Edgar Allan's Official Crime Investigation Notebook by Mary Amato Page B

Ms. Herschel’s room, Ms. Herschel was sitting alone at her desk.
    â€œYou solved it!?” she asked when she saw them walk in with the goods.
    â€œIt was Mr. Crew!” Edgar said.
    She smiled and said, “Great job.”
    â€œHey,” Taz said. “Were you and Mr. Crew partners in crime?”
    She laughed. “Mr. Crew told me what he was going to do,” she admitted. “From what I hear, his little idea worked. He said you all wrote a lot of great poetry in the past two weeks. It also inspired some real forensic studying, especially from Patrick, which was very cool.”
    Gently they poured the fish into the newly-cleaned tank.
    â€œWelcome home, Slurpy,” Destiny said. “And welcome to your new home, Fred.”
    On their way back to Mr. Crew’s classroom, Taz said, “Did you see the look on Patrick’s face when Edgar revealed the stuff in the closet?”
    â€œI thought he looked sad,” Destiny said.
    â€œJealous,” Taz said.
    â€œMaybe jealous and sad at the same time,” Destiny said.
    Edgar knew he’d be jealous and sad if Patrick had been the crime solver.
    â€œI realized something sad,” Destiny said. “No more thefts.”
    â€œYou’re right,” Edgar said. “It’s going to feel funny not to have a mystery to solve.” But with teachers like Mr. Crew and Ms. Herschel, it was still bound to be a good year, he thought.
    The rest of the afternoon passed quickly. After PE, they went back to Ms. Herschel’s room for final dismissal.While everyone was busy getting their backpacks ready for the end of the day, Edgar noticed Patrick walk over to the trash can and drop his crime investigation notebook in with a
clunk
.
    The principal’s voice came over the intercom, announcing that walkers were dismissed.
    As Patrick left the room, Edgar crossed over to the garbage can, quickly pulled out the discarded notebook, and slipped it into his own backpack.
    That evening at dinner, Edgar told the entire story about how Mr. Crew planned and carried out his mysterious plot and how he, Edgar, solved it with the help of his friends. Henri didn’t interrupt once, his parents were on the edge of their seats, and Rosy was riveted.
    â€œA genius!” his father exclaimed.
    His mom planted a red kiss on his cheek. “We’re so proud of you!”
    Rosy said, “Goo! Goo!”
    Even Henri said, “Yeah. Nice job, bro.”
    Edgar couldn’t remember ever being as happy.
    After dinner, his dad suggested they leave the dishes for a little while. He strapped Rosy onto his back and they all headed out to the front yard, which was nice and flat, to play croquet. When his mom won and did a cartwheel, they all started doing cartwheels, and Edgar noticed with glee that his cartwheel had improved greatly. Then Edgar taught Rosy how to do a somersault, which made her squeal.
    Mr. Timmid came out and laughed and said, “You guys are the craziest bunch I’ve ever seen.”
    â€œCome and join us,” Tubby yelled.
    Their neighbor hesitated for a moment, and then he crossed the street. There was something so wonderful about seeing Mr. Timmid trying to do a cartwheel that it made Edgar want to laugh and cry at the same time. He looked at his parents’ goofy smiles and imagined how much joy they must bring to sick kids every day, and his heart danced with love and pride.
    Nothing could spoil Edgar’s mood. Even when it was time to go in and do homework, there was a bright side: At least it was Henri’s turn to do the dishes.
    After Edgar finished his homework he remembered Patrick’s notebook in his backpack. He settled into the comfy reading chair in their living room and, while his parents rehearsed the duet that they were going to play for the Cabaret, Edgar opened it up. Page after page of notes about evidence and suspects in Patrick’s careful handwriting. Edgar felt a pang of