The Mystery of Sinclair Place

By Michael Garwood

Sarah, Josh, Ben, and Sheila set out to solve the mystery of Sinclair place. Who killed Arthur Sinclair and what treasures are worth killing for? How do the Nazi's of World War II enter into the equation? Death and tragedy await anyone trying to solve these mysteries.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 19, 2019
• ISBN: 9781098010171

Book preview

1

The Sinclair House

It had been a month since they’d found old man Sinclair lying facedown in his garage—facedown and very dead. The police had come and gone, and the crime scene tape had been removed, but nobody had any idea what had happened or why. The town buzzed with talk of the killing at first, but that died down. One of Arthur Sinclair’s neighbors, however, maintained a keen interest in the crime.

Ben Grayson stood staring at the rambling house across the road. The murder of Mr. Sinclair had transformed it from just another large two-story home on the edge of town to something eerie and sinister and fascinating. With the murder so much on his mind, Ben didn’t even notice his friend Josh Hamilton riding up on his Super Sport GL bike.

Whatchadoin’? asked Josh.

Just wondering what happened over there.

Oh, the Sinclair place, huh?

Yeah.

Ben looked down at his friend and grinned. Josh reminded him of a big puppy: all bounce and enthusiasm one minute, scared and needing a pat on the head the next. But Ben didn’t mind. After all, Josh had just turned fourteen. To Ben, nearly a year older, having Josh around was like having a kid brother, and that was kind of cool. Nobody would mistake them for brothers, though. Ben was of medium build, with dark brown hair and blue eyes. Josh barely came up to Ben’s shoulder. His hair was light—almost blond—and he had immense, brown, puppy dog eyes.

You know we have to check it out, don’t you?

Because we’re the Mystery Club? asked Josh, looking a little worried.

That’s right, because we’re the Mystery Club.

We can’t go over there without Sarah.

I know. We’d be in big trouble if we tried, replied Ben. What’s she up to?

I don’t know. I thought she was over here.

Both boys turned as another bike came to a screeching stop behind them. It was Sarah Holmes, of course. She wasn’t very tall, but she had a trim, athletic frame. And she was pretty in her own special way.

She’s a mixture, Ben thought, part angel and part firecracker.

Hey, guys! Look! Sarah cried, pointing across the road. They’ve taken away all that yellow crime scene tape. You know what that means?

Ben knew.

We’re going to find out what happened to Mr. Sinclair, right?

I don’t know if that’s such a hot idea, said Josh.

I think it’s great, said Ben. I’m tired of grown-ups treating us like little kids when we tell ’em about our Mystery Club. If we could find out who killed Mr. Sinclair, they’d have to take us seriously. He glanced at his watch. Well, I’ve got lawns to mow. Let’s meet here tonight at eight. It should be getting dark by then.

Okay, agreed Sarah. Summer’s nearly over. Make sure you bring flashlights, she added, looking at Josh.

Don’t worry, said Josh. I won’t forget.

You seem pretty eager to tackle the Sinclair mystery, Sarah said, her blue eyes sparkling.

How would you like having your neighbor murdered and then not knowing what happened? asked Ben, a flush of red rising in his cheeks.

Going over there might be dangerous. You know that, don’t you? Sarah’s voice was already bubbling with excitement.

Maybe not, said Ben. If you killed somebody, would you hang around at the scene of the crime?

I might, replied Sarah, if I wanted to look super innocent.

Wait a minute, interrupted Josh. Why do you say mystery? Somebody hit Mr. Sinclair on the head and tore the garage apart. It said so in the papers. It was a robbery.

It also said they found his wallet in his pocket, and it still had cash in it. If a thief passes up easy money in a wallet and starts tearing apart an old garage instead, that’s a mystery, replied Sarah triumphantly. If we slip inside that house, we might even catch up with the culprit and nail him…or her.

You think it could be a girl? asked Josh, horrified.

Why not? replied Sarah, getting back on her bike. We can be just as sinister as you guys. She winked, grinned, waved good-bye, and pedaled away.

You know, she scares me sometimes, said Josh.

Ben didn’t reply. He was watching how Sarah’s energetic pedaling made her ponytail swing from side to side.

