Mouse Thief

I am neither a Sherlock Holmes nor an Encyclopedia Brown, but I can investigate a mystery when it falls into my lap. While I was turning off computer monitors as part of the library closing procedures, I noticed one was askew. As I straightened it, I also noticed the mouse was missing.

Odd.

I checked to see if it had been connected to another computer, or borrowed by a laptop user.

Nope.

I thought this called for a deeper investigation, and Ms. A agreed, so she promptly launched our super high-tech security camera system like a scene out of a spy thriller. The mouse was there at midnight, barely visible at the edge of the frame. We scrolled through the timeline like Bond or Bourne chasing down an intruder until we found the timestamp when The Twin and his friend appeared.

TIME FOR BACKSTORY!

The Twin is a boy who has frequently pushed the limits of library patience before, including claiming to be his own twin in an effort to get a second guest pass for the computers one day. We have been letting him slide despite long-overdue items on his card. He had been on his best behavior until now...

We saw the Twin move the monitor aside so he could reach the USB ports in back, unplug the mouse, and step aside to literally shove it down his trousers. Meanwhile, the friend played lookout, standing where he could watch down the aisles between the shelves to see if we noticed anything from the front desk.

I'm sure these miscreants thought they had committed the perfect crime, but there will be consequences tomorrow.