The Printed Message

By Retha V. Rowe

A mysterious note found in the schoolyard plunges Lorraine Takota into her first mystery. The note leads Lorraine and her friends to an abandoned old house where theyre constantly in danger. After eavesdropping on a curious meeting one night, the four teens are almost caught. Then the case turns ugly, when one of the young detectives goes missing. Lorraine is more determined than ever to solve the mystery. But it wont be easy. Threatening messages, sabotage, and undercover work all lead up to a dangerous encounter with a gang of crooks who will stop at nothing to keep their crimes a secret


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• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 13, 2010
• ISBN: 9781462825882

Retha V. Rowe

Retha Rowe is a junior in high school and she makes her home in the South. She and her family of four live on a small farm in Hinesville, Georgia. Retha attends a small, but blessed, Baptist church in her hometown, and she is an active member of her church’s youth group. She prays that she would have a growing passion for the Lord’s work, and she is a firm believer that God’s salvation is for everyone. “I am, by no means, perfect. But that’s what’s so awesome about Jesus; I don’t have to be perfect. He took my place, and now I have a peace that passes all understanding.” “My purpose in this book, and any future books, is to glorify God. I can’t keep this good news a secret! Jesus still saves souls, and I want the world to know it!”

Book preview

Copyright © 2010 by Retha Rowe.

ISBN:          Softcover                                 978-1-4568-1027-6

                    eBook                                     9781462825882

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

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Contents

Chapter 1: The Assignment

Chapter 2: Where is it?

Chapter 3: The Visitor

Chapter 4: Questions without Answers

Chapter 5: Déjà vu

Chapter 6: Mysterious Meeting

Chapter 7: A Deeper Hole

Chapter 8: A Petty Theft

Chapter 9: Experienced Help

Chapter 10: A Friend Disappears

Chapter 11: Dinner Disaster

Chapter 12: Sabotage!

Chapter 13: Playing the Right Cards

Chapter 14: Warned

Chapter 15: The Dream

Chapter 16: A Late Confession

Chapter 17: Undercover Trick

Chapter 18: Another Note

Chapter 19: The Hidden Entrance

Chapter 20: Caught!

Chapter 21: Encounter with the Enemy

Chapter 22: Rescued!

Chapter 23: A New Day . . .

Chapter 1: The Assignment

The cold wind hit fourteen-year-old Lorraine Takota’s face with suffocating force, but she tried to deal with it. She didn’t have that much farther to ride to Lawrence Wellman Middle School anyway. But that thought didn’t quell her feeling of dread for the one thing today that was going to be pure torture: science class. She was silently dreading the class for the simple reason that it would be held outside. Lorraine loved science, but she was not excited to have to spend almost an hour outside in the chilly autumn air. The cold was not her favorite aspect of the season.

Suddenly, her thoughts were interrupted by a voice calling her name. Lorraine . . . Lorraine!

Lorraine shook her head clear of the cloudiness that hung over her. Oh, sorry Nina, she apologized, glancing at the girl beside her. I guess I zoned out a little. She brushed her brunette hair out of her face.

Yeah, just a little bit. Nina grinned. What’s the matter? Nina Kamreon, who had been best friends with Lorraine since the fourth grade, was about a head shorter than her friend and had curly, black hair that matched perfectly with her glittering brown eyes. Her sun-tanned skin only brought out her sharp features more.

I’m just seriously dreading our class outing today, Lorraine complained. She shivered. Even though she had been sure to wear her heavy jacket, the cold wind still managed to numb her fingers, nose, and ears. By the time science is over, she continued, I could be mistaken for that ice sculpture Julie Watten made for art class last year.

Yeah. Nina laughed. The school bus rounded a curve, and then turned into the bus concourse of the old, brick building where the girls attended middle school. As they filed off the bus, Lorraine noticed that Nina seemed to be in a big hurry this morning. Well, come on, Nina urged. The sooner we get inside, the warmer we’ll be.

