Episode 6: The Red Avenger
It was a normal day in Bonesborough when a boy named James Jones was bored at his headquarters. His two brothers were on the road again with their friends. Matt and Rob had often asked James if he wanted to come with them. The problem was that James the friends of Matt and Rob, So Luz and their gang. Not really the people James wants to hang out with. That doesn't mean James doesn't like the Luz gang, the people aren't really his type. In general, witches and close friends are not so in James' interest. His two brothers were completely enough, and the solving from Mysterys, James was torn from his thoughts when the Crystal Ball rang in the headquarters. Bounty chirped as usual. He answered the call.
James: Yes? James Jones, Mystery Trio. Uh, hello? (waits a moment) Hello?
The caller answers with a high distorted voice.
Caller: Call the Emperor's Coven, James Jones. A major fire at the port. Fire! Joe's boat rental is on fire. Hurry up. Get the Coven!
James: Wait!
Caller: Under the sign of fire: Once it has happened now - all luck that explodes!
James: What the Heck?! (Caller hangs up) Hung up?! That can't be.
James dialed the number of the Coven.
Steve: Coven-Station Bonesborough, Steve.
James: Fire! It's burning at the harbor, please go there, the house of Joe's boat rental, it's burning!
Steve: I understood. Where do you call from and who are you?
James: My name is James Jones. I call from home, from Utility Center Totis Jones.
Steve: And you saw the fire? From there?
James: No, sir. Not myself. Someone told me by Crystal Ball, just now.
Steve: Who called you?
James: Well, the witch didn't mention his name, sir.
Steve: Well, we will take care of it.
James: OK. (hangs up) Oh man! (dials number from Matt.)
Matt: Hi James! It's good that you call, do you want to join me now Luz, Gus and...
James: Not now, Matt. Red alert! We meet in 10 minutes at Joe's boat rental! Where are you right now?
Matt: We are in Bonesborough Mall, we wanted to shop and...
James: Is Rob with you too?!
Matt: No but...
James: Tell Rob too, in 10 minutes we will meet there!
Matt: Rob can't he's on a date. And he's not in Bonesborough! But now tell me what's going on.
XXX
When James arrived at the port, Matt and the Luz Gang were already waiting for him. Thin plumes of smoke passed behind the building. The six teenagers walked around the wooden house. Two firefighters were in the process of extinguishing a garbage container in which a fire was apparently smoldering.
Willow: It's not exactly a major fire. Joe was lucky. Now that he has finally started a business that is going well.
Amity: Yes, that would be really stupid for Joe if all this was burned now.
Matt: It doesn't necessarily have to be arson. Maybe it was just carelessness, a burning cigarette or something. And someone observed and reported it.
James: But why the call to me of all people?
Matt: No idea. Perhaps this someone does not attach increased importance to a direct line to the Coven.
Luz: Hm...What's on the floor here?
Gus: Hey, that's your card, James!. Completely charred.
Coven Guard: Hey! What are doing here?
Matt: W-We noticed the smoke.
Coven Guard: Aha. Yes, and uh, who are you? You are Luz, the daughter of a criminal!
Luz: Oh, I'm fame.
Coven Guard: And you're the Blight girl? And you are the son of the reporter. And the three of you are who?
Willow: I´m Willow Park
Matt: Matt Jones.
James: James Jones.
Coven Guard: James Jones. You are the one who reported the fire to us.
James: Yes, sir!
Coven Guard: How did you know about this fire?
James: I was called, I have already said that.
Coven Guard: Ah, and what did your friend just pick up? Show me!
Luz: Here!
Coven Guard: Hm, the three investigators, mystery trio, we take over every case, First Detective: James Jones, Second Detective: Matt Jones, that are you, research and archive: Rob Jones, he is probably not there. Very interesting you two. I'm afraid you have to come along. Because of suspicion of arson!
James: What?! But...
Luz: That can`t be!
Amity: Yes, the two of them can't have been!
Gus: Yes!
Willow: Matt was with us all day!
XXX
A short time later, James and Matt were sitting in a glazed, cramped office at Bonesborough's Coven Station. A dark-haired coven chief had built up in front of them. He was in his mid-thirties, had a sharply cut face, and introduced himself as Coven Chief Napkins.
Napkins: Your parents would have to take care of you, do you want to call them?
Matt: Yea-
James: No, but I want to speak to the Golden Guard. The Golden Guard is a friend of ours. He will explain to you that we have nothing to do with the fire at Joe's boat rental!
Napkins: Unfortunately, you are unlucky. The Golden Guard is on a mission outside Bonesborough. He is on the road until next week.
James: But-
Napkins: Bad luck!
Matt: Is there no one else here who knows us?
Napkins: We will get to know each other already. I'm interested in how your card got to the crime scene.
James: I don't know.
Napkins: No, of course not! No one has seen anything, no one has heard anything, no one has done anything. My dear friends, you have sent out a whole extinguishing train, for a little ignition.
