The Case of the Haunted House--Part Ten
by HA
Bo looked at Damian, Lucy, and Katrina. "Okay, who said that?"
"I did." A boy stepped out from behind Damian while making a tapping noise on the floor. He wore glasses and had brown hair. Bo noticed his wardrobe and wondered if he and Shirley shopped at the same store. The boy wore a light-blue long-sleeved shirt, an orange bowtie, a green vest, and light-brown pants. The tapping noise was caused by a dark blue umbrella he held in his left hand. Shirley spotted a red pipe in his right.
"Arthur Kingston, I presume?" Shirley addressed the newcomer.
Arthur bowed. "Correct," he said. "And you are Shirley Holmes, aspiring detective."
"Also correct," Shirley said.
"And these fine young gentlemen are Bo Sawchuk and Blake Hewitt, your partners in sleuthing," Arthur said, pointing his umbrella to Bo and Blake. Before they could ask him how he knew, he spoke again. "The Strangers' Club knows everything about you and your exploits, Shirley, and quite frankly, we're very impressed. You do your great-granduncle Sherlock proud."
"Thank you," Shirley said politely, still curious.
"Well, I see that everyone who isn't out of Redington on a case is here," Arthur said, looking around the room. "I guess we can begin. I hope you and your friends enjoy yourselves, Shirley." With his umbrella hitting the ground like a cane, the president of the Strangers' Club made his way to the podium. Sara followed him to the podium. On her way, she grabbed a glass of water from a table.
"He's the president of the Strangers' Club?" Bo whispered to the others. He was still unable to get his mind off Arthur's colorful attire. From how the other members of the Strangers' Club spoke about their president, Bo expected someone who did not look like a fashion disaster.
"He is," Lucy said. "He's the guy who started it all."
Katrina looked at Bo with her pale blue eyes. "Don't assume by appearance alone," she told him.
"I'd listen to her," Hiroshi said to Bo. "Don't ever make Arthur mad."
"What? Is he going to beat me with his umbrella if I do?" Bo whispered jokingly.
"And more," Damian said seriously.
Blake looked at Bo. "Bo, don't joke around," he warned his friend.
"We need some answers, and I doubt we'll get them if you insult our host," Shirley warned in a low voice.
Sara walked up to Arthur, who was now standing behind the podium. She handed the glass of water and a plastic spoon to him.
"Sara, you know me too well. Thank you," Arthur said with a smile as he removed a small packet out of his vest pocket. Sara smiled back at him, then took a seat in the front row. After he placed his umbrella against the wall behind him, Arthur emptied the packet's contents into the glass and stirred the water with the spoon.
"What is he doing?" Blake asked as he watched Arthur stir the water.
"You'll find out," Hiroshi said.
Shirley cupped her chin with her hand as she watched the president of the Strangers' Club. "I think I know."
"You do?" Bo asked. "Care to tell us?"
Before Shirley could speak, Arthur addressed the small gathering in a voice loud enough to be heard since the podium had no microphone. "Okay, I believe we can begin. Can everyone please take a seat?"
Shirley and her friends watched as Lucy, Katrina, and Damian made their way to the front row and sat down besides Sara, who left the seat closest to the podium empty. Rika and Marcus joined them there. Collette moved from the door and headed for the front row. She glanced at Shirley briefly as she passed her, then took her seat.
"Well, meeting's gonna start. Let's take a seat," Hiroshi said, going to the second row and motioning the others to follow him.
"C'mon," Susan said with a smile, taking Bart's hand. Bart found himself being dragged into the second row.
Shirley looked at the front row and noticed that none of the other kids tried to get a front row seat. "Why are they sitting in the front?" she asked Susan as she sat down next to her.
"They're all Big Ten," Susan answered.
"Big Ten? Who are they?" Bart asked.
"The founding members of the Strangers' Club," Susan answered, smiling. "If it weren't for them, there wouldn't be a Strangers' Club."
"I see," Shirley said, nodding.
"And Arthur is the biggest of the Big Ten," Bart said.
"Exactly," Hiroshi said, nodding.
Blake took a seat next to Shirley, leaving Bo no choice but to sit next to him. Realizing what he did, Blake rose out of his seat. "Bo, do you...?" he asked, gesturing towards the seat.
"No," Bo answered quickly.
"Are you...?"
"Yes, I am," Bo said, sounding a little annoyed as he took the seat next to Blake. Blake shrugged and sat back down. Shirley watched everything, but in a rare moment, she was clueless.
Bo sighed as he looked at his two friends together and shook his head. "You really should tell her," he heard someone whisper behind him.
Bo turned around to face the person who addressed him. A girl with long brown hair sat behind him. Bo wondered if being attached to strange clothing was a trademark with the Strangers' Club because he saw that the girl was wearing a dress that could have come from the wardrobe of Little House on the Prairie; Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman; or any other TV show or movie that depicted life on the wild frontier. Her outfit was completed by a pair of brown boots.
"What are you talking about?" Bo whispered back.
