Charlie Bingham Gets Clocked

by Maggie M. Larche

  As the class shuffled into place, I put a hand on Brad’s shoulder so that I could follow him into the line. I knew that he’d run if he got the chance, and I had some questions that needed answering. I decided to start gently.

  “I can’t believe you stuck me with the clock!” I whispered. “What’d you do that for?”

  “Shh!” said Brad. “Someone will hear you.”

  “Why’d you do it?”

  “Think about it, Charlie. If Miss Walker realizes that the clock is stolen, she’ll remember that I was sitting at her desk. And she’ll know right away that it was me. I had to get rid of it.”

  “Fine. But if you had the time to move the clock to my bag, why not just put it back on her desk instead?”

  “I tried! I stayed behind during the tornado drill to do just that. Pretty smart, huh?” He looked pleased with himself. I just stared.

  “Anyways,” he continued, “I was about to put it back, but Mrs. Mushwort came in and saw me. Luckily I was kneeling behind my desk to get it out of my bag, or she’d have seen the clock for sure. So then I lied and said I needed a tissue, but I couldn’t actually go anywhere with the clock.”

  “And so you pinned it on me.”

  “I didn’t pin it on you. Don’t you get it? Miss Walker would never check your backpack in a million years. She knows that you love her. Everyone knows.”

  “I do not.” I did.

  “So you’re the safest person to hold it.” He acted as though he were explaining the most obvious thing in the world. I did not see it that way.

  “Besides,” he continued, “you know what I’m like under pressure.”

  “Like a limp noodle.”

  He didn’t argue with my description. “I couldn’t hold on to the clock. You’re a much better person to keep it until we think of a way to get it back.”

  “Well, we’d better. She loves that thing.”

  “I know,” said Brad. “I heard she found it in an archeological dig.”

  Great. I had a precious piece of history stowed away. They probably send you to jail for that.

  At lunch, I was sandwiched between Brad and Martin. After only a minute, Martin knocked his drink over.

  “Sorry, Charlie.”

  “That’s ok.” I already had my napkin ready. Martin spilled his drink every other day at least. Sitting next to him at the lunch table could be messy, but that’s what you get with assigned seats.

  “So, Charlie,” Martin leaned towards me and lowered his voice. “Was that your lizard?”

  I shook my head and elbowed Brad’s arm. “No, he’s Brad’s stupid lizard, and he’s causing lots of trouble today.”

  Brad nodded. No one who knew the full events of the morning could argue against that.

  “I’ll keep an eye out for him,” said Martin.

  “Thanks,” said Brad.

  Alyssa sat across the table from us, and next to her was Rebecca. Rebecca was the most popular girl in our class. Popular, that is, with everyone but Alyssa. She and Alyssa were mortal enemies. And thanks to the wonders of alphabetical seating, they got to spend every lunch together. That was a really fun experience for the rest of us, let me tell you.

  Halfway through my ham sandwich, Mrs. Mushwort patrolled by our table. We hunkered down quietly until she passed. Somehow, Mrs. Mushwort always made you afraid that you were about to be carted off to detention without trial.

  Once she passed us, we all collectively sighed. Alyssa opened her juice box thoughtfully.

  “You know,” she said, “maybe it wasn’t Mr. Wainwright who took the clock. Maybe Mrs. Mushwort borrowed it.” Her eyes lit up. “Or maybe she stole it! She’s always so grumpy, and she was right by the room during the tornado drill!”

  Rebecca rolled her eyes. “Teachers don’t steal from each other.”

  “Says who?” asked Alyssa.

  “Says me, and I’ve read every Carolina Park mystery there is.”

  Alyssa crossed her arms. “I’ve read every Carolina Park story, and I say teachers can too be the bad guy. Anybody can be the bad guy.”

  I gave Brad a look. I meant it to say, “See what you’ve gotten us into all because you stole a stupid clock when your lizard ran away?” but it must have said, “Please, take a chip,” because he then ate one of my chips.

  I cleared my throat. “I just hope she finds it.” After I’d gotten rid of it, that is.

