Pokemon (Detective Pikachu)

A Legendary Search

35. and Innocent Antics Causing a Disaster

Absol bent down, allowing Tim to slide off his back outside the Hi Hat Café. Despite the interruption, Tim had managed to speak with all of the teachers before leaving. All of them had been in the classes they were supposed to be aside from one teacher that had been at home with the flu for the last three days; Tim had spoken to the substitute for them and verified that they were where they were supposed to be as well. Those that hadn't had classes had been in the staff room or, in one case, hadn't arrived until their class started at ten.

The fact that the safe had been closed bothered Tim. Laura and Terrance had told him it was supposed to stay untouched until the weekend when police came to take a look at it… which was another strange thing. With almost twenty thousand dollars missing, why would they wait to have police in? Panicking the students or not, that was a lot of money.

Tim was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn't notice he had company until a hand landed on his shoulder. He jumped.

"Huh?"

His father smirked. "Lost in thought, Tim? A detective should stay vigilant at all times, even with a lot on their mind."

Absol interjected. "I am here for that."

His father gave Absol a glance, a little puzzlement visible in his gaze, but turned back to Tim. "We've got visitors, Tim. Take a look who's here."

Tim looked to where his father was indicating, and his eyes widened.

"Tim!" The woman standing near the door up to the agency called, hurrying forward. The boy next to her, a few years younger than Tim, grinned and also started forward, but at a much slower pace.

"Mom!" Tim took a few large steps to help close the distance between them and both wrapped their arms around each other.

"Oh, Tim… my other super detective! It's so good to see you!"

"It's good to see you too! But… what brings you here?"

"Oh… I took a vacation during your brother's school reading week so we could come down for a visit. With Harry finally found and you being the one who found him, I wanted to come down as soon as I could. We started driving as soon as your brother was out of school to get here. We got here not too long ago… your father gave us directions here, said that you always came here after class."

"Uh, yeah, I do. So… are you going to be here the whole week then?"

"You bet." His brother answered, stepping up beside their mother. "Mom got us a hotel room, which I haven't even been able to put my suitcase in yet because we came straight here, and we'll be here all week. It was really you that found him, then? No one's pulling any jokes?"

"Hmm. Just as much faith in me as ever, Jake." Tim crossed his arms and met his brother's gaze, both silent for a long moment before Jake grinned, and Tim copied the expression.

"Ah, you know I just gotta mess with you." Jake took a step forward and wrapped his arms around Tim's middle, and Tim hugged his brother back. "But hey, joking aside, you have got to introduce me to that guy. Look at the size of him."

Letting go, Tim turned around, knowing that he was indicating Absol but seeing two other people behind him that Tim knew he would have to introduce; Emilia and Meiko were both only a couple steps behind him, looking confused.

"Sure, give me one moment." Tim told his brother, then stepped over to Absol, stopping when he was able to rest a hand on his back, and waved the two girls over.

Emilia and Meiko glanced at each other, then came forward.

"Tim, who are they?" Emilia asked.

Tim smiled. "Family. Come on, I'll introduce you."

Bringing the three- well, five counting the two Cheering Pokemon that clung to Meiko's shoulders with nonstop chatter that seldom made sense- towards his parents and brother. Looking first at his partner and friends, he said,

"This is my mother, and my brother Jake. Mom, Jake, these are my friends Emilia and Meiko, and my partner Absol."

"Oh! It's nice to meet you." Emilia smiled.

"Wow, so you're the side of Tim's family we haven't met." Meiko took a few steps forward. "Hi there! I'm Meiko, and this is Plusle and Minun!"

"Hi new friend!"

"Friend, friend!" Both little Pokemon waved their arms.

Absol, on the other hand, silently nodded at the two, seeming to remember this time that they wouldn't understand if he spoke.

More pleasantries were exchanged, Jake walked around Absol with an awed expression, reaching out to touch his horn which Absol allowed, and finally the party moved inside the café. The party was too large for just the counter, so (asking for Pablo's permission and getting it) Tim's father moved a table up next to the counter where he, Jake, and Tim's mother sat while Tim, Absol, Emilia, and Meiko took their usual spots at the counter. Pablo served the four at the counter, and Tim's father, their usual and took orders from Tim's mother and brother while pouring.