"Excuse me," a boy with a blond flattop and thick glasses whispered to Bo with a trace of an accent. "The meeting is about to start."
"Sorry," Bo apologized.
Shirley watched as Arthur dipped his pipe into the glass. He brought the pipe to his lips, then blew out a series of soap bubbles that floated away from him.
"You've got to be kidding me," Bo said, wide-eyed.
"Does he always do that?" Shirley asked.
"Yep," Hiroshi answered. "He's always been doing that ever since me and Susan joined."
"Why does he do that?" Blake asked curiously.
"When I find out along with why we're not supposed to make him mad, I'll let you know," Hiroshi responded.
Arthur cleared his throat before speaking and dipped the pipe slightly into the soap solution again. "Well, it looks like everyone who isn't on a case right now is here. Today, we have two items on this meeting's agenda, but before we go into those, Sara will read the minutes from our last meeting." He yielded the podium to Sara and sat down on his reserved seat. While he made his way to his seat, he blew more bubbles.
As Sara read the minutes from the club's last meeting from a notebook, Shirley's ears perked up in interest. The words that got her attention were "forest spirit," "mysterious disappearances," "deer abducting people," "Carol Kersey rape-murder," and "avenging spirit calmed."
"I was wondering..." Shirley said to herself, keeping her voice down.
After Sara was done, she took her seat and Arthur returned to the podium. After blowing more bubbles, he spoke. "Now then, the first item on this meeting is the Harrison house matter. Since Lucy is in charge of this case, she'll discuss what's been happening so far and answer any questions the rest of you may have."
Arthur yielded the podium to Lucy and sat down. Sara started writing in her notebook as the discussion started. "Thank you, Arthur," Lucy began. "Now, the Redington Paranormal Society and the Redington Historical Society have teamed up to save the house. I believe that this will increase the chances of the house being saved."
"How so?" a Latino boy in the second row asked.
"Well, the legitimacy of their cause is strengthened, not to mention they can be taken more seriously now," Lucy explained. "The official reason for saving the Harrison house is that it's a piece of the past that must be preserved."
"How's everything going so far?" a girl with short yellow hair in the second row asked.
"Today, both parties went before the city council to argue their sides of the matter," Lucy reported. "The council will make an official vote tomorrow."
"Has any action been taken against Maxson?" Collette asked.
"No," Lucy answered. "My team hasn't done anything to Maxson. We have limited our operations to observation only. We won't take any action until after the vote if it's necessary."
"And how has this observation been doing?" Collette asked.
"It was doing fine." Lucy took a pause and looked at someone in the second row. Shirley saw that she was looking at Hiroshi. "Until the audio tape that had all of Maxson's recent office conversations on the phone and to other people was accidentally covered."
"Hey, it's not my fault my dad thought it was a blank tape," Hiroshi said in his defense. He looked at Shirley and her friends. "This is what I get for having a dad who likes the polka," he whispered.
"Have there been any other problems?" Rika asked with concern.
"Yes, but they've been dealt with. You may recall the report on the protest rally I filed to the club," Lucy said. "The problem was handled well. Damian didn't show up on the news footage and the rest of us weren't in camera range."
*So it was sabotage,* Shirley thought, her suspicions about the ruined footage confirmed. *But how?*
"So, that's how the case stands. Anyone else have a question?" Lucy said, looking around the room.
Shirley had a few questions, but she decided not to speak. She knew that Lucy was asking the other club members for questions. She decided to ask them after the meeting.
"I have a question," the bespectacled boy with the flattop and slight accent said. "The ghost is a rarity, yes?"
"I'd have to say so," Lucy answered. "The ghost of Clarissa Harrison reportedly hasn't left the house despite the deathbed confession of her accidental death by her mother. Child ghosts generally cross over to the afterlife after the truth about their deaths is revealed. She seems to like it there at the house and has not crossed over yet."
The club members muttered among themselves. "Oh brother," Bo said in a low voice.
"Any other questions? Well, okay, that's it for now," Lucy said. "Arthur?"
Lucy relinquished the podium to Arthur and returned to her seat. "Now, on to the second item on today's agenda." Arthur looked at the second row as he blew more bubbles from his pipe. "All of you may have noticed four outsiders among our ranks today," he said. "One of them has been through a lot in order to carry on her famous ancestor's legacy, and another is here as a pledge to the Strangers' Club."
Shirley felt like a spotlight was shining directly down on her. Bart started to get nervous, but a squeeze on his hand from Susan calmed him down a little.
"You all know about Shirley Holmes," Arthur continued. "However, she is only here at my invitation to witness how we work. She and her two sleuthing partners are also here as morale boosters as their friend Bart James is brought before us as a possible addition to the Strangers' Club." He looked at Bart. "Bart, can you and your sponsor please come up to the podium?"
Bart and Susan stood up. "Good luck, Bartman," Hiroshi whispered.
"Good luck, Bart," Shirley told her friend.
