The Camp Conundrum: Twisted Oak Amateur Detectives #2

By Michael Scott Miller

When a series of unusual accidents threatens the survival of Camp Manahoac, the camp’s owners frantically call the police to investigate. Detective Johansson sends the Twisted Oak Amateur Detectives—Tubby, Tyler, Dontrelle, Amanda, and Melanie—under cover to find out what’s going on. Are the mishaps just a few unfortunate coincidences or is someone trying to sabotage the camp?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Scott Miller
• Release date: Oct 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463315910

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Twisted Oak Amateur Detectives #2

The Camp CONUNDRUM

Michael Scott Miller

Copyright (c) 2013 Michael Scott Miller

All rights reserved

co·nun·drum

[kuh-nuhn-druhm]

noun

a confusing or difficult problem

Chapter 1

Cannonball!

Splash!

Melanie looked up from her teen gossip magazine just in time to shield herself from the wave of water that Tubby triggered from his leap off the high dive at the Twisted Oak Community Swimming and Recreation Center.

Warn me next time, will you? shouted Tyler from his wheelchair which he had parked under a tree. He was tinkering with a robotic arm he had brought along to entertain himself while his friends swam. He rolled back farther from the pool.

Where’s Amanda? Tubby asked as he shook himself off like a dog in front of Melanie.

Melanie pointed to the lane along the edge of the pool separated by a rope and floaters. Swimming laps. She’s going out for the school team this fall.

Cool, Tubby replied. I don’t see Dontrelle either. I’ll bet he’s not doing laps.

Melanie giggled. No, he went to the snack bar. Here he comes now.

Dontrelle strolled up carrying a cherry ice pop which was melting in the ninety degree July heat faster than he could consume it. A stream of red liquid ran over his hand as he took bites. Ugh. How much longer do we have to stay here?

What’s the matter, Dontrelle? Melanie asked. Not used to so much time in the sun? You aren’t a vampire, are you?

I wish, Dontrelle replied. That would be awesome.

Where are all your electronics—your phone, tablet, laptop? Tubby asked him.

Dontrelle scowled. Home. My mother wouldn’t let me bring them here.

The muffled sound of a cell phone ringing interrupted the conversation. Melanie dug into the shoulder bag by her side and pulled out her phone.

Hi, Melanie. This is Detective Johansson from the Twisted Oak Police Department. We met a few of months ago—

Hi, Melanie replied. Yes, of course. I don’t think I’ll be forgetting you anytime soon. Several months earlier, Melanie and her four friends, Amanda, Tubby, Tyler, and Dontrelle, had helped the detective solve a case involving stolen paintings.

It’s Detective Johansson, Melanie mouthed to the others who watched her with curious expressions.

Sure…I don’t see why not…Yes, I think that would be fine…See you then. Melanie put down the phone. Detective Johansson asked if the five of us could meet him for ice cream tonight after dinner. He wants to see if we would help him with a case that he’s working on—something to do with a summer camp.

Tubby raised his eyebrows. That sounds fun.

Yeah, but remember what our parents said about getting involved in police matters, Tyler reminded them.

They don’t have to know, do they? Melanie replied.

Tyler gulped. No, I suppose not.

I’m in, said Dontrelle. I don’t think I can get into any more trouble than I did last time.

Melanie laughed. Great. We’re meeting at Dips & Splits at 7:00 tonight. I’ll tell Amanda.

* * *

Tyler pulled his wheelchair up to one end of a wooden picnic table outside Dips & Splits, Twisted Oak’s old-fashioned ice cream parlor. Melanie and Amanda took seats on one bench, while Tubby and Dontrelle took seats opposite them. Shortly, the boyish-looking Detective Johansson approached, dressed in khaki cargo shorts, a short-sleeve button down plaid shirt, and hiking shoes.

Wow, I almost didn’t recognize you in street clothes, Melanie said.

I’m officially off the clock so I figured it would draw less attention to us if I just came here looking like everyone else.

Cool. Kind of undercover, Tubby said.

Sure, replied the detective. Let’s go with that.

A teenage waitress wearing the shop’s official turquoise polo shirt and white shorts with turquoise trim came to the table and the six of them placed their order. Melanie ordered cookie dough ice cream, Amanda got a cup of chocolate peanut butter, Tyler, vanilla with hot fudge syrup, Tubby, a banana split, and Dontrelle, a cup of double chocolate with gummy worms. The detective was more restrained with his order of black-raspberry in a waffle cone.

Once their orders were placed, Detective Johansson began. Thank you for meeting with me on such short notice.

Anytime you want to take us out for ice cream, just say the word, Tubby said.

That isn’t the only purpose of our get-together this evening, I think you all know, Detective Johansson replied. The reason I asked you to meet me is that the police department has a curious case—I’m not actually certain it’s a case at all—that I could really use your help with. Tubby, you mentioned going under cover. That’s exactly what the police need. Are you all familiar with Camp Manahoac? The detective looked around at each of them.

Of course, replied Amanda. A bunch of kids from our school go there during the summer.

Then you may have also heard about the unusual number of accidents the camp has had in the first few weeks this summer.

The kids all shook their heads no.

Just then, the waitress arrived with their order. The detective waited until she departed before continuing. We received a call from Maggie Hart a couple days ago. She and her husband Mark own Camp Manahoac. They think someone may be trying to sabotage the camp. So far this year, the stands have collapsed at the athletics facility, a wheel came off of their tram, and a rope snapped in their adventure course.

Oh, my gosh, Amanda gasped.

Fortunately, no one has been injured so far, Detective Johansson continued. The stands collapsed while the kids were all in their bunks getting ready for dinner. Evidently, the crash could be heard all over camp. According to Maggie, the maintenance worker said that several screws that hold the supports appeared to have come loose.

All at the same time? Tyler asked.

The detective looked skeptical. I agree. It does seem unlikely.

Tyler leaned in. What about the other accidents?

"The tram was moving slowly when one of the front wheels came off. And the rope that snapped was a tightrope that is only two feet above the ground. One of the campers, an eight-year old girl, was on it at the time. She fell, but she wasn’t hurt. Just a few scratches.

"The camp prides itself on its safety record. Naturally, the slightest concern could have parents withdrawing their kids. As I said, I’m not sure there is anything more to this than carelessness, but the police