Stolen Stash

  Contents

  Title Page

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Copyright Page

  Billie and her friends sit in their classroom on Monday morning in silence. Everyone in the class faces the front, staring at Mr Benetto, whose face is as dark as a storm cloud. He has just told them the most terrible news.

  Something has been taken from the principal’s office. And Mrs Singh thinks it was someone from the school!

  ‘This is a very serious matter,’ Mr Benetto says, his usually smiley face crinkled into a frown. ‘Mrs Singh is very disappointed, but she is hoping that the person who did this will own up.’

  There is shuffling and murmuring as Billie’s classmates slide their eyes from side to side.

  Could the thief be in this very room? Billie wonders.

  She is finding it hard not to feel a teensy bit excited, even though she knows a terrible thing has happened. The theft means there might be a mystery to uncover. Could it be a job for the Secret Mystery Club? If so, it might be their most serious yet!

  She glances over at Jack, but his eyes are fixed on Mr Benetto’s serious face.

  Even though, of course, Billie is hoping the person who stole the valuable thing confesses by the end of the day, there is a teensy part of her that hopes they don’t. She would love to investigate and find out who did it, with the help of the SMC.

  ‘All right then,’ Mr Benetto says, his voice softening back to its usual tone. ‘Enough of the bad news. Let’s get to work on our geography projects, shall we?’

  Everyone starts chatting and moving around the classroom as normal again. They collect scissors and glue sticks and jars of coloured pencils from the trolleys on the back wall, to continue working on their projects.

  But Billie can’t stop thinking about what Mr Benetto has told them. She slides up next to Jack. ‘What do you think?’ she whispers excitedly. ‘Is this our next mystery?’

  Jack shrugs. ‘I don’t know, Billie. It will probably all be over by the end of the day. Someone will own up, I’m sure.’

  ‘You’re right,’ Billie says, nodding. ‘Of course that would be best.’

  But she crosses her fingers behind her back so Jack doesn’t see. She can’t help hoping that the SMC will be able to discover who the thief is.

  All that day, Billie overhears people talking about the theft.

  It is the most exciting thing that’s happened at the school in months!

  ‘What do you think was stolen?’

  ‘Do you think someone will own up?’

  ‘Who do you think it was?’

  The school day is almost over. Mrs Singh calls the whole school together for an assembly, just before the final bell goes. Whispers pass through the students like wind through the trees.

  Everyone wants to know if the thief has owned up – especially Billie. Then she will know if the SMC has a new mystery to solve!

  ‘As you all know,’ Mrs Singh begins, ‘something was taken from my office last Friday afternoon. And I am very disappointed that no-one has come forward to return it.’

  The students murmur among themselves.

  Mrs Singh holds up a hand to silence them.

  Carrie, the school captain, puts her hand up. ‘Mrs Singh, can you tell us what was stolen?’ she asks.

  Everyone in the whole school stares at her. Even if she is the school captain, this seems like a very brave thing to ask.

  Mrs Singh pauses while she decides what to say. Mrs Singh never wastes words.

  ‘It was money from the school float, Carrie,’ Mrs Singh says. ‘Mrs Saunders from the front desk was counting the money in my office. She left the office for a moment to help someone in Sick Bay, and when she came back, someone had taken a fifty-dollar note from the tin.’

  There are gasps from all over the hall. Even the little preps in the front row sit with their mouths gaping open like goldfish.

  Stealing money! Billie thinks. That’s serious!

  ‘I still hope that whoever took the money might return it to my office,’ Mrs Singh says. ‘I feel very sad that one of our students would do something like this. All right. That’s enough for now.You may go.’

  The students shuffle out of the assembly hall, talking loudly about what has happened. They run to collect their bikes or meet their parents in the playground.

  Billie and Jack find Mika and Alex in the crowd.

  ‘So, what do you think?’ Billie asks.

  ‘It’s terrible!’ Mika says, shaking her head. ‘Imagine stealing money!’

  ‘No, I mean, do you think this could be a job for the SMC?’ Billie insists.