  Alyssa munched a carrot stick thoughtfully. “I wonder why she loves it so much. Maybe it was given to her by her sick grandfather as a last request.”

  “That’s not it,” said Rebecca. “I think she brought it back as a souvenir from a trip around the world.”

  “I heard,” said Martin, “that the President gave it to her.”

  “What president?” I asked.

  Martin’s expression was very serious. “Of the United States.”

  “No way,” said Brad.

  Martin nodded. “Yes, way. So, it’s very valuable.”

  I closed my eyes. This was getting worse by the second. When I opened them again, I spotted Miss Walker a few tables away. She headed straight for Mr. Wainwright, and I knew she was going to ask him about the clock. With the bundle burning a hole in my book bag, I decided to engage in a little spying.

  I grabbed my empty sandwich bag and sauntered towards the trashcan. I had to veer a little out of my way, but no one said anything to me. I came within a few feet of the two teachers.

  “Oh, Mr. Wainwright,” said Miss Walker, “I need to ask you a quick question.”

  “I’ve always got time for you.”

  Miss Walker giggled. Barf.

  “You know my alarm clock that I use in my room?”

  He nodded.

  “You didn’t borrow it this morning did you? I can’t find it.”

  Mr. Wainwright shook his head. “No, I didn’t. But I don’t like to hear that it’s missing. You don’t suspect foul play, do you?”

  Miss Walker laughed again. “Oh, no. I don’t think anyone would steal it.”

  Mr. Wainwright growled. “Good. Because if anyone stole from you…” He shook his head. “Well, I wouldn’t like it.”

  I swear that I could see his muscles flex under his shirt.

  Miss Walker, however, didn’t seem alarmed at all. She just gave another laugh. What was with all this giggling from her? I didn’t get it.

  Just then Mr. Wainwright spotted me.

  “Move along, Charlie. Trash can’s that way.” He pointed, and I beat it. Until I ditched the clock, I did not want to be on the bad side of Mr. Wainwright. Or his muscles.

  Chapter 4

  I completed my loop around the lunchroom, dropped my empty bag in the garbage, and made my way back to the table.

  When I arrived, Alyssa and Rebecca were in the middle of a full-scale argument.

  “No,” Alyssa said, “Carolina Park saves the ambassador in the Curse of the Silver Star.”

  “You’re wrong,” said Rebecca. “It was The Mystery of Tango Island.”

  “Tango Island? Don’t make me laugh!”

  Martin slumped over with his head on the table. He covered his ears with the bread from his sandwich.

  I turned to Brad. “They’re back at it, huh?”

  “I’m sorry. I can’t hear you. I’ve gone deaf from all the bickering.”

  All three of us were relieved when Miss Walker arrived to lead the class to the playground for recess. We lined up alongside the tables.

  “Miss Walker?” Alyssa raised her hand from the line. “Did you find your clock?”

  Miss Walker shook her head as she led us down the hallway. “No, I’m afraid not. We’ll just have to search the room when we get back.”

  After our class exploded onto the playground, I grabbed Brad. “Did you hear Miss Walker? What are we going to do?”

  He rubbed his arms. “Man, it’s kind of cold out here. I wish I had my sweatshirt.”

  Since that stupid sweatshirt was currently stuck in my backpack
with an illegal clock – all thanks to him – I did not have much sympathy.

  “Focus, Brad! Miss Walker said she’s about to search the room!”

  “Hey,” he said, his eyes lighting up, “maybe we’ll find Houdini in the search.”

  “Yeah – OR MAYBE WE’LL FIND A CLOCK IN MY BACKPACK!”

  “Ok, chill out. Just let me think.”

  Suddenly a voice interrupted us.

  “Excuse me, boys.”

  I turned around slowly and tried to swallow the fear in my throat. Miss Walker stood right behind me. Did she hear me?

  “Brad, I need to borrow you for a second.”

  Brad’s neck started to turn red. “Yes?”

  “Would you please bring this knowledge bowl form up to the office for me?” She handed him a sheet of paper. “Come back out to recess when you’re done.”

