← Sleep Tight Stories - Bedtime Stories for Kids
Sleep Tight Stories - Bedtime Stories for Kids
The Transfer Student Vol.2. P.7 👽
00:28:18
A lighter, fast-paced adventure with just a flicker of something deeper beneath the surface.
Loading summary
Transcript1 lines
- [00:00]
Narrator
A short Message for Grown Ups the new season of mysteries about true histories is here. Max and Molly are back facing off against the Power hungry Pogs, a group determined to rewrite history. With help from Aunt Em and a few surprise guests, they'll travel from Ancient Egypt to 1875 to stop them, using math, history, and a whole lot of teamwork. Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hello friends, and welcome to sleept Stories. Red and the gang are busy trying to find some clues about who is stealing all the rare books from the library. Charlie and Red are looking at the security footage when they notice a pattern. The Transfer Student, Volume two, Part seven look there. Charlie pointed at the screen. Did you see that shadow by the door? Play it again. Red leaned closer to the monitor, focusing on the area Charlie had indicated. As the security footage replayed, she watched the faint shadow move across the hallway leading to the rare bookroom. Most people would have dismissed it as a trick of the light, but Red's Martian eyes allowed her to catch details that others missed. You're right, she said, rewinding the footage again. But look at how it moves. That's not just someone walking by. Charlie adjusted his glasses, squinting at the screen. What do you mean? Watch the timing, red said, pointing to the timestamp in the corner. The Shadow appears at 2:17pm moves deliberately toward the rare book room, then disappears. No random wandering. No hesitation. They fast forward forwarded through hours of footage, looking for similar patterns. Red's patience paid off when she spotted another instance. There. She exclaimed, forgetting to whisper. Tuesday, same time. 2:17pm Exactly. Charlie frantically scribbled notes. And Monday before that. Red this person knows exactly when to strike. But how? Red's mind clicked into pattern mode, just like back in those endless Martian training sims. What happens at 2:15 every day? Charlie consulted the library schedule posted on the wall behind them. Staff meeting. Mrs. Finkelstein and her assistants meet in the conference room every afternoon at 2:15. Which means the main desk is unattended, Red realized. And whoever this is knows the routine. They scrolled through more footage, Red's sharp eyes catching details that made her stomach clench with recognition. The way the figure moved, the purposeful timing. It reminded her uncomfortably of the astronomical alignments Dr. Hart had mentioned. Migration windows, precise timing. Everything planned down to the minute. She might be reading too much into this. But Charlie, what if this isn't random theft? Red said slowly. What if someone specifically needed those books? Especially the Dr. Hart astronomy book. Charlie looked up from his notes, tissue pressed to his nose. Wait, you think someone's actually using the books? Like for homework, but evil? Maybe, red said. What if someone else had received Dr. Hart's message? What if the aid, or whoever was compromising them was looking for the same information she was? We need to identify this person, charlie said, rewinding to get a clearer view of the shadow. If we can figure out who has access to the library. And during staff meetings. Just then, Red picked up the sound of approaching footsteps, Mrs. Finkelstein's distinctive clicking heels on the library's wooden floor. Quick, red whispered. Save everything. We're about to get interrupted. Charlie fumbled with the computer controls. As the footsteps grew closer, Red couldn't help but think about how different this investigation felt from the cosmic mystery waiting for her at home. Books were being stolen for earthly reasons. Money, rare collections, academic research. But the timing, the precision, the connection to Dr. Hart's work. It felt like more than coincidence. Mrs. Finkelstein's voice echoed through the library. Students, we'll be closing in five minutes. Please finish up and gather your belongings. Charlie looked up from the computer screen in dismay. But we were just getting somewhere. I know, red said quickly ejecting the USB drive they'd been using to save their findings. But we have enough to work with. Do we, though? Charlie pressed, his excitement barely contained despite his stuffed nose. We know when the thefts happen, and we have footage of the shadow, but we still don't know who it is. Red pocketed the USB drive, her mind already racing ahead to tomorrow's investigation and more