Problem solved!

"Or... are you the thief we've all been looking for?"

The room fell into a breathless silence. 

"I — Impossible! I probably got it when I was pulling your bag!" Patricia blurted out, but the anxiety in her voice was profound. "That's right! You did this on purpose to save yourself, didn't you?"

"That's right! How could Miss Miller do that?!" Mr. Anderson was quick to rescue. "This must be your plan all along! You want to save yourself by making it appear Miss Miller is trying to blindly accuse you!" 

"Come with me, you cunning brat!" Mr. Anderson stormed to Penny and grabbed her arm up. "Do you think something like this will —"