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.
CLARA'S THREE-BOOK PERSONNEL UPDATE
Don Fairchild across the office files.
Same person. Different year, different cases, different things happening around the desk.
BOOK 1 • PARENT PROBLEM SOLVER
Don Fairchild
Dewey's father begins as a dentist considering an Alaska opportunity and ends by reclaiming his childhood ambition to teach high-school math.
People in this file: Dewey Fairchild • Aunt Susie • Dr. Bernard
BOOK 2 • TEACHER PROBLEM SOLVER
Don Fairchild
Don is now pursuing the teaching career uncovered in Book 1, gives Dewey an inside view of engaging instruction, and finishes the book ready to become a full-fledged math teacher.
People in this file: Dewey Fairchild
BOOK 3 • SIBLING PROBLEM SOLVER
Don Fairchild
Dewey's father is in his final semester of student teaching and remains an affectionate parent who regularly turns everyday moments into lessons.
People in this file: Dewey Fairchild
OPEN ANOTHER DRAWER
Same office. Different drawer.
Cases, chronology, people, connections, places, objects, snacks, sayings, and Clara's search cabinet are different ways into the same Book 3 file.