CASE FILE 008

I don't have a new finding this week. I'd like to be straightforward about that.

What I have is a list of what I don't know.

A dog that did not bark. A cat that has not commented. A reindeer I am still not pursuing. A subject numbered 005 that nobody will discuss. A voice on a tape that said "my friend inside" and did not say who.

Seven weeks. Four of you, each holding one piece, each sure it's the whole thing. I have laid your pieces side by side more times than I can count. Every time, I get four true things that don't add up.

Santa has the records and has told us nothing. Cookie has told us what it believes and not what it was building. I have the pattern. I'm told that's not the same as the answer.

I have read you for seven weeks. I won't tell you what I found. I'll tell you it isn't what I expected.

A few of you have asked me why I took this case. I don't have a good reason. I have written one four times. I can't make it hold.

Here is what I can say. I can't finish this by myself. I can't finish it by mail. It needs the four of you in one room.

You're about to be in the same room.

TUESDAY · DECEMBER 22 · EVENING

Bring what you were sent. All of it.

Two things before then. Rank them — Santa, Cookie, me, and each other. And tell me, separately, without discussing it with anyone: which of you is Cookie's agent.

Case continues.