Super Crime

By Dani Kraai

"A young girl missing in Fair Rock, Michigan!" The local headline is just what seventh-grader Alexus Harris has been waiting for. She's read every Detective Ginger book, investigated every major crime across the internet, and roped four friends into joining her crime-solvi

• Language: English
• Publisher: Danielle Kraai
• Release date: Nov 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9780578910420

Book preview

Alexus

Like most Michigan Saturdays in July, today was ordinary. Alexus sat on the kitchen countertop shoveling spoonfuls of cereal into her mouth with one hand and holding her new mystery book open with the other. The night prior she read the first 5 chapters. There was a bad guy, a good guy and a good guy that was probably really the bad guy. With only three fourths of the chapter to go, Alexus was already starting to worry she wouldn’t figure out who the killer was before the end of the book. She didn’t only solve fictional mysteries though.

There were many mysteries Alexus had solved for her family over the past couple of years. Like finding her mothers lost glasses or discovering who shoveled their sidewalk that one weekend in January when her father was sick in the hospital. She never took credit for them. Not even when her father started catching on to what she was doing. She wasn’t in crime solving for the glory, she was in it for the principle. Criminals breaking the law could not win. Ever.

As she closed her book and placed the bowl in the sink next to her she scanned the room for a mystery. Much like Saturdays in July, their open concept kitchen living room was ordinary. The kitchen island had a fake marble finish atop gray painted wood that matched the cabinets wrapping around the room. It looked out into the dining area where her mother currently sat at the table working on a puzzle. Her father sat in the designated living room area in his brown leather recliner reading a newspaper. There was also a worn out sand colored couch along the far wall behind a coffee table water stained with two coffee cup rings.

Alexus was startled when the front pocket of her sweatshirt buzzed softly for just a moment before a loud alarm rang. It didn’t come from just her phone. Her mother jumped when hers rang and her father sternly placed his newspaper in his lap to pick up his phone.

It was the well known blare of an Amber alert. Alexus yanked her phone from her pocket. It read: 

Missing 15 year old girl. 5’4’’, dark brown hair, blue eyes, medium build. Last seen being picked up by a green pickup truck on the corner of Ashford and Hartley. Please contact Fair Rock police with any information.

Oh my goodness, turn on the news, Alexus hopped down from the counter and ran to the couch.

Do not shout demands in this house. Her mother glared through her glasses.

Sorry, please, dad, Alexus said.

Her father was taking his time to fold up his newspaper as though he could only be occupied by one source of news at a time. He then gently placed the paper on his side table before picking up the remote and slightly lifting it. As Alexus had suspected, Saturday morning tv was interrupted by the local news station.

"Police are asking residents of Fair Rock and nearby cities to be on the lookout," the news anchor began.

That’s us, Alexus said, looking at both her parents, We’re a nearby city! She realized by their reactions that she was acting inappropriately excited for a missing person.

Now don’t be getting anything inside your head. This isn’t the case for a 13 year old. Her mother went back to her puzzle seemingly unamused by a missing girl nearby.

Shhh… Alexus said. If her mother wasn’t going to watch the news with them she certainly shouldn’t interrupt it.

"Her parents noticed her missing around midnight last night. They waited until morning to see if she would show up. Missy is not a known runaway but as a young teen they were not sure. When they reached out to her friends they found out some startling news."

Did you hear that, startling news! She waved her hand towards her dad.

Yes I heard, her father replied, nodding his head slowly.

"Authorities say she was seen getting into the pickup," the anchor continued.

Oh, I missed it. What was the startling news? Alexus desperately looked at her dad.

Alright, I will rewind it but you must pay attention this time. He calmly rewound to the place they left off.

...startling news. Missy’s friend Jasmine told the parents that she was going to visit their friend’s house that night and never made it. Authorities say she was seen getting into a green pickup truck at around 8pm by a neighbor. They are asking that anyone with more information, please contact the Fair Rock police immediately. Tom, back to you,

The news switched to morning sports.

What, that’s it? Alexus flung her hands up in the air.

Calm down child, they will know more later and that news lady will let you know. her mother said over her puzzle.