  Alex narrows his eyes. ‘No way, Billie. What we do is games. This is serious. Didn’t you see how cross Mrs Singh was?’

  ‘Games?’ Billie splutters. She can’t believe what she is hearing. ‘Is that what you think we’re doing? Playing games? Well, I think the Secret Mystery Club is very serious. How many mysteries have we already solved?’

  ‘Possum thieves?’ Alex snorts. ‘Codes written by our parents? Witches who aren’t really witches?’ He rolls his eyes at Mika. ‘And don’t forget criminals who put gum leaves in sandwiches.’

  Billie gasps. Alex’s words feel like sharp spikes in her chest. Her head fizzes angrily. ‘Is that really what you think of the SMC?’ she says in disbelief. ‘Well, I don’t know why you bother hanging out with us then, Alex. If you think the club is so babyish, you should probably just leave.’

  ‘Maybe I will,’ says Alex, glaring at Billie.

  ‘Maybe you should.’ Billie glares back.

  ‘Billie,’ Mika says, ‘you don’t mean that!’ She puts her hand on Billie’s arm. But Billie spins around and storms off towards the school gates, with Jack trailing behind her.

  ‘Stupid Alex!’ Billie fumes, as she and Jack make their way home. ‘We don’t need him anyway! The SMC is much better off without him.’

  Jack chews the inside of his cheek nervously. Billie can see he’s not quite sure what to say.

  She kicks a pebble angrily into the gutter.

  ‘Maybe he has a point, Billie,’ Jack says quietly. ‘Stealing money is a pretty serious crime. Maybe we shouldn’t get involved.’

  Billie stops and spins around to face him. ‘Are you taking his side?’ she demands.

  ‘No!’ Jack says, frowning. ‘I’m your best friend, aren’t I? We always stick together.’

  ‘Sorry,’ says Billie. Jack is right. He always sticks by her, no matter what. She smiles gratefully. ‘Thanks, Jack.’

  When they reach Billie’s front gate, she turns to Jack. ‘Do you want to come over?’ she asks. ‘Dad made banana bread last night. We can eat some in the treehouse and see if we can solve the mystery of who took the money.’

  Jack frowns. ‘Mmm, maybe later,’ he says. ‘I’ve got homework.’

  Billie nods, like she doesn’t care. But she knows Jack doesn’t want to talk about the mystery anymore, and this makes her feel like she has a little bruise inside her chest.

  As soon as she is inside, she dumps her schoolbag at the bottom of the stairs, grabs some banana bread and races out the back to climb up into the treehouse.

  I’ll show them! she thinks. I’ll show them that I can solve big mysteries, all on my own.

  Billie drags some cushions into a pile and pulls out her secret notebook from its hiding place in a hole in the trunk of the tree. Then she settles down with her pen and notebook to write everything she knows about what’s happened.

  Secret Mystery Number 5

  The
Crime: Money was stolen from Mrs Singh’s office

  The Time: Last Friday afternoon

  Suspects: Everyone in the school!

  Billie crosses the last sentence out.

  That’s way too many people to be suspects, she thinks. I have to narrow it down somehow.

  What kind of person would steal money? she wonders.

  She wishes Jack and Mika were around to help her. Even Alex. He can be annoying, but he is still very good at coming up with clues.

  Billie sighs. It’s no use. Detective work is no fun when you are on your own.

  She locks her notebook up again with the tiny key and pushes it back into the hole in the tree trunk. Then she swings down out of the tree and trudges back inside.

  The next morning Billie and Jack walk to school together as usual and wait for Mika and Alex under the peppercorn tree. They wait and they wait, until eventually the bell goes. The two of them look around anxiously for their friends.

  Mika is often late, but it is strange that Alex hasn’t turned up yet. He usually arrives at school at the same time as Jack and Billie.

  Jack frowns. ‘Maybe he’s sick?’ he suggests.

  ‘Maybe,’ says Billie. ‘Come on, we can’t wait any longer or we’ll get into trouble with Mr Benetto for being late.’

  Billie and Jack jog into the school building.

