Fizz and the Show Dog Jewel Thief

by Lesley Gibbes

  For Rodney, Austin and Georgia. L.G.

  For Twiggy. S.M.K.

  First published by Allen & Unwin in 2016

  Copyright © Text, Lesley Gibbes 2016

  Copyright © Illustrations, Stephen Michael King 2016

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. The Australian Copyright Act 1968 (the Act) allows a maximum of one chapter or ten per cent of this book, whichever is the greater, to be photocopied by any educational institution for its educational purposes provided that the educational institution (or body that administers it) has given a remuneration notice to the Copyright Agency (Australia) under the Act.

  Allen & Unwin

  83 Alexander Street

  Crows Nest NSW 2065

  Australia

  Phone: (61 2) 8425 0100

  Email: info@allenandunwin.com

  Web: www.allenandunwin.com

  A Cataloguing-in-Publication entry is available from the National Library of Australia www.trove.nla.gov.au

  ISBN 9781760112882

  eISBN 9781952534270

  Cover and text design by Stephen Michael King and Trish Hayes

  Typeset by Trish Hayes, Stingart

  www.lesleygibbes.com

  www.stephenmichaelking.com

  CONTENTS

  Chapter 1 The First Case

  Chapter 2 The Makeover

  Chapter 3 The Gang’s All Here!

  Chapter 4 The Costume

  Chapter 5 The Fashion Show

  Chapter 6 The First Clue

  Chapter 7 The Talent Quest

  Chapter 8 The Arrest

  With special thanks to Margaret Connolly, Sue Flockhart, Erica Wagner, Stephen Michael King and Trish Hayes.

  L.G.

  ‘I did it! I’m really here!’ barked Fizz, as he stood outside Sunnyvale City Police Station on his first day of work. His heart was beating fast. This was the day he’d been dreaming of. This was the day he would be a real undercover police dog.

  ‘Too chicken to go in, Powder Puff? Little loser!’ sneered Amadeus, bounding up the stairs. ‘Why don’t you go back to the dog shows where you belong? Leave the police work to the big boys.’

  Amadeus flicked his back paws at Fizz, then burst through the double-doors into the busy police station. He didn’t think a small, fluffy dog like Fizz could be a bold undercover police dog.

  Fizz took a deep breath then stepped inside. He was determined to do his best, and to prove Amadeus wrong.

  Sunnyvale City Police Station was buzzing with activity. Sergeant Stern appeared from the crowd in his smart blue uniform. He marched over to Fizz and Amadeus.

  ‘Welcome to Sunnyvale City Police Station,’ he said proudly. ‘And congratulations on passing your training at the Blue Haven Police Academy for Dogs. I’m expecting big things from my two Top Dog graduates.’

  Fizz puffed out his chest.

  He was raring to begin.

  ‘This way, boys,’ said Sergeant Stern, leading Fizz and Amadeus down a corridor to his office. ‘You have a case to solve.’

  Fizz and Amadeus sat in front of Sergeant Stern’s desk. Fizz wondered what their first case might be.

  ‘Your job,’ said Sergeant Stern, opening a bulging police file, ‘is to catch the Show Dog Jewel Thief.’

  Yes! thought Fizz. This was just the case he needed to show Amadeus how clever he could be.

  ‘Fizz, I’m sending you deep undercover… as a show dog contestant at the Pemberley Show Dog Trials.’

  ‘What did I tell you, Miss Fluffy-Puppy,’ sniggered Amadeus into Fizz’s ear. ‘You’re just a little show dog!’

  Fizz’s tail dropped. Convincing Amadeus he was smart and fearless wasn’t going to be easy, especially when he was groomed up as a show dog. He concentrated on the Sergeant.

  ‘The Show Dog Jewel Thief has stolen the winner’s tiara at the last three championships,’ said Sergeant Stern. ‘Your job is to catch the jewel thief before he can steal this one.’

  He held up a photograph of a glittering tiara.

  ‘The Pemberley Tiara is the most expensive tiara on the show-dog circuit. I’m sure the jewel thief is going to strike again. My hunch is he’s a show dog contestant. That’s why I want an undercover police dog on the job.’

  Sergeant Stern looked at Amadeus.