Once everyone had their drink, more chatter ensued, mainly Emilia and Meiko getting to know Tim's mother and brother more. Tim stayed mostly silent, sipping his coffee and just… feeling happy. Absol was silent too, sitting next to him, close enough that Tim could feel his body heat, everyone he loved most all in the same place, chatting, all seeming like old friends catching up despite some of them only having just met. Everyone was here and Tim was just… happy. It didn't matter that his hand had gone completely numb on the ride to the café… didn't matter that it had had three episodes of trembling that day, either. Not even the case he was working on mattered in that moment. All that mattered right now was having everyone there.

The moment was broken when Plusle and Minun both squealed and darted in front of Ludicolo, who yelped in surprise and jumped, throwing several cups and coffee and whatever else might have been in them into the air. Most of them fell to the floor and broke; one, however, landed on Absol's back, and he gave a yell.

"Hot! That's hot!"

Tim leapt out of his chair, seizing napkins from the counter and frantically trying to soak up the liquid, which smelled like it was probably coffee.

"Hang on, hang on." He muttered. It was definitely freshly- made coffee; wiping off Absol was going to leave his own fingertips burnt, but he grabbed more napkins and persisted.

"You guys!" Meiko cried, getting up.

Pablo came out from around the corner, grabbing a rag; Tim's mother, father, and Emilia and Meiko all got up to help clean. When the other three grabbed napkins and went for the floor to clean up spilled liquid and glass, Emilia joined Tim in trying to clean the hot coffee off Absol's back.

Once the flurry of activity died down and most people got back in their seats, Absol glared at the two Cheering Pokemon.

"That hurt."

"We didn't mean…"

"We're sorry…"

"Oh, man. I am so sorry about that, everyone. These two…" Meiko sighed.

"Hey, don't sweat it. It happens. Innocent Pokemon antics can cause a disaster. That's part of living with 'em." Pablo grinned.

Absol objected, "I would not classify that a disaster. I would have sensed it coming if it was."

Tim stopped. "Innocent Pokemon antics…" he muttered.

"What?" Emilia looked at him.

Tim shoved his coffee out of the way on the counter, and pulled out his notebook. Tearing out a blank page, Tim went through his notes frantically.

"Tim?"

Pulling out his pen, Tim began noting down everything found around the lockers. The scratch marks on the lock. The black tuft of fur. The breeze that only went by at waist height. Jane had found one of the stolen objects… two, if you counted the medal. Her Sneasel had taken the medal… and she had gotten nervous when the thief had been mentioned.

Tim looked up. "Emilia, you wouldn't happen to have that… handmade Pokedex with you, would you? Would you have anything about Sneasel in there?"

"Oh… I do have it. I might, let me see…" Emilia looked confused, but willing, and dug into her bag. Pulling out her hand-drawn encyclopedia, she leafed through it until stopping at one page, pushing it over to Tim. Sure enough, a Sneasel was drawn on the page, information written below it. Among the information recorded were notes that they seemed to be attracted to shiny things, which Tim remembered Jane mentioning, and that they were fast, able to dart at speeds where they were hardly seen.

Tim pulled his notes back over, noting Sneasel's speed and attraction to shiny things. Not all of the objects stolen were valuable, but they were all shiny. The lockers of the victims, Tim then realized, were all either belonging to members of Jane's study group, or were near her own locker. Since Sneasel was sneaking into the school to stay near her, that made sense.

Tim suddenly remembered something else Jane had said- she had done a project on picking locks. She had watched videos on it- along with her partner. Sneasel had been trying to get into the lockers by picking the locks with its claws, but its claws were so sharp that it more likely would have destroyed the locking mechanisms, which it had. And it had gotten mad with Geoffrey's lock because it was a different kind, and slashed the locker open instead.

That explained everything… except for why Jane hadn't just come forward. People would have understood. Why had she kept silent and let everyone panic about the thefts?

And, he realized, it didn't explain the missing money. Sneasel wasn't the one who had gone into the safe in the staff room- not a chance. So… the theft of the money must be unrelated. He still needed to figure out that mystery.

Tim closed Emilia's handmade Pokedex and gave it back to her. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." She nodded, still confused but not questioning it as she put it back into her bag.

"Tim? You going to fill the rest of us in on what's going on?" Meiko, however, wanted answers. Tim hesitated, then figured he might as well explain the full situation. He'd solved one of the mysteries already, after all, and his father might have insight for the other one. Not to mention that with Meiko's camera safely out of sight, this particular case would probably make a good story for his brother and mother.

