Hawk McCoy: The Mutant Onion

By Mary T Kincaid

Hawk McCoy sets out to fill his summer with interesting things to do. He volunteers with the police department in Izlet Bay to return the bikes that have accumulated because they were lost or stolen. He learns survelience techniques monitoring the traffic cameras.
Hawk is hired to help his father in the fields at the Pentas Nursery where his father is a geneticist in plant development. As he learns to observe and record the onion development, the onion that is being developed is stolen and Hawk works with his dad and Nyssa Pentas to get justice for this theft.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Sep 24, 2021
• ISBN: 9780997148855

Book preview

Chapter 1

Hawk studied his email and then took a deep breath. He would be a sixth grader next fall and spending his summer as a volunteer for the police chief was his dream. He sat up straighter as he read, Accepted as the youngest volunteer for the Izlet Bay Police Department. Hawk solved puzzles. The unknown teased and taunted him. Copies of Junior Sleuth magazine decorated his nightstand. Sherlock Holmes posters dominated the wall above his computer desk. His Fingerprint Guide for All Occasions, and other manuals filled his bookshelf. His Super Sleuth 100 backpack sat by his door ready for action. The boy detective was ready to be a volunteer for the police department. His fingers tapped a message on his keyboard saying he would be at the meeting with the Chief of Police in the morning. Hawk shut down his computer and climbed into bed. His excitement kept him awake until he calmed himself so he could sleep. Tomorrow was a new puzzle and a new adventure.

The next morning, after breakfast, he explained his volunteer status to his mom, grabbed his backpack and his bike and set off. Chief Johnson met him at the door. Hawk parked his bike and followed the tall man in uniform to his office. He sat down in front of the oak desk on the edge of his seat.

I saw your name on the ‘Wants to Volunteer’ list and emailed you. I appreciate volunteers from the community. It’s easier if everyone fights crime. This project is perfect for you. I need help. Follow me. Chief Johnson moved toward the back of the office hall and through the back door.

What can I do? Hawk asked. The Chief waved his hand toward a row of bikes lined across the back of the building.

Help me find the owners of these, Johnson said.

Hawk sucked in his breath. Where did they come from? Hawk asked. He pointed down the line surprised at the number.

Lost or stolen, we call them recovered. I need help finding the owners. Ben Johnson, the police chief, a tall imposing figure stood in the early morning heat, sweat forming on his forehead and turned to Hawk. I understand police procedure interests you. Are you interested in this project? The department will pay you something and cover your expenses. Can you do this?

Yes, I’m interested. Detective work is my hobby, Hawk said. He was eager to prove himself, and he straightened as he welcomed the opportunity to help with something important. This was his first opportunity to take part.

You will work with Gary, my surveillance deputy. He does traffic cameras. Come on, I’ll introduce you.

Gary sat in a room filled with computer monitors, no windows. He swiveled in his chair toward the door as they entered.

Hawk, this is Gary, Chief Johnson said as he pointed to Gary. He keeps up with the traffic movements around town. Hawk will help us return the bikes to their owners, the chief said.

It will take more than you and me. There are over twenty-five bicycles out there and more come in every day. Do you know someone else who can help? We need to get the word out we have them, Gary said.

My friend Sandy is a blogger. I can get her to post photos of the bikes online. She knows kids and will spread the word, Hawk said.

Good, that’s a start, Gary said.

Hawk dug into his pocket for his cell phone and hit call. Sandy, I’m at the police station. They offered me a job but it is more than I can do. Can you help us? Good. Bring your camera. I’ll wait here. Hawk hung up his phone. He thought about past puzzles: last summer fingerprints: this year, lost property. He waited.

Sandy pulled up on her bike and parked, her blond bob flying as she swung her head to work the kickstand. She turned and faced Hawk. He waited for her by the door. She opened her backpack and pulled out her camera. Pictures? she asked pointing the camera at Hawk. I’m glad you called me. Sounds like an adventure. She trailed Hawk through the corridor as he navigated the police station. What are we doing?

Finding the owners of these lost bikes. I’ll show you. The chief wants our help. Hawk led her outside holding the back door for her.

Whoa, so many, her eyebrows raised in surprise at the number. She scanned the row.

Let’s start by posting pictures on the Durrett Street Neigh­borhood forum, Sandy said. She snapped pictures as she walked along. The forum, and my blog for starters. I’ll think about other places where kids will see them. She waved her cell phone at Hawk showing the time. Okay, I have what I need.

They picked up their bikes and turned toward Durrett Street. The live oaks with their moss-covered branches swayed as the breeze carried the scents from the shrimp fleet in Izlet Bay.

The smell of the bay in the late afternoon is one of my favorite things. It’s a summer smell, Sandy said, sniffing. Do you think we can do it? Return all those bikes?

Yes, we solve puzzles. Hawk nodded his head in agreement and continued. It’ll take more than the two of us. Who can help us?

I have to think about it, Sandy said. No one comes to mind. The Return-the-Bike Project is big. I’ll get everything online tonight. The community center, the park sports programs, the swimming pool and the library have bulletin boards. I’ll post there, Sandy said.

Returning bikes will please my mom. We’ll work with Gary, the deputy. I hope to use my kit. I drove her crazy collecting finger prints last summer, Hawk said. But the finger printing introduced us to the Pentas sisters. We know they can fly because they were investigated last summer, I wonder what other gifts they have. I watched Aislinn hypnotize Jackson because he changed his behavior completely after he was with her. Then we found out they were ancient beings known as the Penthiads but we don’t know very much else about them.

You discovered the Penthiads living right here in Izlet Bay. Women of myth are among us. I hope we get to spend more time with them this summer and learn more about them, Sandy said. Her smile reflected their special secret.

They are still a mystery. My dad works with Nyssa Pentas, but he doesn’t know who she is. He thinks she is just a scientist doing research. I wonder what my dad does for her. His title is plant geneticist. What’s that? Hawk asked.

I don’t know about plant research either. My mom works in the courthouse, she looks up deeds. I understand that, Sandy said. They pushed their bikes along.

I’ll do the internet work for the lost bikes, Sandy said. She turned right and headed down the street to her house. Hawk turned toward his driveway. It was time for supper.

After washing up, Hawk studied the supper plate in front of him as if it were the floating head of a creature from his nightmares.It’s not macaroni and cheese. What is it? Is this supper? he asked. He looked around the table. His blue eyes glittered with dismay and suspicion formed lines