Thanksgiving Thief Read Free Page B

George said.
    â€œWe’ll do that after we examine the crime scene,” Nancy decided.
    The Clue Crew started looking for clues.
    After a few minutes George said, “I’m going to look out in the alley.”
    Nancy and Bess continued to search the storeroom and kitchen.
    When George came back inside, she said, “Well, I know why Quincy’s dog’s nose was all white. There’s a flour spill in the alley from where he was digging around in the trash can.”
    Nancy looked at the spilled bags of stuffing mix on the floor. “If Quincy’s dog were the culprit, wouldn’t there be signs of flour on some of the bags in either the storeroom or the kitchen where he nosed them open?” she asked.

    â€œYou’d think,” George said.
    â€œWell, there aren’t,” Nancy told her friends.
    â€œWhat if he came in here first?” asked Bess.
    â€œI think someone would have noticed him earlier if he had come into the kitchen first,” Nancy concluded. “I don’t think Quincy’s dog is our criminal.”
    â€œAnother dead end.” Bess sighed.
    â€œNot for me,” said George. She held up a feather. “I found one in the alley too, just like Bess did. Now I have a feather for the pageant!”
    Later that evening, when Nancy and the Clue Crew went back to the gymnasium to practice their roles, the first thing George did was tell Mary about finding her brown-and-gray feather.
    Mary let out a sigh. “You may not get to use it after all,” she said.
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Nancy asked.
    â€œWell, Deirdre Shannon’s parents are in charge of this year’s celebration,” Mary explained. “After they heard about the food being destroyed, they told Mrs. Ramirez that the entire event—the pageant, the feast, and the food fair—might have to be canceled. They’re worried it’s turning into a disaster.”

On Sunday afternoon, before Nancy left for the school to practice for the pageant, she told her father everything that had happened the day before.
    â€œDo you think the two crimes could be a coincidence, Daddy?” Nancy asked.
    â€œWell, there are such things as coincidences, Nancy, and the two might not be related after all,” said Mr. Drew. “But don’t give up on finding the culprits. Just follow the evidence and remember that things aren’t always as they appear.”
    â€œDon’t worry, Daddy,” Nancy said. “The Clue Crew is still on the case! See you later.” She grabbed her jacket and headed out the door.

    When Nancy got to the school, some of the other kids who had parts in the pageant were gathered in little groups on the playground. They were whispering to one another about the possible cancellation.
    â€œDon’t worry,” Nancy reassured the kids as she passed each group. “The Clue Crew is trying to solve the mystery.”
    Nancy finally found George and Bess by the swings. They were talking with Katherine Madison, Suzie Park, and Natalie Coleman.
    â€œGeorge and I found the perfect feathers, too,” Bess was saying when Nancy joined them. “But if the celebration is canceled, we won’t be able to use them in the pageant.”
    â€œOh, that would be too bad,” Natalie said.
    â€œI love this time of the year,” said Suzie, “mainly because of the celebration.”
    â€œMe too,” Katherine said. “My dad and I were already upset about his pumpkin puree, and now if everything is canceled, we’ll feel even worse.”
    â€œTry not to worry too much, girls,” Nancy told them. “The Clue Crew hasn’t given up!”
    As Nancy, Bess, and George entered the school gym, Nancy said, “There’s Mrs. Ramirez over by the stage. I need to talk to her. I’m going to run on ahead.”
    Mrs. Ramirez looked up when Nancy reached her. “Oh, hi, Nancy,” she said sadly. “I