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going after the other two.”
    The chief sighed.
    â€œI’m afraid that doesn’t make our job any easier,” he said. “Not knowing which of the items was the real target.”
    â€œOr whether the fair itself was the real target.”
    We contemplated this for a while.
    â€œMaybe when you figure out the time line of the incidents you’ll get a clue,” Randall said.
    â€œDoubt it,” the chief said.
    â€œAnd finding the time line’s going to be tough,” I added. “Because it all happened overnight.”
    â€œI thought we had volunteers sleeping in every building that couldn’t be locked up tight,” Randall said.
    â€œWe do,” I replied. “And that’s just what they were doing. Sleeping.”
    â€œWell, that’s a clue. Whoever did this must be pretty light on his feet.”
    The chief glared at him and Randall shrugged apologetically.
    â€œChief,” I said. “Randall told that reporter that we were going to organize some extra patrols staffed by volunteers from among the exhibitors. Unless you have an objection to the idea, I should go and get that started.”
    The chief has shifted his glare from Randall to the fair map. He continued staring at it for a few moments, then his face softened.
    â€œNo way we can adequately cover this whole area with the personnel I have available,” he said. “Try not to recruit any hotheads, and I don’t want any of your vigilantes armed.”
    â€œRoger.” I stopped short of saluting. “I’m going to do my recruiting during a detailed inspection of every single tent and barn where a theft might have taken place. I think we need to warn the exhibitors.”
    â€œWe already alerted the media,” Randall said.
    â€œAnd now we need to make sure the exhibitors get the straight scoop from us,” I said. “Not whatever melodramatic account the newspapers and radios come up with.”
    Randall and the chief both nodded glumly.
    As I was walking away from the fair office, my cell phone rang. Michael.
    â€œThe boys and I are over at the sheep barn,” he said. “I found your note—what’s up?”
    I explained, as succinctly as I could, how my morning had gone so far. And how I expected to spend the rest of the morning, and who knows how much of the afternoon.
    â€œI’ll keep the boys busy, then,” he said. “We came over a little late because they wanted to help Rose Noire. At least I think we helped. I didn’t realize Horace really was on a case. I thought he just figured out a way to dodge the potpourri.”
    â€œAll too real,” I said. “Last time I passed by, things were slow over at the pony rides. The boys would love that. And there’s a children’s concert on the main stage at two.”
    â€œI’ll make sure someone else is minding the booth at two.” Michael and several of his fellow llama aficionados had set up an information booth topped with a large banner proclaiming THE JOY OF LLAMAS! They were determined to have at least one llama and one human on duty at all times to answer any questions from the public, and Michael, as the booth organizer and local host, would probably be filling in any time they couldn’t get coverage. I wasn’t sure I’d have been happy to be that tied down, but Michael was enthusiastic. And he planned to keep the boys with him during his shifts—to demonstrate how family-friendly llamas were—so I didn’t have to worry about a babysitter and would know exactly where to find the three of them most of the time.
    â€œGood idea,” I said. “Actually, I’d make it one thirty, to give you time to walk over to the stage.”
    â€œAny chance you’ll join us for that?”
    â€œI’ll try.”
    If I hurried and got through all the barns, tents, and pavilions efficiently, I probably could make the concert. Especially if I