The Kids From B.A.D.
	Stories by Allen Morgan
	detective story collection
	no illustrations
	six stories - 128 pages

The Case Of The Stolen Wallet (part 4)

They decided to narrow down the list of suspects.

"It can't be one of the little kids," said John. "They're too dumb to pull off a big job like this. They might hit a lunch box maybe, or swipe somebody's pencil. But they wouldn't steal from a teacher."

"So we rule out everybody up to grade three?" asked Ben.

Everyone agreed. But that still left about a hundred and fifty kids.

"Well, it isn't anybody in grade six," said Greg. "I know them all. There's no way any of them did it."

That made Sally mad. "Just because you know them isn't a good enough reason to..."

"Do you think somebody in Kimberley's own class might have done it?" Mike interrupted.

"An inside job?" said John. He nodded. "I bet that's it."

"Jessica's in Kimberley's class," said Sally. "We could ask her which of the other kids is the most suspicious."

"Good idea," said John. "If she ever shows up, that is. In the meantime I think we should work on another plan. Instead of trying to find the crook, we should try to find the wallet."

"Doesn't the crook have the wallet?" asked Ben.

"'I don't think so," John answered. "The way I figure it, he probably stashed it somewhere around the school right after he stole it. He wouldn't have time to go home with it, and he wouldn't want to keep it in his pocket, would he? Too dangerous, somebody might notice. So if he stashed it somewhere he's bound to come around and pick it up again as soon as he can."

Everyone nodded. It sounded as if John had it all figured out.

"So what do we do?" asked Ben.

"We meet here right after school is out. We'll split up and watch different parts of the playground. If we see anything suspicious we'll move in and make the arrest. Sally, you better make sure Jessica comes this time. Go to her classroom right after the bell and tell her everything we've planned."

"Don't worry, she'll be here," Sally assured him.