importantly, to Saturday. One last day to solve this mystery before her real mission began. We'll figure it out tomorrow, she assured Charlie as they packed up their notes during lunch. We can review everything again and make a plan. As they emerged from the back office, they found the rest of the gang gathered around Mrs. Finkelstein's desk, comparing notes from their own investigations. Any luck with the security footage? Alexa asked hopefully. We found something, charlie said, barely able to contain his excitement. A pattern the thief strikes at exactly the same time every day during staff meetings, red added. When no one's watching the main desk. Rachel looked up from her notebook where she'd been documenting their findings. That suggests someone who knows the library's schedule very well. An inside job? Kurt asked, flexing her fingers like she was ready to tackle the culprit immediately. Possibly, red said, though her thoughts were already drifting to Saturday morning and the coordinates waiting in the forest. Mrs. Finkelstein approached their group, keys jingling in her hand. I'm afraid I need to lock up now, but I hope you've made progress. We'll catch your book thief tomorrow, charlie declared confidently, then sneezed directly into his elbow. As they filed out of the library, Red felt a strange mixture of anticipation and anxiety. Tomorrow they would solve this mystery. And then. Then she would face whatever secrets Dr. Hart had hidden in those coordinates. The countdown continued. One day left. The next morning, Red woke up early. No hacked phone playing some annoying sound made by Blue. No Blue running into her room and being annoying. Just peace. Except she was incredibly excited to get the day started. Getting out of bed, she looked around carefully. There must be some trick. There wasn't. She quickly got dressed and went to the bathroom, which also was miraculously clean, before she went downstairs to see Blue sitting at the table with a smirk on his face. What did you do? Red asked suspiciously, eyeing her brother's satisfied expression. Nothing, said Blue innocently, taking a large bite of his waffle. Can't a guy just be in a good mood? Red didn't buy it for a second, but her mother interrupted before she could interrogate him further. Good morning, Red. You're up early today, her mother said, setting a plate of fresh waffles in front of her. Excited about something? Red felt heat rise to her cheeks. If only her mother knew what she was actually excited about. Not catching a book thief, but preparing for the most important expedition of her life. Just want to solve this library mystery the gang has, she said, which wasn't entirely untrue. That's wonderful, dear. I love seeing you engaged with school activities. Her mother paused, studying Red's face. You seem different lately. More energetic. It's the Mystery Club, red said quickly pouring maple syrup over her waffles. It's fun working with friends. Red caught herself saying the word friends. She was getting more and more comfortable with her life here on Earth, and she wasn't sure she was okay with that. Lou made a gagging noise. Friends? You mean those weird kids who think books are exciting? At least my friends don't eat paste, red shot back. That was one time, blue protested, and it looked like vanilla frosting. Red couldn't help but smile. Smile as she ate. Despite Blue's annoying habits, their morning banter felt almost normal. She glanced at the calendar on the wall. Saturday circled in red marker. Tomorrow. Everything would change. Tomorrow. On the bus, Charlie was practically vibrating with excitement despite his perpetual cold. I've been thinking about the case all night, he said with a snuffle, pulling out a notebook covered in his messy handwriting. I even made a list of possible suspects. You made a list? Red asked, impressed despite herself. Substitute librarians, janitors, anyone with after hour access. Charlie flipped through pages of notes. But what really bugs me is the timing. Why exactly 2:17? Why not 2:15 when the meeting starts? Or 2:20 when they're definitely settled in? Red frowned, her mind automatically seeking patterns. Maybe they need those two minutes to make sure everyone is actually in the meeting. Or maybe, charlie said, lowering his voice dramatically, they're following some kind of schedule we haven't figured out yet. When they reached school, the gang was already buzzing with anticipation. Even Rachel had closed her book to discuss the case. I cross referenced the theft dates with library events, she announced. Every single theft happened on a day when there was a substitute covering the information desk. The same substitute? Alexa asked. That's what we need to find