Sherlock Sam and the Seafaring Scourge on Sentosa: Sherlock Sam, #15

By A.J. Low

The adventures of the Supper Club continue! In Sherlock Sam and the Seafaring Scourge on Sentosa, Sherlock and the Supper Club find themselves on a collision course with their most dangerous foe yet!

 

A collector's priceless artifacts have been stolen and he hires the Wonderful Watson Online Detective Agency to retrieve them. Sherlock and his friends find themselves following clues on the small islands around Singapore, only to discover the true culprits behind the crime are none other than Pirates Inc.!

 

Will the Supper Club succeed in dismantling this international criminal cartel, or will they find themselves exploring Davy Jones' Locker? Find out in Sherlock Sam's next exciting adventure!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Epigram Books
• Release date: Nov 25, 2020
• ISBN: 9789814901178

Book preview

Sherlock Sam and the Seafaring Scourge on Sentosa

Benjamin, Benjamin, Benjamin, Benjamin and Benjamin! Jimmy called out, dashing around the living room with his hands full of colourful treats. It’s breakfast time! He ran out of sight to the sheltered garden area where some of his beloved pets were kept.

Jimmy, don’t forget the Benjamin in the house! Auntie Kim Lian said. She was Jimmy’s grandmother. He lived with her, his four sisters and Auntie Gina, their helper, in a house in Katong. Jimmy’s mom, Auntie Vivian, lived there too, but she ran a successful import/export business and often travelled for work. She was in Penang this week.

Auntie Kim Lian was in the kitchen with Auntie Gina and Moran the robot, whipping up a delicious breakfast feast for the rest of us. The highly anticipated menu for today included congee, nasi lemak with rendang, and soto ayam. Moran used to be a detective with the Supper Club, but he retired so he could learn to be a chef. He lived with Jimmy and his family, and Auntie Kim Lian was teaching him to cook Peranakan food.

Jimmy reappeared, smacking his forehead. Oh, right, Mama! Benjamin gets mad if she doesn’t get her snack before her morning nap. Thanks for reminding me! he said, before dashing off again.

Which Benjamin gets mad? Wendy, my older sister, leaned over and whispered to me. We were seated around the large dining room table, which was located between the living room and kitchen. She had her brand-new pink-and-green notebook on her lap. She’d been carrying it around with her everywhere, never letting it out of her sight. I have photographic evidence of her snuggling it to sleep at night.

It-cannot-be-the-hamster-who-is-Benjamin-the-original, Watson replied. He-is-the-hamster-version-of-Jimmy-who-never-gets-angry. He was seated on my other side. Mama had already prepared a plate of recycled batteries that he consumed as a power source.

I thought Benjamin the original was a guinea pig? Nazhar scratched his head.

I think it’s the other one the rabbit he rescued, I replied, distracted. I could smell the delicious scents wafting over from the kitchen. I was extremely excited. Jimmy’s mama’s cooking was legendary.

Nazhar shook his head, pushing his glasses up. No, it’s the black and white cat. She’s very grouchy. She keeps trying to steal my socks. He winced.

You’re all wrong. It’s the terrapin, obviously, Eliza said, flipping her braid behind her shoulder. Jimmy found it in the storm drain in school last month, remember? She crossed her arms, unsmiling.

Wendy turned her head to Nazhar; they both looked slightly worried. Eliza, Wendy and Nazhar were in the same class. I wondered if something had happened in school.

So, wait all his pets are named Benjamin? Dad had his confused face on.

Sherlock Sam and the Seafaring Scourge on Sentosa

Jimmy’s sisters—Rose, Martha, Donna and Amy—nodded vigorously. They were seated at the dining area as well. Auntie Kim Lian and Auntie Gina looked after them too, when Auntie Vivian was away.

Dad shrugged. Hmm. Well, if it works for Jimmy...

It’s so nice when Friday is a public holiday, Mom said, stretching her arms above her head. She was seated next to Dad. I love long weekends.

But that just means I have to wait until Monday to get the new rainbow coloured pencil I really wanted. The one Parrot Ink sells is perfect for sketching the lead isn’t too hard or too soft. Wendy slumped in her seat. She hugged her notebook tightly against her chest.

Parrot Ink was the new stationery shop that had recently opened in our school canteen. The auntie and uncle who ran the original store (called The Stationery Shop) had had an unexpected windfall and had retired. They had been working in the school for most of their lives and were sad to leave, but they were also happy they could now travel the world. There were other Parrot Ink shops all over Singapore, but the one in our school had special student prices, and Wendy had become fast friends with the new lady who ran the shop. My sister was their best customer and first unofficial member. Literally. She had designed and made her own Parrot Ink membership card (member number 001).

You-have-been-buying-stationery-and-notebooks-everyday-Wendy, Watson commented. I-cannot-fit-all-of-your-purchases-and-Sherlock’s-snacks-in-my-secret-compartment.

