Jane and the Fire – Part XII

In 1958, young Jane has just moved to the city of Chicago, Illinois with her parents and cousins Billy. Jane, Paige, and Don are spying on the Three Thugs’ secret meeting in  The Hungry Eagle, when Jane’s Uncle Wallace, who is apparently a detective, appears  out of nowhere. The Three Thugs are terrified…did they just give themselves up?

“Wallace Joyce!” says Mr. McCawley with an admirably calm smile under the circumstances, “Long time no see, you old rascal!”

He chortles in a friendly way.

“If I recall correctly,” says Uncle Wallace, “That was because you were in prison, Mr. McCawley.”

“Why don’t you sit down and have a cup of coffee?” Mr. McCawley says with a blasé smile.

Mr. Bennet and Mr. Peele look horrified.

“I’m afraid I can’t,” says Uncle Wallace. “I happen to be investigating an attempted burglary. At the bank, Mr. McCawley, that you have previously attempted to rob, on multiple different occasions. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”

Up in the vent, an epiphany is taking place. “The bank!” whispered Paige. “It’s across the street from the strange building at the park!”

At that very moment, Mr. McCawley sneezes, and Mr. Peele jumps and drops the fake newspaper. All Three Thugs freeze as Uncle Wallace bends down and picks it up.

“You… you parsnip!” hisses Mr. Bennet at Mr. Peele in inarticulate wrath. “You clumsy, utter beetroot! How could you drop that paper?”

“It was Mr. McCawley’s fault!” squeaks Mr. Peele, “He was the one who invited Wallace to stay! Why on earth…”

“I like that!” whispers Mr. McCawley back indignantly. “Blaming me, after I was the calmest of us three! I was only inviting him to stay so that he

wouldn’t be suspicious of us! It was you…you artichokes who’ve been acting…!”

Jane, Paige, and Don hear all of this, naturally – however, Uncle Wallace only looks on in mild confusion as the Three Thugs were whispering furiously to each other. He, Uncle Wallace, could hear hardly anything but the odd mention of various vegetables.

Uncle Wallace coughs loudly. The Three Thugs turn to him with identical expressions. They look rather ill; in fact, Mr. Peele is beginning to turn green.

“You look unwell, Mr. Peele,” says Uncle Wallace. “Anyhow, enough palaver. I’m off. Good day.”

The Three Thugs are delighted.

“Are you really leaving?!” asks Mr. McCawley. “Really and truly! Not going to stay for a coffee?! Nothing I can do to change your mind?!”

Uncle Wallace looks slightly offended that the Three Thugs are so delighted at his departure.

“Weeelll, yes, I am,” he says coldly. He begins to depart but turns back. “But just you remember, Mr. McCawley, I’ve got my eye on you. On you all!”

And on that note, Uncle Wallace disappears into the growing throng of customers. Up in the vent, as at the corner table below, important realizations are being arrived at.

“That settles it,” Paige whispers. “These Three Thugs are up to no good,” agrees Don. “Well, we’re going to get to the bottom of this,” adds Jane.

“I don’t think it’s safe to meet here now,” says Mr. Bennet. “Give me the paper,” says Mr. McCawley. “What about tomorrow evening at Mr. Bennet’s?” asks Mr. Peele. They all nod, and hurry away.

What will each party be up to next? Read on next month to find out. 📚