Book 1-Annie Adams and the Mystery Club Detectives

Annie Adams and the Mystery Club Detectives

                                                                                      Chapter 6

                                                                          The Sheriff's Surprise!

     The girls made their way to the cafeteria, hoping to find sheriff Cooper there.  And sure enough when they walked through the wide doors, they spied him sitting alone in the massive empty room, enjoying a belated lunch of chicken vegetable soup and a B.L.T. sandwich.  A can of coke set beside his plate.

     He turned at the sound of the girls' footsteps.  "Hi girls.  You didn't miss lunch too, did you?"  He said, then chuckled.  "No."  Annie said, grinning sheepishly.  The butterflies in his stomach fluttered  as she thought of what she was about to do.  But she bravely said, "We just wondered how the investigation was going."

     Then she stifled a gulp that was building in her throat.  The sheriff swallowed a bite of sandwich and took a quick drink of soda.  "Believe it or not, I have interviewed forty girls since I last talked with you four at lunch.  I'm beat!"  He said, taking another bite of his sandwich.  "Wow!"  Beth said.  "You're fast!"  Sheriff Cooper chuckled again, closed his mouth, swallowed, and wiped his chin with his napkin.

     "I've had twenty some years of experience  with this sort of thing, mostly with hardened criminals.  But never in a school setting."  He said uncomfortably.  "I hope Miss Leighton is holding  up okay.  Nice lady.  It'd be a shame if she resigned."  He said, taking the last bite of his lunch; then taking his soup bowl into his large hands, tipping it to his mouth and draining the last of it; he gave out a loud burb, covered his mouth and uttered, "Excuse me."  The four friends giggled.

     Annie, Beth Katie and Trisha didn't want to tell him that Miss Leighton wasn't doing well at all.  "Are you going to be interviewing for the rest of the day?"  Annie blurted out aggressively.  Her friends gave her wary looks, which she didn't see, because she was staring intensely at sheriff Cooper, waiting for his answer.

     The sheriff gave her a suspicious look.  Annie quickly backtracked.  "It's just that we all...."  She glanced at Beth, Trisha and Katie,..."are just so worried about Miss Leighton.  We're so anxious to have this m.... crime solved."  She had almost said "mystery"  which may have been a big mistake, reminding sheriff Cooper of past experiences with her mother Sara, and her friends.

     But the sheriff seemed to take her anxious expression at face value, because the suspicion on his face disappeared, replaced by an understanding smile.  "I know you girls are worried, but don't.  I'll get to the bottom of this.  "I admit that so far, all the girls have good alibis.  At least the ones on your floor do.  But, I'll start on the third floor tomorrow.

     Annie hadn't been able to pluck up the courage to ask sheriff Cooper if she and her friends could be more involved with the investigation.  His suspicious look had stopped her cold.

     The sheriff stood up to leave just as Ruthie came through the cafeteria doors to collect his tray.  "Hey girls!"  she called, making her way to the table.  "Hey Ruthie!"  the girls chimed.  "Thanks Ruthie.  lunch was delicious.  I hope  I wasn't an inconvenience," the sheriff said sincerely.

     Ruthie snorted.  "Not at all.  Anytime.  You're trying to help the best lady I've ever known.  I'll make you anything you want, anytime you want it." She said, beaming at him.  "Thanks," he said grinning.  "I'll see you all tomorrow.  Ruthie, girls. Be good."  He admonished them.  "Always!"  Annie called.