Book 1-Alex Bishop and the North Side Detectives

Continue Alex Bishop and the North Side Detectives

     The remains of the vehicles were towed that very evening.  Fortunately all the owners had full coverage.  The principal made the announcement to the news media that all classes were cancelled for the rest of the week, to allow the teachers involved in the catastrophe and their families to recuperate and also so that the school could tend to having the parking lot repaired, and the damaged to the west side of the building.

     Alex's friends, their parents, Mr. Wells and Scarlet, along with Mr. Bern, (who hadn't been at school that day, but had come to the school when he heard about the bombing on the radio), drove over to the Bishop home.  it seemed that everyone wanted to be with friends for a while.  Just as soon as the cars pulled up to the curb, Lyndell came pelting down the sidewalk, tears in her eyes.  She embraced her brother and Alex held her close and whispered, "I'm alright Linney."

     Lyn was sobbing and didn't seem to be able to speak.  Dawn and Glenna gathered around her and Dawn spoke softly, "  It's going to be okay sweetie,"  she cooed, smoothing Lyn's long curls.  After a few minutes Lyn stopped crying and wiped her face on her sleeve.  Her mother then came forward and took Lyn's hand.  "Let's go in and make sandwiches for our guests."  Janeen said, giving her a grin.  Lyn allowed her mother to lead her back into the house, but she kept glancing  anxiously back at her brother.  Lyndell was clearly shaken by the day's events.

     Sam, Matt and Nick only stayed to talk for a few minutes.  They said they had things to do.  "Those two always have to be so mysterious."  Fletch whispered to Alex, as he watched his brothers and their friend leave.  Alex grinned as he flipped on the television set.  "Breaking News!" flashed across the screen.  Everyone rushed over to watch.

    ' Homemade bombs are being blamed for the total destruction of five vehicles in the North Side middle school parking lot today.  The blasts also damaged the west side of the school, and of course the parking lot it's self.  All of the cars involved belonged to teachers at the school.  The teachers names are being withheld for the time being.  Fire Chief Mason made a statement an hour ago saying, 'The bombs were attached to the gas tanks....,'

There were gasps from everyone at this point.

   ' and so it was no wonder the vehicles were all destroyed so quickly and completely.'  "This case is being turned over to Detective Brian Burns and his team.  Detective Burns said the case would be number 1 priority.  The lack of "Press" at the scene today was due to the visiting  senator from Michigan.'

    "Well, the last thing we needed there today was the press anyway."  Max said gruffly.  Alex and his friends glanced at each other, and Alex nodded at them, as if they had reached a silent understanding.  He then got up from the floor where the teens were all sitting and addressed his dad.  "Hey.  Is it okay if we go into the family room?"

     "Sure son."  Max said, patting his shoulder.  Max thought maybe the news cast had upset his son and the others, especially Dawn.  Max and the other adults watch them head down the hallway, and when the teens were out of sight, they begin to talk in earnest about what they had just heard.

     Lyn had been in the bathroom when Alex and the others left for the family room.  When she came out, she looked around for her brother.  When she didn't see him anywhere, she figured he was probably in the den.  Lyn was about to open the door to check when she heard raised voices and decided to listen at the door  instead.

     "We've got to keep our voices down."  Alex said warningly.  Dawn nodded, but kept up her raving,  just in softer tones.  "Do you all realize that the teachers, my Mom could have been near those cars, or in hers' when everything blew up!"  The others gave her horrified looks, as they took seats on the sofas.  "We know, we know."  Fletch said softly as Dawn sat down between he and Chet.  "Before you guys get started on which I assume will be a very important meeting of the North Side Detectives,  I need to go.  My Dad's a cop remember?  And I have this feeling I shouldn't know anything about what's said here."  Chet explained, giving Dawn a kiss on the cheek and waving to the others.

     In spite of the situation, Alex, Fletch and Lee chuckled at Chet's words.  Lyn dashed back into the bathroom until she heard Chet's footsteps hit the carpet in the living room, and his calling goodbye her parents.  Then she assumed her place at the door once again.  "So what do we have here?"  Lee posed, sitting hunched over, his hands folded tightly under his chin. Then he added, "Maybe a former employee with a grudge, or...."

     "Some nut."  Fletch said, cutting him off.  "Well, they picked a time when it was more likely for the teachers to be inside the school."  Glenna said wisely.  "I don't think it was their intention to kill anyone."  She finished.  "That maybe true."  Dawn said with a knitted brow and relaxing her frame a little.  "Yeah, could be."  Lee agreed.  "I don't think the bomber, or bombers meant to catch the school on fire.  I think it's obvious that the cars were the target."

     Suddenly, Dawn was on her feet again, looking tense once more.  "Yes Lee.  But whoever did this, didn't consider that the plan could go terribly wrong, and people could get hurt, or killed."  Dawn said angrily.  The others nodded gravely.  "Okay.  Where do we start?"  she said , standing with her arms folded and a determined  look on her face.

     "What?"  Alex asked incredulously.  "Look!  They blew up my Mom's van!  This is personal!  What if Mom had to get something from her van just as that bomb went off!"  Tears of anger began streaming down her cheeks, and a vein in her forehead was pulsing with indignation.  "Okay Dawn, we get it.  But please calm down."  Fletch begged her.  "Someone will hear you."  As angry as she was, Dawn almost giggled at the frightened look on his face.

     "You're right."  Dawn said, taking a calming breath and sitting down again.  "I just got carried away."  "We understand."  Alex said, taking Chet's empty seat, and patting her hand,... and knowing that neither he nor the others would be able to keep her from being involved in this case.  So.... Alex did the only thing he could do.  He threw his arms up in surrender and said, "Well, I guess we could start with the office files at the school, assuming a disgruntled employee did this."