Mom turned to my sister. Exactly how much stationery have you been purchasing, young lady?

Wendy's eyes darted around frantically as she grinned bigger than I would have thought humanly possible. Erm...I’m an artist! I need my tools! And I’m only using my allowance, nothing more! Sam, tell Mom!

Before I could help my sister proclaim her innocence, Auntie Kim Lian, Auntie Gina and Moran walked into the dining room carrying trays filled with piping hot bowls of congee, pandan leaves heaped with rice, chilli, rendang and big bowls of soto ayam. I had made a special request to have my soto ayam with ketupat instead of yellow noodles. I thought the spicy chicken broth tasted even better with warm rice. I noticed Auntie Kim Lian had extra bundles of ketupat on the side. She knew me so well.

Right on time, Jimmy dashed back into the dining room and plopped down into the empty seat next to Eliza.

For a while, the only sound that could be heard was us slurping the heavenly soto ayam, munching on the rendang and spooning congee into our mouths. I don’t know why we didn’t have this for breakfast every day.

You’re not eating, Eliza? Auntie Kim Lian asked. Are you not feeling well?

Eliza’s head lifted. I hadn’t noticed before, but I now saw that her bowl of soto ayam was still almost full, and she seemed to just be using her spoon to push the food back and forth.

Oh no, Auntie. I’m okay. I’m just...I’m just not very hungry. She smiled slightly, then looked down, carefully scooping a spoonful of soup and taking a sip.

Nazhar put his utensils down. It’s because—

Nazhar! Eliza snapped. Don’t.

Mom and Dad stopped eating.

What’s going on? Mom asked. She reached over and put her hand on Eliza’s shoulder. You know you can tell us anything, right?

Some of the kids in the other class said Eliza is the reason her parents got a divorce, Wendy said in a rush, her face flushing with anger. She turned to Eliza. There. Be mad at me if you want, but I can’t stand it when people are bullying you and you won’t say anything!

Eliza turned to my sister and started to say something but fell silent instead. Her hands were clenched on her lap.

What? Dad said. That’s a very mean thing to say. Dad seldom looked serious, but he did now.

It’s also not true! Jimmy said, frowning. It’s not true at all. Just like it’s not true that Rose, Martha, Donna, Amy and I had anything to do with our dad leaving. My mom said sometimes these things just happen, and it’s not our fault. Right, Mama?

Yes, sayang, your mom is right. Auntie Kim Lian’s voice was soft as she rested a hand on the top of Jimmy’s head. It’s not your fault, Eliza. Those children were being very unkind.

I saw Mom hesitate for a moment before she spoke. Did you tell your parents, Eliza?

No, of course not. Eliza rubbed her eyes. My dad is... She trailed off. And I can’t tell my mom these things. She’s upset enough with everything.

Dad and Mom exchanged a look.

I can come with you to talk to her, Mom said, her tone gentle. We can do it together, all right? But only if you want to, of course.

Eliza continued to stare at her still-full bowl. For a second I thought she would refuse, but then she nodded. Wendy immediately reached over and gave our friend a tight hug. She whispered something which made Eliza laugh out loud.

Thanks, but I really don’t need another purple pen, Wendy. She took a deep breath and hugged my sister back.

I had no idea any of this was happening to Eliza and that made me feel bad. I needed to pay closer attention. What was the point of being a detective if I couldn’t protect my friends? I was glad Eliza had Wendy and Nazhar in her class, and that she trusted Mom enough to let her help.

Suddenly, Watson jumped off his chair and stared blankly into space. I recognised that look in his one eye The Wonderful Watson Online Detective Agency had received an email. It had to be an important one for my robot to react the way he had.

What’s going on, Watson? I asked.

Watson turned to face me. I-am-sorry-to-interrupt-but-Charles-Lee-wants-to-hire-The-Wonderful-Watson-Online-Detective-Agency, he replied. He-claims-Pirates-Inc-have-stolen-his-priceless-treasures.

Sherlock Sam and the Seafaring Scourge on SentosaSherlock Sam and the Seafaring Scourge on Sentosa

I’m very upset.

Officer Siva was frowning.

I gulped. I knew exactly why we were in trouble. But it wasn’t my fault.

Officer Siva had met us right outside Sentosa Cove. He was there as a civilian. Charles Lee's house was along the bay area, which was crowded with yachts and speedboats belonging to the residents. Just like our first visit, we had to go through two security checks before we could enter.

You guys had soto ayam and didn’t call me? Officer Siva reached out to press the doorbell of Charles Lee’s mansion a second time. Right next to the doorbell was an expensive-looking touchpad, which I deduced was part of the security system.

I’m sorry, Officer Siva! Jimmy said, looking just as guilty as I felt. "We thought you’d be busy on a Friday, even if it