Great Big World: The Trouble with Dr. Beamo

By J. Douglas Simpson

The summer leading up to the sixth grade was supposed to be quiet and easy for Jake Baker. Instead, he finds himself trying to save the world. A series of strange events in his neighborhood leads him and his Greene Street Gumshoes into something far more dangerous than the usual lost dog case.

An ageless sorcerer named Count Sugar Cain and his associate, mad scientist Dr. Beamo, are on the verge of conquering the town of Avalon and after that, the world.

The Gumshoes are standing in their way.

Jake and his friends are pulled deeper into a world of magic and mystery as they try to stop the nefarious Sugar Cain. Along the way, Jake discovers secrets about his family that will forever change both his life and the lives of those around him.

Will the Gumshoes prevail? Will Jake live through the summer to make it to middle school? And why does his best friend Shellie keep trying to hold his hand?

Find out in Great Big World: The Trouble with Dr. Beamo!

• Language: English
• Publisher: J. Douglas Simpson
• Release date: Dec 8, 2014
• ISBN: 9781942413028

J. Douglas Simpson

J. Douglas Simpson has been writing stories since the third grade, but Great Big World is the first novel he’s completed that he’s truly happy with. Originally from New Jersey, he now resides in North Carolina. Currently, he’s hard at work on his first novel geared for adults, Maxim Ultra, a science fiction action adventure, while also planning out Volume 2 of the Great Big World series.

Book preview

GREAT BIG WORLD

Volume 1

The Trouble with Dr. Beamo

J. Douglas Simpson

Copyright 2014 J. Douglas Simpson

Distributed by Smashwords

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever

without the express written permission of the publisher

except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

ISBN: 978-1-942413-02-8

Eden’s Hollow Press

www.jdouglassimpson.com

Cover Art by: Kelly A. Gould

Print edition also available

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

DEDICATION

This one is for Drew, Christian, and Matthew, without whom Jake, Simon, and Andy wouldn’t exist.

Thank you, boys.

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

PROLOGUE: Enter Dr. Beamo

CHAPTER 1: The Hunt for Staples

CHAPTER 2: Friend or Foe in the Forest?

CHAPTER 3: A Nocturnal Visitor

CHAPTER 4: Meet Shellie McNeil

CHAPTER 5: A Visit to Me Maw’s

CHAPTER 6: The Old Johnson Place

CHAPTER 7: A Scolding and the Truth

CHAPTER 8: Unwanted Dinner Guests

CHAPTER 9: Further Mysteries

CHAPTER 10: Melissa

CHAPTER 11: Creeorks on the Town

CHAPTER 12: Mall Trip

CHAPTER 13: Stakeout

CHAPTER 14: It’s a Block Party, and Not Everyone is Invited

CHAPTER 15: Aboard the Winsome Widow

CHAPTER 16: Party Crashers

CHAPTER 17: A Shadowy Interlude

CHAPTER 18: Safe house

CHAPTER 19: Breaking the Law

CHAPTER 20: The Luncheon

CHAPTER 21: In the Clutches of Dr. Beamo

CHAPTER 22: Count Sugar Cain

CHAPTER 23: The Altercation

CHAPTER 24: Endgame

CHAPTER 25: Revelations

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Writing a novel is a very solitary endeavor, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t have help along the way in bringing this book to you. First and foremost, I have to thank my family and friends for encouraging me and reading early chapters while the whole thing was still in development. Both my parents always wanted me to follow my dreams and I’m finally doing it. I can’t thank them enough for their love and support. I also have to send out a special thank you to my two amazing sisters, Jennifer and Kelly. One took me in at my lowest and helped provide some of the inspiration for the novel, while the other worked long and hard on the spectacular cover, all while putting up with my endless tweaks and pickiness. Special thanks to Jill too, for always backing me up and to Rebecca for the encouraging early review. Thank you to John too for his support when I needed it and for the initial push to self-publish.

A gigantic thank you needs to go out to my writing group partners: Barbara Davis, Matt King, and Lisa Rosen. These three fantastic talents have helped me fine tune my craft to become a far better writer today than I was when I first met them. Thanks also need to go out to Tara Lynne Groth of Triangle Writers, who brought my critique partners into my life and had some pretty great suggestions herself for this one. Thanks also to the other members of Triangle Writers who all had helpful advice throughout the process.