  Everyone is already in their classrooms and the corridor is quiet and empty. As they pass Mrs Singh’s office, they hear voices coming from behind the door.

  ‘Wait!’ Billie whispers, grabbing Jack’s arm to stop him. She glances up the corridor to check no-one is around, then puts her ear to the door. Jack chews his lip nervously but does the same.

  They hear the sound of Mrs Singh’s voice, stern and disappointed.

  ‘Well, I’m glad the money has been returned,’ she is saying. ‘Though I don’t understand why you didn’t come forward yesterday. I have no idea what made you do such a thing. I really hope I can expect better from you in the future.’

  The person Mrs Singh is scolding mumbles something in answer.

  Billie widens her eyes at Jack. ‘It’s the thief!’ she whispers.

  Jack’s mouth drops open. Billie flattens her ear to the door again.

  ‘I will keep this between us,’ she hears Mrs Singh continue, a little softer now. ‘I think you’ve been punished enough without your friends finding out what you’ve done. I’m sure they would be very disappointed in you. All right, you can go to class now.’

  Quickly, Billie and Jack spring away from the door and look around frantically for somewhere to hide. Billie grabs Jack’s hand and pulls him into the entrance of the girls’ toilets.

  They press themselves against the wall, out of sight. Billie’s heart is pounding hard.

  When they hear Mrs Singh’s door close again they peer around the doorway to try to catch a glimpse of the thief.

  Billie feels her tummy jump about with excitement. Who is it? she wonders. Who stole the money?

  They see the student walking down the corridor, head hung low. It’s a boy – tall, thin and dark-haired.

  As the boy turns to head out into the playground, they catch a glimpse of his face before he disappears around the corner.

  Billie clutches Jack’s hand. She can’t believe her eyes.

  ‘Was that…?’ Billie gasps.

  Jack nods. ‘Alex!’ he finishes for her, and they stare at each other, mouths open.

  ‘Alex is the thief?’ Billie says as they run to their classroom.

  Jack shakes his head in disbelief. ‘I can’t believe it! Alex?’

  All kinds of feelings bubble up inside Billie: shock, surprise and, last of all, anger.

  ‘Well, that explains a lot!’ she says, frowning. ‘Now I understand why he didn’t want the SMC to investigate this mystery. He didn’t want us to find out it was him!’

  Billie and Jack get to class and sit down in their seats just as Mika and Alex walk in. Luckily, Mr Benetto hasn’t called the roll yet, so he doesn’t notice how late they all are.

  Billie glances at Alex as he pulls out his chair. His eyes are red and it looks like he’s been crying.

  Serves him right! Billie thinks angrily. I can’t believe that a member of the Secret Mystery Club is a thief!

  Billie sees Mika put a comforting hand on Alex’s shoulder before she goes to her own seat.

  Wait until you find out what he did, Mika! Billie thinks. You won’t feel so sorry for him then!

  ‘OK, kids,’ Mr Benetto says. ‘I want you to try to finish off your geography projects today.

  If you’ve already finished, you can join another group to help them out. You have until recess to get them done.’

  ‘I’ll get the pencils and things, you get the poster,’ Billie tells Jack.

  Jack nods and walks off to collect the half-finished poster he and Billie have been working on.

  Billie walks to the back of the room to collect scissors and glue and coloured pencils.

  When she gets back to her desk, she is surprised to see Mika and Alex there.

  ‘We’ve finished our project,’ Mika says, smiling, ‘so we thought we could help you with yours. Is that OK?’

  Billie looks at Jack. He looks away, chewing on a thumbnail.

  ‘I don’t think so,’ Billie says, coolly. ‘We can finish it ourselves. Thanks anyway.’

  Mika looks confused. ‘But you’ve still got heaps to do. And Mr Benetto said Alex and I have to find someone to help.’

  ‘I told you,’ Billie says more firmly now. ‘We don’t need your help.’

  ‘Billie! What’s wrong with you?’ asks Mika, frowning. ‘Why are you acting so strange? I know you and Alex had a fight, but you’re still friends, aren’t you?’

