A Fast Thief

A Fast Thief

“ I need to get to Gem’s Jewelry, ” Roxy thought. “ I have to find out why things are disappearing. ” Mara was far ahead in the race by now. But Terrell and Jack were running slowly. “ Hey . . . guys. ” Roxy pretended to breathe hard. “ Whew! I’m out of breath. I—um, I need to walk for a—a bit. ”

Jack slowed down. “ Oh, good! ” He was still gasping for air. “ I’ll . . . walk with you. ” “ Uh-oh, ” Roxy thought. “ I can’t leave if Jack is with me. ” Terrell gave Roxy a quick look. Then he started to run faster. “ Hey, Jack! ” he called over his shoulder. “ I’m going to beat you! ”

“ No way! ” Jack cried. He hurried after Terrell. “ Thanks, Terrell, ” Roxy thought. Seconds later Roxy arrived at Gem’s Jewelry. Detective Smith was already there.

Gem stood behind an empty jewelry case. “ Hey, Detective! ” Roxy smiled. “ Are you here to buy something for your sweetheart?” Detective Smith turned red. “ Actually, um . . . ” Roxy gasped. “ You are? I was just kidding. ” Detective Smith sighed. “ Yes, Rocket Girl. I was here to buy a necklace for someone.

But then all the jewelry in the store disappeared. ” Gem nodded. “ It was so strange. One moment all of my jewelry cases were full. The next moment, poof! They were empty. ” She frowned. “ I hope you can find my jewelry. ”