The Animal Thief
Conan’s mom leaves him in the lobby of the police station. The receptionist promises to watch him while he waits for his dad, Detective George, to come and pick him up. Conan’s mom reminds him to behave.
“You can have a piece candy,” the receptionist tells the seven-year-old.
“No thanks. Candy rots your teeth," Conan replies.
“I have candy with no sugar!” she replies.
“Well then, I’ll take a lollipop,” Conan replies while putting his hand in the jar and taking out two lollipops.
“That’s two!” the receptionist says.
“The other one is for the girl who is sitting over there,” replies Conan.
“Okay! I’m joking!” replies the clerk.
The boy approaches the girl and says, extending his hand, “Here, this helps control anxiety.”
“Thank you,” the girl responds, accepting lollipop.
“And what were you accused of?” asks Conan.
“Hey! I am not a criminal!” the girl answers in astonishment.
“That’s what they all say,” Conan says.
“Take your lollipop back. I don’t want it.”
“Hey! It’s just a joke. Do all girls not know what a joke is?” asks Conan.
“Stop messing around!” exclaims the girl.
“Okay. But seriously, what are you doing here?” Conan questions the girl.
“I’m waiting for my dad; he’s a cop,” she answers proudly.
“Ah! Let me guess,” Conan says, “you’re the child of divorced parents,” he continues.
“Yup!" responds the girl.
“Your mom made plans for this weekend because your dad wanted to spend time with you,” Conan says.
“That’s it! And how do you know all that?” the girl questions.
“Let me finish,” Conan says.
“But your dad, he was asked to report to work. He has already failed other times and if you tell your mom you cannot go, she will say in court that he does not spend time with you, blah, blah, and may lose his custody over you, blah, blah, and more blahs,” says Conan.
“I think so, yes! But how could you tell?” the curious girl asks.
“Your backpack tells me you’re not here to visit, and if you bring your teddy bear, then that probably means that you also brought clothes for a whole month. We are on the same page,” Conan says.
“Ah! The challenges of modern life! They have only brought us unhappiness and have jeopardized our place in the world,” Conan says.
“And before your parents divorced, where did you go when they were at work?” asks the curious girl.
“On the farm of my grandparents. I lived in the country before, but my parents preferred to seek development and moved to this city; but let’s not mourn as if we were babies.”
Conan extends his hand and introduces himself.
“My name is Conan, and who are you?”
“My name is Amanda.”
“Do you have a D.S.?” asks Conan.
“Of course!” answers Amanda as she rushes to look inside of her backpack.
Conan’s father comes for him.
“And there is my little champion,” he says while hugging Conan tightly.
“You’re making me look like a baby, Dad,” Conan whispers to his father in his ear while motioning his eyes to the girl (who is watching).
“Oh! I see you have already met. Well, we have good news for both of you. We are going to a hotel in the country. Amanda and her father are coming with us,” says George.
“Another mission?” asks Conan.
“That’s right, son! But while we work you can play a game with Amanda or something,” says George.
Arriving at the hotel, the owner immediately informs them that they have been losing two animals on his farm per night. Detective George and his partner ask the owner to call all of the hotel’s employees to give their statements. Meanwhile, in a corner of the same office, Conan asks Amanda for her to look inside of her backpack for a pen and paper because they will also do their own research.
They call the cook to testify.
"The animals could be in his belly; do you think that he ate them?” asks Amanda.
“No way is that possible! A belly like that takes years to grow. I think this guy is clean.” Conan answers.
They call the assistant cook.
“This man is missing his 4 upper teeth, could he have lost them by biting into tough meat? Don’t you think so?” Amanda questions.
“Don’t judge a book by its cover. We have thieves with all their teeth," Conan answers.
“But he looks nervous," says Amanda.
“That is an important detail. Take note of that, Amanda,” says Conan.
At night, the kids see the assistant cook go to stables (he does not make a sound). Armed with only their flashlights, they run to the stables while yelling, “Here is the thief!”
The kids slam the door open, the lights come on, and they see Detective George, his partner, the hotel owner, the cook, and the assistant cook come out from behind some haystacks.
Immediately, the children realize that they have spoiled a police operation. Detective George puts his arm around his son as he says, “Do not worry, son. It wasn’t a good plan, anyways.”
Meanwhile, the detective’s partner suggests that they all go and enjoy the campfire from the hotel. On the campfire site, there are several guests that are all laughing and telling stories. Conan and Amanda are downcast – depressed in a way. Suddenly, a lady comes up asking one of the guests about his profession.
“I am a veterinarian,” the man responds.
“Oh! That’s quite interesting,” replies the lady.
Amanda’s eyes regain the brightness while addressing him.
“I have a riddle for you! What color are cows’ upper teeth?”
“Yellow, just like horses," answers the vet, while everyone laughs.
Amanda and Conan look at each other with a surprised expression.
“He is the thief!" Amanda screams, pointing at him.
“…because a veterinarian should know that cows do not have upper teeth!" Conan says, finishing.
“You are now under arrest,” Detective George says while his partner cuffs the man.
“I just wanted to be famous and be called ‘The Invincible Thief’ and yet I have been discovered by two little kids. And there goes my reputation!”
Instead of him going on the news, Conan and Amanda appeared. The little detectives, searching this case by their own free will, caught a notorious thief, with only a guess.