Ben? You know what I mean? repeated Josh.

Yeah, said Ben sheepishly. She scares me to death sometimes too. Let’s go inside and round up some flashlight batteries. I want to be ready by eight tonight.

Ben’s dad got home late from work, so it was after seven-thirty when they finished eating. By the time Ben had cleared the table, it was close to eight. He slipped out to the porch and found Josh and Sarah waiting for him on the front steps.

Ready, Ben? asked Sarah.

You bet. He turned to Josh. How ’bout you? Are you up for this?

I guess so, said Josh.

Ben and Sarah looked at each other. They worried about Josh sometimes. Although they were sure he would go with them, they knew it was because they’d all been friends forever. He also liked being part of a cool club. But solving a murder was different from finding out who’d been stealing gum from Simpson’s Drug Store—the Mystery Club’s last case. And after all, he was only fourteen.

Come on, said Sarah as she led them across the road. If we cut behind the boarded-up summer kitchen, we should be able to slip in between Sinclair’s house and the garage without being seen.

Moving silently, the three of them soon stood beside the low-slung back porch.

Here we are, but how do we get in? asked Josh.

How about the kitchen window? suggested Sarah. When I lock myself out, that’s how I get in my house. Couldn’t you two force it open?

Obligingly, Ben and Josh pushed on the window with all their might, but it wouldn’t budge.

There’s a piece of pipe lying next to the garbage can, said Sarah. Let’s try that.

Josh wedged one end of the pipe under the window and pulled down hard.

It’s eating up the windowsill, he observed. Oops, there we go!

With a sharp crack, the lock gave way.

Great, said Ben, shoving the window open. Now we can slide through.

They hoisted themselves in, carefully shutting the window after them.

Let’s start in the living room, said Sarah. Holding her flashlight at her side, she moved from the kitchen into a wide hall, keeping the beam of light focused on the floor just ahead of her feet.

What are we looking for? asked Ben as they entered a large, square room. There wasn’t much furniture except for a couple of sofas and an old television set. They also noticed that a light, intricately-carved strip of wood ran along one wall just about waist height.

Don’t know. Just look for anything suspicious, said Sarah. I’ll poke around in the bookcase over there.

Okay, then I’ll have a look at the television. I’ve never seen one on legs before, said Ben.

Josh couldn’t decide what to do, so he leaned against the wall and observed the intricate woodwork in detail. He wondered if the designs were hand-carved. Then he heard Sarah exhale loudly, which was a sure sign she was becoming impatient, so he decided he’d better look busy. He shoved himself away from the wall with one elbow, then froze. Something had clicked on the wall just under his elbow.

I think I’ve found something!

Sarah was at his side in an instant, with Ben right behind her.

What is it? she asked.

I don’t know, Josh replied. Something in this wall made a noise when I pushed against it.

Where?

I’m not sure, but it had to be somewhere in this strip of wood.

Sarah turned the flashlight full on the wall, but Josh grabbed her arm.

Somebody will see! he said.

In response, she walked quickly to the window and closed the drapes.

I think we can risk using a little light if we’re quick. Don’t tell me I’m the only one who brought a flashlight?

Josh gulped, but Ben said, I’ve got mine right here.

Train it on the wall, Sarah ordered. Look! See that bunch of carved flowers? One petal’s pressed down!

As she spoke, she pushed on the petal, and a door opened from out of the carved wood. Holding her flashlight tightly, she stepped through the opening, followed quickly by the two boys. As she played her flashlight around the space, the three friends realized they had entered a secret room.

Other than dust, Ben said, disappointment tugging at his voice, there’s nothing in here except an old stairway and the same decorative strip of wood that was in the living room.

They were wondering what to do next when the door snapped shut behind them. Ben rushed to the wall and began searching frantically for the flower petal that would release the secret door. He breathed a sigh of relief as his fingers found the familiar indented petal, but when he pushed on it, nothing happened. Then he threw his weight against the door, but it remained shut.

We’re locked in! Josh said, sounding much younger than fourteen.

We’ll be all right, Sarah said, heading for the staircase. This has to go somewhere.

