The Golden Book: The Last Chance Detectives

The Missing Link

It was another day at the Last Chance Diner for Mike Fowler. Sheriff Smitty had already come for his daily apple pie while Ben was playing the vintage Space Invaders game that was in the corner of the diner. It was a Saturday in the early month of April so Mike was just wandering around Ambrosia. He had gotten a weird note from Winnie yesterday at the end of school. It said:

Dear Mike,

Tomorrow at 4:00 meet me at headquarters. I found something. Well more like discovered something. Make sure that you are there. I also... have something to give you.

-Winnie

He had no idea what it meant. 

 He thought that maybe she found a new thing we could investigate. Well, if she had, wouldn't she just wait until the next Last Chance Detective meeting? And if it was so important why didn't she tell Ben and Spence to come too? He ate his late lunch in silence as he pondered the note. Wait! Maybe she did give the others one too! Maybe it is a surprise party for one of them! 

This theory of his did have a bit of holes in it considering that he would probably know if it was Ben's birthday. There would be no way that boy could keep something like that to himself. So with that he jumped up from the bar at The Last Chance Diner and rushed to Spence's house.

When he got there Spencer's mother said that Spence wasn't home. Mike started to panic. 

Am I too late? Was it already 4? Worst of all, if it was his birthday I wouldn't have a present to give him! 

He took a deep breath and asked if she knew where he was and if it was 4:00 yet. She peacefully answered as if she had seen his tense emotions, that it was 3:00 and Spencer had gone to the B-17 to see him. Also for another reason she said that he would know. He thanked her and ran straight back to town to the old bomber plane of a headquarters.

When he arrived Spence was relaxed, laid back in the pilot's seat, with his feet up on the dash reading one of the MIA John Fowler's books in his hands. 

Mike collapsed on the floor, sweating like a pig and panting like a dog only then did Spence notice him. 

 Spence was surprised, excited, and angry to see Mike. At least that is what Mike thought his expression was.

He said, "Why are you so late," he checked his pocket watch, "it is 3:10 you said that we were meeting at 2?"

Mike looked tiredly up and Spence and wheezed,

"What...do...you...mean?"

Spence was dismayed. He couldn't believe that Mike had forgotten that today was... the day that they were going to finish fixing the radio! 

OHHHHH! 

Mike realized he had completely forgotten that he promised Spence on Wednesday that they could finish the repairs together on Saturday at 2. Mike relaxed. He tensed up again when he realized that Winnie wanted to meet him here in about an hour!

Quickly and calmly he said to Spence, "I am so sorry, but since this might take a while to make the final tinkering and touch on the radio we are going to have to do this tomorrow. OK? Are you good with this?" 

Spence's face slowly turned sad, he nodded and said, "I get it. Quick change of plans" his face suddenly brightened "I can't wait for tomorrow then! Why not right now though? You said you weren't busy today."

Mike nonchalantly responded saying, "Winnie left me this note yesterday after school," he showed Spence the note. He didn't catch Spence's eyebrows shooting up. "So that is why I am here. I don't have any idea why she asked me and not you guys. You can stay here when she comes if you want. I wouldn't mind."

"I don't want to impose on your guys time together," he said with a snicker.

"You wouldn't be, she can talk to me anytime" Mike assured missing Spence's message.

"Oh well I was planning on uh umm playing space invaders with Ben tonight so I am going to be busy." Spence said with an awkward smile. "So I should be going. I hope that Ben hasn't started without me." With that Spence hurried away. Out of the cockpit and towards the Last Chance Diner. He didn't shut the door so Mike gingerly got up to close it when he noticed someone coming in.

Mike stopped. He couldn't help, but stare. It was Winnie. She was dressed like the Queen of Arizona. Mike was frozen in time. 

He felt his cheeks get red. He started sweating. What is happening!? He thought to himself. Winnie is just a friend! Isn't she? I never ever expected this to happen. Play it cool...

"Hey hey Winnie what's up other than the ceiling?" Winnie was smiling and ....blushing at least that is what Mike thought or he hoped he didn't think? He was so confused.

"Hey Mike, I am just on my way to the school for a play. It is called Navajo and Me. I wrote it, directed it, and am starring in it. I came here to give you a ticket to it. It starts at 7 tonight if you want to come." Mike started to loosen up a bit while she spoke. 

I really want to go, but if I'm eager then it will be awkward.

"Yes of course I will come. Thank you." Mike managed to calmly say that without breaking his 

"Great oh! I almost forgot, I finished Huckleberry Finn and found something that you might want to look at." Winnie then passed the old torn book to Mike and flipped it opened to the last page. There was a pocket with a piece of paper inside of it. Mike curiously

and cautiously opened the folded paper and read. Mike dropped the book and hugged Winnie with all his might. He danced around and chanted,

"THIS IS IT! THE MISSING LINK! THIS IS IT! THE MISSING LINK!"