Turning around and doing his best to face everyone, Tim began explaining the thefts and the case, and the breakthrough he'd just had. Once he'd finished, Jake looked amused, his mother proud, his father deep in thought, and both Emilia and Meiko were smiling.

"So… that solves the lockers. The safe is different." Tim sighed.

"I agree." His father said. "What are they even doing? This teacher of yours that's supposed to be handling it sounds like he's dealing with it like a complete joke."

Tim looked back at his father. "A joke…" he said slowly. His father looked up.

A mystery fan… playing a joke?

"You on to something Tim?"

"Maybe…" Tim muttered. "I've got a theory, but… no proof."

"Well, share that theory, and we'll see if we can come up with some."

Tim slid off Absol's back, going over the plan in his head. Absol looked at him.

"It still bothers you to call her out in front of the class, doesn't it?"

Tim sighed. "Yes. The only thing she did wrong was… not admitting what was happening. No one would have been angry with the truth."

"Which is why you're calling her out on it with witnesses." Absol reminded him. "Firstly, she needs to learn to come clean about it. Second, she'll realize no one will be mad if none of your classmates get angry. It's as much about realizing that no one will blame her as it is being brave enough to come forward."

Tim sighed again. "I know. I just wish it didn't feel like throwing her under the bus and hoping it stops in time."

"People are capable of silly grudges." Absol admitted. "They are also capable of forgiveness. I believe most of the people will understand this was not Jane's fault, nor was it really her Sneasel's. Sneasel just needs to learn to listen. She's still young."

"I hope you're right."

"I often am. Look, your first class is your Law Enforcement. You'll get it over with, both the locker thefts and your case with the money. Don't worry too much. Your hand numb again?"

Tim looked at him, then realized he was unconsciously rubbing the fingers on his right hand together, trying to get feeling back into them. It was trembling slightly, too. He immediately stuck his hand into his pocket.

"You don't need to be ashamed of your injury."

"I'm not." Tim muttered even as he felt his face heat up with exactly that emotion.

"Then why do you keep trying to hide it?"

Tim ignored Absol and pulled his bag over his shoulder with his left hand. Heading towards the building, Tim took a deep breath, and steeled himself. He'd decided to deal with the case regarding the missing money, first, and was about to present his case to the entire classroom, fully relying on his accused to make a confession. He'd actually originally planned to confront them alone, without witnesses, but his father talked him out of it; he was certain this was what they had wanted all along. Tim's father had convinced him to make the confrontation public, also quite sure it would be more likely for the confession to come that way, but Tim still wished he didn't need to make a production of the entire thing. Really, the only thing missing now was Meiko's camera.

Tim waited until Mr. Rhodes was just going to start, then put up his hand. Absol was right about one thing- best to get it done and over with.

"Yes, Tim? You have a question? We haven't even started yet today." The man smiled.

"Actually, I have something I wanted to share with the class today." Tim told him. "I know where the missing money from the fundraiser is, and who's responsible for the incident."

Whispers erupted behind Tim and in front of him, the man's jaw gaped. "What? You should have come to me immediately! Who took the money, and where is it?"

Beside Tim, Tyler snorted. "Should have come to you… yeah. The "great detective" here just wants to make a scene, so he can show off in class."

"Actually, I'd rather not make a scene. But I'm pretty sure this is exactly what the thief wanted…" Tim, who'd glanced at Tyler, looked back at his teacher. "Isn't that right, Mr. Rhodes?" Tim finished with a gesture toward his teacher.

His teacher set down the remote he'd been about to use to go through the projector screens. "Excuse me? You're saying I stole it?"

Next to Tim, Tyler barked out a laugh. "Ridiculous- and he knows it! Look at his hand shaking!"

Tim grit his teeth. His hand was indeed trembling at the very worst time; still, Tim was aware that putting it into his pocket now would only look worse.

He set it down on his desk for only a split second before he stood up, walking around in front of his desk.

"I'm saying your definitely responsible for the uproar." Tim said calmly.

"Oh? You'd better have some evidence to back that up, then, if you're going to make such an outrageous claim. I'd expect better from you." The man told him with a small smile.

Tyler, perhaps annoyed at being ignored, called out, "I suppose he's responsible for all the locker thefts, too, huh "great detective?""

This time Tim looked back at him. "No. Mr. Rhodes had nothing to with the locker thefts. Those are completely unrelated."

Looking back at Mr. Rhodes, Tim said, "And I do have something to back up my claim."

"Then let's hear it." Mr. Rhodes crossed his arms. "Why do you say that I stole the money?"