James: We weren't. I don't have the slightest idea how the card got there. From time to time we distribute them to potential customers of our detective office. Maybe someone just carelessly threw them away.
Napkins: Carelessly threw away...
Matt: Yeah.
Napkins: ... by Mr Unknown.
James: Could be.
Napkins: Such a coincidence. I rather believe that you haven't had a case to solve in your detective office for a while. You wanted to create a bit of tension yourself.
James: What you are saying is a mean insinuation!
Napkins: Wait, I won't let you go that fast. So, again from the beginning.
XXX
Midnight was already over when James and Matt were finally allowed to leave The Coven Station of Bonesborough. Coven Chief Napkins had not been able to prove anything to them. After a coven guard dropped them off at Joe's boat rental, the two boys walked home exhausted.
Matt: He was such an idiot, this Napkins. What was this Coven Chief thinking?
James: Stay cool, Matt. From his point of view, he may even be right. We are suspicious, the way it all went. Even if the improper behavior of Napkins gives rise to some criticism. For us, there is only one way. We need to find the real culprit.
Matt: Oh, and how are we supposed to do that? We have nothing in our hands except a call.
James: I think the Witch will call us again.
Matt: Why?
James: The caller said something strange, I didn't keep it exactly. Something like "Under the sign of fire - once it had happened now." This indicates that the caller will set fire a second time.
Matt: "This indicates", James, after midnight you express yourself even more swollen than during the day.
James: All right, let's take a round of sleep! And then we all three meet at our headquarters and discuss the situation.
XXX
After the two boys came home, they saw that Rob was already asleep. The three met the next morning at headquarters and James, Matt told Rob everything.
Rob: That's madness. And I wasn't there. But that with our card, that's an interesting point.
Matt: Yes, we should make a list of who we have given it to. I remember a total of three people, all of whom are actually unsuspicious.
James: Hm, I see it the same way with my people. And what about you, Rob?
Rob: Now it just comes to mind. Three days ago, a man asked Joe at the harbor about a utility center.
James: Aha.
Rob: I got involved in the conversation and told the guy about your utility center. He asked me for the address and I wrote him everything on the back of our card.
James: Do you remember the man's name?
Rob: Unfortunately, I didn't ask him. He was red-haired. The hair a little longer, up to the ears, slight curls.
James: Aha.
Rob: About the same age as Totis, not quite as tall as you, Matt. And he inquired about...
James: What?
Rob: Now it's going crazy. According to old fire brigade equipment!
Suddenly, the Mystery Trio heard a crash outside on the street.
Matt: What was that?
James: Come folks!
They ran outside and saw an old woman on the street.
Rob: In front of your driveway, James!
Matt: A woman lies on the street! The driver flees!
Rob: Have you been injured? Can we help you?
Ferguria: Couldn't this traffic hooligan take better care?
Rob: Now you get away from the road! So. Are you fine?
Ferguria: Thank you, thank you, it's fine.
Maria: For Titan's sake, I saw it from the living room window. Are you injured? I... Wait I have... I have a first aid kit with me. Wait... Moment...
Ferguria: It's just an abrasion.
Maria: Oh, yes, I disinfect that. Wait, it burns a bit but that's over right away. So...
Ferguria: Thank you, thank you.
Maria: I think we should call the coven. That was clearly driver flight.
James: Do you have any idea who drove the car?
Ferguria: But of course, young man! That was the person who has been stroking around here for days.
James: Oh, you know him? And who is that?
Ferguria: Oh, I don't know his name
James: Have you been able to remember the number of the vehicle?
Ferguria: A car number? No, everything went way too fast for that.
James: Please tell us again exactly how it happened. Did the driver drive directly towards you?
Ferguria: I wanted to cross the street. When I was already in the middle of the road, I saw a car approaching. He drove slowly and I thought the man sees me, he will brake. But he didn't.
Matt: Did he accelerate?
Ferguria: Ah, you mean if he drove extra faster? No, I don't think so. The one that ... that would be...
Rob: Yes, can you describe the driver?
Ferguria: Of course. Mid forties, red curls, not very tall.
Rob: Red curls?
Ferguria: Yes!
James: Good. That would be it for now. We will get back to you soon, Mrs …
Ferguria: My name is Ferguira, Laura Ferguria. I have been living here in the area for a few weeks. You uh... you're here from the junkyard?
James: James Jones, Madame. I have already seen you, you live two streets away in the red painted three-storey house.
Ferguria: Yes, that's right, my boy, you're watching well. Oh, I, I think I'd rather go home now.
XXX
The appearance of the red-haired man could not be a coincidence. That was clear to the Mystery Trio. But what should all this mean? They sat in their camper van and thought hard.
James: I can imagine how the accident happened.
Rob: Ah yes?
Matt: Tell!