Last, but most certainly not least, thanks to you, the reader. Without you, I’d just be reading all these stories I write to myself. Thanks for reading!

GREAT BIG WORLD

Volume 1

The Trouble with Dr. Beamo

PROLOGUE: ENTER DR. BEAMO

You're a failure, and in my eyes, you'll always be a failure. The words of Hector Sando’s father echoed in his mind.

Well Father, you must be very proud of me now.

There he was, a man of superior intellect, lugging garbage bags for Mama Mia's restaurant. How humiliating could it get?

The remaining cloud cover of the evening's rain made the inky darkness of night murkier, obscuring the moon's light. A wood shed housed the dumpster, the only illumination provided by a dim yellow bulb that reflected eerily in the muddy puddles. He huffed and puffed, hefting the bags through the filthy, steaming water.

A pointy object poked through a bag, jabbing his leg with each step, forcing him to stop. Heaving a sigh, he wiped his prematurely bald head with a handkerchief and cleaned his thick, fogged glasses. The menial labor sapped his strength and it was only his second trip to the dumpster.

How had he ended up here?

He knew that answer, of course. Fate, and the conspiring of his enemies, had put him where he was. Despite having a gifted mind, Hector was not so gifted by fortune...unfortunately.

The sound of a family of five leaving the restaurant drew his attention. Putting his glasses back on, he was surprised that he recognized the father. Hector was sure he’d seen the man on the local news announcing a run for mayor in the fall.

The laughter of the prospective mayor's three chattering children ground in his soul like a handful of searing coals. His hand automatically moved to his head. It had always been a source of derision for him. Seeing the three boys sent his mind tumbling into the past, when his classmates taunted him with the moniker, Captain Big Head.

It wasn’t a terribly clever nickname, for his head was rather large. Some said it was abnormally large, but not for Hector, as it was the only head he'd ever known. Hot tears would sting his eyes as he ran home from the bullies, but he would find no comfort there either. The memory left a burning hole in the pit of his stomach.

He unclenched his shaking hands as he reached for his bags, but stopped when he felt a creeping shiver up his shoulders. He was being watched. His moron of a boss wasn’t yelling at him, so he looked around to see who, or what, was giving him the creeps.

It never goes away, does it? The sting of rejection?

Hector whirled around. Wh-who's there? His voice sounded higher and squeakier than usual. He peered into the shed for the owner of the voice, seeing nothing but shadows. Then, a man stepped into the light.

Relax, my friend, I am not here to harm you. The stranger was tall, his voice a quiet whisper. His long dark hair was brushed back from his face.

Are…are you wearing a cape?

The stranger chuckled. It is a cloak.

Oh. Squirming under the stranger’s stare, his nose wrinkled against the smell of rotting garbage. What do you want from me?

The stranger studied him for several moments, causing him to fidget. I am in need of your services.

Me? I'm just a nobody at a cheesy Italian restaurant.

Oh, we both know that's not the case, Mr. Sando.

H-how do you know my name?

I know most everything about you. I know the humiliation of your childhood. I know of your false friends in school, who promised you friendship, but betrayed you.

Who was this man—some kind of psychic? He certainly looked the part.

I know how your teachers repressed your genius, confining you within their established methods of instruction.

Was this a former classmate come back to haunt him? I wouldn't say they were exactly fair to me, no.

I know how nothing you ever did was good enough for your professor father, though poor marks in school would be an understandable disappointment for a parent who was also an educator.

A lump formed in his throat. "He was never happy with anything I did."

No, he wasn’t. You retreated from the endless loop of rejection, didn’t you? Immersing yourself in comic books, you drew inspiration from them to create the engine of your revenge. Isn't that so, Dr. Beamo?

Hector’s eyes widened, taking in the stranger's appearance again. The dark mysteriousness, sinister voice, eccentric taste in clothing—could it be? Another real-life supervillain like himself? How do you know that name? Who are you?

"Your name travels in very high circles, Doctor. You are a certified and licensed professional, of course?"

Hector bowed his head, shuffling his feet. Well, not exactly.

The stranger’s laugh was deep and ominous. His voice quickly returned to the quiet, unnerving whisper. Peace, Doctor; that was my attempt at humor.

