Free Sly the Sleuth and the Sports Mysteries by Donna Jo Napoli Page A

“You never know. Or I can sell them.”
    Jack was always short of money.
    â€œIt’s not nice to sell other people’s food,” I said.
    â€œYou offered,” said Jack. “So it’s mine now. What’s that?” He frowned at my drawing.
    â€œBirds,” I said. “It’s homework. Haven’t you had art class yet this week? The new art teacher is crazy about birds.”
    â€œIf it’s homework, why are you using a pen? Ink doesn’t erase.”
    â€œThat’s the whole point. We’re not supposed to think of stray marks as mistakes. We’re supposed to think of them as opportunities.”
    Jack pointed. “That looks like a mistake to me.”
    â€œGo away now, Jack.”
    â€œYou make a lot of mistakes, Sly. You’re making a mistake not to take my case.Taxi would love it.”
Friends
    â€œOkay,” I said. “I’ll take the bait. Why would Taxi love your case?”
    â€œI’ll show you,” said Jack. “Come.”
    â€œWhere?”
    â€œThe soccer field.”
    Brian grabbed his green crayon and scribbled on his paper. “This is a soccer field.”
    I gathered Brian’s crayons and stuck them in his backpack. Then I rolled his picture up and put it in too. I handed Brian his backpack. “See you later.”
    Brian left.
    Jack ran ahead of me on the sidewalk, dribbling his soccer ball.
    I caught up with him at the corner. We crossed together. Jack ran ahead again. He passed his house and jumped and waved. I wasn’t surprised that he jumped. Jack jumps a lot. But the wave was a puzzle.
    â€œWho are you waving at?” I called.
    â€œWish Fish,” called back Jack.
    I squinted at Jack’s window. Yup, that was a fishbowl on the sill. And I could even make out Wish Fish’s scarlet body.
    â€œHey, wait,” came a voice from behind.
    I turned around.
    Melody raced up with Pong on a leash. Melody is my best friend. Pong is her puppy.
    â€œWant to walk with us?” asked Melody. “Pong needs exercise.” She held up an empty plastic bag. “And you know what else he needs.” She giggled.
    I like dogs. But I like cats better. And that plastic bag was one reason.
    â€œI’m going to the soccer field with Jack,” I said.
    â€œYou don’t play soccer,” said Melody.
    â€œI’m on a case,” I said. “Or maybe I am. I haven’t decided yet.”
    Jack came dribbling back. “Hurry,” he said.
    Pong jumped on the soccer ball.
    â€œWell, I guess Pong decided,” said Melody. “We’re coming too.”
Birds
    â€œAll right,” I said. “What’s the problem?”
    We stood at the edge of the school soccer field.
    â€œBirds.” Jack pointed at a flock near the far goal.
    â€œThose birds don’t look like a problem to me,” I said.
    Just then Pong noticed the birds. He yipped and jumped like a wild thing.
    Melody let Pong off his leash. He ran straight through the birds. They flew off.

    â€œHey,” said Jack. “Pong solved my case.”
    â€œWhat case?” I said.
    â€œThose birds won’t leave the field. And the final game is this weekend. It’s a big deal. If we win, we’ll be the champions. But the birds are in the way.”
    â€œAre you nuts?” I said. “Birds won’t stay on the field when teams are playing.”
    â€œRight. But they stay when I practice alone. They won’t let me practice. And I need extra practice, so I can get my kick perfect. But it’s all solved now. Melody, lend me Pong after school every day this week.”
    â€œOkay,” said Melody. “But I have to come too.”
    â€œThat’s fine,” said Jack. He grinned. “You don’t charge anything. You’re better than Sly.”
    Melody smiled.
Bad Mood
    I left them on the field and walked toward home. This all should have been fine with me. After all,