  Brad relaxed, and his skin stopped turning the color of a fire engine. “Sure, Miss Walker.” He waved to me. “See ya', Charlie.”

  I turned to Miss Walker. Did she know? Would she throw me into detention right then and there?

  Instead she smiled. “Well, go play, Charlie.”

  I heaved my own sigh of relief and took off for the swings. I’d dodged a close one.

  As soon as I reached the swing set, I regretted it. Alyssa and Rebecca were stationed on either side shouting at each other.

  “You don’t know the first thing about being a detective,” shouted Rebecca. “You couldn’t find the guy who stole the clock even if Carolina Park were here to help you!”

  “Ha! At least I know that the thief might not be a boy. Rookie mistake!” Alyssa put her hands on her hips. “In fact, how do I know that it wasn’t you?”

  “Maybe it was you!”

  “Was not!”

  “You know what?” said Rebecca. “I’m going to form a detective club. Only smart kids can join, and we’ll find out who took the clock.”

  “Oh, yeah?” Alyssa swelled with anger. “Well, you’d better hurry, because I’m going to solve this mystery first.” She spotted me. “And Charlie’s going to help me.”

  There are times in life when I wish I was drinking milk, just so I could spew it all over the place in surprise. This was one of those times.

  Unfortunately, I didn’t have any milk on me, so I settled for dropping my jaw in surprise.

  Alyssa marched to me and grabbed my arm. “Come on, Charlie. We’ve got work to do.”

  “No way,” I said as she pulled me along. “I am not getting involved in this.”

  “Yes, you are. I already told Rebecca so, and you don’t want to let me down, do you? Besides, don’t you like to solve mysteries?”

  I thought uncomfortably of the clock nestled in my book bag. “Not this one,” I said.

  “Charlie, you’ve got to help me, and we can’t waste any time.” She pointed across the playground where Rebecca was talking to a group of girls. Rebecca kept glancing our way with a smug expression, and I could feel Alyssa boiling beside me.

  “Look at her! She’s already recruiting people for her stupid club. We’ve got to find the thief before she does.”

  I groaned. Why did my friends keep dragging me into these things?

  “I don’t know, Alyssa.”

  “Charlie! Where’s your spirit? Besides, you especially should want to help Miss Walker.”

  “Why me?”

  “Because everyone knows you love her.”

  “Do not.” I did.

  “Yeah, right. What would she say if she knew you didn’t want to help find her special alarm clock?” She pulled me towards the school. “Now come on.”

  “Where are we going?” I asked as we jogged across the playground.

  “We’re sneaking back into the classroom. Duh.” Alyssa led us to the double doors and checked around us, acting just like a spy on a mission. Then she slipped inside so quickly that I had been pulled into the hallway before I could stop her.

  “We’re going to get in trouble,” I said. “Big trouble.”

  “Not if we find the clock. Then we’ll be heroes. Follow me.” She took off down the hallway.

  I considered her words for a moment and then scurried after her. She had a point. I would like to be the hero. I just needed to think of some way to get the clock from its current hiding place to somewhere else that I could “find” it. Somewhere less incriminating than my very own backpack. And I had to do it without Alyssa seeing.

  We snuck into the classroom and pulled the door shut behind us. The room echoed with silence, and the lights were off.

  “This is weird,” I whispered. “I’ve never been in here without twenty other students at the same time. I don’t like it. We should go.”

  “Don’t be silly,” said Alyssa, although she appeared a little unnerved as well. “Where should we start? By opening book bags?”

  “No!” I said a little too loudly. “I mean, that seems wrong.”

  “Well, how else are we going to find it?”

  “Why don’t you start by searching around the front of the room? I’ll try to find any clues.”

  “Ok. But go fast. We don’t have much time.”

  I moseyed over to the student seats, keeping an eye on Alyssa’s progress while I waited for her to be distracted enough for me to move the clock. I made a show of moving chairs around and tried to give my best Sherlock Holmes impression. When Alyssa crawled behind the podium, I took my chance.

  I sprinted for my backpack, opened the zipper, and – froze. Someone was turning the doorknob of the classroom door.

  I just had time to rezip the bag and stand up straight before the door opened.

