us more about that artwork?” he asked. The server replied, “That’s the original owner of the bar—and my grandmother.” Mackenzie, taken aback, exclaimed, “That’s your grandmother?!” “Yes,” the server confirmed. “But she passed away when I was very young, so I don’t remember much about her.” 

Mason then asked, “Did her initials correspond to S.D.?” 

“I’m not entirely sure; as I mentioned, I was quite young when she died,” replied the server. “We’re currently trying to unravel the mystery surrounding this photograph and the letter we found in our house.” 

 “I remember my mother telling stories about my grandmother's secret romance, but I never discovered the identity of her partner.” The server added 

“We believe his name might have been Henry,” Mason added. 

“That could be a possibility. Anyway, are you all ready to order?” asked the server. 

“I think we are,” said David. 

“Great! What can I get for you?” the server asked. The family then placed their orders and spent some time chatting over lunch as the twins recounted tales from their previous cases.

After finishing their meal and paying the bill, the family began to discuss their next steps based on the information they had received. 

“There’s a movie theater mentioned in the letter. I wonder if they might have some information,” Mason suggested. 

“It’s a long shot, but I think it’s worth a try,” Mackenzie replied. 

“This will need to be your last stop, you two. Your sister should rest her leg,” Melissa reminded them. 

“I can go by myself if you want to head home and take it easy, Mackenzie,” Mason offered. 

“Are you sure you don’t mind?” Mackenzie asked. 

“Of course not,” Mason assured her. With that, the rest of the family headed home, while Mason set off to investigate the movie theater.

“Excuse me, sir, do you recognize the woman in this picture?” he asked the theater owner. 

“I recognize her all too well,” the owner replied, a wave of nostalgia washing over him. “She used to come here all the time back when the theater first opened; it feels like only yesterday.” 

“The server at the bar we just visited mentioned that she was the owner,” Mason said. 

“She didn’t just own the bar; she owned multiple businesses in this town,” the theater owner explained. “And she was quite adept at managing them, too.” 

“We also have this letter addressed to someone named Henry,” Mason added.

"Do you remember her coming in with anyone named Henry?" Mason inquired.

"Of course I do," replied the theater owner. "My name is Henry."

"Wait, you’re Henry?" Mason exclaimed. "Then this letter is addressed to you, but I’m puzzled about how it ended up in our home."

"Tell me, young man, is your grandfather still around?" the theater owner asked.

"You know my grandfather?" Mason responded in surprise.

"Of course! He’s my best friend," said the theater owner.

"I think it would be best if you came with me," Mason suggested. Together, they drove back to Mason's house, where Mason explained that his grandfather had Alzheimer’s and that his health was declining.

Once they arrived at the house, Mason showed Henry the letter, and as Henry read it, he began to feel overwhelmed with emotion.

Henry reflected on their past, saying, "When your grandfather and I were growing up, we were very close. We shared everything." He continued, "However, as we aged, things began to change when we met a woman named Susan Davis." 

"S.D.," Mackenzie interjected. 

"Exactly," Henry acknowledged. "Your grandfather was infatuated with her. Unfortunately, so was I. Before long, we both found ourselves dating her in secret, unbeknownst to each other. When we discovered the truth, we confronted Susan and insisted that she make a choice. Although she chose your grandfather, we continued to see each other in secret. It was a difficult situation for him, and I don't blame him for being upset. Our friendship ended because I betrayed him in a way I never anticipated.

"I suspect that Susan gave your grandfather the letter in the hope that he would pass it on to me. But after he read it, he couldn't bear to deliver it, so he kept it instead."

Mackenzie asked, "What about the picture that was attached? Do you know who took it?"

"I took that photo after the bar first opened," Henry replied. "But I have no idea why she attached it to the letter."

"If the letter was meant for you, perhaps she included the picture as a token of her appreciation," Mason remarked. 

"If it's alright, I would like to see your grandfather and express my regret for how things ended between us," Henry said. 

"He's sitting in the other room; I'll take you to him," Nancy replied. 

"I'm surprised Harold never mentioned you. I guess this explains why he never wanted to go to the movies while we were dating—it must have reminded him too much of the past." 

Nancy led Henry into the other room where Harold was seated, allowing him the opportunity to apologize for his actions. 

"Harold, I don't know if you can understand me or hear me, but I want you to know how sorry I am for the way I treated you when we were friends, and for the way our relationship ended," Henry said earnestly. 

"Susan? Is that you? How long has it been?" Harold responded, bewildered. 

"Please don't take it personally," Nancy interjected. 

"It’s alright. I’m just glad I had the chance to see him and make amends," Henry reassured her.

“Henry, would you like to stay for dinner?” Nancy asked. 

“I would love to, thank you,” replied Henry. 

The family gathered around the table for dinner at 6:00 PM, where Henry shared stories about the twins’ grandfather and their friendship. After a delightful evening, Henry took his leave, and the family retired for the night, having had an eventful day and solved yet another mystery.