The Case of the Rock 'n' Roll Dog Read Online Free

Hooligan’s home, not ours,” Colonel Michaels said. “But I do wish we’d been able to complete the rehearsal.” He looked at his watch. “And now I’m afraid we’re running late. See you on Saturday?”
    â€œYes, sir,” we said at the same time.
    â€œI look forward to it,” said Colonel Michaels.
    â€œCammie?” Tessa said a minute later when we were walking up the stairs. “He didn’t exactly forgive us, did he?”
    â€œNot exactly,” I said.

    Upstairs, Hooligan flopped onto his bed and fell instantly asleep.
    Then Nate appeared from the kitchen.
    â€œWhere did you go?” Granny asked him.
    â€œWho me?” Nate said. “No place! Uh . . . I mean, I came back up here is all. . . .”
    Granny cocked her head, then she looked at Tessa and me. “You still have some time before dinner. I think all three of you had better set yourselves down and do some schoolwork.”
    â€œMine would be done except I had to listen to stupid music,” Nate said.
    Granny shut her eyes. “It will be in your best interest, Nathan, if I pretend I did not hear that last comment.”
    â€œBesides, I saw you tapping your feet!” Tessa said. “You just don’t want to admit you like The Song Boys ’cause you think they’re for kids. Well,
you’re
a kid! Get over it!”
    Nate crossed his arms. “I hate The Song Boys,” he said, “and you know what else? I hope something bad happens, and they can’t even play on Saturday.”
    Granny put her hands on her hips. “That is too much, Nathan. Apologize to your cousins.”
    â€œSorry, cousins,” Nate said—but in a robot voice so we would know he didn’t mean it.

    There are eleven bedrooms in the White House—plenty to go around—but Tessa and I still share. We were afraid it would be spooky to sleep alone in an old house. Our room is big, with two beds and two bookcases. My bookcase is full of books. Tessa’s is full of Barbies.
    That night, it was Mom who came in to say good night. Usually, we eat dinner with Granny because Mom is so busy being president. When she’s in town, though, Mom always comes in to kiss us good night.
    â€œI understand there was some uproar with Hooligan today.” Mom was sitting on the edge of Tessa’sbed. She wore gray sweats and a gray Stanford sweatshirt. In our family, it’s Tessa and Aunt Jen who are into fashion. Mom and me—not so much.
    â€œHooligan is not the problem,” Tessa told her. “Nate is the problem.”
    â€œWhy do we have to live with him, Mom?” I asked.
    â€œShall I send him back to San Diego?” Mom asked.
    â€œYes!” Tessa and I said.
    â€œWhat about Aunt Jen?” Mom said.
    â€œShe can stay,” I said.
    â€œThen who will Nate live with in San Diego?” Mom asked.
    This was a problem. Aunt Jen’s husband died in a war. It was later she adopted Nate. He was born in Korea. “Doesn’t he have friends in San Diego?” I asked.
    Mom nodded. “That’s an idea. Or what about this? You girls could go live with friends, and Nate can stay here.”
    Tessa knew Mom didn’t mean it. But she likes to be dramatic. “
No-o-o-o!
” She waved her hands. “We want to live with
you
—with our
family
!”
    Mom smiled and gave her a kiss and a snuggle. Then she came over and gave me a kiss and a snuggle. Mom smelled like roses.
    â€œYou know what, muffins,” she said. “I bet Nate feels the same way. I bet he wants to live with
his
family.”
    I was going to answer her. But I was sleepy. And when I’m sleepy, my mom is too smart for me.

CHAPTER SIX

    THE next day was Wednesday, and before the first bell rang, Nate’s and my teacher called me to her desk.
    â€œThere are a lot of rumors going around about The Song Boys, Cameron,” she said.