Eat Your Poison, Dear A Sebastian Barth Mystery

If the living room was a museum, Milo's bedroom was a laboratory. Even before entering, Sebastian and David had an idea of what lay beyond the door adorned with the simple hand-lettered sign, "Resident Genius." The smell of mice permeated the entire upstairs. Where there weren't cages filled with the chattering, nibbling, wheel-running creatures, there were computer printouts and microscopes, petri dishes and globes (geographical, topographical and astrological), open books, closed books and notebooks. Nowhere on the walls were there posters of rock stars or movie stars; the only stars to be found in Milo's room belonged in constellations."Fun place," David whispered. "Remind me to see if it's booked for Christmas vacation."Milo collapsed on his bed. "Homework can wait," he said. "You have my curiosity, Barth. What is this other matter you wish to discuss? My editorial, perhaps, and its ramifications?""Maybe," said Sebastian. "I don't know whether your editorial has anything to do with it, but I think you're being poisoned, Milo.""Be serious," said Milo Groot."That's what I said." David was amazed to find himself agreeing with Milo about anything."Well, the most likely candidate is Harley," Milo went on. "And I would question his capability not only to conceive but to carry out such a crime.""Look, Milo, Harley's been picking on you ever since first grade. He called you 'Four Eyes' then, and tripped you every time you walked past him, remember?"Milo cringed. "Thank you for reminding me.""Sorry," said Sebastian. "The point is -- ""The point is that Harley is a cretin. I know that. We all know that. We know too that Harley humiliated me in front of the entire school last spring at the awards assembly. But we also know that he didn't do anything any other student wouldn't have done if he'd had the opportunity. I am not exactly Mister Popularity at Pembroke Middle, Barth. If you want to compile a list of suspects for your poisoning caper, here's last year's yearbook. Open it to any page and point your finger."Sebastian caught the book Milo tossed to him, and went on determinedly, "When you came to school today, how did you feel? You told me in shop class that the flu was gone. And you didn't look sick.""I felt fine," said Milo. "So I have a strange virus. What of it?""When the nurse saw you, did she just take your word for what was wrong with you?""That, and the evidence I left on the cafeteria floor.""Have you seen a doctor yet?""My family doesn't use them. Well, we use them occasionally, but only for emergencies. You might say we're lapsed Christian Scientists." Milo stopped talking and fell back onto his pillow. Beads of sweat glistened on his forehead. "I think my fever's up again," he said, closing his eyes. "I'm tired. Can we talk about homework tomorrow, Barth?""Sure," said Sebastian, standing. David rose with him."Barth?""Yes?""You're serious, aren't you? You really do think someone's been poisoning me.""I told you I did.""In that case...""Yes?""In that case, may I join your investigation?"Sebastian and David looked at each other in surprise."Please," Milo went on, his voice growing soft. "I can help. Look around you. I have spent a great deal of time investigating the mysteries of the universe in this little room of mine. I'm good at finding things out, Barth. Besides . . ." It seemed that sleep was about to overtake him. "Besides, if your theory is correct, I have a right to know who it is . . . who it is who hates me so much."David knew what Sebastian's next words would be, even as he dreaded hearing them spoken."Consider yourself in, Milo."Milo's eyes opened. "Really?""Really. Get some rest, okay? We'll be back tomorrow.""Tomorrow," said Milo, shutting his eyes again. A few seconds later, he began to snore.Howe, James is the author of 'Eat Your Poison, Dear A Sebastian Barth Mystery', published 1995 under ISBN 9780689803390 and ISBN 0689803397.