Wow, I just realized I haven't update in nearly a year. That's absolutely terrible of me; I apologize.

I want to thank everyone who has reviewed, favorited, alerted, etc. Fourteen reviews last chapter - that's a record for this story!

I hope there are still people out there sticking with me… Because the mystery hasn't been solved yet!


Score

As eager as I was to move forward with the case, school work unfortunately got in the way the rest of the week. (That, and the newest Yipper Flight Squadron video game…) Otherwise, my free period was spent in the library, researching for an English paper and my after school time was occupied…by more homework. Between all that, I barely had time to investigate my newest clue any further.

And before I knew it, it was Friday, the day of McClintock's big football game against our rival, Century High School. Now I normally wouldn't be excited for such occasions (if you hadn't guessed, sports aren't really my thing). You see, I wasn't interested in the actual game; I was interested in the fact that this would be the perfect investigation opportunity. Plenty of gossip to be overheard, and a chance to talk to Kuki about my progress, maybe even Wallabee too.

Also, I was sort of obligated to go because Bartie was drum major in marching band this year and I had to see him…conduct music during halftime.

For those reasons, I was excited for 6 o'clock to roll around and when my mom dropped me off back at school for the game. I even switched out my signature red tie for one displaying our school colors, red and yellow.

The alluring scent of grilled food hit me as soon as I entered the stadium. Believe me when I say, it took an enormous amount of willpower not to make a beeline for the concession stand and order my fill of food.

Ignoring my watering mouth, I headed for the end of the bleachers where the marching band was sitting, and where Anthony and Virginia were bound to be as well.

I walked with my head down, the brim of my hat shielding my eyes. In actuality, I was sneaking glances up at the crowd in the stands and listening intently; I spotted Lizzie yelling at Herbert, as usual, and Nigel and Rachel observing the game from the top from the stands. Other students chatted among each other, or watched the plays intently. Any one of those people could have the information I required.

Which is precisely why I kept a low profile. I couldn't have people knowing I was snooping around…

"Hey, Hoagie!" I cringed, halting my footsteps. "Over here!"

So much for a low profile…

Anthony and Virginia had spotted me, and were both waving me over. I looked up, forced a grin, and headed over to where they were seated.

One section over, the marching band was standing, getting ready to play our school's fight song. I gave Bartie, who was standing in position before the band members, a small wave and he nodded slightly in return, face stoic. I don't think I could ever keep such a serious expression…

I turned my attention to the scoreboard; McClintock was leading, six to zero. It seemed strange, not hearing the crowd shouting Wally's name, him running down the field to score a touchdown. I wondered how he must have felt…

That reminded me…

"Hey guys," I said to Virginia and Anthony, reaching into my pocket. "You guys wouldn't happen to know who this belongs to?" I pulled out the Rainbow Monkey key chain, dangling it in front of their faces.

"Nope, it's definitely not mine," Virginia said. "Rainbow Monkeys are so middle school." This was coming from a girl who used to love them. But unlike Kuki and Fanny, Virginia grew out of them and other "girly" things.

"I don't talk to anyone who likes Rainbow Monkeys… And I don't like them either!" Anthony said quickly.

"Don't lie, man. Everyone knows you read 'Rainbow Monkeys in Love' comic books." Virginia teased him, laughing all the while. I chuckled along, although truth be told, I read 'em too. But only for the Yipper advertisements, I swear!

Our casual conversation was interrupted by boos and outraged shouts from our side of the stadium – a player from Century was making his way down the field, ball in arm, preparing to score a touchdown.

And with a defeated cry from McClintock's fans and victorious cheers from Century's, he made it into the end zone.

Looking at the reactions of the crowd, I could safely conclude football was the de-evolution of humans.

McClintock's coach called a time out, prompting the cheerleaders to break into a chant. Kuki was at the lead of the pack, but I could tell her smile, her peppy demeanor, it was all a façade. Sure, she was a pinnacle of school spirit, but without number 4 to cheer for… She was taking this hard, I knew it.

And even though Wallabee was probably taking it harder, to my immense surprise, he still decided to show up at the game.

He was seated at the far end of the bleachers, away from the devoted fans and with the nerds and marching band groupies. And then I realized, that the entire time I had been working on this case (which was only about 5 days now, but still), I had yet to speak to the victim. Dumb move on my part, as the victim often has valuable information about who they believed dun it.

I contemplated going to speak to him right then; he didn't seem like he was in the mood to talk about it though, but then again, would be ever be?

I could almost guess how he was feeling. It was sort of like freshman year's science fair, when I invented this awesome potato cannon; it was shoe-in to win. Yet, the school board deemed it to be too "dangerous" for public use, and I was disqualified from the fair. You can just imagine how upset I was… I refused to listen to any of my fellow scientists as they tried to comfort me: "Man, Hoagie, your invention was so cool!"; "The school board is dumb, dude; they don't know good science."; "There's always next year, champ".

But I knew they were all cheering inwardly at the fact that their biggest competition had been knocked out of the fair, giving them a better chance to win.

And just then, something clicked in my mind.

