The Mystery of the Memorial Day Fire

once again pulled out of the parking lot.
    “Well, wouldn’t you have a guilty conscience if you’d said something that led to somebody’s getting arrested?” Trixie asked.
    “I would,” Brian said. “It must be a helpless feeling to know you have to tell the truth, even though someone’s going to be hurt by it.”
    “He could just as easily be angry, since the fire in the store spread to his appliance warehouse,” Nick said. “He’s a nice man, though. He’s been very kind to us since we’ve been renting the shop from him. I should say, ‘While we were renting the shop from him.’ I can’t get used to the fact that it’s gone.” Nick’s brown eyes darkened as if the full truth of his circumstances had, in fact, just begun to sink in.
    “Everything will be all right, Nick,” Trixie said. “You’ll see. Your father will have a bigger and better store before very long.”
    “I hope you’re right, Trixie,” Nick said as the car pulled into his driveway. He tugged at the door handle, opened the door, and climbed out. “Thanks for everything.”
    “No problem,” Brian said as he put the car into reverse. “Keep in touch, you hear?”
    Nick nodded and walked into the house.
    “It certainly is mysterious, isn’t it?” Trixie mused aloud.
    “Aha!” Mart shouted. “The eventuality I had anticipated has at last arrived! Our sibling shamus has surfaced once again!”
    “Oh, Mart,” Trixie said, “I don’t mean detective-type mysterious. I mean — well, mysterious-type mysterious. The way people behave. Nick seemed unfriendly when I first met him, but he’s really a warm, caring person. Mr. Slettom, who has every right to be suspicious and angry at Mr. Roberts, is actually sympathetic and eager to help. Pat Murphy, who’s probably spent more time around criminals than most criminals have, is also a nice, warm person. And then, on the other hand—”
    “There’s an anti-reporter diatribe coming,” Brian interrupted. “I can feel it!”
    “Well, that reporter deserves one,” Trixie said.
    “There was a brazen aspect in Jane Dix-Strauss’s attempt to interview Pat Murphy,” Mart agreed.
    “Being thick-skinned is part of her job,” Brian said. “If she were being that persistent in trying to interview some crooked politician, we’d love it. The only difference between that and this is that someone we know is involved. Otherwise, it’s the same — a reporter doing a thorough job of reporting.”
    “I hope she is as competent in writing about Mr. Roberts’s release from jail,” Mart said.
    “I hope so, too,” Brian told him. “But I won’t hold my breath. Arresting a suspected arsonist is of interest to everyone in Sleepyside, so it makes the front page. Releasing an innocent man is really of interest only to his friends and family, so that usually gets hidden in the back. It isn’t news.”
    “There’s one way to make Mr. Roberts’s release newsworthy,” Trixie said.
    “Uh-oh,” Brian said.
    “Well, it’s true,” Trixie said defensively. “If Mr. Roberts is released because the real arsonist is caught, that will be news —just like you said.”
    “I follow your logic, Trix,” Brian said. “But I can also take it a step farther and see you deciding to catch the arsonist yourself. I don’t want you even to think about doing that. It’s too dangerous. You’d be literally playing with fire!”
    “Did you hear me say I was going to try to catch the arsonist? Did you?” Trixie demanded.
    “No,” Brian admitted. “But I do want to hear you say you won’t try. Promise me, Trixie.”
    “I promise,” Trixie said reluctantly. To herself, she added, But that wont stop me from trying to figure out who it is.



7 * Trixie Has a Plan

    AS THE CAR HEADED DOWN GLEN ROAD, Trixie once again reached out to touch her oldest brother’s arm. “Brian, would you drop me off at the Manor House? I know it’s a little bit out of your way, but you can drive it faster than I can walk it, and I have to talk to Honey about all that’s happened.”
    “There is never a dearth of detours with Beatrix directing,” Mart said.
    “That’s okay,” Brian said. “I said earlier that getting things out of your system is best. I’m sure that’s what Trixie has in mind.”
    A few minutes later, Trixie was hopping out of the car in front of the Manor House. “Thanks, Brian,” she said. “Tell Moms I’ll be home soonest to do my chores. I promise!” She ran up the wide