"Yeah. Good luck, Bart," Blake said.
"Don't let them scare you, Bart," Bo said.
Bart gulped and adjusted his glasses. "Don't worry, Bart," Susan whispered reassuringly into his ear. "Just relax and be prepared for any questions."
"Okay," Bart whispered back.
They made their way to the podium. "Now, Bart, tell the club about yourself," Arthur said, stepping aside.
With Susan at his side, Bart took the podium and faced the gathered club members. Sara started taking notes. Blake flashed him a thumbs-up. "Hi, I'm Bartholomew James III, but my friends call me Bart," the young paranormalist said after calming his nerves and speaking in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear him. "I'm a student at Sussex Academy, a prestigious private school attended by the children of government officials, businessmen, and the like. I've been the elected president of the various science-themed clubs at Sussex Academy and I'm now the president of the newly formed Science Club, a union of all these clubs due to apparent money problems. I'm well-known for my interests in the supernatural and paranormal."
"Have these interests gotten you in trouble with your teachers?" the Latino boy asked.
"On many occasions," Bart admitted without hesitation. "My teachers don't exactly share my beliefs."
"Have you actually had any encounters with the supernatural and paranormal?" the girl with the yellow hair asked.
*Here we go,* Bo thought to himself.
"Well, I did encounter a poltergeist in my house during my twelfth birthday," Bart recalled. "I've also met an alien child which posed as Dr. O. Henry at SETI. Although I didn't see it, I participated in aiding a baby cryptid return to its mother. My friends can vouch for me on that one."
Shirley nodded, although she really did not want to go into detail about the poltergeist. In reality, the poltergeist was cooked up by Bart's grandfather as a birthday present to his grandson. Shirley doubted that this piece of information would help Bart become a member of the Strangers' Club. Her observations of the gathered members brought her to the conclusion that the Strangers' Club took its belief in the supernatural and paranormal seriously, and exposing the poltergeist hoax would not only ruin Bart in the eyes of Susan and the Strangers' Club, but could also possible destroy him because his grandfather, a close loved one, was responsible.
"Are there any more questions for Bart?" Arthur asked the club members.
Collette spoke. "So, Bart, why do you want to join the Strangers' Club?" The question was laced with a tone of suspicion. The self-appointed security chief's gaze was on Susan. Bart noticed this and concluded that Collette thought that Susan was the primary reason why he wanted to join the Strangers' Club.
Bart thought over this question carefully before answering it. "Susan was the one who brought the club to my attention. She didn't go into too much detail, if you're wondering. Although I have to thank Susan for recommending me to the club, my reason for accepting the invitation to join is this." He briefly paused before continuing. "To be honest, I'm tired of being ridiculed for my beliefs," he said seriously and almost angrily with a little frustration. "My teachers don't reward me for my original thinking and my friends keep mocking the very notion that such things as aliens and ghosts can exist." Bart took a deep breath. "Just today, my fellow Science Club members would've voted me out if it wasn't for a narrow margin. At Sussex Academy, I feel restricted and left out. Among all of you, I feel free to believe in the unusual without fear of being laughed at. That is my reason why I want to join, Collette," he said, fixing his gaze on his questioner. Finished, he closed his eyes and bowed his head. He started to will himself to calm down.
After a brief moment of silence, the members of the Strangers' Club responded to Bart's explanation by standing up and clapping loudly. After a moment, Collette joined in. Bart opened his eyes as soon as he heard the applause. Arthur also applauded, and Susan placed her hand on Bart's shoulder and looked into his eyes. Having rid himself of that emotional burden, Bart looked back into Susan's eyes and smiled a little. Meanwhile, Shirley and her friends were trying to digest what Bart had said. They had no idea that Bart felt so left out among them.
"Man, I didn't know Bart felt so hurt," Blake said, ashamed.
"I don't think anyone knew," Shirley said.
Arthur approached Bart just as the applause died down. "Well, Bart, if you succeed in your test, you'll make an excellent member of the Strangers' Club," he said in a friendly tone. "Susan did tell you about that part of joining us, right?" he asked, looking at Bart's sponsor.
"Susan did mention something about proving myself before the club voted on my membership, yes," Bart answered.
Arthur took the podium and addressed the small gathering. "Now, we all know club rules. A potential candidate for club membership must perform a task recommended by a member. If the candidate succeeds, he or she has a good chance when it's time for all of us to vote. If he or she fails to accomplish the test or doesn't meet up to the sponsor's expectations, the chances of being voted into the Strangers' Club get slimmer." He looked around. "Now, who has a challenge that Bart can reasonably accomplish in a short time?"
The gathered members of the Strangers' Club talked amongst themselves, trying to come up with the perfect test for Bart. "I hope they don't make him do something dangerous," Blake said, worried a little.
"Excuse me, Arthur, but may I recommend my own test?" Bart asked the club president.
The question surprised everyone in the room, especially Arthur. "Well, it is a precedent, but I guess you can, provided it's a challenge," Arthur said.
