The Sinister Submarine

By V J Wells

A tropical island, a World War II submarine, a brave dolphin, and 13-year-old twin sleuths. A non-stop adventure/mystery for children 8-12.

It was just supposed to be a day at the beach, in the clear blue waters surrounding a small Bahamian island. Then everything changed.

Sally was the first to see it - a dark shadow on the ocean floor. Carefully Sally, Jimmy, and their new friend Sandy swam towards the shape in order to get a better look and were startled by what they saw.

What the heck was an old, World War II submarine doing in the waters of the Bahamas?

That's just one of the questions that 13-year-old twins, Jimmy and Sally Brant need to answer as they find themselves in the middle of a dangerous, perhaps even life-threatening, mystery.

Will they be able to solve the mystery, save the day and bring a nefarious kingpin to justice? And escape with their lives?

A Modern Children’s Classic Adventure/Mystery

Readers of The Sinister Submarine have compared it to Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mystery adventure books. its non-stop action, with unexpected twists and turns, make it a clear favorite with both boys and girls.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Publishdrive
• Release date: Oct 12, 2021
• ISBN: 1477690662

V J Wells

V.J. Wells has a passion for children's books. She's writes both illustrated books for younger children ages 2-6 and action adventure novels for older children ages 8-12. She also loves to travel and often includes interesting and exotic locations in her stories.

Book preview

The Sinister Submarine

A Brant Twins Mystery

V J Wells

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Geezer Guides Publications

Copyright © 2012 by V J Wells

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 written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Nor is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

Contents

1. ISLAND WELCOME

2. CRUISING FOR TROUBLE

3. ISLAND EXPLORATION

4. GUNS - IN PARADISE?

5. ATTACKED!

6. LUCKY

7. STARTLING DISCOVERY

8. DARK SECRETS

9. TRAPPED!

10. SUSPICIOUS CHARACTERS

11. LAUNCHING A RESCUE

12. A STROKE OF LUCK

13. BACK TO PORT

14. CHAOS!

15. TURMOIL IN THE HARBOR

16. TOGETHER AT LAST

About V J Wells

Also by V J Wells

ISLAND WELCOME

Look! Look! cried Jimmy Brant while poking his twin sister Sally in the ribs. Although Jimmy and Sally were actually twins, it was not immediately apparent that that was the case. Needless to say, they weren’t identical twins. After all, one was a girl and one was a boy. But that being said, the differences between them were more striking than the similarities. People were often surprised to find out that they were even related, let alone twins.

Sally, technically the oldest as she was born three minutes before her brother, looked younger. She was petite, blonde with a hint of red that glinted in the sunlight and fair skin that freckled with exposure to the sun. Though most people told her that her freckles were cute, she would have much rather been able to have a smooth, even tan. She was sure her sometimes green, sometimes grey, eyes would suit someone that tanned rather than freckled.

Jimmy, much chagrined at being younger than his twin sister, was tall and dark with brown eyes. His brown hair had sun-bleached streaks, the result of spending a lot of his time outdoors, and frequently in the tropics, traipsing after his parents. He got the smooth even tan that Sally craved and had no problem reminding his befreckled sister of that fact, frequently.

Rubbing her eyes and trying to shake herself from a brief nap, Sally peered out the side window of the single-engine, six-seater airplane that was taking them from a small airport in Florida to an even smaller airport on a tropical island.

What? she said groggily. Look at what? giving her brother a return poke more out of habit than annoyance.

We’re almost there and you’re missing everything. Jimmy was actually talking directly to the small window next to his seat rather than to his sister. He didn’t want to miss anything.

Again Sally tried to clear her vision and finally caught sight of a particularly small island nestled in a patch of turquoise sea. She could see white sand beaches poking out around the edges, patches of green bushy areas and some tall palm trees as well. This was where their parents were going to study a small area of the island where the local government was interested in developing an underwater marine park in the hopes of attracting eco-tourists.

Sally tried to take in everything as the tiny plane circled the island and came in for a landing. Before she knew it they had left the sandy beaches behind and were dropping down into a circle of palm trees, flowers and bush. Just before the wheels of the plane touched down she noticed the runway and absently wondered if it was actually long enough for the plane to have room to stop.

A few seconds later she realized that she needn’t have worried. There was still lots of runway left when the pilot brought the plane to a stop and started to turn it back towards a small shack. You certainly couldn’t call it a terminal of any kind. Light poked through the cracks in the walls and the roof was made of palm fronds – many of which looked like they should be replaced.

Such out-of-the-way places were nothing new for Jimmy and Sally. They had been tagging along with their marine biologist mother and ecological specialist father ever since they could remember. No 9-to-5 jobs for their parents. No house in the suburbs or regular schools, either.

Sally and Jimmy gave each other a knowing look. They could already see the intensity in their parents’ eyes and knew they couldn’t wait to get involved in their new project. Sally and Jimmy knew they’d pretty much be fending for themselves, like they always did. But there was no resentment, no irritation. They’d done this for years and were used to how involved their parents got in each project. It’s not that their parents ignored them, they just got so involved in their work that everything else seemed to fade into the background. From time to time Sally and Jimmy had to drag them back to reality. Yet they had never doubted for one minute that their parents loved them. After all, they always came along on these expeditions rather than being passed off to some relative or other. Both Jimmy and Sally had met other professional people that their parents knew who were appalled by the fact that Judith and Robert dragged their kids along with them. Judith and Robert were equally appalled that their professional peers left their kids behind. There was no way that either side could convince the other of the rightness of their decisions so they simply agreed to disagree on the subject.

