Personnel Department
The Staff
TJ Walden
Ten years old, the older of the two Walden brothers, and the better knot-tier. Carries the magnifying glass. Believes that numbers are facts, and that facts deserve to be checked. Is working, every case, on checking before he speaks.
Nolan Walden
Eight years old, and the only member of the agency allowed to draw on the treehouse walls. Collects facts the way some people collect stamps. His notebook is held together with tape, string, and hope.
The Manager
Rodney
A large, dignified, and thoroughly unimpressed black cat. Rodney can talk. He is very particular about whom he talks to, and most grown-ups have never made the list.
Rodney receives the agency’s tips, keeps its files, writes its Manager’s Notes, and corrects the record whenever the record needs it. He does not arrive anywhere at an exact time. He arrives when he is ready, and lets the time sort itself out.
Payment for the manager’s services is accepted in sardines.
Field Consultants and Informants
- Mrs. Wisenfloo, the town librarian. Knows more about old books, old paper, and old stories than anyone in town. Wears a purple hat.
- Mrs. Fenwick, of Fenwick’s Bakery. Cinnamon rolls, strong opinions, and flour in her hair.
- Thor, a golden Labrador four houses down. Reliable. Enthusiastic. Occasionally distracted by squirrels.
- Penelope, a guinea pig. Small, well connected, and protective of her sources.
- Admiral, the Pembertons’ parrot. Repeats everything he hears, as loudly as possible. Once spent a whole week shouting the mailman’s sneeze.
- The crows behind the bakery. They hear everything. They charge in bread crusts.
- Mom. Not technically staff. Approves every outing. Makes the rules.
- Dad. Not technically staff either. Knows the woods, the weather, and exactly what to do if a sled gets away from you.