  ‘Amadeus, you will be on general patrol at the trials, looking for anything suspicious. I want both of you to stay alert. The Show Dog Jewel Thief knows a few tricks. He likes to create a diversion – like cutting the lights or activating the fire alarm – before he steals the tiara during the crowning ceremony. Your job is to catch the jewel thief red-handed before he makes his escape. Can I count on you?’ asked Sergeant Stern.

  ‘You just play the fluffy show dog, Powder Puff,’ whispered Amadeus. ‘I’ll be the one who catches the jewel thief, not you. Got it?’

  ‘Well and good,’ said Sergeant Stern. ‘The Pemberley Show Dog Trial starts today.’

  Sergeant Stern drove Fizz and Amadeus to Gorgeous Groomers Show Dog Salon.

  ‘You’ll need to look the part as a show dog contestant,’ he said to Fizz, opening the rear door of the police paddy wagon.

  ‘So I’ve booked you in with the groomers.’

  ‘You’re going to look gorgeous, Powder Puff!’ Amadeus jumped onto the pavement beside Fizz.

  ‘And just to be sure you pull off the look, I’ve recruited some expert help,’ said Sergeant Stern, opening the salon door.

  The salon smelled of frangipani talcum powder and was decorated in pink- and-white love-hearts.

  ‘Surprise!’ said a familiar voice.

  ‘Mum?’ said Fizz, blinking. ‘That’s right, sugarplum,’ said Fizz’s mother, rushing to greet him. ‘Sergeant Stern told me he wants you to be in the Pemberley Show. I’m so excited, my little Fizz competing in his very first show dog competition. You’re going to look sensational when Sheridan’s finished with you!’

  Fizz gulped as a willowy man with pink hair swept across the salon waving a pair of dog clippers.

  ‘Welcome, darlings,’ he said, looking from Fizz to Amadeus. ‘So who’s the lucky dog getting the Sheridan treatment today?’

  ‘Miss Fluffy!’ said Amadeus, pushing Fizz forward. ‘He can’t wait for his makeover.’

  ‘Up you come, darling,’ said Sheridan, patting a pink salon chair.

  Amadeus howled with laughter.

  ‘I’m not actually competing,’ explained Fizz, looking at his reflection in a love-heart mirror. ‘I just have to blend in with the other show dogs to catch the jewel thief.’

  ‘The jewel thief?’ exclaimed Sheridan, ‘No one knows who the jewel thief is – or how he’s getting the tiaras out. The police searched every contestant’s bag last time but they found nothing.’

  Sergeant Stern nodded.

  ‘However, we did find a clue from each crime scene,’ said Sergeant Stern. ‘A glass bead, a white hair, and a patch of spilt talcum powder that later mysteriously disappeared off the stage.’

  Fizz thought about the clues as Sheridan teased and bunched his fur into various hairstyles.

  ‘Well, if you’re going to be a show-dog contestant, you absolutely must have a show-dog name,’ said Sheridan.

  ‘He looks like a Snookums to me,’ sniggered Amadeus.

  ‘Oh no,’ said Fizz’s mother. ‘I’ve had Fizz’s show-dog name picked out since he was a pup. It’s Angel!’

  Fizz’s ears sagged.

  ‘Oh, Angel sounds perfect,’ said
Sheridan, pulling Fizz’s hair into a high bouffant. ‘So what do you think, curly or straight?’

  ‘I’ve always wanted to see Fizz in curls,’ said Fizz’s mother, sighing.

  ‘Definitely curls,’ grinned Amadeus, ‘and bows…big pink ones.’

  ‘Curls and bows it is,’ said Sheridan, reaching for a roll of pink sparkly ribbon and a box of hot rollers.

  Fizz gave Sergeant Stern a look that said, ‘Do I have to?’

  ‘You’re going to be fine, Fizz. And you won’t be alone. There’ll be another undercover police dog on the job too.’

  Fizz wondered who it could be.

  ‘Just keep your eyes peeled and use what you learned at the academy. I’m counting on you to catch the Show Dog Jewel Thief and solve your first case.’

  Fizz hoped he wouldn’t let Sergeant Stern down.

  ‘Stand up straight, sugarplum. I mean, Angel,’ said Fizz’s mother, at the door to the Pemberley

  Show Dog Hall. ‘A winning show dog knows the judges are always watching.’

