Detective Kids

By David Licht

The first in a six book series that I began writing when when I was 10 years old, Detective Kids follows the adventures of Jake Conway and Kevin Broxporch, two ten year olds with a gift for solving crimes and mysteries. Drawn from real world scenarios, this series isn't your parent's Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys!

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jan 28, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483519968

Book preview

9781483519968

Introduction:

Jake Conway is a boy who got the title of detective by catching the most wanted in town, which gave him national notoriety. He always seemed to be at the crime scenes around town at just the right time, finding just the right clues.

Jake has brown hair and green eyes. He is the nicest kid, except when he does not get what he wants, especially when it’s regarding a case. He got one award for the detective of the year. Another award he got was for most effective in a mystery then any one else. Still a worthwhile, gentle, kindhearted soul.

He’s had help from his friend Nancy Lockheart. She’s been on the police force for quite some time, longer then Jake has been around. Which is why this duo ended up the way they did. Nancy had the experience Jake lacked and Jake had the eyes Nancy used to have. Even though at times Jake seemed to be on top of it more so than Nancy, he liked her help and finds that it is sometimes needed, although he won’t admit it. It’s gotten him out of some tight situations before.

It is great day in Summer Set, which is a small village to the major city of Sunset. The day this case starts on is the warmest day of the year. It is a lovely seventy degrees. For most of the summer, it has been in the sixties. Jake is ready for another mystery.

Chapter 1

Jake woke up, and along with the already nice day, the birds were singing. The thing with Jake is that he moves slowly in the morning. Although his alarm went off at eight, he didn’t get up until ten. His parents, being busy as they are with what they do, as sad as it seems don’t have time for Jake. This is why he goes to the police station every day. He finds it fascinating and curiously interesting.

He went to the station to see what was going on for the day. Jake rode his bike there then parked and locked his bike in the bike rack out front. He said hello to some of the officers as they passed, heading out for the day. Nancy handed him a folder that seemed to be a case folder, which the department needed help with. Jake couldn’t wait to get started on it and couldn’t be any more excited than if he won money and spent it all on toys or candy.

Ok. So what kind of mystery is it today? Jake asked.

Nothing much really, I know you can handle it. Nancy said with somewhat of a small sly smile.

Right, Jake said. So were do I begin with this mystery?

It should say right on the first page where you’d be starting. Nancy said.

Oh…Right. Here at a restaurant on Quarter Avenue. Cool! I’ll be starting at Shades. Jake said, happily that he was going to a dinner theater.

I will see you later. If you need any help just call me. Nancy said going back to her desk to start some paper work.

Ok, sounds good. Jake said as he walked out of the police station. Jake went to his first stop, which is a dinner theater that was just down the street. Jake walked in and asked to see the manager. He was shown down the hall to a bright purple door with a star on it, which read manager. Jake knocked on the door was told to come in.

Hi. You must be Jacob Conway. The man said.

Yes. Please just call me Jake. You must be the manger of the theater. Jake said.

Yes, I am. My name is Steve Castaway. The man said.

What seems to be the trouble, Steve? Jake asked.

Well ever since I took over the theater strange things have been happing. Steve said.

"Ok, Like what? Jake said.

When I’m here late at night, I hear a pounding noise coming from the back of the theater. Steve said.

Ok, now when did you start hearing these noises? Jake asked.

I started hearing them when the theater was a year in business, about six months ago. I usually just ignore the noise. But lately it seems to worst. Steve said.

Ok, I will see what I can do. For now, here is my business card. Call me if you think of anything else. Jake said.

Jake thanked Steve for his time and said he’d be back later to continue the investigation. Jake then went to his next stop, which would be a lovely five star hotel just as you come into town. It was only three buildings down from the theater. It was extremely fancy inside. It was so clean that there was not even a spot of dust anywhere. When you entered the doors, there was a fountain in the middle of the lobby. Jake once again asked for the manger to see what was going on. This time it was a different story. Then the manger came to the desk.

Hi. I’m Randy Rudolph. Randy said politely. Jake just smiled and sort of giggled at his last name.

Hi. I’m Jake. Nancy down at police headquarters. Jake said.

Well weird things have been happening to the hotel. Randy said.

Ok, like what kind of weird things. Jake said.

Some money…About five-thousand dollars is missing. Stuff that I lock up in the evening is unlocked; my security alarm doesn’t seem to be working right. Randy said.

Anything else?

Yeah…Stuff being moved around from where I remember I put it. Some of the workers that they keep hearing noises during the early to late evening hours have told me. Also, some equipment has gone missing as well.

Ah, well all good to know. Anything else that you would like me to know? Jake said.

No that would be it for now. Randy said.

