Page 24 of For the Birds

She gave me a look of disbelief . . . but then the corners of her mouth lifted slightly. “You’re right. I knew we should have taken that smuggling case instead.”

We’d only made it a few steps from the house when Mr. Whipple called out, “Wait. Where are yougoin’?”

I stopped and pivoted to face him. “To find a realcase.”

“Squawker is a realcase!”

“And we’re real detectives, so we expect you to treat us like we are. If you can’t do that, there are plenty of clients whocan.”

His frown expressed his dissatisfaction at being put in this position, but he waved us toward his house. “Come on.” It was the last thing he said before stepping inside and letting the storm door slam behindhim.

Neely Kate shot me a mischievousgrin.

I grinned back. “I can be devious when I want tobe.”

“I’llsay.”

We followed Mr. Whipple into the house and found him standing next to a large bird cage in his living room. He looked so sad I almost felt bad about what I’d justdone.

“Is that Squawker’s cage?” Neely Kate asked in a gentle voice.

He nodded, then glanced over his shoulder at us. “Is it true? Did you really do those things?”

I took a step closer. “It’s all true and then some. I promise you that we’ll do our best to find your parrot.”

He nodded again and walked over to an armchair. Neely Kate and I moved to the sofa, and she pulled her pink sparkly notebook and pen out of her purse.

Mr. Whipple’s eyes grew round, but he didn’t say anything.

“I’m Neely Kate Rivers, and this is Rose Gardner. We’re working with Kermit Cooper.”

He nodded. “Okay.”

I noticed that Neely Kate had given her maiden name but kept the observation to myself.

“Now, Mr. Whipple,” Neely Kate said, glancing down at the list of questions we’d come up with. “The information we have says the last time Squawker was seen was last Saturday at the park. Was that by you or other people?”

“My neighbor said he saw him. He knew Squawker was missing. But I’m not sure I trusthim.”

“Whynot?”

“He and I don’t get along.”

“When was the last time you saw him?” she asked.

“Last Thursday night.”

“Did he escape?” I asked.

“No. Someone broke in and stolehim.”

I glanced at Neely Kate in surprise, then leaned forward. “Did you call the police?”

“Of course I called the police!” He flopped back in his chair. “But the responding officer didn’t seem all that concerned. He was more interested in their attempt to steal theTV.”

“Do you remember who the police officer was?” I asked. The city of Henryetta had hired the worst group of police officers in the state, but there were varying degrees of ineptitude and belligerence.

“Not his name. He was a tall, skinny guy with a chip on his shoulder.”

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