She immediately crossed the room and began climbing the stairs, followed closely by Ben and Josh. After only a few steps, however, she stopped.

Ugh! she exclaimed. What is this stuff?

In response, Ben flicked his flashlight upward, revealing thick strands of cobwebs crisscrossing the stairway.

Ooh, this is going to be yucky, she sighed.

Halfway up the long staircase, they came to a landing where the next section of stairs curved around to the left. They stopped briefly to catch their breath, then started climbing again. As they reached the top of the stairs, they found themselves facing a narrow hallway. Ben flashed his light up and down it.

Not many cobwebs here, he said.

Look how the ceiling slants, Sarah said, pointing her flashlight straight up. We must be right under the roof.

They had only taken a few steps down the hallway when she whispered, Kill the light!

Complying with the command, Ben quickly switched off his flashlight, plunging the hallway into darkness. It was then they noticed that a faint beam of light was coming through a small hole in the wall just ahead of them. As quietly as possible, Sarah walked over to the wall and stood on tiptoes to peer through the hole.

There’s a file cabinet in the left corner and a couch and chair on the right, she reported. Plus a few boxes on the floor. She stepped back to let Ben take a peek.

No windows, but there’s a skinny door, he added.

Then it was Josh’s turn. After a few seconds, he stepped away. Even in the dark, they could tell something was wrong.

What is it? asked Sarah.

There’s a guy in there, he whispered, his voice trembling. A big guy. He’s looking through the file cabinet.

Sarah slowly crept back to the peephole. As she watched, the man moved away from the file cabinet, speaking in muffled tones to a second man standing near the boxes. She heard a faint knock. The biggest of the two men rushed to the door and switched off the overhead light. A moment later, the light came back on. Sarah gasped.

What’s wrong? Josh and Ben asked in unison.

A third guy just came in. He’s the biggest one yet.

Taking a deep breath, Sarah looked through the peephole again. File Cabinet Man was checking out the rest of the drawers.

Nothing we want in the first three drawers, he said. But the bottom one is locked.

Let me at it, growled the newcomer, and he began to twist the metal like taffy. Sarah jumped when the drawer flew open with a bang.

Aw, Jake, Newcomer said. Nuttin’ here either. What’s in them boxes?

Cans, rags, just a bunch of garbage, replied Box Man.

So what do we do now?

We try the garage.

The cops didn’t find anything.

They probably didn’t know what they were looking for.

Jake pushed away the last of the boxes.

Yeah, stupid cops, Newcomer guffawed. Then he stopped laughing. Hey, Jake. We don’t know what we’re looking for either, huh?

I’ll know it when I see it.

Jake got to his feet, but instead of leaving, as Sarah had expected, he moved directly toward the peephole. She jumped backward as he began rapping on the wall.

It sounds solid, announced Jake. I guess the garage is our next stop.

The men turned out the light and closed the door, leaving nothing behind them but silence.

Josh was the first to speak.

Let’s get out of here, he whispered.

We can’t, Sarah whispered back. We’re locked in. Remember? She flipped on her flashlight and ran its beam over the wall and then she steadied the light and looked closer.

Hey, here’s another strip of those carved decorations. This section is divided into two pieces, see? she asked, excitement rising in her voice.

Look! Ben said, pointing. There are metal rods in between the pieces. And isn’t that a spring right there?

I’ll bet this is how you get out, Sarah said.

Then there should be a gizmo like that in the strip downstairs, said Josh.

I’ll bet you’re right.

Sarah pulled gently on the bars, but nothing happened. What if I squeeze them together? she murmured under her breath. As she did so, a section of the wall opened up noiselessly. Using her flashlight, Sarah led the way into the room, searching for the light switch. Locating it on the opposite wall, she crossed the floor quickly and breathed a sigh of relief as the windowless room was bathed in light.

What if they come back? asked Ben. Let’s just go back through the wall and get out of here.

They’re in the garage. Even if we can open the wall downstairs, there’s a chance they’ll see us when we leave. Let’s stay here a while and see what we can find.

Look at this! Josh broke in, picking up two overcoats that had been thrown on top of the television set standing in the corner. Somebody’s ripped out the linings, the pockets, even the sleeves. Nothing’s left here but rags.

