Bait for a Burglar by Joan Lowery Nixon Page A

Brian mumbled.
    Ms. McGowan beamed at Estella. “That was an excellent reporting job,” she said. “You gave us all the facts, and your interviews were wonderful. What a good idea to get Mr. Maxx’s opinion. Great work!”
    The bell rang, and—as usual—there was a great deal of noise as all the kids picked up their books and got ready for the next class.
    â€œSam, Cindy, Danny, and Marion,” Ms. McGowan called out. “You’ll read your news stories tomorrow. Brian and Estella, I need to see you both for a moment, please.”
    What did I do now? Brian wondered as he walked to Ms. McGowan’s desk. He glanced at Estella, who whispered, “What’s this all about, Brian?”
    Brian took a deep breath. “We’ll soon find out,” he said.

2

    M S. MCGOWAN PULLED TWO pieces of paper from a folder. She handed one to Brian and one to Estella. Brian took a quick glance and saw that it was a printed form.
    â€œYou two have a real talent for journalism. That’s why I immediately thought of you for Channel Two’s program, That’s News 2 Me ,” she said and smiled.
    Estella stood up straighter, her brown eyes huge. “Do you mean that local television news show for kids on Saturday mornings?”
    â€œThat’s right,” Ms. McGowan answered. “The producer has invited all the schools in the greater Redoaks area to take part. The kids who are picked will have a week to work behind the scenes as editors, camera people, and reporters. I was told to choose two reporters.”
    Brian tried to take it all in. Ms. McGowan wanted him to be a reporter on TV? He didn’t think he’d like that at all. He did like being a Casebuster with his nine-year-old brother Sean. The Casebusters’ private investigations were done quietly—even secretly.
    On television, anything he investigated would be in front of the cameras with everybody in Redoaks watching! Brian gulped. It was scary just to stand up and read a news story in front of his journalism class. Think what it would be like to know that hundreds—no, thousands—of people were watching!
    There was no way he was going to put himself in that spot. But he couldn’t say so because Ms. McGowan was still talking. Brian tried to pay attention.
    â€œYou’ll be given story ideas from the assignments editor,” she said. “Then you’ll do the research, the interviews, you’ll write the report, and give it on the air.” She smiled. “What do you think?”
    While Brian tried to come up with a polite way to say “no,” Estella bounced a few times, hugged her books to her chest, and said, “Oh, yes! I’ll do it!” She glanced at Brian and grinned. “You will, too, won’t you, Brian? We can work together.”
    All of Brian’s doubts immediately vanished. Instead of saying “no,” he found himself saying, “Sure. I’ll do it, too, Ms. McGowan.”
    â€œThat’s great,” Ms. McGowan said. “Have your parents sign the permission slips I gave you. On Monday afternoon you’ll meet with the Channel Two assignments editor and the other students who are working on this project. And please remember, I’m here if you need me.”
    â€œThank you, Ms. McGowan,” Estella said.
    â€œUh—yeah, thanks,” Brian added.
    â€œCongratulations and good luck,” Ms. McGowan said.
    As they left the classroom Estella clasped Brian’s hand. Her eyes shone as she said, “This is going to be great. I can’t wait to tell my mom. It’s going to be so much fun working with you, Brian. You really did a great job with your news story.”
    Brian’s mouth opened, but his heart started thumping. All he could manage to say was, “Uh, thanks. Right now I guess we gotta go to class.”
    Brian felt as if he were in the shower while the dishwasher was running and the water