The last police car stopped by Cam, Eric, and Mr. Jansen. A tall officer with gold braid on the shoulder of his jacket got out of the car. He came over to Mr. Jansen and introduced himself.
“I’m Captain Gardner. Are you the one who found the thief?”
Mr. Jansen shook his head and said, “No. It was my daughter, Jennifer, and her friend Eric.”
“Well,” Captain Gardner said as he shook Cam’s hand and then Eric’s hand. “On behalf of the people of this city, I thank both of you. I’m sure the local newspaper and TV reporters will want to know that two young children helped us find a dangerous criminal.”
Captain Gardner took out a small note-pad. He wrote Cam’s and Eric’s names and addresses.
“Now,” Captain Gardner said, as he turned and started to walk to his car, “you’ve helped me. If at any time, I can help you, please let me know.”
“Wait!” Eric called out. “You can help me now. We’re selling chocolate fudge bars and rice cakes to raise money for Ride and Read. We bring homebound elderly to our local library.”
Captain Gardner bought two rice cakes from Cam and Eric and told them, “Now follow me and I’ll help you raise a lot more money for Ride and Read.”
At the police station, Captain Gardner announced that Cam and Eric were raising money for charity. Many of the officers were eating lunch. Eric sold them chocolate bars and rice cakes for dessert. Cam entertained the police officers by doing memory tricks.
Cam looked at all the officers gathered around Eric. She closed her eyes and said, “Click.”
“Officer Adams has red hair,” Cam said, “and his necktie is crooked. Officer Lopez has three rings on his left hand.”
“Maybe she’s peeking,” one of the officers said. “Maybe her eyes are not closed all the way.
Cam turned around and went on.
“Officer Davis has a drop of mustard on her collar.”
“She’s amazing,” Officer Davis said.
Mr. Jansen smiled and said, “Yes, she is. And she’s my daughter!”
The Chocolate Fudge Mystery Page 3