As soon as the small plane came to a stop at the so-called terminal, Judith and Robert Brant began supervising the unloading of their equipment. Intent on making sure that everything was handled carefully, they didn’t notice a small van pull up close to them. Jimmy was trying to bring it to their attention when a large black man, with snow-white hair, jumped out of the van and introduced himself as Eric Johnson, administrator of the island and the Brant’s contact.

Welcome to the Bahamas, he boomed and displayed such a genuinely warm and genial smile that it was impossible not to smile back. And welcome to our small island. I trust you had a pleasant trip.

With this welcome, Mr. Johnson extended his hand and waited.

Sally loudly cleared her throat and Jimmy elbowed his father, who was nearest to him.

Judith and Robert abruptly snapped back to the moment and, with a quick glance at their equipment, they turned to face Mr Johnson.

Please excuse us. We don’t mean to be rude. Judith Brant was the first to talk while Robert nodded in agreement.

No problem, boomed Mr. Johnson. No problem at all. I’m Eric Johnson, the island administrator and I’ll be your contact for anything you require while you’re on the island. He again put out his hand in welcome.

Mr Brant shook his hand vigorously and said, We are certainly pleased to meet you, Mr. Johnson.

Please, please. Call me Eric. I trust everything is in order?

Yes. Yes. Everything seems fine.

Good. I can walk you through customs and immigration then. They are, of course, expecting you. This is a small island and news travels fast. Again, Mr Johnson flashed his disarming smile and everyone immediately grinned back, not able to stop themselves from responding in kind.

Robert Brant produced passports for his entire family along with a list of all the equipment they had brought along with them to help with their research on the underwater park.

Everything seems to be in order, said the immigration officer, handing back all the passports with a broad smile. Welcome. I hope you enjoy your stay. Please step over there, he indicated the area where their luggage and equipment were waiting, and Mrs. Thompson will clear you through customs.

Next to their luggage and equipment was a large black lady in a crisp white shirt trimmed with gold epaulets and a navy blue skirt. She looked very official.

Will any of this equipment be left in the Bahamas? she inquired, indicating the small crates of equipment that the Brants had brought with them.

As she was about to open one of the crates, Judith Brant gasped. I’d be happy to open that for you. The equipment is very fragile.

I assure you, I will be very careful. Mrs. Thompson sounded rather miffed.

At this point, Eric Johnson stepped in.

It’s okay, Joyce, we really need to get going. Just keep a copy of the list of equipment.

Yes, Mr. Johnson. Then she stamped their forms with a little more force than was actually necessary and added her welcome as well, although the smile seemed a bit forced.

Seemingly out of nowhere, a rather thin but powerful-looking gentlemen showed up with a four-wheeled luggage trolley and made steps towards the equipment crates that had been cleared through customs with the help of Mr. Johnson.

Robert immediately stepped forward and began loading the crates on the trolley himself. The porter looked genuinely confused.

Don’t worry, Jerry, they think we won’t be careful enough with their delicate equipment, said Joyce Thompson with a sharp edge to her voice.

Robert started to say something but then thought better of it, sighed, and continued loading the crates on the waiting trolley while Jerry watched him with a rather bemused look.

When the equipment and luggage were all loaded on the trolley, Mr. Johnson instructed Jerry to take the trolley to his van. With a quick glance at Robert Brant, Jerry slowly and carefully began to roll the trolley to the waiting vehicle.

You want some help with these? Jerry inquired of Robert Brant while raising his eyebrows.

Judith was about to say something but Robert raised his hand to stop her, turned to Jerry, and said, Yes, please. Let me show you which ones are the heaviest. Those should go on the bottom.

Under Robert’s watchful eye, and with Judith having to look away, Jerry took each crate as it was indicated and carefully loaded it into the van. With each crate he lifted and placed in the van, you could see Jerry’s ropey muscles bunch and release. Robert marveled at such a thin man being so strong. Robert was also grateful for the help with the crates. Even though Judith preferred that they handle all their equipment themselves, Robert was not as strong, or as young, as he used to be.

With everything now loaded safely into the van, Robert turned to Jerry and gave him a generous tip. When Jerry noticed the amount his eyes widened right along with his smile.

Anytime you need any help, Mr. Brant, you just ask for Jerry. Here’s my card, he said as he handed Robert a crumpled and slightly dirty business card with his name and phone number on it.

I will, Jerry, I will, said Robert as he pocketed the card.

As everyone was piling into Mr. Johnson’s van a small plane roared overhead and then came in for a landing.

Jerry immediately started back into the small terminal. Got to go, Mr. Brant. That is Mr. Nemesio’s plane. I’m sure he’ll need some help. And Jerry was gone.

Wow! That made sure made him move. Jimmy observed. Who is that guy?

Eric Johnson became noticeably tense, shook his head and said, simply, Just a local businessman, and would say no more.

Jimmy got the distinct feeling that Mr. Johnson not