The man's stab at comedy wasn't amusing. Despite his reassurance, it felt like he was laughing at Hector. How had he learned so much about him? How on Earth did he know of Dr. Beamo? If he knew the truth, there was no need to act like weak Hector Sando in the stranger’s presence. Of course, it wasn’t completely an act. I asked you a question.

The stranger peered around the area. What a miserable existence you’ve carved out for yourself.

Enough! Wincing at his high-pitched voice, he reached into his back pocket, producing a handheld beam. He pointed it at the stranger. "Who are you?"

The man chuckled again. Is that a mobile phone or one of your famous beams? Not very intimidating, is it?

It will do well enough to fry you if I don't start getting some answers.

That would be...unwise, Doctor.

Hector held fast, but his aim wavered. He sensed the stranger was a kindred spirit, but his difficult nature was taxing.

Bowing his head, the stranger smiled tightly. Very well. Your efforts to bankroll your scientific endeavors have not gone unnoticed, Doctor. No one knows your true identity, of course. That took some doing on my part.

I was so careful, though!

"Whenever you have a secret, Doctor, someone is going to uncover it."

Who are you, then?

My name is Count Sugar Cain.

Never heard of you.

I have...been away for some time. Tell me, Doctor, are you happy with your current station in life?

No, of course not!

Do you wish you could abandon this life and be recognized for who you truly are?

Yes!

Are you prepared to grasp your destiny and make all the commoners who have stepped on you and laughed at you pay for their insolence?

A wave of pure bliss surged through him. Yes! Yes!

The Count's eyes gleamed as he grinned. Then my good Dr. Beamo, step with me into the darkness.

CHAPTER 1: THE HUNT FOR STAPLES

The Greene Street Gumshoes were on a case.

Staples Jenkins had been missing for a few days, but Jake Baker finally had him in his sights. From behind a hedge across the street, he spied the Gumshoes’ quarry lying on a neighbor’s lawn in the June sun. Jake’s cat, Samantha, nudged his leg with her paw.

Is he still there? she whispered.

He ignored the cat's question.

Staples appeared blissfully unaware of Jake’s younger brothers approaching from either side of the house. Andy made a mess of the flower bed, while his twin, Simon, closed in with their puppy, Franklin. He had the dog on a leash, but struggled to control him.

Jake, is he still there? the black cat repeated in her gentle British accent.

Shut it! he hissed.

Her vibrant green eyes narrowed. You'd better watch your tone, young man, and remember just who led you to this point in the investigation.

Yeah, Franklin.

"Yes, well you wouldn't even know what he’d found if I wasn’t around to translate."

He swallowed his words. She was right. Without her, he’d never know what his dog was barking about.

Samantha had started talking to Jake when he was four. She told him, and later his brothers, that she could talk to them because children were more accepting of magical animals like her. Her only rule—they had to keep her gift a secret, especially from their parents. Jake kept that promise, even if talking to her made him look crazy to the neighbors from time to time.

Staples continued staring down the street, as if waiting for a car to whisk him away from his life of sniffing other dogs' butts and lifting his leg to pee. Yes, Staples was a dog—a celebrity dog at that. A video of Staples getting his head caught in a plastic bucket had gotten a lot of hits on the Internet, so he was pretty famous. When he vanished, Susie Jenkins had employed the Gumshoes to find him.

Jake took the case for a couple of reasons. First, a growing detective agency couldn't refuse a job. Thanks to Samantha and Franklin, the Gumshoes had a knack for solving cases involving missing pets. They were the go-to team to find the town of Avalon's furry friends. Second, finding Staples would be a huge victory for the Gumshoes, with him being a celebrity and all. There might even be a reward in it for them.

Sighing, he closed his eyes, envisioning the parade that would celebrate Staples' safe return. He’d be in a convertible with Staples in his lap, waving to the smiling faces lining the street. There’d be confetti and ticker tape like in the old news reels. At the end of the street, he’d leap out of the convertible and hand the dog to Susie Jenkins, who, despite her tears of joy, would find the good manners to curtsy. Shellie would be there, her long chocolate-colored hair blowing in the wind, dark eyes sparkling. Wait, why was Shellie there? She should be in the other car with the twins.

You’re a hero, Jake. Why was she getting closer to him and closing her eyes?

Jake!

