In the garage, Lincoln and Lucy sat across from each other at the table Lincoln had constructed from a box of Christmas decorations and a piece of plywood. In front of Lucy lay a spiral notebook, a pencil in her hand was poised over a blank page. They were writing down all the facts they had about the case.

The pair had interviewed Luan and their father already, writing down all that had happened at the birthday party and what they had learned and talked about during the interrogation at the police station. Once Lucy had that all written down in the notebook, they out had listed out all their suspects.

They didn't have many. After arguing for a few minutes about adding Luan to the list of suspects, they finally had list of the two housekeepers, Ben Crane, Mr. and Mrs. Crane, 'a party guest,' 'a caterer,' a neighbor, a stranger, and finally Luan. They decided to list their sister so as to compare her to the others on the list as they found out more information about them. The siblings realized that they really didn't have much to go on, but they knew that Luan did not steal the bracelet.

After they were done with the suspect list, Lincoln and Lucy brainstormed a number of questions to ask their suspects and witnesses, excluding Luan who they'd already interviewed. Both of them hoped that through talking to the suspects they had identified so far, the Cranes and housekeepers for example, they could get the names of their other suspects, such as caterers and party guests.

"Ok, I think we have enough to start the investigation," Lincoln said, standing up from the old, wood milk crate he was using as a chair. "Let's go get changed."

"Why do we have to change?" Lucy asked, following her brother out of the garage.

"If we are going out as investigators of this crime, we should look the part," Lincoln told her. "Put on something nice. Something that will make you look professional."

Lucy scowled.

"You mean like one of those detectives? I don't know if I have anything like that."

Lincoln was the first of the detective duo to emerge from his or her room. He stood, framed in the doorway, tugging at the sleeves of his grey, pinstripe suit jacket.

"Oh yah, smooth!" he announced to anyone in earshot.

He walked over to Lucy and Lynn's room. The door was closed, so he knocked on the door. Lucy pulled it open. She was wearing her regular clothes.

"Why haven't you changed?" Lincoln asked.

"I really don't think it is necessary. Plus, I don't have anything as nice as your suit."

Lincoln pointed at Lori and Leni's room where gales of laughter were emanating loudly through the open doorway.

"Leni has her sewing friends over," he said. "They can whip you up something very quickly."

"I don't…"

Lincoln grabbed her by the hand and pulled her towards Leni's room.

"Come on, it won't take them long."

Leni and two of her friends were sitting on the end of her bed, a fashion magazine held between them. There were swatches of fabric laid out all around the room. Leni's sewing machine was powered on. The three girls looked up from the magazine as Lincoln and Lucy entered the room. They all smiled at the pair.

"Oh, your brother is so adorable, Leni!" the brunette whose name Lincoln knew to be Lyra Douglas squealed. "I love your little suit, Lincoln. What's the occasion?"

"We need to look professional when we go out on our investigation," Lincoln said.

"Investigation?" Lyra repeated.

"Yah, didn't you hear?" Leni's other friend, a blond named Amanda Roth, spoke up. "Luan was accused of stealing a diamond bracelet from that snooty Crane family. She was even arrested and taken to the police station and interrogated."

Lyra's eyes grew large and her mouth dropped open.

"No, I hadn't. I've been really busy lately. When did this happen?"

"She was arrested yesterday, the bracelet was stolen on Sunday," Lincoln said. "We are going to prove that Luan is innocent."

"Well good for you!" Lyra exclaimed.

"Leni, we came to ask you a favor actually," Lincoln said, changing the subject.

"A favor? Like what?"

"Lucy needs something nice to wear, something professional, but quick."

"Something black," Lucy put in.

Leni sprung up from her bed and pulled her podium out of her closet. She directed Lucy to stand on it and quickly took her measurements. Over the next two hours scissors and needles flew as Leni and her two friends assembled an outfit for Lucy.

Lincoln clapped and Leni, Lyra and Amanda hugged each other as Lucy emerged from her bedroom, dressed in the outfit that the girls had made for her. It was a two piece suit, black jacket, trimmed along the lapels and wrists with black lace, knee length skirt, trimmed around the bottom with the same lace. Lucy wore a black and white striped shirt under the jacket, black shoes and black lace tights.

"I actually really like this," she said. "Thank you."