  Fizz couldn’t believe his eyes. The Pemberley Show Dog Hall was glittering and grand and crowded with exotic show dogs in sparkling costumes. In the centre of the hall was a spectacular competition arena that glowed under the lights of six crystal chandeliers. Beside the arena was a magnificent stage, and sitting on a pedestal, centre-stage, was the dazzling Pemberley Tiara.

  Fizz was so relieved that he didn’t have to compete.

  ‘Right, sugarplum,’ said Fizz’s mother, weaving through the elegant lounges and coffee tables that surrounded the arena. ‘Leave everything to me. I’ll check that your costume bag has arrived and find a lounge chair by the arena. And I’ll enter you in the competition just in case you change your mind.’

  ‘What? No! Mum…’ Fizz said, but his mother had already dashed off to the registration table at the back of the hall.

  Fizz lowered his eyes. Somewhere amongst the crowd of show dogs was the Show Dog Jewel Thief. Fizz set to work sniffing around the hall, searching for clues.

  ‘Oh, curls,’ said a contestant in a sparkling red skirt. ‘That’s so last season!’

  Fizz looked up. It was Remi Razzle! She winked at Fizz.

  ‘Hi, I’m Sequin,’ she said.

  Fizz laughed. ‘I’m Angel,’ he said, shaking his bows and curls so they bounced like springs. ‘What are you doing here?’

  ‘Undercover to catch the Show Dog Jewel Thief,’ whispered Remi, nodding at the tiara.

  ‘Oh, good. Me too,’ said Fizz. ‘Let’s team up and search the hall together.’

  ‘Excuse me, madam,’ said a chocolate-brown Labrador in a trainee rescue dog coat.

  Fizz spun around. It was Benny!

  ‘Benny it’s me, Fizz!’ he said, shaking the curls off his face.

  ‘Fizz? You look like a girl!’

  ‘It’s a disguise,’ said Fizz, rolling his eyes. ‘I’m undercover with Remi. We’re here to catch the Show Dog Jewel Thief. What are you doing?’

  ‘The Rescue Squad’s on standby in case there’s another commotion,’ said Benny, bouncing up and down enthusiastically. ‘Have you worked out who the jewel thief is yet?’

  ‘There are so many dogs, it could be anyone,’ said Remi, shaking her head.

  ‘Let’s start with the clues,’ said Fizz. ‘Sergeant Stern said the police found three. The first clue was a white hair.’

  ‘But lots of dogs have white hair,’ said Remi, scanning the hall. ‘That means heaps of suspects.’

  ‘There was a glass bead too,’ said Fizz. ‘And the mysterious disappearance of a patch of spilt talcum powder.’

  ‘So we’re looking for a white-haired, bead-wearing dog with a cleaning fetish!’ laughed Remi.

  ‘Okay,’ said Fizz. ‘The clues aren’t much help.’

  Fizz, Remi and Benny searched the hall together as more dogs arrived for the competition.

  ‘Out of my way!’ said a cranky show-dog mum, wearing a shiny beaded collar. ‘My Brittney’s coming through.’

  Who’s Brittney? thought Fizz.

  A perfectly clipped miniature poodle, in an emerald tutu and matching emerald tiara, strutted towards him.

  ‘Brittney’s a champion,’ said Benny. ‘She’s won the last three show-dog competitions.’

  Brittney stopped in front of Fizz.

  ‘How embarrassing,’ she said, raising her nose at Fizz’s bows and curls. ‘Hasn’t anyone told you pink’s not your colour?’

  Brittney tossed her head rudely and walked on, followed by an entourage of groomers and attendants.

  ‘What was that about?’ asked Fizz.

  ‘That’s just trash talk to put you off your game,’ said Benny. ‘She thinks you might win. You’d better watch out for her. She sabotaged Jemarcus’s costume at the last competition.’

  ‘Which one’s Jemarcus?’ asked Fizz, becoming interested.

  ‘Oh, you can’t miss him,’ said Benny, bouncing up and down like a pogo stick. ‘He’s a mop dog. He’s at the registration table entering the competition.’

  A loud gasp erupted from the crowd as an enormous Komondor entered the hall. There were beads all through his coat, and an emerald-green medallion around his neck. His dreadlocked hair swept the floor like a giant mop.

  ‘Oh,’ said Benny, looking at the Komondor. ‘That’s Jemarcus. I could have sworn he was just at the registration table. I must be more nervous than I thought.’