James: Somehow interested the Redheads for our Second-hand trade. He drives by and turns his head to look through the entrance gate. So he no longer pays attention to the traffic. He has already caught Mrs Ferguria.
Rob: So you don't think he intentionally drove her over the top?
James: Not for the time being. And we didn't hear a roaring engine, did we?
Rob: By the way, did you see her patch coat? With lots of colorful bobbles on it.
Matt: Yes, like a decorated Christmas tree. I think that's how people walked around twenty years ago.
James: Mrs Ferguria's statements are more than meagre. We will not get any further there. And there are probably no witnesses. Or did you notice any?
Matt: Yes, no one except our mother.
Rob: No.
James: So plan one is to lurk the red-haired. Mrs Ferguria's description was very interesting.
Rob: Yes, the person could be the same as the one I met at the port.
Matt: We know that.
James: Plan two is: I connect a cassette recorder to our Crystal Ball. Because presumably this Mr Unknown calls again. Then we have a proof. After all, we do not want to be suspected of being arsonists again.
XXX
After Matt and Rob left the junkyard to meet up with friends again, James disappeared into the camp and gathered all the materials he needed to tap into his own Crystal Ball. Only an unrecorded cassette he did not find. So he researched his collection for scrap goods and decided on an old human music recording that he had never liked anyway. Then Maria stepped in.
Maria: Oh James, I wanted to discuss something with you briefly. Where is Matt and Rob?
James: Out with friends. Whats wrong?
Maria: Well, Totis and I, we want to go away for the weekend.
James: Aha.
Maria: Yes, we have our class reunion. More precisely, the meeting of all classes of a grade in Hexside. Well, a lot of people are already coming together, and this time it's the other big city Bonesbolllow. A little further away from here.
James: Just drive. Me and the others are already getting along.
Maria: Oh, I thank you.
James: Class reunion... Totis and you, you never really told anything about yourself. How did you actually get to know each other? Was Totis your first boyfriend?
Maria: Well, we went to Hexside. But in different classes. Yeah, there were quite a few who were interested in me.
James: Aha...
Maria: Yes, nice guys, but I liked Totis the most.
James: Ah...
Maria: He always invited me to rock concerts. Much to the annoyance of - oh Titan, what was his name - yes, from Davo, another student who always wanted to invite me.
James: Really?
Maria: Well, it was a real unpleasant burdock and Totis had the better taste anyway. Well, also as far as the music is concerned.
James: And the people of your time, where do they all live now?
Maria: Oh, everywhere in the country, but most still in the area from here, many also in Bonesborough One of them is for example...
Now the scroll rang in Maria's house.
Maria: Oh, I think that's going to be Amy. She is already back in the clinic. I have to answer the scroll.
James: Just go Mom.
XXX
Three days later, Maria and Totis drove to Bonesbollow. By now it had already become dark outside. They were sitting in their headquarters, when the Crystal Ball rang.
Rob: Turn the recorder on recording, James.
James: First of all, hear who is on it. Yes, James Jones, Mystery Trio?
Caller: Call the Emperor's Coven, James Jones!
James: (quiet) Damn it! (louder again) Hello, hello, who is talking?
Caller: A major fire. At the library in Bonesborough. Hurry up! The Coven! Under the sign of fire: twice it has now happened - all luck that explodes.
James: Wait!
Caller: Until our next encounter, Mystery Trio! (Caller hangs up)
James: Oh, hung up. I`m a damn idiot!
Matt: Whats wrong?
James: The extinguishing tab has broken out of the cassette.
Rob: Oh, no!
James: The record button could not be pressed. Damn it!
Rob: What do we do now?
James: Of course we go there!
Matt: Now finally call the Coven! Imagine the library! Maybe it's about seconds!
James: (dials number)
Steve: Coven-Station Bonesborough.
James: My name is James Jones. I want to report a fire! At the Bonesborough Library. Please, go there immediately.
Steve: Where do you call from?
James: Here, from the Utility Center Totis Jones. I was warned by a call.
Steve: James Jones? Hadn't we spoken to each other before?
James: Yes, Sir. But please believe me. I just got a call.
Steve: I hope, Mr Jones, you're not playing a prank on us again.
James: I beg you, send your Coven Guards!
XXX
When the Mystery Trio arrived in front of the library, the extinguishing work was already underway. In short words, a coven guard gave orders. Apparently, not only a garbage container burned this time.
Rob: It's burning in the library! There's Amity! Hi!
Amity: Hey guys!
Rob: Luckily, nothing happened to you.
Amity: The brochure warehouse burned, all the many books were in danger. But now the Coven has the situation under control.
Rob: Yes, it seems they have arrived just in time.
Amity: Yeah!
Matt: So, now tell us what exactly happened!
Amity: Yes, if only I knew! So, today I was a little longer in the library my boss, drove away for a few days. Then I finish the loan list and then want to supplement the Storeroom, go into the courtyard and see that it is burning! But before I could run back in to call the coven, it was already there!
