Chapter Nine: End of an Era
The rest of the week was uneventful and did not produce any positive conclusions for the investigation. I decided to take more laid back approach as I realized how much stress the burden of being a world famous detective was creating. Besides, Principal Willis had relieved me of my crossing guard duties this week. Catching wind of my plans, my other teachers banned me from asking anyone any questions regarding the time capsule break-in. This pretty much crippled my investigation.
The situation between Suzy and Mr. McCarthy contributed to my lack of progress as well. Although Mr. McCarthy was still delivering our mail, it was only because I made sure that Suzy was in the house when he made his rounds. I felt like Sara making sure her cats are put up before her parents get home.
After a lackluster week, Saturday provided me with a new opportunity. The Bradford Red Devils were playing the Milan Bulldogs for the county softball championship. Hundreds of possible suspects would be at the game. I would be able to interrogate anyone without restrictions. Hopefully, I could make up for lost time.
After lunch, I put Suzy on his leash and walked over to Sara’s house. Much like what we had planned at the school crossing, we would take turns interviewing suspects. One of us would have to keep track of Suzy at all times. Normally, I would let Suzy run free, but Coach Nelson banned him from all softball games unless he was on a leash. Suzy got carried away last year and tried to be part of the game. It wasn’t entirely Suzy’s fault. He thought he was supposed to fetch the ball when it was hit into the outfield. It was quite a spectacle watching the entire Red Devils team chase Suzy around the ball park trying to retrieve the ball from him. The only problem was that while they were busy chasing Suzy, the base runner was allowed to roam the bases freely. What would have been a single turned into a game winning home run for the opposing team. Luckily, the loss didn’t hurt the team’s ranking. Nevertheless, Coach Nelson wasn’t amused when a local newspaper published photos of the chase and credited Suzy with the game winning RBI for the opposition. In addition, the story mockingly questioned whether or not Suzy was listed on the official roster of players.
Coach Nelson spotted us as soon as we stepped through the admittance gate. Although he was in the middle of warming up with the team, he threw his mitt down and headed in our direction. Sara and I tried to head in the opposite direction, but were stopped by Suzy.
The smell of fresh hot dogs and hamburgers had caught Suzy’s attention. I tugged on the leash in an effort to coerce him to come on, but he promptly sat down in front of the concession stand and stared at the counter. Sara and I tried pulling on his leash simultaneously, but he still wouldn’t budge. As we were tugging away, I felt someone tap me on my shoulder.
What is that dog doing here?” Coach Nelson asked.
“Sara and I are investigating the time capsule break-in. He’s going to help sniff for clues,” I replied.
“You better make sure he doesn’t decide to start sniffing on the ball field.”
“I won’t let him go near the field. I’ll wrap the leash around my wrist to make sure he doesn’t get away from me.”
“Just make sure you don’t let him go. This game is for the county championship. My players need to be focused on the game. They don’t need to be worried about a dog running off with the ball.”
“I won’t let him get away,” I promised.
“I’m keeping my eyes on you,” he warned before heading back to the dugout.
After Coach Nelson left, we were still unable to move Suzy. I finally relented and ordered him a plain hot dog. After swallowing the hot dog without chewing, he was more cooperative. Since there were a few minutes before the game started, we decided to walk around the home team bleachers and scan the vicinity for suspects. We hadn’t gotten far when we were met face to face with Autumn on her way to the concession stand.
“How’s the case coming along?” she asked nonchalantly.
“Very slowly, but we’re still working on it. We’re going to ask a few questions to some of the spectators today. I’m hoping we’ll catch a break that will bust the case wide open.”
“You’d better hurry up. We’re going back to Chicago next week. Mom said that if we don’t find that recipe before we leave that our investors might back out.”
“Where were you last Saturday after midnight?” Sara asked Autumn.
“I was in Chicago. Seriously, Serina, you could have done a better job replacing me than with Inspector Clueless,” Autumn answered before turning her nose up and walking off to the concession stand.
Sara didn’t seem offended by Autumn’s remark, but I was. This was the second time Autumn had insulted her. Sara had been my best friend and assistant since she moved to Bradford. I felt obligated to defend her.
“Make sure you wash up after you eat. I’d hate for you to have a bit of mustard on your chin when you’re posing for the paparazzi,” I yelled.
I’ve never seen Autumn so mad. With steam rolling from her ears, she marched back to me and Sara. She didn’t even bother to finish ordering her food from the concession stand.
“What’s that supposed to mean?" she asked.
“I just figured you’d want to look your best for your adoring public. It seems like that’s all you care about anymore. You’ve been acting like some kind of celebrity every since you came back from Chicago.”
“You’re just jealous.”
“Jealous of what?”
“You’re just jealous because my mom’s soup is going to make our family rich and famous. You spend all your time trying to figure out ways to become rich and famous with your expeditions and experiments. Now, you’re running around with your weird friend acting like you’re some hotshot detective. The funny thing is that even if you solved the mystery and became famous, it’d only be because of my mom’s soup.”
“You’re so full of yourself,” I fired back. “I wouldn’t doubt if you somehow staged the whole break-in just for a publicity stunt.”
“How do I know that you and Cat Lady didn’t stage it just so you can act like you solved the crime? You’ll do anything to get your picture in the paper.”
“If being rich and famous means becoming a snob like you, I think I’ll keep it to myself when I find the recipe.”
“Whatever. Like you’re really going to find the recipe anyway.” I got to go. I have more important things to do than argue with you.
I didn’t say anything else, but simply let her walk off. I was stunned at her comments. I wish I hadn’t said some of the things that I had said to her, but I felt obliged to defend Sara’s honor. I always thought that Autumn and I would be friends forever, but it looked like it was just me and Sara from now on.
“What’s going on at the school?” Sara asked.
Sara was pointing across the ball field to the elementary school. For some reason, a light shone through one of the classroom windows. A faint shadow of a person could be seen moving around in the classroom. Since it was Saturday, there shouldn’t be anyone at the school. This could be the big break we were looking for.
“Let’s go find out,” I told Sara.