The Solution to the Mystery Whodunit Game
So was it Jim Madison, Darwin Rodriguez, Pete Manson, or Harry Parker? Here’s the solution to the mystery story, “In Search of Sherlock Holmes”.
If you haven’t read the mystery story, you might want to do so first before reading the solution below.
Read the mystery story “In Search of Sherlock Holmes“
The Solution
… the story continues
The police officer looked at Melissa in surprise and said, “You can identify the thief? Then who is it?”
Melissa turned to the four boys and looked at each one to see any trace of guilt in their faces.. first Jim… then Darwin.. then Harry.. then Pete.
“It was you Pete. You’re the thief,” she surely said.
Pete, wide-eyed at the accusation said, “Me? I told you I didn’t steal the book.” Melissa countered, “Yes, you did say that and that is what actually gave you away. How could you have known that a book, more so a mystery book, was stolen when we never told any of you what was stolen? So that could only mean it was you who stole the book.”
The police offer, while in awe at Melissa’s revelation, walked toward Pete and grab him at the shoulder. “So what do you have to say now, Pete? Melissa’s right, you know.” Then turning to Melissa he said, “Would you like to press charges, Melissa? I think this boy awfully needs some straightening up.”
Terrified at the thought of jail, Pete immediately pleaded his guilt. “Alright, alright. I did take the book but please don’t press charges. I really didn’t steal it, you know. I just.. well.. I just moved it somewhere else..there by the travel books. It was just a prank. I swear I didn’t bring it out of the store. I was being truthful when I said that I didn’t even like mysteries.”
Melissa then retorted, “So, why would you even do something like that? I just finished doing inventory on those books and so I immediately knew that one was missing.”
“Well, you see, it was really not a prank on you..,” Pete replied, “it was.. on Jim. I noticed that he seems to like you and when I saw him browsing those mystery books that if I would take a book from there and you’d notice it and you’d approach him and talk to him. But I never thought it would end up like this with the police involved. I’m really sorry, Melissa. I swear I never planned to take the book out of the shop. ” Then turning to the police officer, he said, “Please, sir, don’t put me to jail. I promise I won’t do anything like this anymore.”
Heat crept up to Melissa’s face in embarrassment. She looked at Jim and saw the same blush in his face. The police officer laughed and said, “So it was just a prank, huh, Pete? Well, let this be a lesson for you. It’s no good to play pranks on people, kid. It may cause you big trouble next time and you’ll really end up in jail.”
Melissa thanked the police officer for his assistance and apologizing at the same time for the inconvenience. “You did the right thing, Melissa,” he replied then left the store.
“I’m really sorry, Melissa,” Pete repeated then left the store. Darwin and Harry followed leaving Jim and Melissa.
Jim walked up to Melissa, and nervously said, “I feel that I should apologize to you too, Melissa. You see, it’s true that I like you.. but I’ve always been shy to come up and talk to you. I never thought that Pete would take notice of it and pull that prank. I really want us to be friends.”
Appreciating his honesty, Melissa smiled at Jim and said, “I’d like that too.” “Maybe we can go to the park this weekend,” Jim invited.
Melissa replied, “Sure. Maybe we can talk about the Sherlock Holmes book. I love mysteries too.”