"I believe it is, Arthur," Bart said.
"Bart, what do you want to do for your test?" Susan asked with deep concern.
"I wish to take a picture of the ghost of Clarissa Harrison," Bart answered after a brief period of silence.
The room was abuzz with the astonished whispering of the club members. Shirley and her friends were also surprised.
"Many have tried to do that, and their photos turned out wrong," Arthur pointed out. "It is a challenge, but why do you want it to be your test, Bart?"
"Because the ghost asked for my help in saving her home," Bart answered.
The whispering among the Strangers' Club became more intense. "After the protest rally, I saw someone on the porch of the house. It happened to be a little girl in a dress that was definitely not modern. She asked me for my help in saving her home," Bart recalled.
"What the heck is he talking about?" Bo wondered.
"Well, when I went looking for Bart, I found him near the porch of the house," Blake revealed. "He claimed that he was talking to someone, but there was no one there except me and him."
"Hmmmmm..." Shirley went into deep thought.
Arthur listened to Bart with interest as he dipped his pipe into the water. "I see," he said with a nod and blowing more bubbles. "An interesting encounter. Bart, your request is granted. When do you wish to start?"
"As soon as possible," Bart said, determined.
"Very well, then," Arthur said, nodding. "Tomorrow night, you'll be taken to the Harrison house in order to accomplish your task. Susan, your sponsor, will accompany you to evaluate your performance, and we'll equip you with an advanced camera so that your photograph will turn out perfectly. Can't have another terrible photograph, you know."
"That's fine by me," Bart said. "I'll go after I finish any homework I have."
"Excellent." Arthur blew a few bubbles. "You and your sponsor may sit down."
As Bart and Susan returned to their seats, Arthur spoke to the small group. "Now, if there is no more business to discuss, I move that this meeting of the Strangers' Club be concluded. Do I have a second motion?"
"Yo!" Hiroshi declared, raising his hand. Shirley saw that he was eyeing the food.
"I third the motion," Lucy said, raising her hand.
"All those in favor of ending this meeting?" Arthur asked the club members.
"Aye!" all of the members shouted.
"All those opposed?" Arthur asked. Hearing no "nays," he said, "All right, this meeting is adjourned. Everyone, please enjoy the refreshments courtesy of the Chang family."
All present got out of their seats and headed for the refreshment table. Hiroshi beat everyone there and started grabbing Chinese fried chicken and lumpia Shanghai. Marcus watched him and shook his head. Susan laughed and got food for herself and Bart.
After everyone got some food and returned to their seats, Arthur approached Shirley and her friends. "So, what do you think?" he asked the junior detective.
"Your organization is quite interesting," Shirley said.
"Thank you," Arthur said. "I'd like you, Bo, and Blake to stay behind after everyone has left. We need to talk."
"Definitely," Shirley said, facing the president of the Strangers' Club.
"It's settled, then." Arthur turned to Susan. "Your mother will be picking you up later?"
"Yeah," Susan said. "The Redington Paranormal Society's having a meeting about the Harrison house."
"Well, I doubt you'll mind if I ask you to keep Bart and Damian company while they wait in the van for Shirley and her friends," Arthur requested with a little twinkle in his eye.
Susan gasped. "Um...no, Arthur," she said nervously, looking at Bart.
"Good. It's settled, then," Arthur said.
As they ate, Susan and Bart talked about his upcoming test. "Are you up to it?" she asked him.
"I am," Bart answered.
"You do know that I have to be impartial," Susan said with a smile. "I'm going to be extra tough on you."
"Of course," Bart said, smiling back.
"Actually, I've decided to have another member help you with Bart's evaluation, Susan," Arthur said, then he looked at Hiroshi, who was stuffing his face with egg rolls. "Hiroshi, you aren't busy tomorrow, are you?"
"No," Hiroshi managed to say through his stuffed cheeks, spitting out some food fragments.
"Good. You'll go with Bart and Susan to the Harrison house tomorrow night, then," Arthur said, smiling.
"Me and my big mouth," Hiroshi mumbled before resuming eating.
Collette came up from behind Arthur. "Arthur, maybe I should stay here when you talk with the detective and her friends," she said, having heard everything.
"Don't worry, Collette. Lucy and Katrina will be with me. After all, we share the same ride," Arthur assured the self-appointed security chief. "You'll just be picked up by Ms. Tamura along with Rika, as scheduled."
"If you wish, Arthur," Collette said obediently, nodding.
As she watched this verbal exchange, Shirley wondered about the power Arthur Kingston wielded in his group. The fact that he could control someone like Collette LeMarche attested to his leadership abilities; she observed that Arthur's manner was not that of a bully and that he seemed to be willing to listen to other suggestions as well as make his own. Overall, Arthur seemed to be a friendly individual, but that made Shirley even more suspicious about him. She also pondered the reason for the meeting. One thing was for certain; Shirley's curiosity was at an all-time high, and her mind started to formulate questions for the president of the Strangers' Club.