Good point, Lorraine said, walking beside Nina. Has the bell rung yet? She asked, because she didn’t see the group of kids that usually lingered near the door.

I guess so, Nina answered. Time to go to homeroom.

Lorraine nodded and the two of them walked to Ms. Franklin’s class together. Inside the building, other students were busily roaming around, going to breakfast or the library, not paying any attention to the girls. Some even shoved the girls aside to get where they were going.

Hey! Nina muttered. Y’all need to watch where you’re goin’. She looked at Lorraine. You’d think it’d kill them to say ‘excuse me.’

Hmm, Lorraine grunted, only half listening. Her mind was too focused on another subject. Her blue eyes followed a tall, handsome, teenage boy across the hall. He had short, caramel colored hair and deep brown eyes that peered straight ahead. Lorraine sighed, and her heart pounded. He’s so cute! She thought.

What are you staring at? Nina queried.

Huh? Oh, Nath—uh—nothing, Lorraine stuttered, clearing her throat. Just thinking.

Uh-huh, Nina answered sarcastically, secretly knowing what was going through Lorraine’s mind. In a few minutes, they arrived in homeroom. Then after announcements and the pledge of allegiance, the bell rang for first period, and they went to Mrs. Merlin’s class.

Good mornin’, y’all, Mrs. Merlin greeted the students that had so far made it to class. Numerous good mornings filled the classroom from most students, while some simply ignored the science teacher and continued with their own conversations. Mrs. Merlin walked to the door of the classroom to oversee hallway traffic.

Lorraine sat quietly at her desk with her nose into a mystery book. She loved a good mystery, and part of her longed to solve one herself.

Don’t you ever stop reading? she heard a snooty voice remark.

I’d know that voice anywhere, Lorraine thought. Jessica. Jessica Jones was a tall, slender blonde, who was always causing trouble. Ever since they met in the sixth grade, Lorraine had had to learn to tolerate Jessica’s snobby behavior. It wasn’t easy, and Lorraine found herself struggling to control her temper.

Hi Jessica, Lorraine responded as calmly as possible. How are you today?

Nasty as ever, I’ll bet, Nina blurted out.

Jessica whipped her head around and glared. Stay out of this, you band geek!

Lorraine could see Nina’s cheeks turning red at the insult, so she waved her hand at her friend, telling her to let it alone. Nina reluctantly obliged, and Jessica stomped off with a muttered, I thought so.

Lorraine returned to her book without further incident. But just as she was nearing the end of a chapter, the bell sounded for first period to begin. Doggone it! Lorraine exclaimed, snapping the book shut. Then she became aware that Mrs. Merlin was now standing at the front of the class.

All right, everyone. Like I told y’all yesterday, cloud study will be our assignment this morning, Mrs. Merlin recapped. We’ll go outside and observe the different types of clouds. You’ll be required to record at least two examples of each—although you may have trouble finding a cirrus cloud. In that case, just record two examples of the other two kinds. She glanced over the classroom. All right? Line up and I’ll hand out lab sheets outside.

Students scrambled from their desks and gathered at the doorway. This isn’t a line, Lorraine observed. It’s a cluster. The class headed down the hallway toward the back door. When they reached the outside, Lorraine walked along the grass, wishing she could collapse on the soft, green ground. But there’s frost all over it, and I’m cold enough. Plus, I’d probably get in trouble.

Mrs. Merlin’s whistle brought her thoughts back to class. She was one of the only few who looked up. Many others were huddled in their cliques, still chatting. Hey! Mrs. Merlin hollered, clapping her hands three times. That got everyone’s attention. Thank you, she said. Now, how many types of clouds are there?

Three! someone shouted out.

Correct, whoever said that, Mrs. Merlin stated. Lorraine looked to see if anyone would raise their hand, but all she heard was silence as Mrs. Merlin continued speaking. The student’s voice had sounded like Damien Stanley’s, a know-it-all egomaniac, who competed with Lorraine for the highest grades.

