Cafeteria Mischief: An Emily Jones Mystery
A good detective doesn’t let bias get in the way of solving a mystery, even when it’s difficult. I was on my way to the lunch line when I heard shouting. I headed over to see what all the commotion was about.
“Jay, you better give me those brownies back. I need them for class!” Olivia shouted, pointing her finger.
“Believe it or not, Olivia, I actually didn’t take them this time,” Jay retorted.
“Oh, really,” she said in disbelief. Her eyes grew wide when she saw me. “Emily! It’s a good thing you’re here. I was about to tell Jay that if he didn’t give my brownies back, I would tell Zoe.”
“You wouldn’t dare!” Jay said.
“I would too!” Olivia said as she planted her hands on her hips. “I brought the brownies as a treat for my English class. A little while ago, I had to use the restroom, so I had Zoe guard the brownies. When I came back, Zoe and the brownies were gone and Jay was here.”
“Zoe had an emergency!” Jay insisted. “One of the class pet hamsters got loose and crawled into Zoe’s locker. I told her about it, so we went to her locker. When I came back, the brownies were gone.”
“Good job, Jay,” I said, holding out my hand.
Jay slowly extended his hand for a handshake. His hand was not sticky, with no evidence of food.
While Jay and Olivia continued their argument, I surveyed the table. Nearest to me, a boy with blond hair had a lunchbox with a leftover sandwich crust, a granola bar and a crumpled-up napkin holding some nuts. Across from him sat a red-haired girl wearing a green sweater. She was munching on the last of her celery sticks. Finally, next to her sat a girl in a pink blouse who was eating pizza and oranges.
“Olivia?” I interrupted.
“Yeah?” she answered. “Did you figure out where Jay hid them?”
I ignored the accusation. “What kind of brownies did you make?”
“Double dark chocolate walnut,” Olivia said.
“I know where your brownies are,” I said.
How does Emily know who took the brownies?
The blond boy, who looked uneasy, bolted from his seat.
“You’re not going anywhere!” Jay shouted as he grabbed the boy’s backpack.
In Jay’s haste, his hand caught on the zipper, spilling the boy’s books and papers, followed by the container of brownies.
“You did it?” Olivia said.
The boy sank to the floor, his hands over his eyes. “I was getting so tired of baloney sandwiches and granola bars. When I saw the brownies sitting there all by themselves, I took them. I’m sorry.”
“It’s OK. I still have enough brownies for class, and I’ll make extra brownies next time to share,” Olivia said.
“Ahem!” Jay cleared his throat.
Olivia turned. “I’m sorry, Jay. I never should have assumed so quickly. Wait, Emily, how did you know who took them?”
I pointed to the discarded napkin with the walnut crumbs. “Simply by a little observation.”
— Rebekah H., 13, California
