Pepper's Rules for Secret Sleuthing by Briana McDonald

Author:Briana McDonald
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published: 2020-09-29T00:00:00+00:00

It’s Pepper. HELP.

“Maybe he robbed her,” Andrew says, mostly to himself as he studies his board for what must be the hundredth time that day. I can’t help but feel a bit guilty for using him like this; just like I’m desperate to save my dad, he’s desperate to protect his mom.

The phone buzzes with a reply and I talk as loud as I can to cover the noise. “If he robbed her, he would have done it and left. He wouldn’t keep coming back to the crime scene a hundred times a week.”

Andrew shoots me a dirty look over his shoulder. “Then how do you think he’s involved, genius?”

I glance at Jacob’s reply. How do I know this isn’t Andrew playing a prank?

“I don’t know,” I say hastily. “Maybe he knew he left behind evidence and has been trying to find a way to get back in to fix it.”

I don’t quite buy it, but it’s enough to make Andrew turn back to the board. I text Owls, then delete the thread. I can’t type any more without Andrew seeing and hope it’s enough to convince Jacob I’m who I say I am.

“It has to be him,” Andrew mumbles, a sort of strained whisper, as he stares into the chalkboard.

I know I should probably stay and finish talking it through with Andrew. Even though my mom’s not around, I’ve never had to question my memory of her, or who she was when she was alive. I can’t imagine what it’s like to wonder if my mom is keeping secrets, or what that would mean for me once I found out.

But I have to follow the Detective Rulebook. I got what I needed from Andrew, and if I don’t move now, he could catch on to me. Or I could miss my chance at escape, and to save Dad and finally clear the air of our secrets: Alanna, Ashley, and everything in between.

Andrew turns to me expectantly. I clear my throat and rise. “I’ll let you get back to it.”

Before he can reply, I snatch the baggie from his hand and dash up the stairs.

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