7. The Police Join the Search

Chapter 7 The Police Join the Search "Where have you been?" Ruth Rose asked, glaring at Nate. "We've looked for you kids all over town!" "You had us worried," Dink said, giving his cousin a look. "You were supposed to stay with us," Josh said. "But we were looking for Polly and Pal," Bradley said. "We searched all over town, but we can't find them!" "We've been looking, too," Josh said.

"Um, do you know who won the mayor's contest?" Brian asked his older brother. Josh grinned. "Your teacher, Mr. Vooray," he said. "He dressed his parrot like King George." "Rats!" Nate said. Bradley headed for the house. "We have to call Officer Fallon," he said over his shoulder. "I don't care about the contest anymore. My pony and dog are missing!" All seven kids crowded into the kitchen. Josh poured glasses of water for everyone while Bradley looked up the number and dialed. When he heard Officer Fallon's voice, Bradley explained what had happened to Polly and Pal. He told him how they had dressed them for the contest. "No, I'm not joking," Bradley said. Bradley listened, then hung up. "No one has called in about Polly or Pal," he said. "But Officer Fallon said we should put up a bunch of signs around town. He said if we bring him pictures of Polly and Pal, he'll make a bunch of copies for us."

"That's a good idea," Ruth Rose said. "That way, everyone in town will know they're missing and start looking." "Okay, you kids go see Officer Fallon," Josh said. "Dink and Ruth Rose and I will go knocking on doors." Ten minutes later, Bradley and Brian, Nate, and Lucy climbed the steps to the police station. Bradley had found a nice picture of Polly and Pal together. It showed them near the barn. The kids found Officer Fallon sitting at his desk, sipping from a glass of lemonade. A plate of cookies sat on a pile of papers. "Come on in, gang!" the police chief said. "Grab a cookie and park yourselves over there." He pointed to a long sofa. "So you've misplaced your pets, eh?"

The kids each took a cookie and sat on the couch. "They ran away," Bradley said. "We were getting them dressed for the mayor's contest, and they just took off."

Officer Fallon grinned and tugged on his mustache. "Maybe they didn't like their outfits." Bradley stood and showed him the picture of Polly and Pal near the barn. "Is this good enough to make copies?" he asked. Officer Fallon reached across his desk and took the picture. "It's perfect," he said. "Give me a few minutes." He got up and left the room, then stuck his head back in the door. "And don't steal my cookies, or I'll have to put you in jail!" Nate giggled. After Officer Fallon left, he whispered, "I wonder if he counted them." "Don't even think about taking another one," Bradley said. "Where should we bring the pictures?" Lucy asked. "All up and down Main Street," Brian said. Nate was wandering around the police chief's office. "Don't touch anything," Bradley whispered. "I'm not," Nate said. He stopped in front of a row of pictures of wanted criminals from around the state and the country. "Look at these guys. I'm glad none of them live in Green Lawn!"

Brian ran over to look. "Murderers and robbers and kidnappers," he said, shivering. "Guys, you don't suppose someone kidnapped Polly and Pal, do you?" Lucy asked. Three pairs of big eyes stared at her.