The Case of the Ruby Slippers

Author:Martha Freeman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Holiday House
Published: 2013-12-26T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Mr. Will had been so focused on the TV that Mom’s voice startled him. “What?” He bumped his glasses back against his nose. “Oh—uh, yes. I think that may be the best course. Perhaps the children can help.”

Tessa was annoyed and waved her arms the way she does. “Help how? What’s going on? Don’t tell me you grown-ups are keeping secrets again!”

Mom said, “Settle down, muffin. It looks like we’re going to have to explain something to you a little sooner than we’d planned. But we can only do it if you promise to keep it in strictest confidence.”

Tessa forgot she was annoyed. “A secret? Goodie! Do you want us to pinky promise?”

“No way will I pinky promise,” said Nate.

“A regular promise is fine,” said Mom. “Apparently, the man on TV just now—the man who said yesterday he was from the museum—is an imposter, a fake. What seems to have happened is that he went to the museum and collected the ruby slippers, claiming he was from Mrs. Silver’s office in the White House. He had appropriate White House credentials, so the museum staff didn’t question it. Now the police think the credentials must have been forged.”

“Wait a sec,” I said. “I’m confused. You mean after that—when the man came here to the White House—he claimed to be from the museum? But neither one was true?”

Mom nodded.

“Well, that’s weird,” Tessa said. “Why would somebody go to the museum and steal the slippers, then come to the White House with an empty shoe box?”

“And besides that, who is he really?” I wanted to know.

Mr. Will had been fidgeting and now he spoke. “I can’t answer Tessa’s question. But as for yours, Cammie, I believe I can add a piece of information. You see, I know that gentleman. Some years ago I did some work for the FBI, and I met him in, shall we say, a professional capacity.”

“You mean he’s a criminal?” said Dad.

“A thief,” said Mr. Will. “And with him in police custody, I think you’ll find the case is closed.”

“Again?” said Tessa.

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