Book 1-Alex Bishop and the North Side Detectives

Continue Alex Bishop and the North Side Detectives

     Mrs. Books returned with the tea and filled the cups on the coffee table.  Alex, Glenna, Fletch Dawn and Lee said a collective "Thank you" to Mr. Wells.  "Don't  look so happy,"  Mr. Wells told them, suddenly stern.  "You might have been caught and then no one could save you."  The teens had the good grace to look ashamed of themselves.

     "We promise...." Lee spoke for the group...."no more break-ins."  The others nodded fervently.  "But you think our deductions are right though?  Don't you?"   Alex pressed him.  "Well, even though I am very upset with all of you right now,....yes.  I think you are probably right."  Mr. Wells admitted.

     "Sir.  Who was Mr. George Lockes, and why was he dismissed?"  Alex asked boldly.  Lee, Fletch, Dawn and Glenna looked intensely to Mr. Wells, waiting for his answer.  Mrs. Books was wringing her hands again, as she always did when she was anxious.  In this case, she feared the kids were going to get another scolding, and she didn't want to see it.  She was beginning to think of Alex, Dawn, Lee, Fletch and Glenna as part of her family.

     Mr. Wells suddenly stood up.  "Violet?"  "Yes dear."  She said sweetly.  "Do you have coffee in the house?"  "Yes," she answered.  "That would be lovely, it tends to calm me,"  Mr. Wells said, running his hands through his hair again.  She ran off to get it.  In a few moments she returned with two cups, one for herself.

     Mr. Wells took a long drought from his cup and then begin to pace.  Somewhere in the middle of his pacing, he began to speak.  "Mr. George Lockes taught ninth grade algebra.  He was well liked by the students and staff...."  His five students on the sofas were listening intently as he spoke.  Mr. Wells took another sip of coffee before he continued.

       ...."He had been at his post for six years when the unfortunate incident happened...."  "What did he do?"  Glenna asked softly.  Mr. Wells paused to clear his throat.... "He ran down a student while driving intoxicated."  Dawn and Glenna gasped, and Alex, Lee and Fletch's mouths fell open.... "Mr. Lockes was on his way to school when it happened."

     "Oh man.   Poor kid."  Fletch said, shaking his head slowly back and forth.  "Did it kill the student?"  Dawn breathed; not sure if she wanted to hear the answer.  "No."  Mr. Wells said.  And Dawn heaved a sigh of relief.  "But the boy spent two months in the hospital,"  he added.  "What happened to George Lockes?"  Lee asked.... "He served a two year prison term.  When he was released, his wife had left him and took their children.   He felt his life was in shambles."

     Mr. Wells took a deep breath, and there was suddenly a sadness in his eyes.  "He came back to North Side to ask for his old job back, or any job in the school system.  We on the board thought long and hard about our decision.  In the end, we had to tell him no.  He could have killed that boy.  Plus the outcry from the community....well, you can imagine."

     "Did he threaten any of you?"  Alex asked him.  Mrs. Books took Mr. Wells' cup to fill it.  When she had, she handed it to him.  "Thank you," he said,  then he sighed and went on.  "I don't know whether he threatened the others, but he did....me."  "What did he say?"  Alex asked hesitantly.  "That I would pay."  Mr. Wells said without emotion.

     "When was Mr. Lockes dismissed?"  Fletch asked.  "Two years ago."  Mr. Wells replied.  "I wonder why he waited so long to take his revenge."  Dawn said.   Mr. Wells didn't have an answer, he just shook his head.  Fletch's watch alarm suddenly went off.  "It's four thirty," he announced.  "Time to check in."  No one wanted to go home.  As if Mrs. Books could read their minds, she asked,  "Would anyone care to stay for dinner?"   "Yes!"  The students chimed.  Then they all looked at Mr. Wells.  He half smiled and said, "Of course Violet, thank you."