The Case of Dunc's Doll Read Free Page A

information. That’s why we need to get in there and dig a little. Don’t worry, I’ve got a plan.”
    â€œYou do?”
    Dunc nodded. “No problem. The thing we’re after is a doll, right? So all we have to do is pretend we’re interested in dolls for some reason.”
    Amos shook his head. “You’re nuts. Two boys come to the place and ask about dolls, and you don’t think they’ll figure it’s a little weird?”
    â€œWell, that’s just it,” Dunc said. “It won’t work if two
boys
come to the gate. You hit it right on the head.”
    Amos waited.
    â€œIt has to be a girl. One of us has to dress up as a girl and fool them.”
    Amos was up and headed for the door. “Nope—you’re nuts. Not me. Not your old friend Amos. Not on your life. Not this time.”
    Dunc held up his hand. “Did I say it was you? Did I even
hint
that it was you? Nope—I figured to do it myself all along. Even though I’m kind of chunky and stocky and you’re built more for it, being thin and all. But no problem.”
    â€œWell, all right. Just so you understand.”
    Dunc shrugged. “I just figured you’d
want
to do it, is all.”
    â€œMe? Why would I want to dress up like a girl?”
    â€œWell, not that. But do the disguise. I was sure you’d want to be the one.”
    â€œNope, not this time.”
    Amos waited, but Dunc didn’t say anything further. He waited some more, chewing on his bottom lip.
    â€œAll right—why?”
    â€œWhy what?”
    â€œWhy would I want to be the one to dress up like a girl?”
    Dunc smiled. It was the same smile a cat might make just before it nailed a bird. “Well, the news and all. If we get the doll, whoever wears the disguise and goes in to get more information will be a hero. Television will want to talk to him more than the other one—the one who stays back.”
    Amos waited.
    â€œWell there you are on the news, saving this valuable doll, and who sees it?”
    Amos waited.
    â€œMelissa,” Dunc said, repeating, “and there you are.”
    Amos sighed. His shoulders slumped. He nodded. “Right—there I am.”

• 6
    â€œOh, man, this is awful.”
    Amos was standing in front of a mirror in the hallway of Dunc’s house. He was wearing girls’ jeans and a sweatshirt too big at the neck so it hung down on one shoulder.
    And a blond wig.
    Dunc shook his head. “No—it’s not too bad. I think we might need some makeup.”
    â€œI’ll kill you,” Amos said, his voice even, flat, “if you so much as
try
to put makeup on me.”
    â€œWell, there’s something wrong with it.”
    Amos studied himself in the mirror some more. “I know what it is.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI’m ugly.” Amos frowned. “You’ve got me being ugly.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œWell, just look at me. I’m not a blonde, not at all. And you’ve got me being a blonde. It just isn’t my color.”
    â€œAmos …”
    â€œWell, really. If I’m going to
be
a girl, I don’t want to be an
ugly
one, do I? Doesn’t your sister have a brown or black-haired wig?”
    Dunc went back into his sister’s room and came out with a black-haired wig.
    â€œIf she catches us doing this, she’s going to kill us,” Amos said.
    â€œShe’s away for the weekend. Here, hold still while I put this on.”
    Dunc took the blond wig off and put the black-haired wig on.
    â€œHow’s that?”
    Amos straightened it, settled it on his head. “Well, it’s better—can’t you see the difference? It goes much better with my eyes, don’t you think?”
    â€œYou’re still ugly, if that’s what you mean.”
    â€œI am not—not as bad as before.” Amos turned left and right, looked at his reflection.