"Oh you're welcome," Leni said. "I just cut down one of my old suits."

The duo left Leni and her friends and headed straight for the Cranes' house. Lucy clutched the notebook tightly in both hands as they walked along. The skin on her face appeared even paler than normal. Lincoln noticed her discomfort.

"Are you OK, Lucy?"

"Yeah, I'm just nervous about talking to Mr. and Mrs. Crane."

"Why's that?"

"You heard how they treated Luan when they didn't like her performance. They are accusing Luan of something she didn't do. Maybe even framing her for it. How do you think they are going to treat us?"

"We don't know if they are framing her. They may think she actually did it. Dad also said that the police looked at other people for the theft too."

"I just don't think we will be well received," Lucy said, gripping the notebook tighter.

Lincoln took hold of her nearest hand and squeezed it.

"It will be Ok, you'll see. We are just going to be asking a few simple questions."

Lincoln rang the doorbell as soon as they reached the Crane's front door. A middle-aged, Hispanic woman answered the door.

"Can I help you?" she asked, giving the two kids a funny look.

"Hello, my name is Lincoln Loud and this is my sister Lucy Loud. Luan is our big sister. We are here…"

A panicked look came over the woman's face and she shook her head, trying to close the door.

"I'm sorry, I don't want any trouble."

Lincoln put his arm through the doorway, blocking it from closing.

"We just want to ask a few questions," he said. "We aren't here to cause trouble. Our sister is innocent, we're just trying to find the bracelet and whoever took it."

The woman took deep breath and pulled the door back open again.

"OK, I'll talk to you, but the Cranes aren't here. They wouldn't let me let you inside. I'll talk to you out here."

She stepped out onto the front step and began to shut the door, but stopped.

"My coworker is also here," she said. "She also met your sister on the day of the party. Do you want to talk to her too?"

"Yes, please," Lincoln nodded.

The woman turned back through the open door, shouting towards the back of the house.

"Karen, could you come to the front door please? I have some people here that want to talk to you!"

There was some shuffling from the back of the house and then a voice. The kids listened as a pair of rubber-soled shoes sounded on a hardwood floor as someone hurried towards them. A young blond-haired, green-eyed woman joined them, looking curiously at the two kids. Once she got a full view of them, her face broke out into a smile.

"Oh my god, they are so adorable!" she said. "I can't wait to dress my four-month-old up in little suits like that. Where'd you get those suits?"

"I don't know where my suit came from," Lincoln said. "Lucy's suit was made by one of our sisters and her friends."

"You'll so have to refer me to your sister," Karen exclaimed. "But, what do you need to talk to me about?"

Lincoln explained who they were and why they were there.

"Would you be willing to answer some questions?" he asked.

"I would," Karen said. "I didn't think that Luan took the bracelet, but I had to be truthful with the police. They asked me about what happened that day and I answered them."

"It's Ok," Lincoln said. "I'm sure you did the right thing."

"I will also talk to you," the older housekeeper said.

"First off, can we get your names?" Lucy asked, pencil poised over a notebook page.

"I am Karen Walters."

"I am Celia Maldonado."

"How long have you two been working for the Cranes?" Lucy asked.

"I've been here just over three years," Karen said. "Minus three months I was on maternity leave. The Cranes actually treat us very well, we're lucky for housekeepers. I got three months paid maternity leave and we get some medical and dental benefits, two days of paid sick leave a month and a week of paid vacation a year. That's more than most housekeepers can hope for."

"I've been with the family for nearly ten years," Celia said. "While they do expect perfection for their dollar, they have been generally good employers to me."

Lucy wrote quickly in her notebook.

"What did the two of you do that day?" she asked.

Celia and Karen explained that in the morning they set up for the party and made sure the house was clean. They assisted the party supply company set up the stage, sound equipment and bouncy castle and then they helped the caterers set up their tables and food. Celia had helped Ben Crane tie his tie and got a spot out of his jacket before the guests arrived. Then they went into the search for Gary with Luan. They had scoured the entire house and grounds, but they didn't see the rabbit until Luan was on stage. Karen said that she had seen the adult Cranes confront Luan when she returned to the house moments before her performance.

"Mr. Crane was really unhappy about having to do the final tests of the sound equipment," Karen said. "He had been really looking forward to talking to some of the party guests. Having to work on the equipment prevented him from doing that."