James: We called them.
Amity: You?
James: Yes, we were warned by a call.
Amity: By whom?
Rob: Did you notice anything special before? A person who has made a deal of trouble in the yard, a customer perhaps?
Amity: No. No, nothing unusual. A few regular customers were there, otherwise, no, otherwise there was not much going on. Ah yes, but yesterday there was one who had been looking for old fire magic books.
James: What? What did the Witch look like?
Amity: Well, red hair, not very tall, um, and a narrow face.
Matt: T-That's him! Did he mention his name?
Amity: Name? No he didn`t
James: The redhead leaves his mark. What did he borrow?
Amity: Nothing at all. He watched a volume about old fire spells. And then he left again.
James: What a pity. Otherwise he might have left a check or his credit card and we would finally have something in our hands.
Rob: Yes.
James: But the track is getting hotter.
Napkins: Aha, my friends. Today all three. And you're the witness, Amity Blight?
Amity: Yes, your colleague has already interrogated me.
Napkins: Aha. Unfortunately, I have to kidnap the boys from you now.
James: But...
Napkins: Go, let's come along! (the three boys talk to him) All three! Come with us. Go all in. (get into an abonimation car) Yes, it's getting tight for you! Another call from James Jones. Another fire! And again a card of the Mystery Trio at the crime scene. Here, here look at them.
James: But...
Napkins: Do you have an explanation for this?
James: Sir, we are being tricked. Systematically tricked.
Rob: Yes, someone wants to wipe something out of us very strongly. Or distract from himself.
James: Coven Chief Napkins, I offer you to listen to our Crystal Ball. The caller will get back in touch. He said something like "twice it has happened now". This suggests that he will strike at least a third time. And you set a trap for him!
Napkins: Or I'll lock you guys up.
Rob: What?
Napkins: If the fire series continues, you are off the hook. But if not...
Matt: But we are innocent!
Rob: Yeah!
Matt: Let us go! Then the perpetrator feels safe and you set a trap for him.
Napkins: Wait, wait, wait. Hm, ok. Let's do it this way. From tomorrow morning your scroll lines will be tapped. But this is not necessarily proof of your innocence. A friend of yours could also making these calls.
James: Theoretically, yes. But you can follow the caller back.
Napkins: With the brevity of the talks? You have to hold him up, James Jonas!
James: I'll try.
Napkins: Ok then. You can go. But one more thing.
Rob: Yes?
Napkins: Until further notice, you are not allowed to leave the city. You're not out of the mess yet! And full cooperation, no secrets. Is that clear?
Mystery Trio: Okay.
James: We will provide you with the real culprit. Will you monitor us?
Napkins: I think about it. At least not a step out of Bonesborough.
Matt: Good bye. (leave the Abonimation Car) Napkins seems to be slowly believing us. At least it no longer excludes the possibility that we are telling the truth.
Rob: The Coven has already left again. Napkins as well.
James: Let's take another look at the warehouse?
Rob: Sure.
Matt: It's weird. There was just so much going on here and now everything is almost extinct. Even Amity is gone.
Rob: James! Hey, wasn't there just a ray of light?
James: I didn't see anything. Come Brothers.
The Mystery Trio walked to the warehouse.
James: Quiet! There's someone there.
Matt: Maybe the arsonist?
James: Who's there?
Amity: Rob? James? Oh, it's you.
Matt: We thought it was...
Amity: Yes, I just wanted to look around for traces, just like you probably did. Look what I found.
Rob: What's that? Show me! A key. Yes, probably from a security lock. Where did you get it from, Amity?
Amity: He had slipped into the crevice under the door to the warehouse. It doesn't belong to me, and either does it to my boss. I know that for sure.
James: Why not?
Amity: Because this afternoon, right there, I lost a fifty-centsnail. It had rolled under the same door. And the key wasn't there yet. And was already gone at that time.
James: Hm, then it must have come from the arsonist.
Amity: Yes, maybe.
James: Yes, or from one of the Coven Guards. But I can well imagine that the perpetrator lost it when he bent down to install the incendiary device.
Rob: Yes.
James: Do you know what that means? The arsonist will come back and look for the key.
Amity: Yeah, then we should observe here.
James: Why "we"?
Amity: Eventually, I found the key, so I'm in.
James: Fair enough. Then you can at least let us into the library. We sit down at the back window. Hopefully we are safe there.
Amity: Okay. Let's go.
The four went to the library and the Mystery Trio made themselves comfortable.
James: Amity, could you check if the book is still there? I mean the Fire spell book that the redhead read it.
Amity: Wait... here are the books... and ah... it's no longer there.
Rob: Where did it stand?
Amity: Well here. Oh man! You still wear the ribbon that Bo made for you on your date with her.
Rob: Of course. What do you think?
