She eyed me with years of contempt, none of which she made any secret of. I
watched her bring up the rage that she was feeling now. I knew what the
answer would be. This dame was way too predictable.

"No! I don't know anything! Take a hike, loser!"

She slammed the door in
my face. Typical. It seems the crooks always get to the witnesses before
you do. Whoever had taken care of her must have a long whip and short
patience. I figured it had to be somebody she called "Mom". The Mom I knew
myself was exactly that way; always telling me I'd better do my own
research if I want to learn anything. Even though I bribed her, she still
wouldn't give. She says she's above that sort of thing.
I walked down the street back to my office. It( the street) was littered
with trash, both human and paper. Funny how the people you think belong
there are always in authority. Take the dame who gave me the case. She had
a face that belonged on a missing persons poster, the kind you didn't want
to find.
I thought some more about this case. Columbus. Quite a name. Yet, there was
something bugging me at the back of my mind. I wasn't quite sure what it
was, but I had a feeling it could clinch the verdict on this case.
Colum-bus. Glum. Bust.
That's it! I knew exactly who I was looking for! A depressed failure. Then
another thought hit my mind; this was all a conspiracy to keep me busy
while something else went on! Something evil!
I made my way to the dame's office and snuck over to her desk. (Lucky she
told me about the keys under her doormat.) I opened the drawers and started
looking.
Then, I found it!
A whole drawer full of government secrets, disguised as a simple
questionnaire! She was going to spill these! I almost missed a list on the
desktop. Picking it up, I realized, with horror, that she was planning to
send them to all of my worst enemies! I found my name on the list, too.
Why, I don't know. It didn't matter anyhow; I had the documents now, and
nobody else was ever going to see them again.
I had just started out the front door, when I heard the dame's footsteps
echo down the hallway. Quickly, I turned around and raced out the fire
escape. I was free!

Miss Wormwood sat down in her chair at her desk. "I have some bad news,
children. Someone has stolen the questions and answers for Friday's test.
Whomever took it, please return it to me after school and you won't get
into trouble. If you don't, I'm afraid I'll have to make a new one. Now,
let's get on with science."
Calvin snickered in his head.

I had them, and she didn't even know it was me. All she knew was, she
couldn't find them. Yes, I replaced the key, if you're wondering. I'm not
that stupid. Now that I had confiscated the papers, there was only one more
thing to do; find the miserable man whom I was looking for. Easy.

"You want to interview me? I 'm honored," Calvin's dad said. " Where should
we start? My childhood?"
"That'll do, I guess." Calvin carried a stack of paper in his arms and a
stubby pencil. He began writing as his dad talked in a dull monotone.