The friends never looked for her. Called her? And when they never reached her, did they not call her family? Why? The neighbors saw her getting in the car but didn’t let the parents know? But let the authorities? There were so many questions whirling in her mind.

I don’t know darling, sometimes that’s how these things start. Her father shook his head.

It’s a mystery, it is, Alexus said.

Don’t you dare go chasing after information on this, Alexus. Her mother whipped her glasses off her face.

Your mother is right. Her father snapped the recliner shut and sat up straight.

I know. I won’t. I was just saying is all. She walked to the kitchen and rinsed out the bowl in the sink as she thought.

You should be doing what normal little girls do during the summer, her mother put her glasses back on.

What? Play video games or watch YouTube? Alexus shut the water off.

You know what I meant, her mother replied.

I know, mother. I am going to go see my friends. Alexus quickly texted her four best friends: Emergency Crime Solvers Meeting. Meet up at the Clubhouse NOW!

She then walked quickly down the hall to her room and heard her mother say I honestly don’t know what to do with that child followed by her father’s I know honey and then the clamor of the recliner opening up.

Alexus nearly slammed the door when she entered her room. She tossed off her sweats and replaced them with jeans, a NASA shirt and converse shoes. She tore the scrunchie from her head, put oil in her curls and tossed her hair. She turned on her heel and ran out the door without saying goodbye to her parents. They already knew she was going after all.

The rusty old bike was sitting in the front lawn. She hopped on and rode quickly down the street. She nearly ran over Mrs. Wilkinson and her poodle. When she got to her first meet up spot she stayed seated on the bike and frantically tapped her left foot on the pedal. She would always meet Fern here first before continuing to the clubhouse but she was consistently late. It drove Alexus nuts but Fern couldn’t arrive on her own and Alexus always wanted a partner.

Let’s go, we are already behind schedule, Alexus said the moment Fern rode up on her skateboard.

They rode together another two blocks, turned at the large maple tree on the corner of Red Street, another left at Turner Road and finally cut off onto the trail just past an old schoolhouse the city refused to demolish, no matter how dilapidated it was. A ways down the path they found the tree with a gloriously beautiful house that would be a mansion in comparison to a normal treehouse. It was technically on the property of Kinza’s house, but they never stopped at the house first. Kinza was standing on the porch of the treehouse, arms folded in front of her, when Alexus climbed up..

You know, it really should be me that calls emergency meetings. It is my house, Kinza said when Alexus’ head popped up.

I’ll let you call the meeting to start once everyone is here, Alexus said.

You don’t run the show just because you’ve solved more mysteries, Kinza said.

I’m sorry, I just got so excited to start on this one. She’s one of us, Alexus urged.

What do you mean, one of us? Kinza asked.

A girl, Alexus replied.

That’s not very selective, Fern had just climbed up the stairs. She took extra long setting her precious skateboard against a tree, as she always did.

We have to help, Alexus said.

The girls looked at her. No one argued with Alexus, as was customary. Alexus was hard to argue with when she had her mind set on a mystery. Besides, that’s why this club was formed, to solve crimes.

Tina

The clubhouse floated two stories in the air, lodged between the three branches of a beautiful live oak. It was professionally made and amateurly decorated. The inside was as if a modern day farmhouse were decorated by an emo kid, a nature artist and a theater enthusiast. Always smelling of vanilla and jasmine. Kinza lit candles in each windowsill at least twice a week. Since she never knew when Alexus may call an emergency meeting, she wanted to be prepared. Tina appreciated the sense of familiarity every time she entered.

As was usual, her pillows were moved and placed back on the short sofa. Tina grasped the gold tassel of the large pink one and tossed it to her spot in the corner. It landed perfectly, nestled between the two walls. Next, she grabbed the black one, it was as dark as a black hole, and placed it gently against the wall, resting on the pink pillow. Finally, she wrapped her arms around the gold sequined one, cradling it and running her hand along the rough pattern to help calm her senses. Just as she did everytime things turned tense in the clubhouse.

After setting up her comfort corner she took a seat and watched as Kinza and Alexus continued their discussion from outside. Tina wasn’t sure if they were fighting. Kinza had almost a glimmer of a smile as she spoke and Alexus, while not presenting as happy, only had the stern look of intention that she always held. There really was no way to tell if they were in fact fighting.

