Mystery #6: The Mystery at Claudia's House
Claudia’s world is a little off - Claud can tell that someone has been in her room, going through her stuff. Nothing was stolen, but she’s still creeped out. Meanwhile, Janine has been acting sketchy - she’s late for breakfast, she’s staying out late “at the library,” she’s wearing eyeshadow and nail polish…
Claudia doesn’t put two and two together (remember, Janine is the genius) but if I had to guess I’d say that Janine has a ~crush~ and she’s snagging some of Claud’s makeup to dress herself up. In fact, she even goes so far as to ask Claudia for help with clothes and makeup - and Claudia gives her a quick but effective makeover, despite still not knowing why. At the BSC meeting, Mallory is like, “maybe Janine has a boyfriend” and everyone scoffs at her (I mean, fair - it’s Mallory… but she’s actually right this time, I think).
Even more shocking than Janine asking for a makeover? Janine gets grounded. Claudia is partly shocked and partly thrilled (because for once Janine isn’t the perfect child). Janine gets caught in a lie - she says she’s staying late at the library but she’s actually at Pizza Express. She still won’t admit to Claudia why she’s lying, though, so Claudia rounds up the greatest spies in the world (the BSC, duh) to tail and investigate Janine. She even recruits Derek Masters, who sometimes guest-stars on a show called Kid Detectives. Claudia, Mary Anne, Derek and his brother Todd follow Janine and see her meet up with a hunky guy outside the high school and then walk off together. (HUBBA HUBBA!) They can’t follow because they have a BSC meeting, but Claudia is freaking out and wants this mystery solved now. (I feel like Mallory and I already solved it?)
Claudia continues to “investigate” and sees Janine with the hunk again - but this time Janine gets into his car and drives off with him. Claudia worries that he could be a drug dealer or a cult leader (SHE STILL WILL NOT CONSIDER THE FACT THAT JANINE MIGHT HAVE A BOYFRIEND) and ends up telling her parents everything. They’re a bit bewildered, but finally Janine confesses that, yes, she has a boyfriend. His name is Jerry and he’s also a high school student who takes classes at the college. She kept it a secret because she’s a private person and she wanted to keep him to herself. Claudia is flabbergasted. Janine is pissed at first, but eventually forgives Claudia and they dish all the details about sweet, romantic Jerry.