END OF PART TEN
Bo looked at Damian, Lucy, and Katrina. "Okay, who said that?"
"I did." A boy stepped out from behind Damian while making a tapping noise on the floor. He wore glasses and had brown hair. Bo noticed his wardrobe and wondered if he and Shirley shopped at the same store. The boy wore a light-blue long-sleeved shirt, an orange bowtie, a green vest, and light-brown pants. The tapping noise was caused by a dark blue umbrella he held in his left hand. Shirley spotted a red pipe in his right.
"Arthur Kingston, I presume?" Shirley addressed the newcomer.
Arthur bowed. "Correct," he said. "And you are Shirley Holmes, aspiring detective."
"Also correct," Shirley said.
"And these fine young gentlemen are Bo Sawchuk and Blake Hewitt, your partners in sleuthing," Arthur said, pointing his umbrella to Bo and Blake. Before they could ask him how he knew, he spoke again. "The Strangers' Club knows everything about you and your exploits, Shirley, and quite frankly, we're very impressed. You do your great-granduncle Sherlock proud."
"Thank you," Shirley said politely, still curious.
"Well, I see that everyone who isn't out of Redington on a case is here," Arthur said, looking around the room. "I guess we can begin. I hope you and your friends enjoy yourselves, Shirley." With his umbrella hitting the ground like a cane, the president of the Strangers' Club made his way to the podium. Sara followed him to the podium. On her way, she grabbed a glass of water from a table.
"He's the president of the Strangers' Club?" Bo whispered to the others. He was still unable to get his mind off Arthur's colorful attire. From how the other members of the Strangers' Club spoke about their president, Bo expected someone who did not look like a fashion disaster.
"He is," Lucy said. "He's the guy who started it all."
Katrina looked at Bo with her pale blue eyes. "Don't assume by appearance alone," she told him.
"I'd listen to her," Hiroshi said to Bo. "Don't ever make Arthur mad."
"What? Is he going to beat me with his umbrella if I do?" Bo whispered jokingly.
"And more," Damian said seriously.
Blake looked at Bo. "Bo, don't joke around," he warned his friend.
"We need some answers, and I doubt we'll get them if you insult our host," Shirley warned in a low voice.
Sara walked up to Arthur, who was now standing behind the podium. She handed the glass of water and a plastic spoon to him.
"Sara, you know me too well. Thank you," Arthur said with a smile as he removed a small packet out of his vest pocket. Sara smiled back at him, then took a seat in the front row. After he placed his umbrella against the wall behind him, Arthur emptied the packet's contents into the glass and stirred the water with the spoon.
"What is he doing?" Blake asked as he watched Arthur stir the water.
"You'll find out," Hiroshi said.
Shirley cupped her chin with her hand as she watched the president of the Strangers' Club. "I think I know."
"You do?" Bo asked. "Care to tell us?"
Before Shirley could speak, Arthur addressed the small gathering in a voice loud enough to be heard since the podium had no microphone. "Okay, I believe we can begin. Can everyone please take a seat?"
Shirley and her friends watched as Lucy, Katrina, and Damian made their way to the front row and sat down besides Sara, who left the seat closest to the podium empty. Rika and Marcus joined them there. Collette moved from the door and headed for the front row. She glanced at Shirley briefly as she passed her, then took her seat.
"Well, meeting's gonna start. Let's take a seat," Hiroshi said, going to the second row and motioning the others to follow him.
"C'mon," Susan said with a smile, taking Bart's hand. Bart found himself being dragged into the second row.
Shirley looked at the front row and noticed that none of the other kids tried to get a front row seat. "Why are they sitting in the front?" she asked Susan as she sat down next to her.
"They're all Big Ten," Susan answered.
"Big Ten? Who are they?" Bart asked.
"The founding members of the Strangers' Club," Susan answered, smiling. "If it weren't for them, there wouldn't be a Strangers' Club."
"I see," Shirley said, nodding.
"And Arthur is the biggest of the Big Ten," Bart said.
"Exactly," Hiroshi said, nodding.
Blake took a seat next to Shirley, leaving Bo no choice but to sit next to him. Realizing what he did, Blake rose out of his seat. "Bo, do you...?" he asked, gesturing towards the seat.
"No," Bo answered quickly.
"Are you...?"
"Yes, I am," Bo said, sounding a little annoyed as he took the seat next to Blake. Blake shrugged and sat back down. Shirley watched everything, but in a rare moment, she was clueless.
Bo sighed as he looked at his two friends together and shook his head. "You really should tell her," he heard someone whisper behind him.
Bo turned around to face the person who addressed him. A girl with long brown hair sat behind him. Bo wondered if being attached to strange clothing was a trademark with the Strangers' Club because he saw that the girl was wearing a dress that could have come from the wardrobe of Little House on the Prairie; Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman; or any other TV show or movie that depicted life on the wild frontier. Her outfit was completed by a pair of brown boots.
"What are you talking about?" Bo whispered back.
