A Monster of a Mystery Read Online Free

don’t need to. I already know who took that Spork.”
    â€œWho?” Biff asked.
    â€œWho else?” Joe said. “It has to be Adam Ackerman.”
    Frank frowned. “Why does it have to be him?”
    â€œDon’t you remember our first mystery?” Joe couldn’t believe his brother didn’t get it. “When all that money disappeared at the arcade, Adam turned out to be the thief. This is just like that time.”
    â€œAdam is bad news,” Iola said. “He steals people’s lunches at school all the time.”
    Joe nodded. “Let’s go find him and tell him to give the Spork back before Mr. Roberts cancels the whole Morpho day!”

    â€œHold on!” Frank said. “None of us likes Adam. But we can’t just accuse him of stealing the Spork with no proof.”
    â€œWhy not?” Joe asked impatiently. “We know he did it!”
    â€œNo, we don’t,” Frank said. “Dad always says it’s important not to jump to conclusions, right?”

    â€œYeah, I guess he says that sometimes,” Joe agreed reluctantly. “So what?”
    â€œSo, what if it wasn’t Adam?” Frank said. “We shouldn’t get too focused on a suspect until we’re sure. Even if Adam is a pretty good suspect.”
    â€œI think he might be right, Joe,” Phil said. “That makes sense.”
    â€œYeah,” Iola agreed. “There are tons of people here, and we don’t know all of them. Some of them might be just as rotten as Adam.”
    Joe still thought Adam was the thief. But he realized his brother and the others were right.
    â€œOkay,” he said. “Even if it is Adam, I guess we need some proof. Otherwise, he’ll never confess.”
    Frank smiled. “Good point. I’m not saying it’s not Adam. He’s definitely at the top of the suspect list. But we need some evidence or it’s just our word against his.”
    â€œSo how do you find evidence?” Biff asked, looking interested.
    â€œWe usually start out with the six W s,” Frank explained. “That means we ask Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How and try to . . .”
    Joe didn’t hear the rest of what his brother said. He’d just turned to scan the store.
    â€œCheck it out!” he interrupted, pointing. “Adam Ackerman is trying to sneak out the front door right now!”

Looking for Suspects
    W ait!” Frank yelled to Joe.
    But it was too late. Joe was already rushing across the store toward Adam. Iola was right behind him, but Biff and Phil got left behind.
    Frank hurried after his brother. He caught up just as he and Iola reached Adam.
    â€œI knew it!” Joe exclaimed, pointing at Adam. “You were the one who took that Spork, weren’t you? Just admit it!”
    Adam turned toward him with a scowl. “ I knew it,” he said. “That’s why I was leaving. You guys are always accusing me when bad stuff happens!”
    Iola folded her arms across her chest. “That’s only because you’re usually guilty,” she told him.
    He glared at her, then at Frank and Joe. “I know you goody-goodies think I’m always the bad guy,” he said. “But I swear I didn’t take that Spork. I’d never do that to Morpho!”
    â€œThen who took it?” Joe challenged him.
    â€œHow should I know?” Adam shot back.
    There was a big strong man standing by the front door. Frank noticed him looking their way with a frown.

    â€œHey, you guys,” Frank said quietly. “Let’s back off, okay?”
    â€œNot until Adam gives back the Spork,” Iola said.
    Frank looked at Adam. That’s when he realized something. He grabbed Joe and pulled him aside, leaving Adam to argue with Iola.
    â€œHold on a second,” Frank whispered. “If Adam took the Spork, where is it? He isn’t carrying a bag or anything.”
    Joe looked at Adam. Then