by Denise Scott

Created on: April 19, 2008   Last Updated: June 11, 2008

The Patriotic Crime

Suspects:
Johnathan
Mr. Beagle
Charles
Erick
Janette
Timothy
Mack

The Mystery:
Monday, a new week. Mr. Beagle closed the door, noticing on the way to his desk that the Janitor, Mack, had not emptied the trash. Had he not worked Friday?

He turned toward his class of sixth graders and with a pretend stern voice said, "Monday morning report, please." Each pupil reported with one word what kind of weekend they had. He encouraged colorful adjectives, "super", "yucky", "boring,". Most body gestures were OK. Body noises were no-no's. Even the shy, bashful kids enjoyed Monday reporting.

Johnathan and twin sister Jeanette had "Awesome" weekends, always. Because you're bullies and sneaky tricksters, thought Mr. Beagle. They were the first he always suspected when something mean happened. He was pretty sure their cousins were not happy to have their Mom pick them up from school to spend the weekend while Mom and Dad went to a convention.

Charles was stretching trying to see what Johnathan was writing. Johnathan, Jeanette and Charles hung out together. Charles wanted to grow up and be a career thief, art or jewelry. Friday his Mom met him after school so he could get a steal and thrill video game and pizza.

"Would you like to read what Johnathan has been writing?" Charles said "no". Johnathan grinned, "Sorry." Everyone knew he wasn't really sorry.

Mr. Beagle was secretly glad Erick Jensen was absent again today. He, Charles, and the twins were "the gang" he had to watch constantly". Erick was obnoxious. He shoved little kids when he thought no one was looking, and was nasty to almost everybody.

"Charles, can you help us with the answer, please?" Mr. Beagle asked. "Huh?" he asked. "If September 28th is on a Sunday, what day will September 31st be on?" He started counting on the fingers of the right hand in his lap. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. "Wednesday, Mr. Beagle." .

Mr. Beagle wanted them to pay attention. "We'll give Charles a chance to answer tomorrow," he said. Charles saw his error. September has only 30 days.

Mr. Beagle taught observation in an unusual way, too. He moved his desk one day, and waited for someone to notice it was gone. No one did until he pretended to try sitting on his desk, falling to the floor.

Timothy seemed so quiet today, Mr. Beagle thought. Tim was his star pupil, smart and likable. He usually liked trick questions. Strange.

"What were we discussing in history Friday afternoon?" asked Mr. Beagle. "Tim?" Tim looked up, puzzled. "I left at lunch."

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