"Excuse me," a boy with a blond flattop and thick glasses whispered to Bo with a trace of an accent. "The meeting is about to start."
"Sorry," Bo apologized.
Shirley watched as Arthur dipped his pipe into the glass. He brought the pipe to his lips, then blew out a series of soap bubbles that floated away from him.
"You've got to be kidding me," Bo said, wide-eyed.
"Does he always do that?" Shirley asked.
"Yep," Hiroshi answered. "He's always been doing that ever since me and Susan joined."
"Why does he do that?" Blake asked curiously.
"When I find out along with why we're not supposed to make him mad, I'll let you know," Hiroshi responded.
Arthur cleared his throat before speaking and dipped the pipe slightly into the soap solution again. "Well, it looks like everyone who isn't on a case right now is here. Today, we have two items on this meeting's agenda, but before we go into those, Sara will read the minutes from our last meeting." He yielded the podium to Sara and sat down on his reserved seat. While he made his way to his seat, he blew more bubbles.
As Sara read the minutes from the club's last meeting from a notebook, Shirley's ears perked up in interest. The words that got her attention were "forest spirit," "mysterious disappearances," "deer abducting people," "Carol Kersey rape-murder," and "avenging spirit calmed."
"I was wondering..." Shirley said to herself, keeping her voice down.
After Sara was done, she took her seat and Arthur returned to the podium. After blowing more bubbles, he spoke. "Now then, the first item on this meeting is the Harrison house matter. Since Lucy is in charge of this case, she'll discuss what's been happening so far and answer any questions the rest of you may have."
Arthur yielded the podium to Lucy and sat down. Sara started writing in her notebook as the discussion started. "Thank you, Arthur," Lucy began. "Now, the Redington Paranormal Society and the Redington Historical Society have teamed up to save the house. I believe that this will increase the chances of the house being saved."
"How so?" a Latino boy in the second row asked.
"Well, the legitimacy of their cause is strengthened, not to mention they can be taken more seriously now," Lucy explained. "The official reason for saving the Harrison house is that it's a piece of the past that must be preserved."
"How's everything going so far?" a girl with short yellow hair in the second row asked.
"Today, both parties went before the city council to argue their sides of the matter," Lucy reported. "The council will make an official vote tomorrow."
"Has any action been taken against Maxson?" Collette asked.
"No," Lucy answered. "My team hasn't done anything to Maxson. We have limited our operations to observation only. We won't take any action until after the vote if it's necessary."
"And how has this observation been doing?" Collette asked.
"It was doing fine." Lucy took a pause and looked at someone in the second row. Shirley saw that she was looking at Hiroshi. "Until the audio tape that had all of Maxson's recent office conversations on the phone and to other people was accidentally covered."
"Hey, it's not my fault my dad thought it was a blank tape," Hiroshi said in his defense. He looked at Shirley and her friends. "This is what I get for having a dad who likes the polka," he whispered.
"Have there been any other problems?" Rika asked with concern.
"Yes, but they've been dealt with. You may recall the report on the protest rally I filed to the club," Lucy said. "The problem was handled well. Damian didn't show up on the news footage and the rest of us weren't in camera range."
*So it was sabotage,* Shirley thought, her suspicions about the ruined footage confirmed. *But how?*
"So, that's how the case stands. Anyone else have a question?" Lucy said, looking around the room.
Shirley had a few questions, but she decided not to speak. She knew that Lucy was asking the other club members for questions. She decided to ask them after the meeting.
"I have a question," the bespectacled boy with the flattop and slight accent said. "The ghost is a rarity, yes?"
"I'd have to say so," Lucy answered. "The ghost of Clarissa Harrison reportedly hasn't left the house despite the deathbed confession of her accidental death by her mother. Child ghosts generally cross over to the afterlife after the truth about their deaths is revealed. She seems to like it there at the house and has not crossed over yet."
The club members muttered among themselves. "Oh brother," Bo said in a low voice.
"Any other questions? Well, okay, that's it for now," Lucy said. "Arthur?"
Lucy relinquished the podium to Arthur and returned to her seat. "Now, on to the second item on today's agenda." Arthur looked at the second row as he blew more bubbles from his pipe. "All of you may have noticed four outsiders among our ranks today," he said. "One of them has been through a lot in order to carry on her famous ancestor's legacy, and another is here as a pledge to the Strangers' Club."
Shirley felt like a spotlight was shining directly down on her. Bart started to get nervous, but a squeeze on his hand from Susan calmed him down a little.
"You all know about Shirley Holmes," Arthur continued. "However, she is only here at my invitation to witness how we work. She and her two sleuthing partners are also here as morale boosters as their friend Bart James is brought before us as a possible addition to the Strangers' Club." He looked at Bart. "Bart, can you and your sponsor please come up to the podium?"
Bart and Susan stood up. "Good luck, Bartman," Hiroshi whispered.
"Good luck, Bart," Shirley told her friend.
"Yeah. Good luck, Bart," Blake said.