Yet, once again, my thoughts were interrupted.

"Yo, Hoagie! What'd you think of Bartie and the band's performance?" Virginia looked down at me, waiting for a response, but a befuddled, "huh?" was the only thing I could muster.

In my reminiscing, I went into space cadet mode and totally missed his performance! In a half-hearted attempt to save face, I weakly mumbled a, "Yeah it was great!"

Virginia just gave me this look I couldn't read. "Right, well, Anthony and I are heading for the concession stand, want to come?"

Oh, how tempted I was to follow them, follow my taste buds which so craved a delectable chili dog. But this was the perfect opportunity to question Wallabee about the situation, when he wasn't so wrapped up in the game.

I was more torn then the time I had to choose between attending the Cleveland air show or attending the world premiere of the Yipper Squadron movie.

But my duty as a detective came before my rumbling stomach.

"Sorry guy, but I have some other business matters to attend to."

Virginia shrugged. "Suit yourself."

"See you around, detective Hoagie," Anthony added before wandering off.

As I turned to approach Wally, someone else was as well. It looked as though the cheerleaders were done with their routines as Kuki took long strides up the bleacher steps to join Wally.

I knew it would be awkward to intervene, but this seemed to be my only chance to get Wally (semi) alone.

However, Kuki ended up calling me over before I could make the first move.

"Have you made any progress?"

She seemed just as frantic as she did the day she first burst into my office. But it was a good question – had I actually made any progress? It was tough to say, but I didn't want to disappoint her.

"Yeah, actually, I have!" I tried not to feel guilty as Kuki's eye lit up. Yet the victim himself still seemed sulky. As soon as I said that, I did remember the one clue I had discovered.

I pulled out the red Rainbow Monkey key chain once again.

"Does this belong to either of you?"

Wally only glanced upwards at the monkey with disgust. Kuki, just the opposite, jumped to her feet.

"Oh my gosh, that's a first edition red Rainbow Monkey key chain! They're super hard to come by these days. Wherever did you get that?"

I gulped, recalling how exactly I came about possessing the key chain. Hopefully Wallabee would understand if I came clean…

"Actually," I said, addressing Wally, "I found it in…your locker."

The Aussie's face flushed a livid red as he rose to his feet, towering way above me. "What'd ya think you were doing in my locker, you little dweeb?"

"Whoa man, calm down," I said, putting my hands up in defense. I was grateful when Kuki grabbed his balled-up fist, pulling his arm back down.

"I did it to help you," I replied when he sat back down and his face returned to its normal pallor. "I was thinking maybe whoever framed you may have left some evidence in your locker. And since this obviously isn't a gift from girlfriend to boyfriend like I originally suspected, it must belong to the perpetrator!"

Kuki huffed. "Wally's never kept any of the Rainbow Monkey presents I've gotten him."

"That's because they're stupid! We're not fourth-grade children anymore Kuki, you should start acting like it."

"Right, because beating up on poor kids in the hallways is definitely mature." Kuki turned up her nose away from him, crossing her slender arms.

"Um, anyway…" I began awkwardly, unsuccessfully breaking the tension that had fallen between them. "Wallabee, do you have any suspicions of who would want to frame you at all?"

The blond shrugged. "Not really. I'm pretty sure everyone in the school likes me."

'Or they're terrified of you.' I thought wryly. Clearly, Wallabee wasn't aware of his true reputation around the school.

Regardless, I nodded and glanced out to the field. Half-time was winding down to a closer; the football team huddled around for a final victory chant.

With a good luck wished to me and not a single word to Wallabee, Kuki up and made her way back down to join her fellow cheerleaders on the sidelines.

I watched as the coach gave Patton Drilovsky, the new quarterback in Wallabee's place, an encouraging grin and rough pat on the back. The entire team did the same as they rushed out onto the field and assumed their respective positions.

I could have been on the other side of the field and still sense Wally seething, he was that upset. His eyes narrowed as he glared at Patton, who was basking in the glory.

"I remember when that used to be me," he grumbled.

As soon as he said that, an alarm went off in my head. I was immediately brought back to my train of thought from earlier. Could it be…has a new suspect appeared?

I would make sense; the motivation was clear. Patton gained everything from Wally's loss – the attention, the glory – everything he wasn't granted just by being co-captain.

…But I could just be jumping to conclusions. Patton and Wally were friends after all. This was something that definitely required further investigation. Post-game, perhaps.

I glanced over at Wallabee; he had retreated into his sulky, "I want to be alone" stance he had during the entire first half. I stood, and his green eyes gazed up at me, if only slightly.

"When I'm done with this case, that will be you back on the field."

He gave me an appreciative nod, and nothing more.

My words were heavy, but I planned to stick to them, like boogers stick to the underside of desks. (I'm pretty sure their adhesive quality surpasses that of super glue).

But before all that…it was nacho time.


Part 1 of 2. Please, drop me a review; I wanna hear what you guys think. Next chapter involves more Abby and more super sleuthing!

P.S. Everyone's been making good guesses so far, but I'm not going to spill any secrets. You gotta keep reading if you wanna find out!