The Beginning
After arriving home from the Norway
trip the Dance family settled into their normal daily routines. Kelly returned
to ballet practice and Robert tried out for a place on next school year’s track
and field team, while Rebecca commenced a few online computer courses she could
complete in her spare time. Mr. Dance eagerly awaited his new work partner due
to the loss of Suzie. The assignment of a high profile court case kept Mrs.
Dance and the rest of the District Attorney’s Office swamped with paperwork,
news media hounds and endless streams of phone calls.
“Let’s stop by a few stores on the way
home from school today, Becca,” Robert suggested to his sister.
“How come?”
“I just want to see if I can find
something for mom’s birthday coming up next month.”
“I think we will be back in Norway on
her birthday.”
“I know, but I still want to look just
in case.”
“Ok, Robert, but I want to get mom
something in Norway, you know, something that only comes from there.”
The twins met Kelly on their walk up
Bancroft Way to College Avenue. The three walked all the way down to Ashby
Avenue, going in and out of stores looking for something their mother might
appreciate for a birthday gift. Walking back along Telegraph Avenue, they
passed by Pete’s market before entering an appliance store a few doors down.
“Maybe I can find something in here,”
Robert said. “If not, I’ll wait until we go to Norway to look for a present.”
Rebecca and Robert hurried off browsing
through the store. Noticing that the young sales clerk looked distracted and
frustrated Kelly approached him.
“Hi,” greeted Kelly.
“May I help you?”
“I just noticed you looked a bit
flustered and wondered if I could help in any way.”
“Oh, it’s nothing. It seems someone has
stolen another kitchen appliance, that’s all.”
“Does that happen often?” inquired
Kelly.
“This is the second time since I
started working here six weeks ago. I just work part-time, but it bothers me
because I am always watching people closely and the door as much as I can. We
don’t have those electronic alarm buttons on our merchandize like the big
stores do.”
“The ones that are used on clothes
also?” questioned Kelly.
“Yes, they are similar to those.”
“Do a lot of people return recently
purchased items to this store?”
“Lately, yes, a few.”
“Maybe you can check which items were
returned and cross reference it with the items stolen.”
“Do you think there is a connection?”
Kelly continued, “Well, since you are a
new employee here and people around the area know that, there could be a
connection.”
“How so?”
“It is a common scam for criminals to
buy an item, then a couple of days they later return with their receipt of
purchase without the item. They then take the same type of item off of the
shelf and walk up to the counter to return it. The scam works best when stores
have a lot of customers, no alarms on the items, and when sales personnel are
very busy.”
“Wow, for a young girl you are sure
street-wise.”
“I just read a lot,” Kelly humbly
answered. “I hope that will help you.”
“Thanks.”
Robert and Rebecca joined Kelly at the
sales counter. Kelly could see that Robert did not find anything for their
mother. They decided just to head home and do their homework before it got too
late. Once home, the Dance kids headed straight for the basement, quite ready
to study, do some research, or solve another mystery together. They enjoyed the
feeling of having their own private space and respected the fact that everyone
needs something they can call their own, even if it is only a bedroom, bicycle,
or special toy or gadget of some kind.
“Too bad you didn’t find anything you
liked for mom’s birthday, Robert,” said Kelly.
“I still have some time left and,
anyway, it might be better to wait. Maybe we can all chip in on something
together if you and Becca don’t have something in mind already.”
“That’s a good idea,” responded Kelly.
“I’m game for that too,” Rebecca agreed
happily. “I’m sure we will think of something, or just know it when we see it.”
“The trip back to Norway isn’t so far
off anyway,” remarked Kelly.
Rebecca added, “I can hardly wait.”
Over the next hour the three talked
about all of the fun they experienced during those few short days they spent
during their uncle’s wedding and how much they wanted to visit all of the
places they went to see again. Helping to gather the valuable information Uncle
Jim gave to the police was exciting. Talking about it gave them an idea.
“I enjoy helping to solve mysteries and
crimes,” Robert said to his sisters.
“I do too.”
“So do I.”
“We should do this all of the time,”
Robert suggested, “since we like doing this so much.”
“Let’s do it,” Rebecca replied without
hesitation.
“Ok,” agreed Kelly.
“But we need a name, don’t you think?”
questioned Robert.
“How about… Teen Investigating,”
Rebecca suggested.
Robert responded with another
suggestion, “Or, maybe, Teen Crime Investigations.”
Kelly jumped in, “What about Teen
Criminal Investigation Unit, TCIU.”
“Yes, that’s it, TCIU. I like it,” a
very excited Rebecca agreed.
“I think we are in business, girls,”
Robert proclaimed, with a sense of joy.
When the trio climbed the staircase to
return upstairs, all three paused for a brief moment at the top to look back
down those creaky steps to where the brainstorming and mystery solving began
Kelly reached for the light switch on the wall, smiling, and slowly turned it
off for the night.
Entering the living room, the trio saw
their parents sitting on the couch. Their mother announced, “Your father and I
have a surprise for you three.”
“What is it?” all three responded.
“Well, maybe I should let your father
explain.”
Mr. Dance informed his children that a
local investigative journalist had contacted Jim Connors concerning a series of
articles she planned doing.
“Is that the journalist Poppy Fields,
dad?” Rebecca inquired.
“As a matter of fact, it is.”
“A real I.J.,” commented Kelly.
“Anyway,” their father continued,
“Poppy Fields asked Jim if he could arrange the tour of the locale for her and
find three other individuals, adult or youth, to take part in the series. She
wants the three along with Jim to provide commentaries about the experiences
they have, thoughts, feelings, etc., for her articles.”
“Yes!” the trio exclaimed together, “We
sure would like that!”
“Your father and I have signed all
necessary permission forms for all of you,” their mom informed.”
“Hey,” said Robert, “I think we forgot
something.”
Rebecca asked, “What?”
Ha, ha,” Kelly laughed, “We forgot to
ask where we would be going.”
Robert replied, “That’s it, sis.”
“Oh, yeah,” sighed Rebecca. “Where are
we going, dad?”
“The police’s Body Farm.”
“Body Farm,” Robert repeated, “Cool!”
“Looks like you three will have a lot
of interesting adventures coming up in the near future,” their mother
commented.
“It sure does, mom,” responded Kelly,
“It’s a criminal continuum out there.”
The End
Or… is this just the beginning?
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