Matt: That's very nice. But what do we do now? The night can be long.
James: That is quite simple. We take turns reading from our favorite books. Interesting books are enough here!
Amity: That's a great idea. That's how we do it.
XXX
The squeaky tires of an Abonimation van in the courtyard made all four startle. It was early in the morning. The day had already begun.
James: Something is happening outside. What kind of car is this?
Matt: The car is only from a film company. I know the company. They perform action scenes in the open air in various film sets.
Amity: The driver gets out. Now, now he opens the back door.
Rob: He pulls out a pack of brochures.
Amity: Yeah.
Rob: He comes to the library.
Knocks
James: Go there, Amity.
Amity: Yes, ok. (goes there, opens the door)
Male Witch: It's nice that someone is there. Could you please lay out a few advertising brochures in your library?
Amity: For what?
Male Witch: For Bonesborough Enterprise. It is the current program.
Amity: Uh of course... sure, no problem.
Male Witch: Should I carry them to your sheds?
Amity: Not necessary. Just put it next to the door. I'll take care of it later.
Male Witch: Alright!
Amity: (closes the door, comes back) Ah no, false alarm. He just wanted to give brochures. Just a normal dude.
James: Damn it!
Matt: Whats wrong, James?
James: Now I realize what bothered me.
Rob: What?
James: To the man with the brochures. He did not mention fire at all.
Amity: Yeah, right.
James: But there is still garbage everywhere. The coven barrier is there, the entrance door to the warehouse is sooty. But not a word of it, no question of what happened here. As if the man hadn't been surprised. Even more suspicious: He hypocritically asks if he should take the brochures to the shed! And why? Surely he wanted to look for the key there!
Rob: You are right! Oh man. We have to follow him.
Matt: Good suggestion. Did you forget that we ran here?
James: Even if the van is long gone: We now have a hot track! The arsonist works at Bonesborough Enterprise.
Amity: Yeah, so you think this van driver and the book customer could have been one and the same person?
Rob: What kind of hair did he have?
Amity: He had combed them under his cap. I couldn't see that.
James: Oh, darn crap.
XXX
When the first detective received his two brothers at the headquarters the next afternoon, he was visibly in a bad mood.
Matt: James, whats wrong?
James: I want to know who is stealing our cards.
Rob: The stranger has targeted us. But why?
James: Let's take stock: We have two arson attacks, one small and one larger. Joe's boat rental and Bonesborough library. We have a caller who announces the fires and says this strange sentence that you have heard.
Rob: Yes, "Under the sign of fire: twice it has now happened - all luck that explodes."
Matt: The wording is very unusual, as if there is still a message hidden in it.
James: Is there anything that connects the boat rental company Joe and Malphas and also has to do with luck?
Matt: Yes, the boat rental company and the Master Libarian are about the same age, but that can't necessarily be called great luck.
James: Furthermore, we also have the key that Amity found in the warehouse. It apparently comes from the perpetrator. If we find the right lock for the key, the mystery is solved.
Matt: Well, then let's try it, there are only a hundred thousand door locks in Bonesborough.
Rob: We have not yet thought about the locations of the arson attacks.
Matt: Joe's boat rental and Bonesborough Library. We have already cheed through all this.
Rob: Yes, a thousand times.
James: Clear the table so that I can spread out the city map.
Rob: Yes, Matt, definitely take away your gummy bears here. Glue everything here full.
James: So, you see? Here is Joe's boat rental. And there's the Bonesborough Library. Let's play a bit of geometry. Perhaps this will give you a clue. So if we look at the line between the two points hm... extend to twice as much, then we come to...
Rob: Yes, then we come to the mountains. Apart from bush and rock, there is nothing.
James: Oh, a straight line does not lead any further. Humph... um... under the sign of fire, that's what the caller said! If that's not an indication! Let's take a look at what signs there are for "fire".
Rob: Sign, wait. I had a book about signs and symbols. Wait and see... so. F... F... F... F... F... Fire. Fire: The dragon combines all four elements.
Matt: That's not it. And what about the sun?
James: Sun?
Rob: What's on the next page?
James: A circular shape. Humph... but that doesn't make sense. A circle has no goal.
Rob: Ah, here. There we already have it. Listen: The alchemists from the Savage Ages had a symbol of fire. What do you think it is? A triangle of course! And usually an equilateral one!
James: Wow! So if you now have a triangle...
Rob: Yeah.
James: Drawn in the map... *draws the triangle on the map* Then we land approximately at the gas station that Abel Burns inherited.
Matt: The gas station. That would be a little inferno!
James: Oh man.
Matt: Luckily, there are no other buildings nearby.
Rob: James, the triangle could also be drawn to the other side. And I'm afraid then ... then it hits the scrap yard right here!
Matt: Oh my Titan!