out today, rachel replied. Red tried to match their enthusiasm, but part of her mind kept drifting to the coordinates, to Dr. Hart's message, to the countdown that only she knew about. Tomorrow she would leave early, telling her mom she was meeting friends for a nature study project. Tomorrow she would finally learn what secrets were hidden in that forest location. But first they had a book thief to catch. During lunch, Red and Charlie hurried back to the library's computer, eating their lunch quickly on the way. Mrs. Finkelstein had given them special permission to continue their investigation, and Charlie was armed with his notebook full of theories. Okay, charlie said, settling into the chair beside Red. Let's review yesterday's footage one more time. But this time I want to check something. Red pulled up the saved files on the USB drive. What are you thinking? You said the shadow appears at exactly 2:17, right? Well, I looked up the library staff schedule, and guess what? Charlie consulted his notes. The substitute librarian rotation. There's a pattern there, too. Red felt a familiar tingle of recognition, the same feeling she got when solving complex equations on Mars. Show me. They pulled up footage from three different theft days, Charlie cross referencing with his handwritten schedule. Look. Monday's theft, Tuesday's theft, and Wednesday's theft. Now watch who's at the information desk. Just before 2:15, Red focused on the timestamps. On Monday, she saw a tall woman with gray hair. Tuesday, the same woman. Wednesday it's the same person, she breathed. Mrs. Patterson, Charlie said triumphantly despite his stuffy nose. She's the substitute who covers when the regular staff are in meetings. She knows exactly when they'll be busy because she's supposed to be covering the main desk. Red rewound the footage, studying the woman's movements but look, she leaves the desk just before the meeting starts. That's when the shadow appears in the hallway. She's stealing books during the meetings she's supposed to be covering for. Charlie exclaimed, then immediately sneezed into his tissue. Red watched the pattern unfold on screen. This was the kind of logical problem solving she excelled at. Mrs. Patterson would arrive to help cover, wait until the staff meeting began, then slip away to the rare book room while everyone was distracted. She had access, opportunity, and most importantly, knowledge of the library's routines. We need to catch her in the act, Red said, her mind already forming a plan. But how do we prove it? Charlie grinned despite his red nose. I have an idea. What if we set up our own surveillance? Mrs. Finkelstein said. There's another staff meeting today at 2:15. If Mrs. Patterson is working, we could position ourselves where we can actually see the rare book room. Red finished. Not just the hallway shadow. They pulled up the afternoon schedule. Sure enough, Mrs. Patterson was listed as covering the information desk during the 2:15 staff meeting. This is it. Charlie said, his excitement barely contained. Today we catch our book thief. Red felt a surge of satisfaction. After all the confusion and guilt about the secrets she was keeping, it felt good to work on a mystery she could actually solve with her friends. Tomorrow would bring the coordinates and whatever dangers Dr. Hart had warned about, but today she could help catch a simple book thief. Let's go find the others, she said, closing the computer files. If we're going to pull this off, we're going to need the whole gang. As they gathered their notes and headed back into the main library, Red couldn't help but think about the timing again. Migration, windows, theft patterns. The exact second Mrs. Patterson slipped away. Everything in the universe seemed to run on schedules. Some visible, some hidden, but all precise. They met the gang at their usual lunch table, and Charlie could barely contain his excitement as he explained their discovery. Mrs. Patterson? Alexis said, looking surprised. The substitute librarian. She seems so normal. The best criminals always do. Charlie declared dramatically, then ruined the effect by sneezing. Rachel was already taking notes. We need to be strategic about this. If we're wrong, we could get in serious trouble for falsely accusing a staff member. But if we're right, Kurt said, cracking her knuckles, we catch a book thief Red handed. Red spread out a rough sketch of the library layout on the table. Here's what I'm thinking. The rare book room is here, behind Mrs. Finkelstein's desk. The staff meeting room is over here. Mrs. Patterson will be at the information desk until 2:15. So we need eyes on both the information desk and the rare book room, Alexa said, studying the