  ‘Are we?’ Billie says, glaring at Alex.

  ‘Friends are people you can trust. Friends are people who stick by you. I don’t think you should be his friend either, Mika. If you want to stay a member of the SMC.’

  Alex’s cheeks turn red. Mika’s eyes grow wide and she puts her hands on her hips. She doesn’t get angry very often, but when she does, she gets very angry indeed.

  ‘That’s not what our club is about, Billie,’ Mika hisses. ‘I’m not going to choose sides. If that’s how you are going to be, then I don’t want to be a member of the club anyway!’

  Billie’s mouth falls open. She didn’t think Mika would take Alex’s side. ‘But Mika, you were my friend first!’ she says, in disbelief. ‘Besides, you don’t know what Alex did…’

  ‘Billie!’ Jack says suddenly, so loudly that even Mr Benetto notices.

  ‘Kids!’ Mr Benetto says in a stern voice. ‘Is that geography you’re talking about?’

  ‘No,’ says Mika, pulling Alex away from Billie’s desk. ‘Alex and I are just trying to find someone who’d like some help. Billie and Jack don’t need us.’

  ‘We need some help!’ Benny says, quickly, shooting up his hand.

  ‘All right, off you go then, Mika and Alex,’ Mr Benetto says.

  ‘Billie, Jack, heads down now. I want your project on my desk by recess.’

  Billie ducks her head down over her work. When she looks up again, Jack is glaring at her angrily.

  ‘What?’ she whispers, feeling her throat get tight. ‘He’s the one in the wrong, Jack! You’re not going to take his side, too, are you?’

  Jack shakes his head. ‘No,’ he says. ‘Like I said, you’re my best friend.

  But that wasn’t fair what you did just now. I don’t think we should tell anyone else about what Alex did. Mrs Singh said he’d been punished enough.’

  Billie sticks out her bottom lip. She knows Jack is right, but she still feels angry and confused. This isn’t what was supposed to happen! Alex is the one who did the bad thing, but now she’s the one everyone is angry at! This is not fair. Not at all!

  Billie and Jack just finish their project as the bell rings for recess. They stay for a minute to tidy up, then run out into the
playground.

  The sun is shining so brightly that Billie almost forgets about her argument with Alex and Mika.

  That is, until she sees Mika sitting by herself under the peppercorn tree. Alex is nowhere to be seen.

  ‘Come on,’ says Jack. ‘Let’s go and see if she’s OK.’

  Billie hesitates, but only for a second. Then she runs after Jack.

  Mika looks up at Billie and narrows her eyes. But Billie has already practised in her head what she is going to say. She doesn’t want to lose Mika as a friend.

  And she especially doesn’t want the Secret Mystery Club to be over!

  ‘I’m sorry I was mean to you and Alex, Mika. It’s just that…’

  ‘Alex has gone home,’ Mika says. ‘He’s not feeling well.’

  ‘Oh,’ says Billie, feeling a little worried. Even if he is a thief, Billie doesn’t want anything really bad to happen to Alex. ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘He knows you think he stole the money, Billie,’ Mika says.

  Billie looks at Jack. He shrugs.

  ‘But he didn’t,’ Mika frowns.

  ‘Well,’ says Billie slowly, ‘we actually saw him come out of Mrs Singh’s office. And we heard her telling him off for it. He definitely took the money, Mika.’ She looks at Mika, expecting her to be horrified, but instead Mika just looks angry.

  ‘Billie,’ Mika snaps, ‘Alex is our friend. You know he wouldn’t do a thing like that! He’s not a thief!’

  Billie looks back at Jack, who frowns. ‘I agree with Mika, Billie,’ he says. ‘Alex is our friend. He’s a member of our club. He wouldn’t do a thing like that.’

  Billie can’t believe it. ‘But we saw him come out of Mrs Singh’s office!’ she insists. ‘And we heard her telling him off.’

  ‘True,’ Jack says. ‘But there could still be another explanation. He might know who took the money, even if he didn’t take it himself.’

  Billie gasps. ‘You mean he might be covering for someone?’