Book 2-Alex Bishop in Follow That Mystery

Continue Alex Bishop in Follow that Mystery

     Throughout the performance lee kept up his watch to the balcony above him with wary eyes.  In two hours time the play ended in tumultuous applause.  Due to his balcony gazing, Lee hadn't seen much of it.  The cast took three curtain calls, with Scarlet and Joshua Bern center stage, holding hands and taking bows with the rest of the cast.

     Alex thought that Mr. Bern had done an admirable job of capturing the character of George Bailey, considering his lack of acting experience.  A cast party was to follow the performance, to be held at Casey's restaurant, the town's favorite gathering place.  Relatives and friends were welcomed to attend.  So after many hugs and much congratulations, everyone headed out for the cast party.

     Casey's dinning room was large, classy and comfortable with the hundred or so tables covered with white Irish linen cloths, and on the table as centerpieces were set imitation Tony Awards.  Various show tunes sounded from cleverly hidden speakers, and after everyone's orders were taken Alex and his friends chatted about the play.

     Lee whispered to Alex, Fletch, Dawn and Glenna, "I need to talk with you privately," nodding to an out of the way table setting in front of a stone fireplace.  Dawn's friend Carl was invited to join them but he declined.  He had a feeling that this was detective stuff, and that just wasn't his thing.

"What is it Lee?"  Dawn asked curiously as soon as everyone was seated.  Lee began just a little above a whisper,  "I told Alex earlier that I saw someone lurking in the balcony during the play."  The others looked blankly at him, as if they didn't find the news distressing in any way.  Lee ignored the looks and continued.

     "No one should have been up there.  That balcony section wasn't open tonight," he said aggressively.  "It was probably just a shadow caused by the lights on the stage,"  Dawn said, nodding at the others to agree with her.  "Does a trick of the light have arms, legs and a cape?"  Lee said, glaring at Dawn.

     "A cape?"  Alex said with a raised brow and suppressing a smirk.  Lee turned his glare on Alex.  "Look Lee, lately you've been seeing suspects everywhere we go."  Alex told him.  Fletch nodded vigorously in agreement.  "Okay.  I admit I've been...."  "Crazy,"  Dawn supplied.  "Nooo, anxious for another case," Lee corrected her.

     "But I'm not crazy and I'm not seeing things."  Lee ended passionately.  "Okay. What did this person look like?  Could it have been someone who works at the theater?"  Alex asked calmly.  Thinking that maybe his friend was ready to believe he saw something, Lee put his head in his hands for a minute.

     When he again raised his head he was pensive for another moment.  "The person I saw was dressed all in black, and as I said before he wore a cape that covered his head.  So about the only identifying stat I got, is that he was very tall.  I hope we can all agree that no one who worked in the theater would dress like that." Lee said in a pleading voice, hoping to be believed.

     Fletch piped up, "Well, I believe you Lee."  Dawn gaped incredulously at him.  Fletch rounded on her.  "Listen,  Lee has never lied to any of us.  So I believe him,"  Fletch said stubbornly.  "Thanks Fletch," Lee said humbly.  Then he added, "And I say "it" twice."   "And he saw it twice."  Fletch repeated, looking at the others.

     " Well since I don't believe Lee has gone loony, I believe him too," Alex said.  "I'll give him the benefit of the doubt."  Dawn said smirking at Lee.  Lee grinned and nodded back at her.  "I believe you Lee."  Glenna said with a smile.  "So is it worth investigating?"  Alex asked the group.  "I don't know.  I'm just glad you all believe me."  Lee said.

     "Maybe it was just a high school kid fooling around.  You know, trying to get some attention; trying to start some mysterious rumor," Glenna suggested.  Just then Mr. Wells appeared at their table.  "Hello.  What are you kids doing off in a corner?"  "Ah, just getting away from the crowds,"  Alex said with a sheepish grin.

     Mr. Wells drew up a chair and sat down next to Alex, looking rather nervous himself.  "I have something....something I have to tell somebody,"  Mr. Wells whispered.  He had the teens immediate attention.  Mr. Wells looked around quickly to make sure no one could hear him.  "Lee's eyes widened at Mr. Wells' words.  "You saw someone in the balcony today."  It wasn't a question.

     "How did you know that?"  Mr. Wells asked in surprise.  "Did you see it too?"  "I sure did,"  Lee said looking vindicated. Fletch, Dawn, Glenna and Alex's eyes were wide and their mouths agape.  "Whew!"  Mr. Wells said, taking a handkerchief from his breast pocket and wiping his brow. " I thought I was seeing things," Mr. Wells said with a sigh of relief.

     "Me too,"  Lee agreed.  "I'm sorry I didn't believe you Lee when you first told us,"  Dawn said sincerely.  "Ditto."  Glenna echoed.  "Yeah, sorry Lee,"  Alex said punching his arm.  "That's alright.  I'm not sure I would have believed me either.  Lee said with a chuckle.  "Do you have any thoughts as to why that person was up there?"  Alex asked Mr. Wells.

     Mr. Wells shook his head.  "Not a clue.  But it is certainly odd behavior."  Fletch leaned forward and looked around the table at each face.  "It looks to me that the North Side Detectives are no longer on vacation."  Dawn, Glenna, Lee and Alex grinned at him.  "Looks like,"  Alex agreed.  Mr. Wells frowned and said, "Why don't I keep my big mouth shut?"

                                                                                End of Chapter 1

(Dear Readers,  I'm moving sometime in the next seven days or so.  So needless to say, I'm going to be quite busy.  I may not be able to update for a couple of weeks.  But I hope you are enjoying the book and will hang in there with me.  As always, thanks for reading and your patience.)