James: I will tell Napkins about our theory. The next destination of the arsonist is the gas station or our scrap yard. It's just too dangerous. When it's the gas station's turn, every second is precious. Witches' lives are in danger. I call him immediately.
In short sentences, told told of their suspicions to Coven Chief Napkins. Napkins was very pleased with the emerging collaboration.
Napkins: All right, James. The one with the triangle sounds very interesting. And you don't believe in a coincidence?
James: If the caller had not reported here twice, then it would be easier for me to believe in a coincidence.
Napkins: Yes, you may be right. We have to make sure and guard both objects. I will strengthen the Coven forces and will inform all Coven Chiefs.
James: Alright, Napkins.
Napkins: And the three of you have been in the junkyard since now?
James: Yes, Sir. We stay here too. I suppose the caller will get back in touch my mom and dad are in Bonesbollow over the weekend, the arsonist could take advantage of that.
Napkins: Good. But don't forget: we listen to your scrolls and crystal balls. We get everything. You can tell your parents, but no one else.
James: All right Napkins. See you later. (hangs up, murmurs to himself.)
Rob: What's wrong with you, James? You're completely off track.
James: This arsonist scares me. This... this uncertainty as to whether he is after us!
Rob: Well, that's yes... we're still there, aren't we? Listen: I drive to Bonesborough Enterprise and look for the redhead. The afternoon performance starts at five. Bonesborough Enterprise is on its way to Latissa. Yes, then I will violate Napkin's order not to leave Bonesborough. But that can't be changed.
Matt: We stay here. Ok, James? And just make sure that Napkins doesn't notice anything about your trip, Rob.
Rob: I will use one of our secret exits. They are guaranteed to monitor the entrance. When I find the redhead, I follow him inconspicuously. I'll call you on the go, ok?
Matt: And Napkins listens. Do you think that's good?
Rob: Well, we... we agree on a code word. Uh, we just call the redhead uh, John, John, uh, John... John Locke.
XXX
An hour passed until finally the Crystal Ball rang in the headquarters.
James: Yes, James Jones, Mystery Trio.
Rob: Hi James, this is Rob. Don't worry, all right. Um, I'm still busy, yes? And I'll only report back in two hours. Stay at home, ok? No matter what happens, do you hear? Greet Matt from me. Bye, I'm in a hurry. (hangs up)
James: Rob? Hung up.
Matt: What was that? Why was Rob in such a hurry?
James: Probably he could not talk for long and wanted to get in touch so that we would not worry.
Matt: In addition, he knows that the Coven is listening.
James: It was still strange. But you're probably right. He probably pursues the redhead. But his voice somehow sounded so tinny...
Matt: Yeah...
James: ... as if he had called from a very bad scroll booth. And what about the agreed code word? With "John Locke"
Matt: Right.
Crystal Ball rings.
James: Yes, James Jones, Mystery Trio.
Napkins: Napkins here. Tell me, what kind of call was that? I thought all the time Rob was with you. That was the way it was made.
James: Yes, Rob is on a date. Teen stuff. He met her briefly in a bar in Bonesborough. Didn't your Coven Guards spot him?
Napkins: No. Your junkyard is monitored by my men, but they didn't report anything to me.
James: Hm, we can't help it. Were you able to trace the call back, Napkins?
Napkins: No, everything was far too short for that.
James: Hm, he didn't tell us about the pub either.
Napkins: So, I'll get back to you. See you later.
James: Got it, Napkins. (hangs up)
Matt: Phew, that just went well again. And what do we do now?
James: Humph... I will call Joe's boat rental again.
Matt: What do you expect from it?
James: The redhead. It could be that Joe knows this guy That Rob saw with him. (chooses Number)
Ronda: Joe's boat rental. Ronda Paradise.
James: James Jones here. I would like to speak joe.
Ronda: I'm sorry. He went to a class reunion in Bonesbollow together with Abel Burns.
James: Abel Burns? Maybe the one who owns the gas station?
Ronda: Exactly. Should I tell Joe something from you?
James: No thank you. I'll get back to you later. Good bye. (hangs up)
Matt: James, you are very pale around the nose.
James: I'll call the Bonesborough Library.
Matt: Why?
James: I have a terrible suspicion. (chooses number)
Amity: Bonesborough Library.
James: James, here.
Amity: Hi, James!
James: Hi Amity, you're still in the library?
Amity: We are still cleaning up here.
James: Tell me, is Malphas there?
Amity: Yes, he came back today. Because of the fire. Of course, he didn't want to leave his library alone, and the Coven also had a few questions.
James: Where was he, Amity?
Amity: In Bonesbollow, at a class reunion.
James: Does he just happen to be around? I would like to speak to him for a moment.
Amity: Of course. Wait. Malphas, Scroll for you.
Malphas: Yes?
James: Good evening, Malphas. James Jones here. You know my mother and father, Maria Jones and also Totis Jones.
Malphas: Yes, of course, I buy books from you from time to time. And besides, I just saw them yesterday.