Sarah walked over to the file cabinet and started opening each of the drawers.

Empty…empty…empty…empty…no, wait. Something’s taped to the file press.

File press? asked Ben.

It’s like a moveable bookend to hold the files up. It slides along the center section.

Josh and Ben peered over her shoulder as she peeled away the tape and removed a piece of paper.

What does it say? asked Josh.

2B4H, Sarah replied, handing the paper to him. After glancing at it briefly, he handed it to Ben for safekeeping.

Don’t lose it, Sarah said. This is our first clue.

Ben folded the paper carefully and put it in his hip pocket. Sarah walked back to the wall to analyze the decorative strip of wood. It was similar to the one downstairs, with hundreds of little roselike buds that looked hand-carved. One bud beside the open door was pushed further in than the ones beside it.

She tapped the bud. You can open the door from the inside or the outside if you know how.

What do we do now? asked Josh.

We go back inside and close the door and wait, Sarah replied, taking one last look around the room. The only thing we couldn’t see through the peephole was the television. That must have been where the men were standing when I looked into the room the first time.

Tearing up those coats, Ben agreed. Can we leave by the door?

No, they might be in the house still. We’ll use the secret stairs.

They filed down the narrow stairs, alert for the slightest sound coming from the darkness surrounding them.

We’d better give the men some time to finish searching the garage, Sarah said as they reached the lower passage. Let’s sit down here and wait.

I just want to go home, Josh replied glumly, collapsing on the floor. Ben patted him on the shoulder and sat down beside him. Sarah sat in the darkness, thinking about the paper they found and memorizing the faces of the three men. After a considerable length of time, she decided it was as safe as it would ever be.

Josh awoke with a start. A hand was shaking him.

We’re going to leave now, Ben said.

What time is it? asked Josh. He made squeaky noises as he yawned.

It has to be at least 3:00 a.m., Sarah replied. We’ll be lucky if we don’t get killed when we get home.

Better getting killed at home than here, said Josh with a shudder.

Sarah slowly depressed the spring-loaded slat she had found in the carved wood, and the door opened. As the three of them emerged into the empty living room, Sarah whispered, We don’t dare use the flashlight. We’ll have to walk to the kitchen in the dark. Be as quiet as you can.

They made it to the kitchen without mishap and found to their relief that the window opened easily and silently. After scrambling through it, they ran for Ben’s house. Finally reaching the safety of the porch, they threw themselves into three welcoming wicker chairs.

Gosh, my heart feels like it’s gonna pound right out of my chest! Josh gasped. I was pretty sure somebody had a gun aimed right at me.

Just your imagination, answered Ben, who was trying to control his own out-of-control breathing.

So, said Sarah, standing up, I guess the coast is clear. I’ll see you tomorrow.

No, you don’t, said Ben. Josh and I are walking you home, and no arguments. None of us should be alone tonight.

Thanks, said Sarah. It’s great to have friends like you.

2

Just the Facts

The next day, Sarah arrived bright and early to find Josh and Ben already up and sitting on Ben’s front porch. She had slept little during the night because she knew what had to be done. She was by far the best detective among the three, so she made most of the major decisions. This would not be an exception.

Ben waited patiently while she parked her bike and walked to the porch.

Hi, Sarah! he called. Have you figured out who those three men are yet?

Yeah, added Josh. Do you think they killed old Mr. Sinclair?

We won’t know until we do some detective work, she replied. That’s one crazy house, and we’ve got to find out everything we can about it and Mr. Sinclair. She smiled at Ben. If you’ll go do some digging at the library, I’ll do the same at the courthouse.

What about me? asked Josh.

Somebody should watch the house, said Sarah. Somebody sharp, like you. Don’t worry. We’ll be back before Ben’s parents get home. She hopped on her bike and set off for the center of town.

Ben watched her go, then turned to Josh. Come on inside, he said, leading the way into his dad’s cluttered den. He pulled a chair to the window, then handed Josh a yellow legal pad and a pen.

Write down anything you see, but don’t let anybody see you.

Never had Josh spent a more boring morning. Nobody came near Mr. Sinclair’s house, and he had trouble staying