THE ALASKA FILE
One possible move. Many hidden reasons.
Don considers moving the family to Alaska, where he could run a dental practice himself. Dewey understands the appeal of being your own boss—which makes the case considerably less convenient.
FAMILY FILE • FATHER • CASE STATUS: COMPLICATED
Don Fairchild
Dewey's dad. Dentist. Math lover. Wants to run his own operation. Accidentally becomes the case that Dewey cannot solve like everybody else's.
AUNT SUSIE'S EVIDENCE
The dentist wanted to be a math teacher.
As a kid, Don made his sister pretend to be one of his students, called roll, assigned homework, and loved teaching math. His childhood diary later becomes evidence in Dewey's investigation.
OPEN SUSIE'S FILE →MISADVENTURE • CAREER CHANGE
The solution was not Alaska.
Don ultimately decides the family will stay. Instead of opening a dental practice somewhere else, he leaves dentistry and returns to school so he can pursue the job he wanted when he was young: teaching math.
CLARA'S LAST CRUMB
Somebody appears to have intervened.
When Don announces the family is staying, Dewey notices cookie crumbs on his chin. Clara's exact role remains conveniently off-page.