Book 2-Alex Bishop in Follow That Mystery

Alex Bishop in Follow That Mystery

                                                                                     Chapter 27

                                                                     Rules, rules and more rules

     "For the last three weeks", Detective Burns started, "I and my fellow officers, along with our Police Chief, and the other officers in surrounding counties in Indiana, Michigan and Illinois have been meeting with Captain Cagney of the F.B.I. and members of his team to discuss ways and means on how to capture the two escaped criminals from Joliet Prison."

     "There are now a number of students passing out flyers displaying the photos of these two men.  Alex and everyone else look around the gym at their fellow students, who were handing a pile of flyers to the person in the first seat of each row for them to pass on down.  When Alex was handed the pile of photos, he passed them to Lee, and so it went.

     "Now these men," the detective continued, "were sighted just last night in the Elkhart area."  There were many gasps and excited utterances from the students in the crowded gymnasium.   Detective Burns waited for the noise to die down and then he went on.  We, of the Elkhart Police Department along with Mayor Delong of our fair city has some safety rules for you and your families."

     "First of all let me say, that these escapees are armed and dangerous.  Starting today the local news is broadcasting a set of safety rules at intervals during television programing each day; in order to insure the safety of our city's citizens.  This information will be aired in that way until the two men are captured."  Alex and his friends and many other students gave each other troubled glances at what had been said so far.

     "I am going to recite them here to all of you.  If you have a pen and paper with you, it would be a good idea to write them down."  Detective Burns waited a minute or two so the students could get those things together then he began again.  "Number 1.  All citizens are urged to be inside their homes at dusk except for work or emergencies.  Number 2.  If you see one or both of these men, do not try to apprehend them!  Get to a safe place and then call 911."

     Detective Burns cast a stern look at the North Side Detectives at this point.  Quite a few of their fellow students also looked over at Alex and his friends.  And even Max, Alex's father gave him a warning look.  Both looks said, "Don't even think about playing detective this time."   Alex, Fletch, Glenna, Anna, Chet and Dawn looked back at Detective Burns with sober looks on their faces.  But Lee's face just said, "Do you think we've lost our minds?"

     As soon as Detective Burns thought he had made his point clear by his look, he continued, "Number 3.  Keep your house windows and doors locked at all times.  "Number 4.  We have set up road blocks on the major roads.  So please be patient with any officer that asks to take a peek in your vehicle.  It is for the protection of us all."  Detective Burns then turned to Principal Fuller and said, "That's all I have."

     The principal nodded and the detective went to stand beside Captain Cagney.  Principal Fuller then stepped up to the microphone,  "Captain Cagney," he said, by way of introduction.  The tall dark haired man with a square jaw and amber colored eyes walked up to the microphone.  Alex thought that this guy could take care of himself.  He could see this was a muscular man even through the three piece suit he wore.

     "Hello.  I am Captain Cagney of the F.B.I.  First of all, please heed all the warnings that  Detective Burns gave you.  He is doing everything he can to protect all of you and the citizens here in Elkhart.  We, the F.B.I. will be on stake outs in various places in town and the surrounding cities as well.  Many of us will be walking up and down your streets in order to protect you all and your families." "So please adhere to the rules that your school and the city have laid out to protect you.  Thank you very much for your attention,"  Captain Cagney ended, then walking back to stand next to Detective Burns. 

     "Thank you Detective Burns and Captain Cagney for taking the time to speak to us today," Principal Fuller said.  Both men nodded at him politely.  "I have a few more things to say before you are dismissed.  So here goes.... again, several of your classmates are passing out leaflets, this time with our school precautions written on them.  They have been thought up, typed up, xeroxed and are now being handed to the first person in each row, who will pass them on down."  The student body laughed and snickered; not so much for the words, but in the exaggerated, exhausted way Principal Fuller had said them.  EHS's principal was much beloved by his students.

     "Laughter is good to ease tensions in serious situations," the principal said, "But now we need to be focused on these rules in front of us.  I am going to read through the list and you all can follow along with me." The principal took a pause while two folding chairs were brought forward by Max, Alex's father and another teacher, for Detective Burns and Captain Cagney to sit on, due to the bleachers being filled up with teachers and the student body.

     "Now," Principal Fuller continued, "First rule:  As soon as a student is dropped off at school by a parent, bus or has parked his or her car in the parking lot, he or she is to enter the building at once by way of the main door.  This includes staff.  Two Elkhart police officers will be manning the front door until the escapees are caught.  All other entrances will be kept locked.  Keep in mind that the main entrance will be open at seven am.  Please arrive within minutes of that time.  We don't want students milling around on the grounds."

     "Two.  The school will be in lock down status from seven thirty in the morning to three thirty in the afternoon everyday.  If you have an appointment of any kind, please, as always let the teacher of that class know at least a day ahead of time with a phone call, and then of course a written note from the doctor, dentist, etc. when you return to school.  If your appointment is in the afternoon, don't come back to school afterwards."

     "Three.  This one is the "Quick Get Away" rule.  When school lets out at three thirty, get on the bus, catch your ride, or for you who drive, get to your car quickly and be on your way.  Note to teachers: All of you will have to take your work home with you; the work that you normally would do in your classrooms after school.  Also, all after school activities are suspended until further notice."  There were moans and groans from the audience, but the principal ignored it.

     "And finally rule Number 4, which is self explanatory.  As you will see it's a map on the bottom of the page which lays out all the emergency escape routes.  Please make yourselves aware of each one of these.  Well, that's all I have," he said, looking at his watch, "I believe it's time for your last class.  The "Quick Get Away" rule goes into effect today.  You are dismissed."

     Some people just sat in their seats for a few moments and gaped at each other.  Then they and the rest got up, moving down the bleachers while muttering to each other in very serious tones.  "This is very heavy stuff, isn't it?"  Fletch said.  "Yes.  It is," Alex answered as he and the others moved into the hallway.  Max was just out side the door when his son and his friends came through.

     "Hi Dad," Alex said, as he stuffed his leaflet in his book bag.  "Hi," his father said soberly.  "I hope you took what Principal Fuller, Detective Burns and Captain Cagney said, to heart," his father told him and his friends with a concerned look on his face.  "Of course we did Dad," Alex said with a roll of his eyes.  "We may be known as the North Side Detectives, but we're not Elliott Ness and the Untouchables."

                                                                            End of Chapter 27