Have you ever thought about becoming a detective? The information described in this passage explains how a detective in training might go about solving everyday mysteries around the house.
Disguised as everyday occurrences, such things as missing socks and muddy footprints are actually classic “who-done-it?” cases just waiting to be solved.
The case at hand: You find your bicycle, this morning happily stored in the garage, now lying recklessly on the front lawn. Angry? Stop! Don’t get angry. Get to the bottom of this puzzle.
Like the greatest detectives, you must gather all the facts. You must know who, when, where, and why. Look for clues that may help you to find witnesses and, eventually, a suspect.
Looking around, you discover two clues: a screwdriver near the bicycle and a big, muddy footprint on the driveway. A closer look reveals that your bicycle seat is missing!
Next, you need to find and interview witnesses. People are often the key to solving mysteries. Appear friendly and nonthreatening as you interview them. In general, people do not like to be interrogated. Ask well-thought-out, specific questions so that you can get as much information as possible.
“Mom, did you see what happened to my bike? It’s lying in a heap on the front lawn,” you say. “Did my older brother, ‘the handyman,’ decide to work on it while I was at practice?”
“No, I didn’t see anything,” your mom says with an odd smile. “Your brother has been at a friend’s house since early this morning, and I don’t know where your Dad went.”
Since your interview did not solve the case, you decide to investigate your strongest piece of evidence: the footprint. The footprint is pointing directly toward the bike, and a logo in the shape of a star is visible in the print. You search your brain for a list of suspects who wear shoes with a star logo on them. Then you comb the area looking for a matching shoe. Aha! Near the car is a pair of large shoes. You flip one over and find a star logo. But . . . they’re your . . . Dad’s! Could the culprit be your father?
But why? you wonder. Why would Dad steal my bicycle seat?
Next, you must consider a motive, the reason a person might have for committing a crime. A motive will connect a specific suspect to the case.
This raises a problem. The most obvious suspect is your own father. You can’t think of any reason your dad would want to spend his Saturday morning wrecking your bike.
“Hi.” Your Dad appears out of nowhere. You decide to go for it.
“Dad,” you ask angrily, “did you take my . . . “
“Take your what?” Dad asks, a slight grin on his face.
“Huh? What? Oh, nothing,” you reply, staring at the new super-gel mountain-bike seat he is holding.
“So, do you want to give me a hand putting on this new seat? We can adjust your brakes, too,” he says.
“Uh, sure. Thanks, Dad,” you reply in the most grateful tone you can muster.
Case solved!