The Case of the Diamond Dog Collar Read Online Free

first, let’s see what develops,” Mom said.
    Tessa crossed her arms over her chest. “Well, if
that’s
your attitude, then me and Cammie will investigate ourselves.”
    â€œCammie and
I
,” said Mom.
    â€œGreat!” said Tessa. “We could definitely use your help.”
    â€œOh, dear, muffin, I didn’t mean . . .” Mom tried to tell Tessa she was only correcting her English.
    But Tessa wasn’t listening. She was too busy planning our investigation. “First, we interview witnesses,” she said. “I know—how about President Manfred Alfredo-Chin? One thing I want to know is who really wrote the letter from Empress Pu-Chi. Is he sure those diamonds on the collar aren’t real? After that—”
    â€œMuffin?” Mom interrupted. “It really wouldn’t do for you to phone the president of another country and ask questions. The secretary of state would have a fit. But I do have an idea. If you’re interested in diamonds, one of the most famous in the world is right here at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. It’s called the Hope Diamond. What if you and your sister and Nate go see it this week? It’s not a trip to California, but at least it’s a project.”
    â€œCan you come with us?” Tessa asked.
    Mom hesitated. When she used to be a plain old senator from California, we could do regular things like goto the mall or the zoo. Now that she’s president, there has to be loads of security anytime anyone in the family goes anyplace—even school. For Mom, if she even takes a walk, they shut down streets and surround her with officers and motorcycles.
    I bet she wanted to come with us, but the hassle would never be worth it. “I’m sorry, girls,” she said. “But Granny would love to go.”
    Tessa rubbed her eyes and sniffed like she was going to cry, but really she was just being dramatic. I know because as soon as Mom kissed us, said good night and closed the door, she was totally fine again. “Cammie?” she whispered. “You agree with me about the missing diamond, right?”
    â€œWrong,” I said.
    â€œOh,” said Tessa. “Well, okay. But you’ll still help me investigate?”
    â€œI guess,” I said.
    â€œBecause you don’t have anything better to do?”
    â€œRight,” I said. And I closed my eyes. And I know this sounds weird, but I think I heard my little sister smiling.

CHAPTER SEVEN

    THE next morning arrived with Granny at seven a.m. “Rise and shine, girls! Canine Class today!”
    Tessa pulled up the covers and grumbled, “I already know ‘sit’ and ‘stay.’ ”
    â€œMe, too. I can even roll over.” I demonstrated.
    Granny laughed but there’s never any point in arguing with her. Ten minutes later we were dressed and brushed and ready to name the canary. He lives in a cage in our family’s kitchen and belongs to Granny, but she won’t tell us where he came from.
    It’s a minor mystery.
    That day it was Tessa’s turn, and she tried “Sunny.”
    â€œBecause he’s yellow,” she explained.
    â€œ
Boring
.” I said.
    â€œI have to agree,” Granny said. “Nate’s turn tomorrow—if he gets up in time.”
    So far, my cousin still hadn’t come down from his bedroom on the third floor. No surprise. He mayknow everything, but he’s so lazy he’s always missing breakfast.
    Tessa and I sat down at the table. I barely had my napkin in my lap when she crossed her arms over her chest. “We already found something illogical,” she said. “So next we interview witnesses.”
    I shook my head. “Huh?”
    Tessa pointed at the pink baseball cap on her head. “
Duh
, Cammie!”
    It took a second, but then I got it. The pink cap is what she wears for detecting.
    â€œYou mean two missing diamonds at the same