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"What happened?" I asked again, but this time I tried to imply comfort with the words

"I took the ketchup and mustard dispensers," he said, voice monotone "Someone saw me and called the cops"

"That would be me," Officer Leprechaun said "I happened to be down the block at the coffee shop"

Daisy’s Coffee Express was notoriously popular for its donuts I sedthem back," Trey said "I wanted to use them for an art installation"

"We have ketchup and e Why would you need to take the toward the house "Thank you, Officer I can handle this now"

"I’m sure you could," the officer said, "but I told Richie down at Pizza City that I would have a talk with you, and I intend to keep that proes, and that would have made a lot more work for me and a lot more stress for you, financial and otherwise"

I noticed Mr Eckhardt standing on his front steps, a look of disapproval directed toward us I gave it right back, arching an eyebroondered what Officer Leprechaun would think of the clothes buried in the backyard

"Let’s go inside," I said tersely

They followeda word I put a kettle on and directed Trey to sit at one end of the kitchen table and Officer Leprechaun on the other side I took the middle

"You’re not a child," the officer said to Trey "Can you explain why you’d take so like that? Was it a prank?"

"Technically, I am a child in the eyes of the law," Trey said under his breath

I warned hi to treat you like one," I said "You’re grounded You will also write a note of apology to Richie at Pizza City"

Trey shrugged "I did a stupid thing People do that, you know"

"Mistakes are different from conscious decisions to break the law" Even Officer Leprechaun had to know that one wasn’t going to hit its h, Trey snorted

"Except for school, you are not to go out this week," I said "You’ll helpalong?" said the officer, likely already bored by the do a teen

"It’s ridiculous," Trey said "She doesn’t knohat she’s doing"

The officer straightened in his chair "If I still had a mother, I’d show her some respect"

The teakettle went off, and Trey almost did as well His jaw clenched, and tension rolled off hi of oppression

"Go upstairs," I said "We’ll talk ainst the floor with the force of hilance, Trey bolted from the room I listened to him bound up the stairs When he slaers," I said, hoping that would shut down the conversation