The Mystery of the Stolen Object, Part 1

Whatever attention Jack Barnes, Kurt Morris, Robbie Ransom, and their Detective Club might have received through their previous endeavors was bypassed when Emma Barnes foiled the car robbery.  Everyone loved the seven-year old heroine.  Or, to be more precise, the news outlets all loved Emma, probably because they expected a lot of viewers/readers with her story.  In addition to the attention she received when the initial story of the crime broke, she was invited to appear on two news programs, was interviewed by four reporters for websites or newspapers, and was the subject of a phone interview.  And she enjoyed it.  When asked how she felt when she realized her family’s car was getting stolen (with her in it!), “It was fun!”  That video kept getting replayed and replayed over and over.  On the car robber himself, “Sylvester was a nice guy, though he didn’t like Looney Tunes, for some reason.”  And on what might happen if someone tried to steal the Barnes’s car in the future, “You better not, because me, my brother, and his two friends have our own Detective Club, and we’ll catch you!”

Ah, yes, the Detective Club.  Founded by Jack Barnes, Emma’s older brother by five years, it was supposed to consist of him, Kurt, and Robbie.  Emma had snuck in to the swearing-in ceremony, however, and she now considered herself a fellow member.  The boys hadn’t, but they were powerless to stop the news interviews.

Of course, Jack was a nice big brother, so he took this all in stride.  Right?  Well, I wish I could report that he did, but it would have been lying to say that he wasn’t the littlest bit jealous.  Okay, he was really annoyed at the attention that Emma was getting.  He was glad that his sister was alright, and he was glad that she’d prevented a small-time crook from stealing the Barnes’s convertible, but how dare she put herself in their club without permission?

He was still brooding over this latest turn of events when the phone rang one Tuesday afternoon.  Emma wasn’t around, as she was doing yet another interview.  Jack wished he was the one being interviewed.

Until he picked up the phone, that is.

“You’re Jack Barnes, president of the Detective Club, is that right?” asked a voice.

“Why, yes, I am!” said Jack, excitedly.  “What do you want?”

“I have a mystery for you to solve,” said the man.  “My name is Arthur Collmenter.  Somebody stole something of mine, and I need you to figure out who did it.  I have the three suspects waiting here at the house.  The police have been questioning them for an hour, with no luck.  Would you and your club mind coming over?”

“Not at all!” said Jack.  “Where do you live?”

“Oh, my address won’t be necessary,” said the man.  “I’ll send Cosgrave over with the limo; he’ll pick you all up.  Can you all be ready by 2:30?”

Jack checked his watch. “Sure that should work!”  He gave the man his address.

“Thank you so much,” said the man.  “I’ll feel so much better when you all arrive!”  With that, he hung up the phone.

Feeling much better, Jack called Kurt and Robbie and told them to get right over to his house!  They agreed, naturally.  As for Emma…well, Jack wouldn’t have wanted to interrupt her interview.

“A limo, huh?” said Kurt, as the three boys waited outside.  It was a cloudy day, with a likely chance of rain.  Not unusual weather for Tacoma, but Jack figured it would hold off until the limo showed up.  “This man must have a lot of money,” continued Kurt.

“I guess so,” said Jack.  “I’m honored that he called us.”

“As am I,” said Kurt.  “This is all thanks to Robbie.”

“What?” asked Robbie.  “I didn’t do anything.”

“Aw, Robbie, you’re too humble,” said Kurt.  “Of course you did.  When you think of it, feel free to let us know.”

“Oh, that must be the limo,” said Jack, pointing down the street.  A long limousine was just turning the corner.  Unlike many, it was—

“Blue!” said Kurt.  “Now that is a cool car.”

“And we’re going to get to ride in it!” said Robbie, as the fancy vehicle idled up to the curb.  The motor shut off, the driver’s door opened, and a man in a blue suit got out.  “You are Jack Barnes and company?”

“I’m Jack Barnes,” answered Jack.

“Permit me to introduce myself.  My name is Cosgrave,” said the chauffeur, coming ‘round to the front.  “I’m to take you boys to Mr. Collmenter’s house at once.   Allow me,” he said, opening the door to the back of the limousine.

Jack, Kurt, and Robbie thanked the man and climbed in.  “Oh, boy, look at this!” said Kurt.  “Flatscreen TVs; two of them!  And is that a refrigerator?”

It was—filled with Coca-Cola.

“Let’s make sure we earn this!” said Kurt, pulling out a can.  “To the mystery we’re about to solve,” he toasted, as the car sped off.

Jack laughed.  “Kurt, you’re getting ahead of yourself.  We don’t even know exactly what’s going on yet.”

“Not yet, but we’ll have time enough to figure it out when we get there.  Let’s see if there’s any drag racing on.”

What do you know, there was drag racing on.  Kurt must have been a fan.  The limousine didn’t travel at speeds near three hundred miles per hour, but the cars on the screen did until, twenty-seven minutes later, Cosgrave pulled up in front of the house.  Actually, he pulled up in front of the gate to the house.  Rolling down his window, he punched in a code.  The gate swung up, and the limo drove through.  In a moment, they were at the head of the driveway, next to the long walk to the front door.  Cosgrave got out and opened the door for the boys, who all thanked him before starting up the walkway.  They noticed two police cars in the driveway.

“Wonder what the stolen object is?” said Kurt, but before he could answer, they were at the door, which was swung open by Collmenter.  “Come in!  Come in!” he boomed.  “Now, maybe we can get some real work done on this case!”

[Tune in for part 2 next week!]