James: In Bonesbollow, I know. Did many former students actually come there?
Malphas: Quite a lot. Not all of them, of course. But here from Bonesborough, where there are still a lot of people living, there were probably almost twenty people.
James: And was someone missing? Did you miss a former student?
Malphas: James, I have other things to do at the moment than to answer your questions. You may not know that my library almost burned down. It looks bad here.
James: We know about the fire. That's what it's all about. My questions have to do with the fire with you directly.
Malphas: Um... why?
James: I'll explain that to you later, please Malphas. Who wasn't there?
Malphas: All right, James. Many were missing. Frances Stone, for example. And also Larry, the burrower, who always buried himself in the house givings. Are you looking for someone specific?
James: A man, he must have been a loner, quite intelligent, conspicuous is his high voice and he has red hair.
Malphas: Red? Oh no, then not.
James: Why not?
Malphas: Yes, I thought you were talking about Davo Rawlings, he was called the fistula voice for us. He somehow didn't break his voice and spoke so high. But he had dark hair.
James: Nevertheless, tell us more about this Davo.
Malphas: Yes, he has never shown up at any of our meetings. This is not surprising, because he had hardly any contact with us, he simply annoyed everyone. When he wasn't lectern about the Savage Ages, he made some daring theories about the levels of wisdom, or something like that. Later he had an accident. You know, he always experimented with chemicals. Then I didn't hear anything more from him.
James: You still remember him pretty well, Malphas.
Malphas: However. Oh, I couldn't stand him. He constantly grumbled that I was better off than him, even though he was much smarter. Oh, what the heck! Why am I telling all this?
James: I only have one question left: How is your library going?
Malphas: My library? Not bad! Especially my large selection of old books gets around.
James: Thank you, Malphas. You helped me a lot.
Malphas: No problem, bye! (hangs up)
James: Hm... I guess we have our man. Davo Rawlings.
Matt: But our suspect has red curls.
James: Hair can be dyed. And have you ever heard of wigs?
Matt: No, it's new to me. (ironic)
James: By the way, our mum mentioned the name Dave the other day.
Matt: In what context?
James: She told of old times. Davo was one of her admirers. Interesting isn't it? I can't help myself, but I'm getting more and more nervous.
Matt: Oh, nothing will happen. The Coven monitors the scrap yard.
James: I'm afraid Davo Rawlings is smart enough not to trap the coven.
Matt: I hope Rob wasn't so stupid as to fall into a Rawlings trap.
Crystal Ball rings.
James: James Jones, Mystery Trio.
Caller: Ah, you talk much to the scroll, James. But you don't escape me. (laughs) Today is the last sign of fire. Twice it has happened now - all luck that explodes. And as a third sign, the gas station will give way.
James: You want to set fire to a gas station? But which one?
Caller: You know that very well, James. You're a clever boy. And if not... (giggles)... then the Emperors Coven have to search. They still has ninety minutes left. No witches should be harmed.
James: Mister, please don't hang up yet.
Caller: What is this? It seems to me that you are playing for time. Do you want to trace the call back? Did you inform the coven?
James: Mr Davo Rawlings! Do not detonate the bomb!
Caller: You'll pay for that. (hangs up)
Matt: Why did you call him by his name? That is dangerous! Now he knows that we are on the trail of him up close!
James: The way he reacted, we can now be sure that we are right in our assumption. It's Davo Rawlings. Certainly.
Crystal Ball rings.
James: Yes, James Jones, Mystery...
Napkins: Napkins here. Listen to me now, boy! What was that with the name you mentioned? You should have informed me immediately.
James: There was no time for that, Napkins. Have you been able to trace the caller?
Napkins: Oh, probably not, the conversation was too short. Anyway, we are now pulling all our forces off to the gas station. I leave a car in front of your gate, as protection, because you have put yourself in danger by the name statement. Hopefully that's clear to you. Or are you about to come to the gas station? Knock that out of your head, boy! I don't want to see you there!
James: Don't worry, Napkins, I'll take care of our junkyard.
Napkins: All right. See you later.
James: Good luck. (hangs up) So, that would be over. But let's go, Matt: We have to take precautions so that Rawlings doesn't surprise us.
The two brothers left the headquarters and went outside in the courtyard.
Matt: Look at this. An abonimation car is parked opposite the gate. Two coven guards sit inside.
James: They are so striking!
Matt: My Titan! Hold on tight! Mrs Ferguria is coming here!
James: What does she want here?
Matt: Maybe she observed something and didn't reach us by Crystal Ball, because it was constantly occupied.
James: She has her crazy bobble coat on again and under her arm she carries a small package. Now she walks towards the gate. She actually wants to come to us!
Matt: The Coven Guards goes to her.
Coven Guard: Stop, stop! Who do you want to go to?