sketch. Exactly. Kurt, you're the fastest. Can you position yourself near the main entrance? If Mrs. Patterson tries to leave with anything, you could intercept her. Kurt grinned. Intercept? Oh, yeah, I'm on it. Rachel, you should be near the staff meeting room with Mrs. Finkelstein. If this goes wrong, we need an adult witness. And Charlie and I will hide where we can see the rare book room directly. Red finished. They spent the remaining lunchtime refining their plan. Mrs. Finkelstein, when approached, was initially skeptical, but agreed to help when Charlie showed her their evidence from the security footage. I can't believe it, Mrs. Finkelstein murmured, studying their notes. Mrs. Patterson has worked here for months. She seemed so trustworthy. The best place to hide is in plain sight, red said, thinking of her own Secrets. At 2pm Red approached Mr. McCaskill in the hallway between classes. We think we know who's been stealing the books, she said quietly. But we need to catch them in the act during Today's staff meeting. Mr. McCaskill's eyebrows shot up. You've identified the thief. That's excellent detective work. What do you need? Permission to miss our next class period? Charlie said, appearing beside Red with a tissue pressed to his nose. We think they'll strike again at 2:17 during the staff meeting. Mr. McCaskill considered this seriously. If you're right about the timing, this could be our only chance to catch them. I'll speak to your teachers about an educational research project, but. He held up a warning finger. If this goes wrong, you come find me immediately. No heroics. Agreed, red said. At 2:10, with Mr. McCaskill's permission secured, they took their positions. Red and Charlie crouched behind a tall bookshelf with a clear view of the rare book room door. Red's enhanced hearing could pick up the murmur of staff members filing into the meeting room down the hall. There she goes, Charlie whispered as Mrs. Patterson left the information desk and walked toward the back of the library. Red watched as the woman glanced around carefully, then pulled out a key. Not the official library key, but something that looked homemade. She's got a copied key, Red breathed. Mrs. Patterson slipped into the rare book room, leaving the door slightly ajar. Red could see her moving efficiently between the shelves, clearly knowing exactly what she was looking for. Should we get her now? Charlie asked, his voice muffled by the tissue pressed to his nose. Wait, Red said. We need evidence of her actually taking something. They watched as Mrs. Patterson selected a slim volume and tucked it into her jacket. She moved toward the door, then froze. Charlie had sneezed. Mrs. Patterson's head snapped toward their hiding spot. For a moment, their eyes met across the library, and Red saw the woman's expression change from calm confidence to panic. Without a word, Mrs. Patterson bolted from the rare bookroom, clutching the stolen book to her chest. But she hadn't counted on Kurt's athletic training. As Mrs. Patterson raced toward the main entrance, Kurt stepped smoothly into her path. Excuse me, kurt said politely, but I think you have something that doesn't belong to you. The chase was brief. Mrs. Patterson tried to dart around Kurt, but Red had already moved to block the other exit. Charlie, despite his cold, managed to call out loudly enough to alert Mrs. Finkelstein and the other staff members. Within minutes, the library was full of adults. Mrs. Patterson was sitting in a chair, looking deflated, and the stolen book, a first edition of Astronomical Calculations of the early 20th century, lay on Mrs. Finkelstein's desk as evidence. How long has this been going on? Mrs. Finkelstein asked, her voice a mixture of hurt and anger. Mrs. Patterson's shoulders sagged. Six months. I've been selling them to private collectors online. Rare books are worth more than you'd think, especially ones with original notes. Original notes? Red stepped closer to examine the recovered book. As she opened it, she saw handwritten margin notes that made her heart race. The calculations looked remarkably similar to the migration window timing Dr. Hart had mentioned in her hologram. But before she could study them further, Mr. McCaskill arrived with the police, and the book became evidence in a criminal case. As the authorities led Mrs. Patterson away, Red couldn't help but wonder. Had the substitute librarian just been motivated by money? Or had some someone been paying her to find specific books? Books that might contain information about astronomical alignments and migration windows? The mystery was solved, but Red's questions were just beginning. And that is the end of this part. Good night. Sleep tight.