Page 12 of The Case of the Vanishing Valuables

Ray’s eyes lit up. “The attic, huh? Mind if I take a look?”

Rick shifted uncomfortably, clearly wishing he could be anywhere else. “Well… it’s kinda off-limits, like I said. But I guess it wouldn’t hurt if you took a quick peek.”

Wouldn’t hurt?I darted up to the door and sniffed at the base.Ray, this is it! This is what we’ve been waiting for!

Ray turned to me then back to Rick. “I think we definitely need to check it out. Something’s been bugging me about this place, and I’ve got a feeling the answers are up there.”

I purred, eyes locked on the door handle. Attic time, finally!

Rick fumbled with the key, his hands shaking slightly as he unlocked the door. “Just be careful. It’s dark and dusty up there.”

Ray nodded, giving me a knowing glance. “You ready, Earl? Let’s see what’s waiting for us in the attic.”

I padded forward, feeling the thrill of the hunt as the door creaked open and revealed the stairs leading up into the darkness. This was where we’d find the real answers.

Chapter

Ten

Ray led the way up the creaky wooden stairs, his flashlight beam cutting through the musty air as we ascended into the attic. The door groaned in protest as he pushed it open, and the stale smell of dust and time greeted us.

He swept his flashlight across the room, his brow furrowed in concentration. “This place is a mess,” he muttered. “How are we supposed to find anything in this?—”

His beam of light hit something atop an old, beaten-up bureau, and he froze. On it, laid out in the open, was a map. It looked familiar—too familiar.

Ray stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. “Well, well,” he murmured, leaning over to get a better look. “Looks like someone left us a clue.”

I padded up beside him and glanced at the map.Finally, I thought, feeling a swell of pride. Ray was getting quicker these days. Under my tutelage, of course.Good eye, Ray. You’re almost acting like a real detective now.

As Ray examined it, I could see the gears turning in his head. He didn’t need me to spell it out for him this time—he was actually putting the pieces together.

“This looks like the layout of the rooms downstairs,” he muttered, crouching down to study it more closely. “And these rooms marked with anXare all the rooms that were hit by the thief.”

Ray snapped his notebook shut, determination flashing in his eyes. “We need to get back downstairs. I want to ask a few questions.”

I leapt onto the top of a nearby box, feeling particularly pleased with myself.He’s finally learning. Maybe I won’t have to babysit him forever.

Ray stood up, tucking the map into his notebook and giving the room one last glance before turning toward the stairs. “Come on, Earl. We’ve got some work to do.”

I followed him, my tail held high. At last, we were getting somewhere. With Ray’s newfound sense of direction—and my steady guidance—we were bound to catch the thief soon.

We hurried back downstairs, the map in Ray’s hand. I trotted ahead, making a beeline for Mrs. Hargrove’s office. Ray knocked once before pushing the door open.

Mrs. Hargrove looked up from her paperwork, surprised to see us both. “Mr. Leonard, Earl… what’s this about?”

Ray laid the map on her desk. “We found this in the attic. It’s a map of the first floor, and look—some of the rooms are marked withXs.”

Mrs. Hargrove blinked, leaning forward to examine the map. “I’ve never seen this before. Why would it be in the attic?”

With a frown, Ray glanced at me. I was sitting on the edge of the desk, my tail twitching. “I don’t know yet, but it’s strange, right? It looks like someone’s keeping track of certain rooms. The ones withXs... I think those are the rooms where something’s been stolen.”

Before any more could be said, a high-pitched screech echoed down the hallway. We all jumped to our feet.

“I think that’s Sally Greenwood,” Mrs. Hargrove whispered, her hand flying to her mouth.

We rushed out into the hall, following the sound of Sally’s panicked cries. The sight that greeted us was Sally, running down the corridor, arms flailing as if a ghost were chasing her.

“I’m not ready to go!” she screamed. “He’s in my room, and I’m not ready to die!”

---