"Stole it? I never said that you stole it." Tim said, allowing a smile of his own on his face.

Terrance Rhodes' eyes widened as he looked at Tim. Tyler called out,

"Are you braindead, you idiot? You just said he was responsible!"

Tim smiled a little wider. "Yes, I did. I said he caused the incident and was responsible for the uproar. I never said he stole the money. The main reason for that being, that the money wasn't stolen at all, was it?"

That shocked the class, even Tyler, into silence. Mr. Rhodes dropped his arms.

"And how did you reach that conclusion?" He said. His voice was amused.

"There were a few things I noticed. Actually, Tyler, I need to thank you. Something you said to me helped me figure it out."

"Huh?"

Tim glanced at him. "You said something about "a mystery fan playing a practical joke." It took me some time, but eventually I realized that that was exactly what I had here."

Tim looked back at his teacher and raised a hand, ticking off his fingers. "Earlier this year, you made a comment that perhaps we should look into things, though at the time you were meaning the locker thefts. A perfect opportunity to encourage us to investigate things, right? Also, the administrator put you in charge of investigating even though the police would be a better choice. And speaking of the police, they were never even notified, were they? They would've come right away, not waited for the weekend like you told me. The amount that was supposedly missing was a lot of money. I also bumped into an old student of yours, who said that you liked playing practical jokes. And finally, when I went into the staff room on Friday to question some of the teachers that were in there, I saw that the safe at the back was locked up again. When you showed it to me on Thursday, it was wide open, and you said I couldn't touch it because it was supposed to remain exactly the way it was until the police came on the weekend to investigate. So I thought it was pretty strange that it had been locked back up again. Of course, if there was no real theft, there was no reason not to lock it back up after you let me take a look at it."

"I see. And all of this would make a hell of a story that seems like it would be pretty fun to read. But what about proof? Have you got any of that?"

Tim sat on the edge of his desk. "Well, there's one pretty obvious way to check if I'm right or not. If I am, and there was no actual theft, then the missing money should be securely locked in the safe in the staff room. The administrator said on Friday that the teachers all know the combination and where the key is, so why don't we take a look? You can open it, and if the money is gone, I'm wrong. If I'm not, it'll be in there."

Tim and his teacher looked at each other, the expression crossing over Mr. Rhodes' face looking more excited than anything else. Tim figured he would give one last push.

"The only thing I don't really get is why you did this in the first place. Not only is it weird for a joke, but you got the administrator in on it. Why?"

Terrance Rhodes began laughing. It was a couple of minutes before he composed himself enough to answer.

"Oh, well done! Well done indeed! You know, it's been six years since someone put enough effort into the investigation to solve the case!" the man chuckled a few more moments before straightening.

"Well, as to why I do it, it has to do with… well, I can't really call it a scholarship. You can call it a test of mine. As you all know, I write mystery novels. Quite a few, in fact, that have been rather popular- not to brag. But they've earned me quite a bit of money, and I've wanted to use that money for worthwhile purposes. So, I managed to get the administrator to agree to my little yearly contest where we stage the disappearance of the fundraising money in front of a couple of my first- year classes that I think have promising students. I keep an eye on the students that start to actually put in some effort to solve the case, and for those that actually manage to solve it… they get some of their schooling paid for. Those who approach me alone to confront me about it get half of their first year completely paid for… and those who have the courage to stand up in front of the entire class and call me out on my little test… get their entire first year paid for."

It was Tim's turn to gape.

Terrance smiled. "And you're the first to solve the case in six years… the first in eight to have the guts to do it in class. Well done, Mr. Goodman."

Tim could barely hear anything past the rushing in his ears, but he did manage to catch Tyler muttering,

"No freakin' way."

As the teacher began clapping, the class joined in, albeit slower and with more confusion. Tim began wishing he'd just confronted his teacher alone after all; even if the man was telling the truth, and he was really getting the year of school paid for like he'd stumbled into some hard- to- believe movie, the better reward for Tim would have involved less attention. This was definitely what Terrance Rhodes had wanted, but it sure wasn't what Tim had had in mind.

A/N: Tim, do you have any idea how many people would kill to get even a year of their schooling paid for? You live in a movie. XD

The missing money is solved. So is the locker thefts; the only thing left is how Jane will react when Tim reveals what's been going on. The next chapter finally wraps up the end of the school theft case, and begins... a new something. I won't spoil it, but it will be exciting.