Fifteen year old Bromm has lived with his aunt Melinda and cousin Vivian since he was an infant.  His parents were killed in an automobile accident, and he knows very little about them.  Aunt Melinda goes to work every day, but she is very secretive about her job.  Bromm and Vivian only know that the name of the company is "B's Gourmet Foods."  It is a strange company for her to operate, since she really doesn't know how to cook.  In fact, most things that she cooks are inedible. Bromm determines to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Bromm is a hockey star, and his aunt has always encouraged him in that sport.  One of his worst days is when the teacher assigns Bromm a seat next to Gayle in Biology. Gayle has a secret crush on Bromm and everyone teases him about her, since she is not one of the popular kids.  But then Bromm discovers she knows quite a lot about his past, and can help him find out just what is going on with Aunt Melinda. He also learns, incidentally, that Gayle is really likable.

Bromm and Gayle decide to investigate and see just what the business is that Aunt Melinda operates and why she is so secretive about it.  Cassie Vlk has written a wonderfully suspenseful story showing teens at their problem-solving best, with some surprises along the way.