Samantha's exclamation jolted him out of his daydream. His eyes darted around. What was that all about? Shellie was his best friend. Why was she acting all lovey-dovey in his daydream?

Jake, look!

He shook the cobwebs out. Staples was still sitting on the lawn without a care in the world, with the twins ready to pounce. Franklin, though, was a little too eager, jumping around in front of Simon, pulling the leash tight. His younger brother was losing his grip. Worse, a car was approaching.

Oh...Franklin, was all Samantha moaned in misery as the brown and white puppy yanked the leash away from the hapless Simon, bounding toward Staples.

As the two dogs faced off, barking up a storm, the twins leaped from their hiding places, sending Staples running toward the street and the oncoming car.

No! We need him alive, not squished! Jake cried out.

Staples bolted onto the asphalt. The car stopped short with a horrible squeal of its brakes, horn blaring. Ignoring certain death, Franklin chased after Staples, leash trailing behind.

Get out of the street! the burly driver yelled out his window as Andy and Simon wisely moved behind his vehicle to cross. Meanwhile, Staples continued on course toward Jake and Samantha's hiding place, knocking a political yard sign over in his wake.

The small dog was the color of...well, a staple; a gray blur as he sped past the hedge and through Jake's grasping hands. In a flash, he vanished behind the house on the corner, while Franklin charged headlong into Jake, who was bowled over by the dog’s momentum. The puppy ended up on his bottom, looking dazed. Frowning, Jake stared after Staples, who was long gone.

Franklin, you just couldn't control yourself, could you? Samantha chided.

This isn’t funny! Jake scolded. Staples was almost road kill!

And it would have been his own fault. He knows better than to cross without looking.

Oh yeah, that would have gone over great with Susie and her parents. ‘Uh, yeah, sorry about your dead dog, but Samantha said he was asking for it. Oh, you didn't know? Our cat can talk!’

The twins had finally crossed the street and he rounded on the eight-year-olds. What the heck's the matter with you two? Can't you control this dog for two minutes?

As usual when they were being yelled at, the twins' lower lips quivered. He's a lot stronger than he looks, Jake! Simon protested. "He knocked you on your butt!"

Yeah, and I wasn't even near Franklin! Andy said.

Yeah, that's right, you were sitting in the flower bed doing a whole lot of nothing!

Samantha clearly had heard enough. "All right, that's enough, you ungrateful child. It was your plan to surround Staples and catch him. The boys were only following your lead, so stop blaming them for your mistakes and let's go find this bloody dog!"

Jake glared at his team a moment longer. He hated being wrong.

Shaking his head, he cursed the fact that Shellie was on vacation with her family—the Gumshoes needed all hands on deck for this one.

The whole idea for the Gumshoes came from his time on the safety patrol in fourth and fifth grade combined with inspiration from some old comic books given to him by his grandmother, Me Maw. He liked characters like Captain Zambet: Space Bounty Hunter and Detective Dirk Dixon. In fact, the Dirk Dixon comics led Jake to change the name of his group from Greene Street Detectives to the Greene Street Gumshoes. It just sounded better.

Andy picked up the wounded yard sign calling for the election of Richard Baker for mayor. Staples broke one of Dad’s signs.

Jake shrugged. There’re like a hundred in the garage. He was actually glad the dog had ruined the sign. His father practically lived at the campaign office—the boys saw him even less than when he worked full-time at the law firm. Jake couldn’t have cared less if his father even won the election.

Pushing those thoughts from his mind, he knelt down beside Franklin, scratching the dog's neck and chest as the puppy panted happily. Think you can find Staples? Huh, boy? Franklin barked and Jake looked to Samantha for the translation.

He said he'll do his best.

His best? He found him before.

"Jake, Franklin is not a bloodhound. The wind shifts, different scents overpower the one he's following—there are many variables involved. Our best hope is that Staples had to pee. Franklin should have no problem finding that scent. It’s how dogs mark their territory. If he stopped to use the loo, we'll find him."

Well, what if he's already running on empty? What do we do then?

"You are a detective agency, correct? Do some deducing."

He threw her an irritated look.

