Chapter 10: Autumn Term/Emily and Charlie Summary

Enraged by Charlie's letter, Emily tells him (repeatedly) that he "talks a pile of crap" (Page 42). She tantalizes him with news of a secret assignment, but promises him only empty envelopes from now on. Charlie ignores her wrath, instead describing his heroic effort to save Brookfield when he inadvertently answers a phone call announcing a gas leak in the school: Charlie sounded the alarm to evacuate. Emily responds with the threatened empty envelope. Charlie calls her out on including a note declaring the envelope is empty. He is humiliated to learn the school doesn't use gas and he was the victim of a prank. His brother Brian, a cop, mocks him mercilessly for his error, and Charlie gets depressed. When he goes to the police station to make a statement to help catch...