If you think of anything else just call me. Jake said handing Randy his card.

Ok, I will. Randy said. Jake left the hotel and outside, he added up all the stuff so far. He knew it was all connected, he just wasn’t sure how. He wrote it down in his netbook.

Five thousand dollars gone

Stuff that is locked unlocked in the morning.

Security alarms not working.

Strange things happing at theater.

Noise

Disappearing equipment.

The next place he went was to a bank on the next block. It was very busy inside as he could tell from the window. He decided to stop back later when the bank was not as busy. He looked at the closing time it was Friday the bank closed at five. It was only one in the afternoon. Jake deiced to get something to eat. He went to his favorite diner to have lunch. He ordered a ham and cheese on rye, his favorite sandwich. As he placed his order, Nancy called.

Hello Jake. Nancy said.

Hi. Jake said.

Did you find out anything so far? Nancy asked.

Yes, I did. I wrote it down in my netbook. Jake said.

Ok, I can see on the computer what you have typed up. Nancy said.

Where are you? Nancy asked.

At the diner near the bank eating. Jake said looking over his notes.

Ok. Nancy said.

Right now it is not making any sense. Jake said.

Well, Jake you just started this case. You and I both know that none of these cases will be easy to solve.

Oh, yeah I know. You know me I love a challenge though.

That I do Jake. Well, I’m going to leave you alone so that you can eat and figure this out. Nancy said.

Thanks, bye. Jake said.

Jake ate his launch as he did some work. He had a feeling that both incidents were one hundred percent tied together with that same somebody in both places. He did not know the person yet, but he knew it was connected. Jake needed more evidence to prove it. Now was not the time.

The sun was setting and Jake headed home for the day. His parents weren’t home so he let himself in and locked the door behind him. He looked for dinner and didn’t see anything, not even a note for that matter.

Then he turned on the TV to see what was going on in the news. There was some brief information on an accident that happened that day. It involved a bus, a tractor-trailer, and three other cars. In all that, mess thirty-four people were killed. The scene overall was a mess and it took hours to clean up.

Then at five thirty, he made himself some dinner and went back to watching some of the local news. After Jake ate, he took a shower to unwind and relax.

It was around seven when Jake was done with everything. He decided to watch TV for the rest of the night. Jake’s evening was one police drama after another capped off by the evening news. He went to bed after watching the news. Jake knew his parents would come in and look in on him when they got home. Despite his parents almost never being home, Jake managed. Being a latch key kid and having to do most things for himself, he grew up quicker than his friends.

The morning came too early for Jake. Once he was out of bed, he went out for a walk around town. He liked to keep an eye on things to help the community.

Jake saw a gas station across the street and decided to get some breakfast. When he went in the gas station near the hotel, he bought a bag of candy and ordered a cheeseburger. He knew that it wasn’t a breakfast but they didn’t have any breakfast food.

While waiting in line Jake knew he knew the cashier just not his name. He asked the cashier his name. The cashier said that his name is Dan Broxporch. Jake also noticed a kid in the back. He asked who the kid was; Dan said that it is his son Kevin. Now that everything was coming back to Jake he remembered stopping by here a while back while heading somewhere on another case. In doing so, Jake reintroduced himself to Dan and Kevin.

Hey. Nice to see you again. Dan said nicely.

Same here. Jake said happily.

So what are you working on now? Dan asked.

Another case. Jake said.

So how have you been? Jake asked.

I have been good. Dan said.

What about you? Dan asked.

Good but busy. Jake said happily.

Was that your son back there? Jake asked.

Yeah it was I will go get him. Dan said excusing himself.

Ok. I’ll wait I got nowhere to go right now. Jake said. Jake could hear Dan and Kevin coming from the back of the store.

Well can you tell or at least give me a clue? Kevin asked his dad.

No. You got to see for your self. Dan said. Kevin and Jake were both surprised to see each other.

Hey. They both said to each other at the same time.

How are you doing? Jake asked.

Great. Kevin said happy.

You? Kevin asked.

Great. Jake said happy.

What have you been up to? Not trouble right? Jake asked.

Me…nah. No trouble...no way. Kevin said as the three of them laughed.

To be honest really, nothing much. Kevin said.

So what brings you around? Kevin asked.

Another mystery actually I am working on one right now. Jake said.

Hey Dad, can I go with Jake? Kevin asked with hope in his voice.

I don’t mind. Jake said.

Hmm, I don’t know. Dan said looking at the boys. Kevin was hoping and close to praying to hang with Jake.

Sure, why not? I can handle things here. Dan said as the kids went out the door. Kevin went with Jake to see how Jake does his work. Before they left Jake almost forgot his breakfast. Dan reminded him about the food he ordered. Jake took the food