  ‘What’s with the gasping?’ asked Remi.

  ‘Jemarcus is wearing emerald green,’ whispered Benny. ‘Everyone knows emerald is Brittney’s signature colour. No one else would dare wear it. He’s done that on purpose to upset her.’

  Fizz looked up as Jemarcus swept past.

  ‘Cool curls, babe,’ he said, winking at Fizz.

  Benny grinned. ‘I told you, you look like a girl.’

  Fizz swatted Benny with the bow on his tail.

  ‘What else do we know about the jewel thief?’ asked Fizz, quickly changing the subject.

  ‘We know he steals the tiara during the crowning ceremony,’ said Remi.

  ‘Exactly,’ said Fizz. ‘The jewel thief would have to be on the stage to do that. That means we have to be on the stage, too, if we want to catch him red-handed.’

  ‘But how?’ asked Remi, noting the two guard dogs by the stairs to the stage. ‘The only dogs allowed on the stage during the crowning ceremony are the top six finalists.’

  ‘So,’ said Fizz, ‘there’s only one way to be on the stage to catch the Show Dog Jewel Thief when he steals the tiara. We have to compete and win!’

  An official voice boomed over the loud speaker.

  Fizz groaned.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ asked Remi.

  ‘I’ve got to tell Mum!’

  ‘I can’t believe it. I just can’t believe it,’ gushed Fizz’s mother, fussing over the bow on his tail. ‘My Fizz is competing in the biggest show-dog competition of the year. And look,’ Fizz’s mother grinned at Remi, ‘you have a girlfriend already! Well I’m not surprised. You are a catch, just like your father!’

  Remi giggled.

  ‘Mum, this is Remi,’ said Fizz, blushing under his fur. ‘She’s an undercover police dog, like me. We both have to compete if we’re going to be on the stage to catch the jewel thief. Do you think you can help us get to the top six?’

  ‘Well, of course I can, sugarplum!’ said Fizz’s mother, beaming. ‘I am a show-dog mum after all.’ She examined them closely. ‘We’re going to have to work on your costumes,’ she said. ‘Today’s Fashion Show is fancy dress.’

  Fizz’s mother searched through a large costume bag laid out on a crimson lounge.

  ‘I had your father’s old costumes and diamond collar packed just in case.’

  Fizz’s eyes boggled at the sparkling collar. ‘Mum, there’s a jewel thief on the loose. Dad’s collar might get stolen!’

  ‘Don’t worry, sugarplum. I won’t let the collar out of my sight.’ She rummaged through the
bag, and pulled out a frilly pink bonnet and a red heart locket.

  ‘The bonnet is for you, Fizz,’ she said. ‘You’re going as Little Bo-Peep. And Remi can wear the love-heart locket. She’ll be the Queen of Hearts.’

  An attendant put the locket around Remi’s neck. He put the bonnet on Fizz’s head and tied an enormous pink bow under Fizz’s chin.

  ‘Adorable!’ said Fizz’s mother.

  ‘Ridiculous,’ said Fizz.

  ‘Well, it could be worse,’ said Remi, tilting her head to a sponsor’s poster at the back of the hall.

  Fizz saw a giant picture of Bruno with a pile of pink bubbles on his head – advertising deodorant shampoo for smelly dogs!

  Fizz laughed. It definitely could be worse!

  ‘Now,’ said Fizz’s mother, suddenly serious, ‘the other show dogs will try to undermine you at every turn. So be alert. Watch your feet for any tripping hazards and make sure you check your costume before you enter the arena.’

  ‘You make it sound like a battlefield,’ said Remi. She could see Brittney being groomed by her entourage of helpers.

  ‘This is the biggest show-dog event on the calendar. Of course it’s a battlefield!’ said Fizz’s mother, straightening Fizz’s bonnet.

  ‘So how can we possibly win?’ asked Fizz.

  ‘To place well at the Fashion Show you’ll need more than a great costume. What you need is a signature move. Your father’s was a high kick leap and a cheeky wink.’

  An announcement blared across the hall.

  ‘Would all show-dog competitors please assemble in the holding area. The Fashion Show is about to begin.’

  ‘You’ll need a score of eight or more to make it to the next round,’ said Fizz’s mother. ‘You’re going to be fantastic, sugarplum!’