Meg Mackintosh and the Mystery at the Soccer Match (3 page)

Meg grabbed her instant camera and rushed to the scene. The famous medal was missing. Its empty case sat in the center of the table. “Just enough rain to leave footprints,” Meg observed. She snapped a photo, hoping to preserve any clues, and grabbed her notebook to make a list.

HOW MANY CLUES CAN YOU FIND IN MEG'S PHOTO?

Meg looked up from her notebook and turned to Alex's mom. “When was the last time you saw the medal?” she asked.

“I'm sure it was there when we covered the table. I think the case was open. Maybe the medal just fell out.” Alex's mom bit her lip. “It's got to be here somewhere.”

“I didn't see it, but I did find this earring,” Meg replied. “It looks like it's yours.”

“It
is
mine. I didn't even know I'd lost it!” Alex's mom seemed flustered.

Meg leaned over the table and examined the case, careful not to touch it. “It looks like there are fingerprints on the case,” she said. “Lots of them. How many people touched it?” she asked.

WHO COULD HAVE PICKED UP THE MEDAL?

“I picked it up,” Carmen said. “Hey, Peter, you have a cut,” she shot him a glance. “That could be your bloody fingerprint.”

“I did pick it up,” replied Peter. “But I didn't take it!”

“I picked it up, too,” said Heather. “I was checking the date.”

“I looked at it, to make sure it was authentic,” admitted Heather's dad. “This is so unfair that it was stolen! Now what will the Panthers get for a prize?”

“I glanced at it, too” said Alex's mom nervously. “They aren't going to fingerprint us, are they?”“

“Mom, take it easy. It sounds like just about everybody touched it,” said Alex.

“Do you think we should call the police?” Carmen asked.

“If it isn't found by the end of the match, I may have to,” Coach Lee replied sadly.

“Now is my chance to really score,” Meg said to herself. “Maybe I can solve this mystery before they call the police!”

“Parents, please. I'm sure there's a very reasonable explanation,” said the referee, then she blew her whistle. “Half time's over — now let's play soccer!”

“Meg, you don't suspect my mother, do you?” asked Alex.

“Not in particular,” Meg said. “But everyone who was around the table is a suspect,” she added. “They all picked up the medal at one time or another.”

“Come on, Meg.” said Carmen. “You'll have to solve this later. We've got to play.”

“I guess you're right,” Meg said reluctantly. She thought for a moment, then tossed her knapsack to Alex. “Okay Alex, now
you're
the detective. If you want to join the Detective Club, help me solve the case.”

“H-h-how?” stammered Alex. “I don't know what to do!”

“Don't worry,” said Meg. “I made a chart to help you get started.”

“It's hard to suspect friends and relatives,” Meg said. “I know — for instance, it could have been my brother. But you have to look at the evidence with an open mind.”

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE MOTIVES AND EVIDENCE FOR EACH OF THE SUSPECTS?

Alex started filling in the chart, but his attention was mostly on the field. The Hawks started to slip: they couldn't get a goal past Peter, and then the Panthers scored, tying the match 4 - 4.

At the end of the third quarter, Meg and Carmen were side-lined again.