"Don't let them scare you, Bart," Bo said.
Bart gulped and adjusted his glasses. "Don't worry, Bart," Susan whispered reassuringly into his ear. "Just relax and be prepared for any questions."
"Okay," Bart whispered back.
They made their way to the podium. "Now, Bart, tell the club about yourself," Arthur said, stepping aside.
With Susan at his side, Bart took the podium and faced the gathered club members. Sara started taking notes. Blake flashed him a thumbs-up. "Hi, I'm Bartholomew James III, but my friends call me Bart," the young paranormalist said after calming his nerves and speaking in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear him. "I'm a student at Sussex Academy, a prestigious private school attended by the children of government officials, businessmen, and the like. I've been the elected president of the various science-themed clubs at Sussex Academy and I'm now the president of the newly formed Science Club, a union of all these clubs due to apparent money problems. I'm well-known for my interests in the supernatural and paranormal."
"Have these interests gotten you in trouble with your teachers?" the Latino boy asked.
"On many occasions," Bart admitted without hesitation. "My teachers don't exactly share my beliefs."
"Have you actually had any encounters with the supernatural and paranormal?" the girl with the yellow hair asked.
*Here we go,* Bo thought to himself.
"Well, I did encounter a poltergeist in my house during my twelfth birthday," Bart recalled. "I've also met an alien child which posed as Dr. O. Henry at SETI. Although I didn't see it, I participated in aiding a baby cryptid return to its mother. My friends can vouch for me on that one."
Shirley nodded, although she really did not want to go into detail about the poltergeist. In reality, the poltergeist was cooked up by Bart's grandfather as a birthday present to his grandson. Shirley doubted that this piece of information would help Bart become a member of the Strangers' Club. Her observations of the gathered members brought her to the conclusion that the Strangers' Club took its belief in the supernatural and paranormal seriously, and exposing the poltergeist hoax would not only ruin Bart in the eyes of Susan and the Strangers' Club, but could also possible destroy him because his grandfather, a close loved one, was responsible.
"Are there any more questions for Bart?" Arthur asked the club members.
Collette spoke. "So, Bart, why do you want to join the Strangers' Club?" The question was laced with a tone of suspicion. The self-appointed security chief's gaze was on Susan. Bart noticed this and concluded that Collette thought that Susan was the primary reason why he wanted to join the Strangers' Club.
Bart thought over this question carefully before answering it. "Susan was the one who brought the club to my attention. She didn't go into too much detail, if you're wondering. Although I have to thank Susan for recommending me to the club, my reason for accepting the invitation to join is this." He briefly paused before continuing. "To be honest, I'm tired of being ridiculed for my beliefs," he said seriously and almost angrily with a little frustration. "My teachers don't reward me for my original thinking and my friends keep mocking the very notion that such things as aliens and ghosts can exist." Bart took a deep breath. "Just today, my fellow Science Club members would've voted me out if it wasn't for a narrow margin. At Sussex Academy, I feel restricted and left out. Among all of you, I feel free to believe in the unusual without fear of being laughed at. That is my reason why I want to join, Collette," he said, fixing his gaze on his questioner. Finished, he closed his eyes and bowed his head. He started to will himself to calm down.
After a brief moment of silence, the members of the Strangers' Club responded to Bart's explanation by standing up and clapping loudly. After a moment, Collette joined in. Bart opened his eyes as soon as he heard the applause. Arthur also applauded, and Susan placed her hand on Bart's shoulder and looked into his eyes. Having rid himself of that emotional burden, Bart looked back into Susan's eyes and smiled a little. Meanwhile, Shirley and her friends were trying to digest what Bart had said. They had no idea that Bart felt so left out among them.
"Man, I didn't know Bart felt so hurt," Blake said, ashamed.
"I don't think anyone knew," Shirley said.
Arthur approached Bart just as the applause died down. "Well, Bart, if you succeed in your test, you'll make an excellent member of the Strangers' Club," he said in a friendly tone. "Susan did tell you about that part of joining us, right?" he asked, looking at Bart's sponsor.
"Susan did mention something about proving myself before the club voted on my membership, yes," Bart answered.
Arthur took the podium and addressed the small gathering. "Now, we all know club rules. A potential candidate for club membership must perform a task recommended by a member. If the candidate succeeds, he or she has a good chance when it's time for all of us to vote. If he or she fails to accomplish the test or doesn't meet up to the sponsor's expectations, the chances of being voted into the Strangers' Club get slimmer." He looked around. "Now, who has a challenge that Bart can reasonably accomplish in a short time?"
The gathered members of the Strangers' Club talked amongst themselves, trying to come up with the perfect test for Bart. "I hope they don't make him do something dangerous," Blake said, worried a little.
"Excuse me, Arthur, but may I recommend my own test?" Bart asked the club president.
The question surprised everyone in the room, especially Arthur. "Well, it is a precedent, but I guess you can, provided it's a challenge," Arthur said.
"I believe it is, Arthur," Bart said.
