I threw the ball for him a few times hoping to re-establish our relationship. As soon as his tongue was dragging on the ground I walked over to Theodore’s house.
Theodore was outside on the patio. It was a cool morning and he had a wool blanket over his lap with a newspaper resting on top of it.
“Congratulations,” he said, casually.
“Thanks,” I said simply, not wanting to be out-casualed by him.
“We’ll have a check for you tomorrow and I guess I owe you a computer.”
During the last twenty-four hours I’d been too busy to think about the money, and now I was too tired.
“I lost all your gear. And the cash you gave me.”
“No big deal. The reward will more than cover it.”
I was happy to hear that.
Theodore handed me the local newspaper. On page three there was a photo of Belinda and her parents at the airport with a headline that read: Local Detective Agency Finds Missing Girl.
I read the short article beneath the photo and was disappointed that Theodore’s and my name hadn’t been mentioned once.
“Uncle Willy made sure they didn’t put our names in there,” Theodore explained, reading my mind. “Being a public hero isn’t everything its cracked up to be. To be a good Op you have to be invisible. No glory, I’m afraid.”
I didn’t like it, but I knew it was for the best. My parents would have been pretty upset. “How did Uncle Willy arrange that?” I asked.
“He told the cops that you were a runaway and that he was going to take you back home. Considering all you did to get Belinda out, he asked them to keep your name out of it. He convinced them that you were already in enough trouble as it was.”
“But what about the statement I made to the police?” I asked.
“They’ll bury it,” Theodore said. “They won’t need it. The two guys you doused with bear juice spilled their guts about Bonnie kidnapping Belinda.”
“What will happen to Bonnie and the others?”
“Jail,” Theodore said. “But it’s going to be done very quietly. The CODL board of directors apparently didn’t know anything about Belinda’s kidnapping. They actually thought she was Bonnie’s daughter and they want to minimize the bad publicity. And Belinda’s parents just want to get on with their lives. So in a few days it will be like it never happened.”
Maybe for you, I thought. I wouldn’t be forgetting it anytime soon.
“So, your parents come in at three today,” Theodore said, changing the subject.
“That’s right,” I said. “But how’d you know that?”
Theodore smiled. “Who do you think made the plane reservations?” He asked.
“You what?” I shouted.
“How else was I supposed to get them out of the way? I hope they had a good time.”
“I’m sure they did, Theodore, but—”
“By the way,” he interrupted. “We have another case.” He took a folder out from under the blanket. “It has some interesting aspects that—”
“Wait a second, Theodore!” I said, throwing my hat on the ground in frustration. “I could have been killed during this last escapade.”
Theodore stared at me with his mouth open. At first I didn’t know what he was looking at, then I realized he hadn’t seen my new hairdo. He was obviously shocked at the sight.
“Look,” I said. “I give people about two days to get used to the fact that I don’t have any hair glued to my head. You’re embarrassed, but it doesn’t embarrass me.”
Theodore started laughing so hard he dropped the folder on the ground. I joined him. When we finally finished I picked up the folder, but I didn’t give it back to him right away. I had to see what was inside.
~~~
About the Author
Roland Smith is the author of over 35 books--novels, nonfiction books and picture books. He is a former research biologist and species coordinator for the endangered red wolf that has been successfully released back into the wild. He was also a consultant for the gray wolf release into Yellow Stone National Park. Some of his award winning books include: Zach’s Lie, Cryptid Hunters, Jaguar, Sea Otter Rescue, The Captain’s Dog, Elephant Run. Storm Runners. For more information please visit his website at: www.rolandsmith.com .
Roland Smith, Legwork
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