Free Edgar Allan's Official Crime Investigation Notebook by Mary Amato Page A

care of something even if you know it might die someday. The good weighs more than the sad.
    Perhaps if my parents knew that I was saving worms, they would finally buy me a dog.
    On the ride to school, the wheels of his mind turned faster than the wheels of the bus. Today was Friday. What would the day bring? Another crime? More interesting conversations with Destiny? A clue from Taz that he had received their poem and that it had cheered him up?
    When his bus pulled up, Destiny was standing by theflagpole. As soon as Edgar got off the bus, she walked over.
    â€œDo you think the thief struck again?” she asked.
    â€œI was just wondering about that,” Edgar said.
    â€œGreat minds think alike,” she said, and they walked in.
    Even though Edgar and Destiny had gone to school together since kindergarten, they had never walked down the hall like this, side by side, until today. It felt a little odd. But in a good way, Edgar thought.
    When they arrived at the classroom door, all the kids were standing outside it.
    â€œIt’s locked!” Patrick said.
    â€œI was the first one here,” Kip said.
    Just then Ms. Herschel walked up with a cup of coffee in one hand and a stack of books in the other.
    Mr. Crew stepped out of his room at the same time. “Ah, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free have arrived!”
    â€œI locked my door, Mr. Crew,” Ms. Herschel said. “There’s a thief running around.”
    â€œSo I’ve heard,” Mr. Crew said. “We’ve been studying the thief’s poetry. Any break in the case?”
    â€œWell, this locked door should keep everything safe.” Ms. Herschel shifted the books in her hand. “Mr. Crew, can you do me a favor and open up for me?”
    Mr. Crew unlocked her door and held it open.
    Patrick squeezed in ahead of everyone else. “Another note!” he squealed.
    â€œNo way!” Ms. Herschel exclaimed.
    Edgar and Destiny ran to the board, looked at thenote, and then exchanged excited glances. The students crowded around with Ms. Herschel and Mr. Crew.
    Patrick read the note out loud.

    â€œMy fan?” Ms. Herschel looked at the empty spot on the top of her bookshelf where a beautiful red and black lace fan was usually displayed along with other gifts she had received from past students.
    â€œNot your Spanish fan!” Mr. Crew exclaimed. “Didn’t a student give that to you?”
    â€œYes! It was right here—do you all remember it?”
    Edgar did. He enjoyed looking at all the knickknacks Ms. Herschel kept on her shelf.
    â€œThis is getting serious!” Mr. Crew said. “I’d better go back and check my room.”
    â€œI could skateboard around the neighborhood,” Kipoffered. “And if I see somebody with a fan I could chase him down.”
    â€œI think you’d better stay in the classroom, Kip,” Ms. Herschel said. “Patrick, did your fingerprint test on the last note turn up anything?”
    â€œNo,” Patrick said. “My dad said it was contaminated with too many prints. Nobody touch this one!”
    â€œHe’s right,” Ms. Herschel said.
    She handed him an envelope for him to put it in. With a great flourish he pulled a tissue out of her box and used it to keep his own fingerprints off the message as he tucked it into the envelope.
    â€œEveryone have a seat,” Ms. Herschel said.
    â€œMaybe you should call the police,” Maia suggested.
    Ms. Herschel sighed. “I was hoping that one of you would solve this mystery so that we wouldn’t have to bring in the police, but maybe you’re right.”
    Edgar and Destiny exchanged glances again.
    Destiny is excited that something else got stolen, too. She wants to solve this mystery with me!
    Taz walked in and handed Ms. Herschel a note from his mom and noticed that something was going on. “What’s up?” he asked.
    â€œMy fan from Spain was stolen,”