Simon put on his thinking face, chin cupped in his hand. Andy attempted to replicate Simon's thoughtful appearance and Jake could almost see cartoon thought bubbles above the twins' heads. Simon's would contain wheels and cogs turning in an elaborate and delicate ballet of operation, while Andy's would contain an image of Andy, trying his best to look as thoughtful as his twin. When Jake needed a tank, he'd call Andy; when he needed a mechanic, he'd call Simon.

Finally, Simon snapped his fingers. I've got it!

A few seconds passed with no punch line. Annnd?

It’s really hot out here, so where’s the one place Staples could go to cool off?

Under a deck? Andy offered.

No, realization dawned on Jake, the creek.

Exactly. He'd go to the only place where he could get a drink.

Andy scratched his head. But the creek is really long....

Jake nodded. Then we'd better start looking.

They trekked to their backyard and the path that snaked through the forest. From their house, the woods looked thick, a tightly packed grove of dark green pines. However, once inside its shady confines, there was plenty of room to roam between the trees. The forest floor was a tapestry of dark soil, brittle brown needles, and thorny brambles.

As they passed into a clearing, Franklin began scratching and fidgeting more than usual. He whined as Samantha took a step toward him.

Oh Franklin, you haven’t picked up another tick, have you? Franklin barked and she sighed. There have been an awful lot of them lately. We’ll have to have you three checked as well, I suppose. Immediately, the twins frantically checked themselves for the dreaded bloodsuckers.

Jake wasn't fond of ticks either, but decided to focus on detective work. The path of soft sand that led deeper into the forest was flawless – not even a footprint. There was nothing to suggest that Staples had dashed into the forest at all, but he had faith in Simon's theory.

Suddenly, Franklin pulled the leash tight, growling.

What is it, boy?

Before Samantha could translate Franklin’s barks, he yanked the leash out of Jake's hand, bolting into the underbrush.

Jake looked at the others in surprise.

"See?" Simon exclaimed.

After him!

The Gumshoes plunged into the forest, Jake leading the way. Franklin was simply a brown and white streak in a sea of green as he pounded after whatever had caught his attention. As he raced through the trees, swatting branches away from his face, Jake smiled. They were onto something. He spared a glance behind him to see Andy close on his heels, with Simon and Samantha bringing up the rear.

The tree line opened up on the creek’s bank, a shady and cool area thanks to the thick canopy of branches above. The twins burst from the trees, narrowly avoiding a collision with Jake. Both Franklin and Staples stood at the edge of the water, growling, but not at each other. The sight of Staples caused a wave of relief and excitement to roll through him, but Jake quickly focused on what the two dogs were growling at.

On the opposite bank, a smoky gray fox calmly observed the group. Deer were common in the woods, but Jake had never heard of a fox sighting. From what he knew of the animals, foxes were just as skittish as deer, but not even Staples and Franklin's continuous barking could force this fox's gaze to waver. The animal's attention was not on the dogs, but on the cat beside Simon.

Don’t be scared, Sam, Jake said.

I don't know, Simon said warily. That fox looks like he wants to eat her.

I concur, Samantha mumbled, inching behind Simon.

The fox's ears pricked at Samantha's voice. It took tentative steps toward the Gumshoes' side of the creek. The moment its paw touched the water's surface Franklin's barking became soft whimpering as he turned away from the fox. Staples made a confused whine, but while the dogs deferred to the fox, an abnormal calmness swept over Jake.

Samantha moved toward the creek until she and the fox were nearly nose to nose. As they sniffed at each other, Jake didn't fear for her safety, though he knew he should. He couldn’t explain what he was feeling. Was the fox making this happen?

Now that it was closer, the subtleties in the fox's fur stood out—gray mixed with brown and white to create a coat that shimmered in the spare sunlight. Only the trickling water of the creek and the swaying of the trees broke the silence as the fox and cat circled each other. Even the other forest animals had fallen silent.

Suddenly, the fox looked up, sniffing the air as Staples jumped to his feet, growling. The sense of calm evaporated. The sky darkened and without warning, the fox bolted back across the creek, disappearing into the woods while Staples ran off in the opposite direction.

Wait! Jake called out.

The sky was not gray with rain-filled clouds, but black as if night had fallen in the middle of the afternoon. The wind blew mightily and the darkness in the sky descended, becoming a black fog that filled the area. Jake began to tremble.

The darkness was impenetrable, but it seemed like Jake and his brothers were in a protective