Chapter 32

Ashley ran from the room, and I thought she had lost it. I was shaking from the noises outside, plus some teacher was yelling at me for leaving the building. I was about to explain when Mrs. Genloe called for quiet and asked kids to clear the aisles. “We have a situation and we need your help.”

Before she could continue, Ashley rushed in holding a backpack over her head. She approached the police officer and said, “Max is a sniffer dog, right?”

The officer nodded, smiling. “He’ll find your friend. Get everybody seated and quiet.”

Ashley turned to the principal and the woman nodded. “Everybody listen!” Ashley said. “Wally slipped away. We’re going to have Max find him, but you have to sit down!”

It was a perfect idea. Almost as if Ashley and the policeman had planned it. The entire group hushed and sat with a whomp.

The cop knelt and held the backpack down to Max. The dog sniffed it from top to bottom, prancing in place like he couldn’t wait to get started. “Go get him,” the officer said as he unsnapped the leash.

Max shot up the aisle, ran to the top, turned right, and went straight to the spot where Ashley and Wally had been sitting. Kids streamed from their seats to see the dog at work. Ashley was right behind the officer, and a crowd of kids followed them.

I’d never be able to catch up that way, so I went up some stairs to the main hallway. Max passed me, panting, his tongue lolling to one side. He sniffed the floor, went down a hall, circled back, and continued toward the main office.

The officer jogged after him, and I joined the chase.