"Is there anything specific about the search you remember?" Lincoln asked.

Both women shook their heads.

"The whole day was so hectic," Karen said. "There were so many people and kids there, most of them I didn't know and I doubt I'd recognize if I saw them again, which I'm sure you'll be asking about later. All the faces just seem to run together in my mind."

"It is the same for me," Celia said.

"What did you think of Luan?" Lucy asked.

"Her performance was amazing!" Karen exclaimed. "And she seemed like a really sweet girl, funny too. I got a kick out of her puns."

"I thought she was a sweetie too," Celia agreed. "I am conflicted on her being the one who took the bracelet. It is not in the house though, that is for sure. We tore the house apart looking for it. We even ran a little camera down the air ducts. It is not in the house or on the grounds."

"Did you see anything or anyone who was suspicious at the party or anytime really?" Lincoln asked.

Both women remained silent for a moment.

"I haven't seen anything, but the next door neighbor," Celia pointed to the house right next to the Cranes' house, "Mrs. Leery told me last week, told the Cranes too, that there was some kid hanging around outside our windows."

Lucy wrote down the neighbor's name.

"Only the Cranes would know if there was someone at the party who wasn't supposed to be there," Karen said. "I never saw a guest list, did you Celia?"

"I never did. Mrs. Crane handled all of the planning."

"What was the name of the caterer?" Lucy asked.

"Tony's Deli did the catering," Celia said. "They are located on the corner of Maple and Main Street. Mrs. Crane uses their services a lot. They have really good food."

"Do you know of anyone who might have a grudge against the Cranes?" Lincoln asked.

The women thought for a while.

"No one that I know of specifically or by name," Celia said. "At least not anymore. You can't go through life without making a few enemies or maybe just people who end up not liking you. Mr. Crane is a tough business man, so he could have people holding grudges against him, but I wouldn't know."

"I wouldn't know either," Karen said.

"A few days ago my parents tried talking to the two of you," Lincoln said. "You didn't want to talk to them. Why was that?"

"Mr. and Mrs. Crane told us not to talk to you," Celia said. "I'm talking to you now because I don't think that Luan took the bracelet. Things have been weird around here for the past few months."

"What do you mean weird?" Lucy asked.

"I've been around more lately," Celia began, "So I have noticed it. Mr. and Mrs. Crane have been fighting a lot for the past few months. They only ever do it behind closed doors, so I don't know what it is about. It's been getting worse and worse."

"Just one last question," Lincoln said. "Do you think the Cranes would get rid of the bracelet on their own, you know, to get the insurance money?"

Both housekeepers gave Lincoln a dark look.

"Never, especially with that bracelet," Celia said. "Mrs. Crane loves that bracelet."

"I agree with Celia," Karen said. "She would never let go of that bracelet willingly."

The housekeepers told the kids that they had to return to their work. Lincoln and Lucy thanked them for letting them interview them. Lucy was about to start walking towards the sidewalk when she spotted a surveillance camera pointed them from above the door. She pointed to it.

"Have the Cranes checked their surveillance footage for the person who stole the bracelet?" she asked.

"They just had that one and a few more installed yesterday," Celia said. "They never had them before, but the theft has really made them paranoid."

The siblings thanked the housekeepers again and walked down the front path to the sidewalk. The pair stood by the road in front of the house as they went over the notes Lucy had made in the notebook. Neither of them noticed anyone approaching.

"Hi, spooky girl," came a voice to their right.

They turned to see a grinning Ben Crane standing on the sidewalk a few feet from them. He had a leather satchel slung over a shoulder.

"What are you two doing here?" he asked. "I know you are some of the Loud kids."

"We are investigating the theft of the bracelet," Lucy said. "And don't call me spooky."

"Oh, sorry," Ben said. "I think the spooky look is cool. You look cool."

Lucy's face became a light shade of pink.

"My mom is the one who didn't like Luan's performance," he said. "I had a great time. I wish she could come back for my next birthday, but I don't think my mom would allow it."

"Do you think she took the bracelet?" Lincoln asked.

"My parents think she did…I don't know. What will happen to her?"

"We're trying to prove her innocence so nothing will happen to her," Lucy said.

"I hope you can."

"Do you mind answering some questions?" Lincoln asked.

