Jane and the Fire – Part XI

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’ already secret meeting in The Hungry Eagle. They’ve identified a photo of a building well known in the community. What is that picture being used for? Those unsavory gentlemen are definitely plotting something…but what?

Mr. Bennet whispers, “Quiet!! That detective is approaching!”

The children peer around the coffeeshop. No one is taking any notice of the trio in the vent or at the table, except-

“Uncle WaLLaCE?!!?” whisper-shrieks Jane. Paige and Don look at her.

“Your uncle is a detective?” whispers Paige, “Cool!”

“I didn’t know that!” sputters Jane, “I thought he was a record keeper or something, I don’t know…”

Mr. Peele looks increasingly worried as Uncle Wallace strides closer toward them.

“What’s Wallace Joyce doing here?” snaps Mr. McCawley, “Did you sell us out, Mr. Bennet?”

“Are you questioning my loyalty, Mr. McCawley?” Mr. Bennet bites back.

“Shut up!” squeaks Mr. Peele, “Both of you, be quiet!”

The three children in the vent can barely breathe for interest. Jane is thrilled. “I can’t believe Uncle Wallace is a detective!” she whispers, “He always seemed so…normal?”

The Landrys don’t deign to respond to this. Their eyes are glued to the scene unfolding below in the coffeeshop.

“Act natural, Mr. Peele!” whispers Mr. McCawley urgently. “Whatever you do, for my own sake, act natural!”

Mr. Peele looks anything but natural; he has gone a pale green color, paper-white with a hint of mint. But it’s too late for him to do anything but clutch the incriminating newspaper in front of his face because Uncle Wallace has finally crossed the crowded coffeeshop and reached the table.

The Three Thugs are ignoring him even as he stands an inch away. Mr. Peele is still frantically pretending to read the fake newspaper, Mr. Bennet is concentrating very hard on his coffee cup, and Mr. McCawley is staring at a plant pot behind Mr. Bennet with a casual air.

“Don’t stop talking on my behalf,” says Uncle Wallace with a mildly interested air.

“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 newspaper.

Will the mystery end here? Keep reading (next month) to find out!