One Brick Shy

During winter vacation from Chaud County Community College, criminal justice freshman Joseph Oliver Kuhl is hired by the Balona Town Council to solve some petty crimes. During his brief vacation labors Joe witnesses bank robberies (committed, attempted, and possibly attempted) and SWAT team exercises; attends a formal dance, riot, fire, and flood at his old high school; observes the death and surprising reviviscence of his grandfather, perhaps bests the scam artist Jess Pleroma, and is more-or-less supported in various of these activities by passionate admirer Patella Sackworth and Cousin (or Uncle?) Zack Burnross.