The Mysterious Case of the Missing Ring

by Audrey Harlacher

It was a rainy Saturday evening when Miss Lizzy Smith came to my door, asking for my help. She came to me, explaining how a most important item was stolen from her last night while she was sleeping. Tears streaming down her face, she gave me a description of her priceless ruby red ring, given to her by Billy Charleston, an honest boy with a love for sweets and Miss Smith. She begged me to catch the no-good crook.

Luckily, my schedule was clear, and the case seemed easy enough, there were only two suspects; kid Conner, and Joe. 

Kid Conner was out for a round of cards with the boys, so I paid Joe a visit. 

Upon investigation, Joe seemed to be clean too. He had a solid alabi. He was installing a new light fixture for his wife, and then promptly hit the hay. The only useful information I got from Joe was that he had heard someone walking around and a loud crash last night. He looked around for someone, but found nothing, and dismissed it for Patsy the dog getting a drink.

I checked out Patsy’s water bowl, it was in its place, but water was all over the floor, like someone bumped into it, and placed it back in a rush. As much as I loved a double case, Lizzy Smith was getting antsy, and I never like an antsy client.

That just left kid Conner. Since I couldn’t interrogate him, I conducted a private investigation of his room. I touched his door handle, and was met with a sticky red substance. Intrigued and slightly scared, I proceeded into his room with caution, searching is room for any sign of the ring. I didn’t find anything at first, until I remembered to search the trash can, where I found the ring case, and the base of the ring, but no jewel.

I checked his dresser for the jewel, but found nothing. But when I searched his bed I found more of the sticky red stuff. And that when it all clicked.

“Have you found anything?” Lizzy asked

“Where were you keeping your ring Miss Lizzy?” I asked

“In the pantry, duh, mom doesn’t let us keep food in the bedrooms.”

“I know what happened to your Ring Miss Smith.”

I began to explain how that no-good kid Conner had sneaked out last night into the kitchen, and stole the ring before kicking patsy’s water bowl, spilling its contents and hiding so Joe wouldn’t find him. Conner made a mistake though, he started eating the ring on the way back to his room, and threw away the wrapper in his own trash can. 

Just then Conner burst into his room, “Please don’t tell mom! I’m sorry I ate your ring pop. Here, I bought you another one.”

Lizzy seemed happy enough with the new ring, and promised not to tell mom. Everyone was happy, and the peace was restored. Yet another successful case, and happy client.