Chapter Nine

 

Jason never did well in school any day, but on Tuesday he got everything wrong. Six times, Mr. Ware called on him. Twice for answers to math and he got them both wrong; once for reading part of the story they were doing and he read from the wrong page; and the other three times he didn’t even know the question Mr. Ware asked him and simply said, “Huh?” Tyler paid close attention to everything, though. Philip guessed Tyler didn’t want his mother visiting again.

Philip knew why Jason couldn’t pay attention in class—getting caught for stealing the teacher’s forty dollars filled up his brain. Getting punished filled up his brain. But the only thing Mr. Ware did on Tuesday was tell the class how disappointed he felt when no one put the money back on his desk. Everyone in the class went home in a bad mood.

That night as Philip lay in bed, his mother stopped into his room and said, “I have a mystery for the best detective on the block to solve. You helped Mrs. Moriarty. She told me how you found her stamps. Now maybe you can help me.”

“What’s the mystery, Mom?”

“I went to the supermarket today with Becky. We got groceries and I carried them home. Becky started crying so I put everything down to take care of her as soon as I got inside the house. She finally quieted down and I put the groceries away. Now I can’t find my change from the store. The last I remember, I had it in my hand in the store."

Philip yawned. “Why did you wait until so late to tell me?”

“I had things to do and I forgot. Do you need to ask me any questions?”

“Did you buy any candy at the store?”

“How will knowing if I bought candy help solve the mystery?” his mother asked in a puzzled tone.

“It won’t. I just want to know if there’s any candy in the house.”

Philip’s mother frowned. “No, I did not buy any candy. Do you think you can solve the case?”

“I’ll try, Mom. Tomorrow.”

“Good enough,” his mother said and she rubbed her palm against his cheek. Philip hated when she did that. “Go to sleep now. Rest up for school.” His mother turned to leave.

“How much change?”

“Five dollars and fifty-seven cents.”

Philip yawned again. “I’ll find it tomorrow. Good night.”

 

~~~~~

The first thing next morning in school Mr. Ware called Jason up to his desk. The class watched the teacher speak softly to him. They guessed the topic of the conversation when Jason shook his head and opened his eyes wide.

“Step outside, Jason,” Mr. Ware said. He gave the class something to do and he followed Jason into the hall.

Emery leaned toward Philip. “He got caught. I didn’t tell on him, did you?”

Philip shook his head. Both he and Emery looked around the classroom. Michael caught their gaze and pointed to the girl who sat in front of him—Susan—the teacher’s pet. Her desk sat right in front of Mr. Ware’s.

“Susan probably did,” whispered Emery.

Philip whispered back. “What do you think’s going to happen now?”

Mr. Ware came back into the classroom before Emery could answer. He came back alone. Philip glanced toward the open classroom door in time to see Jason disappearing down the hallway, the principal, Mr. Greif, walking next to him.