"Sure, but I don't think I know much of anything."

Lucy opened her notebook.

"What did you do the day of the party?"

"I got up, took a shower, ate some cereal and watched TV for a little while. My mom was busy around the house with the caterers and Celia and Karen. I don't know what my dad was doing. Then my mom told me to get ready, so I put my suit on that she made me wear and Celia helped me with my tie. They should've just bought me a clip on tie. How do they expect a kid to tie one? Then my friends and cousins started showing up and I played with them until Luan's show. I got to participate in the show. Then we ate and had cake. I opened my presents. Everyone went home by like 4 p.m. After that we went out to dinner and then a movie and then I went to bed."

"Was there anyone at the party that you didn't know?" Lucy asked.

"The caterers, some of the adults."

"Did you see anything suspicious?" Lincoln asked.

"No, not that I can think of."

"Did you know where the bracelet was kept?" Lincoln asked.

"Yah, in the safe in my parents' closet."

"Do you know of anyone who might want to steal the bracelet?" Lucy asked.

"Mrs. Leery says that there was some weirdo hanging around the house the other day, so maybe that person? I don't know."

"Your housekeepers said your parents have been arguing a lot lately," Lucy said. "Do you know why?"

Ben looked at the ground.

"No, they never tell me anything. They only ever fight in their room when they think I'm not around. They are so loud that I could be outside and still hear them. Do you think they are going to get a divorce?"

"I wouldn't know the signs," Lincoln said, shrugging.

"Maybe they should," Ben said. "It would a lot quieter."

"What do you think happened with the bracelet?" Lucy asked.

"I think my dad got rid of it."

Lucy and Lincoln were surprised by his answer.

"It's insured, so it's no big loss. I think he is trying to get back at my mom for something. He's the one who does most of the yelling, so I think he's mad at her."

Lucy wrote in her notebook quickly.

"Thank you for your time Ben," she said. "If you think of something, you can find us at our house."

The siblings began to walk to the neighbor, Mrs. Leery's house. Ben called after them.

"I'm sorry I didn't invite you to the party."

"That's OK," Lucy shrugged. "Parties aren't my thing."

Lincoln rang the doorbell to the neighbor's house. An elderly woman answered the door. She cooed over the pair in their suits. Lincoln explained why they were there.

"Yes," said Mrs. Leery. "I saw that girl every evening for a week by the Cranes' house or walking down the sidewalk."

"How do you know it was a girl?" Lucy asked.

"She had the hood of her sweatshirt up, but her hair came out of the front of it. It was brown and shoulder length I'd say. She also had a bust, clearly a young woman."

"Did you see her face?" Lincoln asked.

"No, she always kept it concealed by the hood. I warned the Cranes about her several times, but they clearly didn't listen to me."

"When was the last time you saw her?" Lincoln asked.

"The day before…no two days, I think, before their son's birthday party. It has been a few days since I saw her."

"She wore a sweatshirt," Lucy said. "What color was it and what about her other clothes?"

"The sweatshirt was grey, always wore pants…I don't recall anything else about her clothes."

"Could you tell how tall she was?" Lucy asked.

"On the shorter side, but I really couldn't say."

"OK, thank you for your time, Mrs. Leery," Lincoln said.

Lincoln and Lucy decided to head back to the house. As they were walking in front of the Crane residence, the front door flew open and Mrs. Crane came charging out of it towards them. Her face was red with rage.

"How dare you Louds come to my house!" she shrieked. "Your family has stolen from us and now you two are here to harass my employees and my son?"

"We were just asking them some questions," Lincoln said quietly, unsure of how to handle the enraged woman.

Mrs. Crane zeroed in on him and poked a finger in his face.

"You are a bunch of thieves! That's all you are, a bunch of useless thieves!"

"Luan is not a thief!" he said.

"She is! She is the only one who could have stolen my bracelet! If I ever see any of your family near my house or near my family, I'll make sure you never see the light of day again!"

She balled up her fists and stomped back into her house, slamming the door behind her. Lincoln and Lucy ran back to their home as fast as they could go. They went straight up to Lincoln's room.

"That woman is insane!" Lincoln exclaimed. "Did you see the look on her face? I thought she was gonna hit me for a moment there."

"Yes, I did. I can see her making a lot of trouble for us. We will need to be careful going forward."