Chapter - Parent meeting (part one of two)

	Chapter - Parent meeting (part one of two)
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Mr. Ellsley was pouring tea for Mrs. Sternson, Constable Robertson, Mrs. Simpson, and John.

Mrs. Ellsley swept into the living room to confront Constable Robertson. "Constable Robertson, I assure you my Rodney would not get involved in such criminal investigations. Even though" Rodney's lips moved in time to the familiar phrase. "he doesn't go to opera with me anymore, he's still a good boy."

Rodney bent his head to receive the pat on his head from a jeweled hand reaching way up.

Mrs. Ellsley was tiny, fastidious and ornately overdressed.

"Yes, Mrs. Ellsley, we know he's a good boy." A twinkle appeared in Constable Robertson's eye. "And he and his friends proved that by doing their civic duty in this case, didn't they?"

"What?" snapped Mrs. Ellsley, looking startled. Rodney hid his grin behind his hand. When Mr. Ellsley smiled at Rodney, his grin turned to a suppressed chuckle. Mrs. Sternson glanced at her knitting, the raised one eyebrow at Mrs. Simpson, who grimaced slightly, then nodded. Apparently they had two to deal with.

"Well, I'm sure Rodney's told you all about it. but we'll go over it in the meeting." The doorbell rang. "Please excuse me. That will be Fred and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Rideway."

He waved Mr. Ellsley to keep pouring tea, and answered the door himself. Fred was first in. constable Robertson grinned companionably at him, shook his hand and clapped him on the shoulder. "I see you've brought your parents with you."

Fred's mom narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips. She hadn't expected the policeman to treat her wayward son as a friend.

"Mrs. Rideway. So good you could come." Constable Robertson smiled pleasantly and he shook her hand as she murmured something indistinct.

"You must be Mr. Rideway. I'm pleased to meet you."

Mr. Rideway looked a bit distracted. "Pleased to meet you."

"I understand you work with computers?"

"Yes, I'm a software developer."

"That's interesting, since computer software enters into this case."

"Oh," Mr. Rideway blinked, and leaned over to focus on Constable Robertson, as if seeing him for the first time. "Internet software?"

"Yes. Please come in. Mr. Ellsley is serving tea."

"Oh. Can I have a coke or a coffee instead?"

"Of course," said Mr. Ellsley, as Mrs. Ellsley pursed her lips. "I made some coffee just in case."

When Mr. Rideway had his coffee, with cream and no sugar, everyone was seated.

"OK," said Constable Robertson. "I'm here to explain the role the boys have had in this ongoing case and answer any questions you may have. First, I want to thank the boys for providing this extra information and ask you to refrain from discussing it where it might be overheard by anyone else. Is that clear?"

Nods all around. Fred's mom glanced at Mrs. Sternson.

"Good. When John was hit on the head we first assumed it was a mugging, an attempted robbery which John's boss, Paul, interrupted, even though he didn't see the attackers.

"We checked Paul's record. There was no motive for him to knock out one of his own employees, no record of anything similar, but he claimed to have found John in front of the store, while John thought he had been in the alley beside the store. It's a small discrepancy, probably not important. His doctor felt we shouldn't trust John's memory under the circumstances, I mean he did have a concussion.

"I think you all knew this part of the story. Any questions so far?"

Mrs. Ellsley put her hand on Mrs. Simpson's. "My dear, it must have been simply dreadful for you."

"Thank you, yes, it was awful to have my son hurt like that."

Mrs. Ellsley smiled at her, then turned back to look at Constable Richardson. She took a sip of tea.

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