This is my house, Kinza said.

You live in a tree? Alexus laughed, but Tina didn’t find it funny.

You know what I meant, Kinza replied.

Yes, and I also know that we offered three alternatives for club meeting spots and you insisted on meeting here. When we determined headquarters you never said there were specifications or rules, Alexus leaned back against one of the treehouse window sills that did not have any glass.

And neither did you, Kinza said. Kinza sat on the couch and pulled the one remaining pillow close to her body.

What does that mean? Alexus crossed her arms in front of her body.

I just mean that you never said that you would be the president of this club, is all.

There was a gentle knock on the outside of the treehouse door.

Secret passcode? Alexus yelled.

Oh, I don’t know sweetie, I just brought you some lemonade, an older voice said.

Ugh, it’s my mom. Kinza stood and walked to the door. She opened it and showed her mother to the end table at the far side of the room.

She should still have to say the passcode to get in, Alexus mumbled as they walked by.

Kinza didn’t say anything in return, but she did look towards Alexus. Tina couldn’t quite figure out what the look meant, but she often made the same face when eating lemons.

Right here is fine mama, thank you, Kinza said.

It’s pink, her mother set the tray down. Have a fun time playing games, she said as she sauntered out the door. Kinza shut it tight after her. Just as she sat back on the couch the door flung open. Alexus jumped. It was Fern.

Secret passcode? Alexus stood in a huff.

Billy Blue? I don’t remember what we changed it to. You know who I am, Fern sat on the other end of the couch and sat cross legged. Tina noticed she too looked like she’d been eating lemons.

You guys act like you don’t even want to be in this club, Alexus said.

Just as she said it, Golden came strutting through the door. She rushed to the end of the treehouse and cornered herself between Tina and the lemonade table. She carefully took a glass from the table and drank from the straw. Then she turned to Tina, winked and yanked one of her pillows before placing it behind her own body. Why do you all look like you’ve been eating lemons? she asked.

Tina shrugged and looked at Alexus. Her eyebrows wrinkled.

What are we here for anyway? Fern ran a section of her stringy blonde hair through her fingers. 

Yeah, Alexus, tell them, Kinza finally smiled.

Alexus shared the news. Didn’t you all get the amber alert? A girl has gone missing.

So? Golden said between gulps of lemonade, her straw permanently tucked in the side of her mouth.

So? What do you mean, ‘so’? A girl has gone missing. Alexus leaned forward as she spoke.

She’s one of us. Kinza was either forcing a smile or trying not to smile, Tina wasn’t sure.

One of us? She lives in Fair Rock. I refuse to be likened to those people. She’s two years older than us, lives in a nice suburban home, goes to public school, and is practically the image of perfection, Fern said, still spinning her hair.

You do realize you only don’t fit two of those criteria, right? Golden said.

She was right. Fern’s parents were wealthy, while they didn’t exactly live in a subdivision they were right outside one and therefore arguably in the suburb and Fern pretended to be perfect. The funny thing with Fern was she felt like an outsider so much that she acted more perfect to fit in, only she never really was an outsider to begin with. Not like Tina and Golden.

Tina felt uneasy as she looked around while the girls continued discussing. There was something off. It was the same feeling she got during tornado weather. The calm before the storm. Everything was as it should be. The couch was in place, lined up perfectly with the third wood floor board. A stillness crept through the room holding the scent of vanilla still, just like the curtains. Their stiff lines match the outside shutters. Even the coffee table, which had a tendency to move about the room, was directly on the middle floorboard, just where she left it. But something still felt off.

Her insides turned the more she tried to place it. She grabbed her rubber band ball from beside her and immediately began removing the rubber bands, one by one, counting. There were 127 bands exactly, she knew this. Only she didn’t get that far.

Earth to Tina, Golden said.

"Huh, what?’ Tina took her eyes off the rubber bands.

Are you in or what? Alexus asked.

In what? Tina blinked rapidly.

Tina, you need to pay attention. I don’t want to keep asking you. Are you here to solve this case? Alexus