Secret Agenda

By Joyce Sharer-Figart

Neal and his cousin spied on their nasty neighbor, Marian Casberry. Every morning, her car was full of dogs and cats. Where did they come from and where were they going?

Their secret agenda brought them danger, adventure, and satisfaction. They discovered and proved that Mrs. Casberry was kidnapping neighbor's pets and selling them for medical research.

The inner conflict is about an only child's emotions. Neal was upset over the soon expected arrival of a new baby brother.

When Neal's dog, Sparky, was missing, the agenda got into action. They had just found Neal's dog in one of Mrs. Casberry's sheds and didn't hear her return. She locked them in, but they escaped. Neal called the police, and with the proof that he found in the shed, Marian Casberry was arrested and taken to jail.

Neal went home to meet, Michael, his new brother. He's so tiny. Neal closed the story by saying, "No one will ever hurt you. Not while I'm around."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9781662408410

Book preview

Chapter 1

Secret Agenda Pact

The school bus rounded a curve in the country road and stopped at the crest of the hill. The driver threw open the door.

Look how far you can see, said Neal Whitters to his six-year-old cousin, Jonathan.

Is that the end of the world? asked Jonathan.

No. Neal laughed. There’s a lot more world on the other side.

Neal kept smiling at Jonathan’s question. He was only two years older, but he’d been on a few trips with his truck driver dad. He thought about the trip to Florida with Dad. Only another week to wait! Mother was busy getting ready for the new baby to be born in two weeks. He was glad that his dad had taken his clothes to Jonathan’s house the night before. This afternoon, he’d been able to take the school bus with Jonathan.

It was a warm spring afternoon, and the sun sparkled reflecting in the bus mirrors, making prisms of rainbow colors. Neal felt relaxed and drowsy. My folks are bringing my dog, Sparky, over tonight. Your mother said it would be all right.

Great, said Jonathan. You can sleep in my bottom bunk bed, if you want to.

Okay, thanks, said Neal. He turned and looked out of the window, and Jonathan grew quiet. It didn’t seem fair to be pushed aside for the new baby, Neal thought. Already, his life was changing, and the baby wasn’t even here yet. Lately, all his mom and dad talked about was the baby. He really would like to have a brother, but it would be a long time before he’d be old enough to play ball or hang out. Tears formed in the corner of his eyes.

He felt so left out these days. He brushed the tears away with the sleeve of his shirt. Oh well, he mused. He had Jonathan, and he really was glad to get away from home for a few weeks.

Soon, they were at their bus stop. They got off and walked toward Jonathan’s home. That’s sure an ugly house, said Neal when they passed Jonathan’s neighbor’s place.

That’s where Marian Casberry lives, said Jonathan. Mom says to stay away from her house. She’s not friendly, and her dogs bark all night. Dad wants to get a petition signed by the neighbors, saying she has too many animals, but he doesn’t have time after working all day.

Maybe we could check and find out what’s going on, said Neal. We could take that petition around for your dad. What’s that awful smell? It smells like old dead fish.

It’s what she feeds her animals, I think, said Jonathan. How could we ever see over that high fence to find out for sure?

Before Neal could answer, a skinny kitten ran in front of them. He