Book 2-Alex Bishop in Follow That Mystery

Continue Alex Bishop in Follow That Mystery

     The group of friends stood in the hallway talking about the classes they were taking and the sports that the boys were signing up for.  Dawn and Glenna had dramatic arts for their second class of the day, and were discussing signing up for roles in the first play of the year.  Lee was playing football and had already signed up with Alex's father Max who was the coach.  Alex and Fletch were hoping to get on the basketball team so both of them made a bee-line for the office sign up sheet.  Max also coached this sport as well.

     Glenna, Dawn and Fletch perused their schedules along with Alex and Lee's.  "Alex and Lee have Miss Phillips for history second hour."  Dawn said, and then giggled.  "Alex and I have English together...."  "Again."  All three friends said in unison.  That was a trend started in 7th grade.  "Mr. Slater teaches that class," Dawn said, trying to juggle three schedules in her hands, plus her book bag and her very worn shoulder bag which she always carried.

     "Fletch.  You, Alex and Lee have industrial arts with Mr. Cadwell after lunch,"  Glenna said, smiling at him.  Fletch rolled his eyes at her.  He'd been following along on his own schedule while the girls read the info.  Alex and Lee suddenly appeared at Dawn's elbow and she handed them back their papers.  The two boys read quickly through their schedules.  "I've got Spanish with you Chet,"  Alex said grinning and turning toward him.

     Chet was a quiet and rather shy fellow.  He thought maybe people forgot sometimes that he was with them in a room.  But Chet grinned back at Alex.  "And we all have study period at the end of the day."  Lee announced.  "I guess we should get going,"  Fletch said, looking at his watch.  "Yeah," Alex agreed walking off to his locker which was near the office.  The others followed.

     Lee's locker was next to Alex's so he hung there with him.  The other's had to go back the other was toward the cafeteria to their lockers, so said a hasty goodbye to Alex and Lee and that they would see them in geometry.  Alex face his locker and scowled.  The lock was broken off.  Alex had had trouble with lockers before, one way or another.  Alex looked over at Lee who had his lips pressed tightly together so he wouldn't burst out laughing.

     "Well, you won't have any trouble opening it,"  Lee said, a snicker escaping.  Alex glared at him.  "Or...."  Lee quickly began, "You can just store your stuff in mine for now," Lee said, giving Alex a sheepish look.  "Thanks,"  Alex said stiffly.  Alex threw in jacket on a hook, Lee closed the door and turned the dial and then threw an arm on Alex's shoulder.  "Come on Alex, we'll be late for our first class, and Dawn will yell at us."  Alex finally grinned at him.

     The geometry class was on the second floor, room 202.   Dawn, Glenna, Fletch and Chet were waiting for Alex and Lee outside the class room door.  The teens took seats in the second row because all the rear desks were taken, which would have been the boys first choice.  Mr. Clouse was standing at the front of the room smiling at his students as they came in.  "Good morning Class."  There was a few "Good mornings" in response.

     "I think we will start with introducing ourselves.  Let's start at the back and go row by row,' he said, indicating with his forefinger.   The boy in the last row to the right stood up and gave his name.  Every student did the same and then it was Lee's turn.  "Lee Martin,"  he said proudly, as he always did.  "Dawn Marks,"  she said smiling.  "Fletcher Clark," Fletch said looking up at the ceiling.  Chet did the same.

     Glenna gave her name almost in a whisper and Alex,  "Alex Bishop," he said in a voice which clearly indicated he thought this exercise was silly.  Mr. Clouse's mouth was suddenly a comical "O."  "You students are fairly famous in our small town, aren't you?"  Mr. Clouse said with a knowing grin.

     "You are known as the North Side Detectives, yes?"  The rest of the class looked mildly impressed.  "I bring this up to say, thank you.  The first case you solved brought about the vindication of a good friend of mine, Mr. Otis Wells.  I say first case because the five of you are suspected of having been involved with solving other cases too."

     Alex and the others weren't flattered or happy about Mr. Clouse sharing this information with the class.  Their parents only knew about their help in the Mr. Wells' case, and Alex, Dawn, Fletch, Glenna and Lee wanted to keep it that way.  Alex was hoping and praying that Mr. Clouse and his father Max didn't have many opportunities to talk.

     "I guess you all will have to change your name from the North Side Detectives to something else, now that you're in high school," he said with a chuckle.  Then the introductions continued and no more was said about Alex and his friends' hobby.  After class was over Alex, Dawn, Lee, Chet, Glenna and Fletch rushed out of the classroom.

     "Why did he do that?"  Dawn asked in a loud whisper as other students coming out of the geometry classroom stared at the five of them.  As always when his five friends began to talk shop, Chet said he was going to his next class.  Alex started to say, "I don't know." but he only got half of the sentence said when Dawn gasped, "Mr. Bishop!"

     She had almost run into Alex's father coming down the hall in the opposite direction.  "Hi Dad!"  Alex said, managing to keep the nervousness out of his voice.  Everyone added their "Hello's."  "Hi there guys and girls.  How was your first class?"  Max asked pleasantly.  "Fine," Alex said, trying to look cheerful.

     "Well good, Max said checking his watch. "You all better get going to your next class.  See you all later,"  Max said, waving and hurrying down the hallway.   Alex and the others waved at him as he disappeared around the corner.  The teens looked warily at each other for a moment and then Alex said,  "There is something very fishy about Mr. Clouse  "Outing" us like that in class today.  And I think it's very important for us to find out why he did it."