Free March Mischief by Ron Roy Page B

sisters. And every one of them has red hair!”
    The kids hiked down Main Street. They took a right on Bridge Lane, next to the fitness center.
    When they came to Robin Road, Bradley pointed. “That’s where Lucky lives.”
    It was a big blue house. The front yard was covered with bikes, balls, and other toys. Three boys with red hair were kicking a soccer ball.
    A short girl with red hair was sitting on the porch steps. A leprechaun statue stood next to her. It was exactly like Bradley’s statue, except it wore a dress, a blond wig, and lipstick. Cardboard wings were glued to its back. The wings were shiny with silver glitter.
    “Don’t look!” the girl yelled when she saw Pal and the kids. She stood up to block her fairy-princess leprechaun.
    The kids walked toward the blue house.
    “Hey, guys!” one of the redheaded boys shouted.
    Bradley let Pal off his leash. Pal trotted over to a red wagon and began sniffing.
    “Is your brother Lucky home?” Bradley asked.
    “He’s in the house,” the girl said. Her face was all freckles and a big smile. She walked over to pet Pal.
    “He came home from college for the leprechaun contest,” one of her brothers said.
    Nate nudged Bradley on the arm.
    Just then the door opened. A tall guy with red hair stepped onto the porch. He looked at all the kids. Then he glanced at his watch.
    “Hi, Lucky,” Bradley said. All of a sudden he felt foolish. Was it possible that Lucky would steal a silly leprechaun? But what about that phone call?
    “Yo, Bradley, or is it Brian?” Lucky said.
    “Bradley,” he said. “Um, I got a phone call this morning, and—”
    Suddenly they all heard a siren. Seconds later a police cruiser turned the corner and parked in front of the blue house. Two police officers got out.

Bradley recognized Officer Fallon and Officer Keene.
    Bradley’s mouth fell open. Pal barked at all the excitement. All the kids stopped playing. The little girl hugged one of her dolls.
    “Hi, kids,” Officer Fallon said. He smiled under his floppy mustache. “Hello, Lucky. How’s school?”
    “School is cool,” Lucky said.
    A woman with red hair came outonto the porch behind Lucky. Two of his redheaded brothers stepped out after her. Bradley knew they went to the same school, but he didn’t know their names.
    “Hello, Roberta,” Officer Fallon said.
    “Hello, Officer Fallon,” Mrs. O’Leary answered. “What brings you our way?”
    “I’m afraid there’s been some mischief in town, Roberta,” Officer Fallon said. “Someone’s been stealing leprechauns.”
    “Ours got stolen, too!” Bradley said. “Right off our porch!”
    “Huh,” Officer Fallon said. “That makes three so far, then. Mr. Paskey at the Book Nook said his was taken last night. He left it out for the paint to dry. And Mrs. Wong at the pet shop says hers got swiped off her deck.”
    “But what does that have to do with us?” Roberta O’Leary asked. “We still have Josephine’s leprechaun.” She pointedto the fairy-princess leprechaun on their porch steps.
    Officer Fallon gave Lucky a strange look. “I’m arresting Lucky for the thefts.” He and his partner walked toward the porch. Officer Keene was holding handcuffs.
    Bradley couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Lucky O’Leary was no thief. He tutored high school kids who needed extra help. He was a volunteer fireman. He’d never go around stealing leprechauns!
    “I didn’t steal anything!” Lucky said. He took a step backward.
    “My son is innocent!” Roberta O’Leary said.
    “That’s not what we heard,” Officer Fallon said. He took Lucky by the arm. “Come with us to the station, son.”
    Lucky’s little sister Josephine began to cry. “He didn’t do anything!” she said.“You leave my brother alone!”
    The officers put Lucky in the cruiser’s backseat.
    All the redheads charged up onto the porch. “Mommy! What’s happening?” they all asked.
    “Everything will be fine,” Mrs. O’Leary said. Then