  Brad darted inside.

  “Brad!” I yelped.

  “Charlie!” he said. “What are you doing here?”

  “We’re looking for the alarm clock,” said Alyssa, who popped out from behind the podium.

  “Alyssa!”

  “Brad,” she said. “Me and Charlie are going to find whoever took the alarm clock.”

  Brad stared at me with his eyebrows raised. “You’re going to find the clock?”

  I couldn’t say much with Alyssa standing right there. “Yep,” was all I finally got out.

  Slowly he nodded. “Ok.” He thought for a moment. “Say, Charlie, would you give me my sweatshirt? It’s cold outside.”

  I thought of the sweatshirt wrapped around the clock and, in a flash, recognized Brad’s plan. I could pass the sweatshirt to him, hiding the clock inside of it, and Alyssa would never see.

  Brad was really on his A-game. Not bad for a guy who can’t raise his hand in class without freaking out.

  “Sure, buddy,” I said. I leaned down to unzip the bag.

  “Hurry up,” said Alyssa. “Recess will be over soon.”

  “You don’t want to make Brad freeze outside, do you?” I pulled his sweatshirt out of the bag, securely wrapped around the stolen clock.

  “Here you go,” I said to Brad and held out the bundle. I was only inches away from putting it into his hands when the worst possible thing happened.

  The alarm went off.

  Chapter 5

  Chaos erupted.

  The air rang with loud clanging, and all three of us leapt into the air in shock. Leapt? Or is it leaped? Either way, we jumped.

  Alyssa cried, “What’s that?” while Brad lost his head completely. Yelling that he’d just shiver to stay warm, he bolted from the classroom and left me holding the ringing package.

  Moving with a presence of mind that I think was quite impressive, I unwrapped the shirt and tried to turn off the alarm.

  Alyssa rushed over. “Charlie!” she yelled over the din. “It was you!”

  “It wasn’t me.”

  “You just pulled the clock from your backpack!” She covered her ears. “Turn that thing off,” she shouted.

  “I’m trying.”

  “Give it to me.” Alyssa took the clock and pressed a button on the back. Immediately, quiet fell once again on the
room, but my ears rang from the bells.

  “Charlie,” said Alyssa. “I can’t believe you.”

  “I didn’t take it,” I said. “I swear. Brad swiped it. And then he stuck it in my bag!”

  “Oh, yeah?” She crossed her arms. “And why would he take it?”

  “Not now, Alyssa. I hear someone coming.”

  “Quick! Hide it.” Alyssa helped me shove the clock and the sweatshirt back in the nearest book bag, and we crouched on the floor. We could hear the sounds of our class returning from recess.

  The door opened, and someone flipped the light switch. We waited to stand up until kids flooded back in. We tried to blend in as though we’d just returned as well, and it seemed to work. Everyone chattered as they found their seats, much too busy to notice us.

  Brad walked in with the rest of the class. Alyssa intercepted him on the way to his desk and began whispering frantically in his ear. I relaxed into my seat, grateful to not be on the receiving end of that communication.

  Brad finally escaped to his seat, his shoulders hunched, and Alyssa stalked to her desk.

  I watched Rebecca swing by Alyssa’s seat on her way to sit down. “Any luck finding the clock? Because I’ve got several leads.”

  Alyssa glared at Rebecca. “I bet,” said Alyssa and crossed her arms. But as soon as Rebecca turned away, Alyssa dropped her head onto her desk.

  “Alyssa?” I whispered. “You ok?”

  She spoke straight into the desk. “I told Rebecca you were going to help me find the clock.” Her voice was muffled, and I had to lean over to make out her words. “Now, if you get caught, she’ll see that the thief was my own partner! I’m never going to live this down.”

  She raised her head and gazed intently at me. “We’ve got to find a way to put it back.”

  Miss Walker asked for everyone’s attention again.

  “Class, I really don’t know where the alarm clock has gotten to. Let’s all take a minute to search around the room, please. I’m sure it’s just been misplaced, but I’d like to find it.”

  Everyone jumped out of their chairs, eager for a chance to put off work.