Ferguria: I just want to give a gift, young man. Do you even have to beware of the coven these days? James Jones is a friend of mine!
Coven Guard: I am sorry. Our mission is to check everyone who comes by here.
Ferguria: Do I look like a criminal?
Coven Guard: No, no, of course not.
Ferguria: Ask him yourself, get James Jones here!
James: Come second. (run there) There I am! It's true, sir. Mrs Ferguria lives in the neighborhood. She comes here from time to time. It's best to let her in quickly. Otherwise, our arsonist will still be warned.
Coven Guard: Ok then. Go.
James: Come on, Madam.
Ferguria: What kind of arsonist are you talking about?
Matt: The red-haired man who hit you. He has set two fires in Bonesborough so far and we are on the trail of him.
Ferguria: That is terrible.
The three walked into the house and sat down in the kitchen.
Ferguria: I uh... I have a gift for Mrs Jones. The package here.
James: What is it?
Ferguria: A perfume, a beautiful fragrance. An unparalleled surprise.
James: She will be happy about that. Don't you want to take off your coat?
Ferguria: No, no, no, no, it's okay.
James: Sit quietly, Mrs Ferguria. I'll just bind you.
James made a plant spell and captivated Ferguria with it. Matt looked at James in surprise.
Ferguria: Hey! What's the point? Are you...
Matt: James?!
Ferguria: ... crazy!?
Matt: James, what went into you? The poor old woman. Let go of her.
Ferguria: Yes, tie me up immediately.
James: But this is not Mrs Ferguria at all, but... down with the mask...
James pulled down Ferguria's mask and a man appeared.
Matt: Who is that?
James: Our arsonist, Davo Rawlings.
Matt: But he's not red-haired at all. What the-
James: Look at what's hanging on her coat between all the bobbleheads.
Matt: The ribbon of Bo! The gift to Rob!
James: Rob must have tied it to the coat as a sign for us. He knew we knew the ribbon.
Matt: What did you do with Rob, Rawlings? Where is he?
Davo: If you tie me loose, I will tell you.
James: You should not underestimate us Rawlings. I am convinced that Rob followed you from Bonesborough Enterprise to your apartment. He must have been careless, so you could take him by surprise, imprison him and force him to call our headquarters. If you have done something to him, then you will regret it!
Davo: Don't touch me! I have locked your friend in the sroom chamber and otherwise he is fine. I swear. Rather tell me how you came to my attention.
James: Well, we looked for the common denominator for the arsons and found out that all the victims of the attacks went to the same school. Then we were looking for a classmate who is not at the current class reunion, the alumni, and that was you. During your school days, you were interested in chemistry and the savage ages, in which alchemy also played a role, hence your riddle with the sign of fire. We solved the Riddle and were able to determine the location for the third planned attack. We were just unsure whether you were targeting the scrap yard or the gas station. Well, anyway. We also thought about the perpetrator profile. You have always felt superior. You couldn't stand rejections. Especially if they came from a woman you had fallen in love with.
Davo: You are a clever trio! But you James, you remember me at your mother the most!
James: W-what?
Davo: Of course I know Maria Jones! I was in love with her! And you, you are her son, all her happiness.
James: Oh, that's how it behaves! This finally explains to me why I have become such a chosen target for your devious activities: I remind you of Maria (laughs) Unfortunately, you were wrong, Mister. Maria Jones is my adoptive mother. Although I live with her and my adoptive father and her real sons, like in a real family. My parents died in an accident years ago.
Davo: You... you're not even her real son?!
James: No. You see, all your machinations were in vain, Rawlings. I make every bet that the little package on the table contains a bomb. A bomb that would have turned the entire scrap yard into rubble. Come on, I don't even look like Maria. Why do I have in the first place dark skin? You dumbass.
Davo: Are truly a smart boy.
James: And you just played the redhead with a wig so that we could focus on him in our investigations. It was also outrageous to break into our headquarters, steal the cards and leave them at the scene of the crime.
Davo: Pah, who cares?
Matt: Wait, I would still be interested to know who was behind the wheel than you, in the disguise when Mrs Ferguria was apparently hit by the car.
Davo: Ha, a friend from the stunt show.
James: Ah, that would probably clarify everything. Matt, run outside and talk with the Coven Guards.
Matt: Okay.
James: Napkins has to move in with a bomb defuser. And then we will free Rob while Rawlings wanders to the Conformatorium.
Door opens
Matt: Rob?! Where have you been?
Rob: Matt! James! My titan. I'm sorry for your door of your sroom chamber, Mr Rawlings!
James: Luckily, Rawlings, Maria is not here. But I will definitely call her right away that there is a bombshell mood here during her absence.
The Coven defused the bomb, and Napkins arrested Rawlings. Maria made eyes when her three sons had told her the story. The only thing that hurt the first detective in this case is how much he missed his real parents.
End of Episode 6!
Thanks for reading! Until next time! Write me a review!