Read Online The Case of the Rock 'n' Roll Dog by Martha Freeman - Free Book Online Page B

bed—Tessa and I rubber banded money piles. Meanwhile, Dad was getting Hooligan ready for his walk.
    â€Girls?” Dad was kneeling by Hooligan’s bed. He did not sound happy.
    Tessa and I knew what was coming.
    â€œYes, Daddykins?” Tessa said.
    â€œWe love you, Daddy,” I said.
    â€œHmmph,” Dad said. “If you love me—and if you love Hooligan—you can show it by cleaning out his bed.” He waved his hand in front of his nose. “
Phew!
”
    I said, “It’s Tessa’s turn!” and she said, “I did it last time!” and I said, “That was the
other
last—”
    Dad held up his hand. “I have an idea. How about if the two of you do your chore
together?
”
    Tessa yawned dramatically. “I’m
so-o-o-o
sleepy!”
    Dad said, “Tomorrow after soccer and ballet.”
    â€œAnd lunch,” I said.
    â€œAnd Song Boys,” Tessa said.
    â€œBefore dinner tomorrow!” Dad said. “Promise?”
    We promised.
    Then Dad and Hooligan left for the South Lawn.

    A few minutes later, Tessa and I were putting on jammies when I heard the family phone ring. By then,Dad was back. I heard him talking, then a knock. Our door opened.
    â€œIt’s Courtney,” Dad said. “She claims it’s an emergency.”
    An emergency apology? Today at school we didn’t even talk to each other. I reached, but Dad handed the phone to Tessa.
    Huh?
    Tessa didn’t say anything at first, just listened. Finally, she shook her head. “Well
duh
they’re designer, but jeans still aren’t appropriate.”
    Oh—so that was it. She didn’t want to apologize at all. She wanted fashion advice.
    â€œI can’t help it if that’s the same thing your mom said.” Tessa listened some more then shrugged. “Okay, sorry.” Now, she handed the phone to me.
    â€œI hate all my dresses!” Courtney whined. “If I have to wear one, I’m not coming.”
    Did I mention Courtney can be as dramatic as Tessa? And just as annoying.
    â€œ
And
you’re sorry we had that fight yesterday?” I said.
    There was a pause. I bet she was trying to remember the fight. “Oh yeah,” she finally said. “You’re not really that much of a princess.”
    Now I had a choice. I could decide that was a good enough apology, or I could keep fighting. I was too tired to keep fighting. “I forgive you,” I said.
For now
, I thought.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

    TESSA woke me the next morning.
    â€œI bet Colonel Michaels hasn’t told the rest of the band the baton is even missing,” she said.
    â€œI am still sleeping,” I said.
    â€œWell, okay,” Tessa said, “but I am still talking.”
    I opened my eyes and looked at my sister. “Why wouldn’t Colonel Michaels tell the band?”
    â€œHe’s embarrassed that he lost it,” Tessa said. “You know—like that time when my ballet shoe was gone and the recital was coming up? I didn’t tell anybody.”
    â€œI don’t think grown-ups are like that,” I said.
    â€œWhy not?” she said. “Grown-ups are bigger than kids. But they’re still people.”
    â€œI forget what happened with your ballet shoe that time.”
    â€œI was too embarrassed to tell Granny till we were leaving,” Tessa said. “We found it in the end, but we were late, and my teacher was so mad!”
    I was going to ask where she finally found the shoe,but the alarm beeped. I hit the button. “I’ve got one idea left,” I said. “It probably won’t work. Plus it will get us in trouble.”
    â€œI’ve got an idea, too,” Tessa said. “Give up.”
    â€œWe promised Colonel Michaels!”
    â€œI know.” Tessa sighed. “What’s your idea?”
    â€œWe ask Nate right out if he took the baton. And then we hope he confesses.”
    Tessa nodded.