Free The Case of the Ruby Slippers by Martha Freeman Page A

for your dad?” I asked.
    â€œHe wants me to pick up a package for him from some friend who just got a job in the West Wing. Like I think she’s a photographer maybe? I’m supposed to pick it up after lunch. I’ve got her number in my phone.”
    Naturally, Courtney has a phone. So does Paul Song, I happen to know. Pretty much, as far as I can tell, Nate and I are the only kids in America who don’t.
    While everyone else went in to eat, I went to wash my face and hands and change clothes. I decided my capri pants weren’t that dirty, so I just put on a new T-shirt. Fixing my hair in the mirror, I saw that my now frozen lower lip had turned a lovely shade of purple.
    Lunch was shrimp salad. And by the time I walked in, everyone else had started eating.
    â€œThat was fast,” Courtney said. She was sitting in my place, which just happened to be next to Paul Song. Since Tessa was on his other side, I went over and sat by Mr. Will.
    â€œHow did your meeting go this morning?” he asked quietly.
    â€œI learned a lot,” I said.
    He bumped his glasses up on his nose. “I’m sorry I couldn’t explain earlier. But it was agreed the plan required confidentiality.”
    From across the table, my sister spoke up. “What are you guys whispering about? What happened at the museum, Cammie? Have you solved the case without me?
Ewww
—and Cammie, no offense, but that lavender lip gloss is not working for you.”
    Courtney giggled, and I frowned. Paul Song said, “Are you solving another case?”
    One thing I’ve learned about detecting, you don’t want to blab the details everywhere. If you do, you might tell somebody who tells somebody who tells the bad guy.
    Tessa knows this, too, but when she gets dramatic she forgets. Now she gave a long explanation with a lot of arm waving. When she got to the part about how the ruby slippers were still missing, Paul Song gasped. “Do you have any idea what they’re worth? I have a bowtie worn by a Munchkin, and even that’s worth a lot!”
    Nate looked at Paul Song. “You collect stuff from old movies?”
    â€œOnly from
The Wizard of Oz
,” Paul said. “That’s one reason why when Mr. Will invited me I said I’d absolutely be here. It’s my favorite movie, and I really wanted to see the ruby slippers close up.”
    â€œIt’s my favorite movie, too,” said Courtney. “I guess we have a lot in common.”
    Meanwhile, Nate was looking at me. “
He
collects stuff from movies.”
    â€œI get it, Nate,” I said.
    Tessa’s mouth dropped open. “Wait, you guys. You mean—”
    â€œ
Tessa!”
Nate and I said at the same time.
    Meanwhile, Paul Song looked confused, and things might have gotten even more awkward except my mom chose that moment to make a special guest appearance.

CHAPTER TWENTY

    â€œNow, no one get up,” Mom said, but Mr. Will and Paul Song were already on their feet. “I’ve only got a minute. The ambassador from a certain nearby nation is waiting, but I did want to say hello to Paul. We’re so glad you can join us today. Oh—and Courtney, how nice. Please do give my best to your family.”
    â€œHi, Mama,” said Tessa. “Wanna hear about ballet? Miss Caroline said I wasn’t such a klutz this week, and—”
    Mom leaned down and gave Tessa a kiss and a snuggle, which muffled her monologue long enough for Granny to say, “Take a break and have some lunch, Marilee. You have to eat.”
    â€œI’ll just grab a couple of carrot sticks,” she said. “And see you all at the party!”
    All this time, my brain had been buzzing. Paul Song got upset when he heard the ruby slippers were missing. Could that be because he was planning to buy them from the thief? But Paul Song is my friend. . . .
    And anyway, it’s more likely he’s just a plain old
Wizard