Free Hiss Me Deadly by Bruce Hale

get in trouble?" I asked.
    The cat smoothed his chin fur. "Let's see ... you didn't catch the thief on time, I had to pay for extra security from my own pocket, and you almost lost the egg," he said. "Gecko, you're lucky to get a soda."
    That's our principal. All heart.
    Natalie and I strolled through the fair, sipping our drinks. After what I'd been through, even the screeching fiddles of the hoedown seemed like a lullaby.
    As we passed the dance floor, Shirley Chameleon was
do-si-doing
around Bo Newt. When she saw me, she stuck out her tongue and blew a loud raspberry.
    "Haven't lost your touch with the ladies, I see," said Natalie.
    "She says she never wants to speak to me again."
    Natalie rested a wing tip on my arm. "Chet, I'm sorry to hear that."
    "Sorry?" I said. "At least I got
some
kind of reward from this screwy case."
    Across the way, I spotted my sister walking with my mom. "There's Pinky. She's been pretty worried. I should go over and break the good news."
    "So you can have a tender brother-sister moment when you tell her how you got her out of trouble?" Natalie beamed.
    I rolled my eyes. "Are you kidding? She owes me big-time, and I'm ready to start collecting."
    Just then, Pinky spotted me. When she made with the anxious eyes, I gave her a discreet thumbs-up. My sister's smile lit up the fair.
    I smiled back. After all, she may be a brat, but she's my brat.
    Before I could join Pinky, Natalie pointed at the dunking booth. "Hey, isn't that your substitute teacher on the hot seat?"
    I looked. Sure enough, a surly porcupine sat on her perch above the pool.
    "Want to have a try after you talk to Pinky?" asked Natalie.
    "Before," I said, crossing to the booth.
    "But I thought family came first," she said.
    I plunked four quarters down onto the counter. "Family reunions are sweet, my friend. But revenge is even sweeter."
    "Aw, Chet, you don't mean that."
    "Don't I?" I arched an eyebrow. "Just watch me, partner."
    And I picked up the first softball.