On the Case (From the Files of Madison Finn, 17) Read Online Free PDF

checklist appeared. They started reading the list together.
Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Crime Time Detective?
    1. Eyes and ears OPEN. No snoozing on the job if you’re serious about Crime Timing. Sharpen the senses by reading lots of books, asking questions, and listening closely.
    2. Examine a crime scene with smarts. Look for things that seem out of place. Take mental pictures--and written notes.
    3. Collect evidence carefully. That means no trespassing, no poking your nose where it’s not allowed. Finders keepers only if it’s out in the open.
    “What are you two doing in here?” Stephanie asked as she walked into Dad’s office. She had just come home from work.
    Madison perked up. “How’s your arm?” she asked.
    “Ouch,” Stephanie said with a smile. “Thank goodness it isn’t the wrist of the hand I write with. Then I’d really be in trouble.”
    “Hey, Stephanie, have you ever watched Crime Time ?” Madison asked.
    She showed Stephanie the website and explained her newfound ambition.
    “A detective!” Stephanie exclaimed. “That’s what I wanted to be when I was your age!”
    “Really?” Madison said, surprised.
    Dad just smiled. “Why don’t I leave you two to the detective chatter, and I’ll go put the finishing touches on dinner?”
    Stephanie collapsed onto the love seat in the corner of Dad’s office and crossed her legs.
    “So what started all this interest in Crime Time ?” Stephanie asked Madison. “I’ve seen that show a few times. It’s good.”
    Madison explained about how she was the show’s number-one fan and how she had decided that maybe she could solve crimes, too. After all, she had solved Phinnie’s doggy crime spree. Madison told her about the secret note and the sneakers with pink laces from the library.
    “Sounds like you’re onto something…” Stephanie said.
    “I think so!” Madison said.
    “Believe it or not, Maddie,” Stephanie explained, “sometimes my friends used to call me Sleuthie instead of Stephie at my high school back in Texas.”
    “No way!” Madison said. “That’s so cool! You solved crimes for real?”
    “Well…” Stephanie made a funny face. “Sorta. I didn’t catch any big-time criminals or anything. It was strictly small stuff.”
    Stephanie told Madison a long story about chasing clues around to find out who was painting graffiti on lockers at her Bellville, Texas, high school. After she had located empty paint cans, spotted kids lurking by their lockers late in the day, and noted various suspicious activity, Stephanie prepared to go directly to the principal with the evidence. No one believed her at first, so she poked around some more.
    “That sounds cool,” Madison said. “What did you find out?”
    “I found out that you have to be careful when you start detective work,” Stephanie said. “You may not always understand what you find.”
    “What do you mean?” Madison asked.
    “Sometimes, when you start snooping, you can’t stop. And you may end up jumping to conclusions, or suspecting people who haven’t done anything wrong. It can get messy. I lost one of my close friends that way.”
    “Why? Was she the graffiti artist, or what?”
    Stephanie shook her head. “No, it was a boy—and he wasn’t the artist, but I thought he had paint on his coat, and I suspected him. Our friendship was never the same again.”
    “Wow,” Madison said. “I never thought about it that way. But you know what? Now I know not to snoop where I’m not wanted. I won’t make that mistake. Besides, it’s not like I’m trying to be a real detective. I’m not on Crime Time or anything. This is just some silly thing from school…”
    “I know,” Stephanie nodded. She jumped up from the sofa. “You’ll make a super school detective,” she said, rubbing Madison’s back. “Hey, let’s go eat.”
    They wandered into the dining room.
    Dad’s steak and fries were waiting.
    When she arrived back home, Madison was tired—and