"Bart, what do you want to do for your test?" Susan asked with deep concern.
"I wish to take a picture of the ghost of Clarissa Harrison," Bart answered after a brief period of silence.
The room was abuzz with the astonished whispering of the club members. Shirley and her friends were also surprised.
"Many have tried to do that, and their photos turned out wrong," Arthur pointed out. "It is a challenge, but why do you want it to be your test, Bart?"
"Because the ghost asked for my help in saving her home," Bart answered.
The whispering among the Strangers' Club became more intense. "After the protest rally, I saw someone on the porch of the house. It happened to be a little girl in a dress that was definitely not modern. She asked me for my help in saving her home," Bart recalled.
"What the heck is he talking about?" Bo wondered.
"Well, when I went looking for Bart, I found him near the porch of the house," Blake revealed. "He claimed that he was talking to someone, but there was no one there except me and him."
"Hmmmmm..." Shirley went into deep thought.
Arthur listened to Bart with interest as he dipped his pipe into the water. "I see," he said with a nod and blowing more bubbles. "An interesting encounter. Bart, your request is granted. When do you wish to start?"
"As soon as possible," Bart said, determined.
"Very well, then," Arthur said, nodding. "Tomorrow night, you'll be taken to the Harrison house in order to accomplish your task. Susan, your sponsor, will accompany you to evaluate your performance, and we'll equip you with an advanced camera so that your photograph will turn out perfectly. Can't have another terrible photograph, you know."
"That's fine by me," Bart said. "I'll go after I finish any homework I have."
"Excellent." Arthur blew a few bubbles. "You and your sponsor may sit down."
As Bart and Susan returned to their seats, Arthur spoke to the small group. "Now, if there is no more business to discuss, I move that this meeting of the Strangers' Club be concluded. Do I have a second motion?"
"Yo!" Hiroshi declared, raising his hand. Shirley saw that he was eyeing the food.
"I third the motion," Lucy said, raising her hand.
"All those in favor of ending this meeting?" Arthur asked the club members.
"Aye!" all of the members shouted.
"All those opposed?" Arthur asked. Hearing no "nays," he said, "All right, this meeting is adjourned. Everyone, please enjoy the refreshments courtesy of the Chang family."
All present got out of their seats and headed for the refreshment table. Hiroshi beat everyone there and started grabbing Chinese fried chicken and lumpia Shanghai. Marcus watched him and shook his head. Susan laughed and got food for herself and Bart.
After everyone got some food and returned to their seats, Arthur approached Shirley and her friends. "So, what do you think?" he asked the junior detective.
"Your organization is quite interesting," Shirley said.
"Thank you," Arthur said. "I'd like you, Bo, and Blake to stay behind after everyone has left. We need to talk."
"Definitely," Shirley said, facing the president of the Strangers' Club.
"It's settled, then." Arthur turned to Susan. "Your mother will be picking you up later?"
"Yeah," Susan said. "The Redington Paranormal Society's having a meeting about the Harrison house."
"Well, I doubt you'll mind if I ask you to keep Bart and Damian company while they wait in the van for Shirley and her friends," Arthur requested with a little twinkle in his eye.
Susan gasped. "Um...no, Arthur," she said nervously, looking at Bart.
"Good. It's settled, then," Arthur said.
As they ate, Susan and Bart talked about his upcoming test. "Are you up to it?" she asked him.
"I am," Bart answered.
"You do know that I have to be impartial," Susan said with a smile. "I'm going to be extra tough on you."
"Of course," Bart said, smiling back.
"Actually, I've decided to have another member help you with Bart's evaluation, Susan," Arthur said, then he looked at Hiroshi, who was stuffing his face with egg rolls. "Hiroshi, you aren't busy tomorrow, are you?"
"No," Hiroshi managed to say through his stuffed cheeks, spitting out some food fragments.
"Good. You'll go with Bart and Susan to the Harrison house tomorrow night, then," Arthur said, smiling.
"Me and my big mouth," Hiroshi mumbled before resuming eating.
Collette came up from behind Arthur. "Arthur, maybe I should stay here when you talk with the detective and her friends," she said, having heard everything.
"Don't worry, Collette. Lucy and Katrina will be with me. After all, we share the same ride," Arthur assured the self-appointed security chief. "You'll just be picked up by Ms. Tamura along with Rika, as scheduled."
"If you wish, Arthur," Collette said obediently, nodding.
As she watched this verbal exchange, Shirley wondered about the power Arthur Kingston wielded in his group. The fact that he could control someone like Collette LeMarche attested to his leadership abilities; she observed that Arthur's manner was not that of a bully and that he seemed to be willing to listen to other suggestions as well as make his own. Overall, Arthur seemed to be a friendly individual, but that made Shirley even more suspicious about him. She also pondered the reason for the meeting. One thing was for certain; Shirley's curiosity was at an all-time high, and her mind started to formulate questions for the president of the Strangers' Club.
END OF PART TEN