What are the three types? the science teacher questioned. An eager student raised her hand. Yes, Megan?

Cumulus, stratus, and cirrus, the girl answered.

Correct again. Now look up, Mrs. Merlin commanded. Who can tell me what type of clouds those are?

Derek Lindon’s hand shot up this time. Oh no, Lorraine thought.

Yes, Derek? Mrs. Merlin acknowledged.

That’s an easy one Mrs. M; it’s a grey one! Several of Derek’s friends snickered, but Lorraine rolled her eyes, an impatient frown on her face. Mrs. Merlin placed her hands on her hips and glared at Derek.

Keep it up, Derek, and we’ll see how funny you think detention is!

This time, Lorraine chuckled. Others Ooohed.

Now really, Mrs. Merlin huffed. Who can answer the question? Her gaze swept over the twenty some-odd students. It stopped on one.

Lorraine, she called. Would you please tell the class what type of clouds those are?

Lorraine nodded. Those are stratus clouds; they mean a possibility of precipitation.

Very good, Mrs. Merlin commended. As always.

Lorraine beamed and instinctively looked around. Everyone had returned their gaze to the teacher—except one. A tall boy—about two inches taller than Lorraine—was staring straight at her. He smiled when he caught her eye. Lorraine felt herself blush, and she quickly shifted her gaze to the front. I hope he didn’t think I was staring at him.

By this time, Mrs. Merlin was telling the class to split into groups of four. Once you have your group assembled, come get a worksheet. Remember, we only have thirty minutes. At this, kids scattered to find their friends.

You and me, as always, asked Nina, grinning.

Of course. Lorraine returned the grin. But we’ll still need two more people.

Nina glanced around, her dark curls shaking, as she turned left and right. Suddenly, a smirk lit up her face, and a mischievous tone entered her voice. How ’bout Nathaniel? she asked. He’s smart.

Uh . . . Lorraine started. Yeah. That works. She let out a nervous laugh. Nina was always teasing her about him, and she couldn’t stand it. Even though she had known the boy for years, she still felt a little uncomfortable around him.

Hey, Nathaniel! Nina shouted, walking over to join him. Lorraine followed. Wanna be in our group?

Sure thing, Nathaniel Collins answered, darting a quick glance at Lorraine. But . . . His voice trailed off, as a blond head peeked out from behind him. Lorraine did a double-take. Oh great, she thought with a groan. So much for a peaceful class period. Standing there, with her arms folded and her mouth twisted into a smirk, was none other than Jessica Jones.

Hi, she said giving them a mocking wave.

Well . . . Nathaniel shrugged. I think you get it.

Lorraine nodded and figured she’d be the peacemaker. Doesn’t matter to me, as long as we get the assignment done, she said quickly.

Right, Nina added Why don’t we go stand under that tree? Everyone agreed and followed her to the spot.

Within ten minutes, they were close to finishing the lab sheet. We just need to fill in one more square and we’re done, Lorraine remarked. Just then a gust of wind caused her to shudder. She put the lab sheet under her arm and stuck the pencil up her sleeve, so she could rub her hands together. Brrr! she exclaimed. It is freezing out here!

Got that right, Nathaniel agreed. But look at it this way: it’s even colder up north. We’ve got it made!

Lorraine laughed, and Nina pointed out: Yeah, but I guess it all depends on what you’re used to.

Jessica scoffed. Oh, can we just get on with it?

Lorraine tried to ignore her. Pulling the pencil from her sleeve, she held it and the paper up in the air. I need to walk around for a minute to get the blood flowin’ again; my fingers are stiff. Can someone take over writing for me?

I’ll do it, Nathaniel declared, reaching for the worksheet. Lorraine gave it to him and started to pace around, looking at the clouds. No one noticed that Jessica had been leaning up against the tree with a limb pulled back.