Crime Stopper’s Oath: I pledge to uncover the enemies of my country whoever they may be.

It is 1943 and a new mystery threatens Gander’s Cove. Why are trucks delivering unused coffins in the dead of night to a closed funeral home? What was transported in them that needed the secrecy? Was for the war effort...or against it?

Out of the last 131 Crime Stopper Cases, Bristol Peterson had solved 81. Flannery Banes had solved 49. Even Sam, a first grader, had solved the case of the missing chalk and helped Bristol find Mr. Green. Henry Maloney, CS-2, AKA Lookout Man, had solved zero cases, but that was about to change.

The package Henry was getting in the mail would help him solve the next Crime Stopper case or he would resign as CS-2. He’d go back to being plain-ol’ weird Henry…the boy who reads too many ghost stories and sits in the cemetery, singing, trying to raise the dead.

Third in the Gander's Cove Mystery Series

Crime Stopper's Oath

I pledge to uncover the enemies of my country who ever they may be.

One

Spring 1943, Gander’s Cove, Maine

The package had to be in today, it just had to be.

I squared my shoulders and pushed opened the door to Shaw’s General Store and Post Office. The package was going to help me solve the next Crime Stopper case or I would resign as CS-2. I’d go back to being plain-ol’ weird Henry…the boy who reads too many ghost stories and sits in the cemetery, singing, trying to raise the dead.

Out of the last 131 Crime Stopper Cases, Bristol had solved 81. Flannery 49. Even Sam, a first grader, had solved the case of the missing chalk and helped Bristol find Mr. Green. Me…I’d solved zero cases, but that was about to change.

I smiled at Mr. Shaw’s sister standing at the cash register. She had come to help Mrs. Shaw after Mr. Shaw went to jail for war crimes. I kept walking toward Mrs. Shaw who stood behind the open post office window. The women were busybodies like most of the people in Gander’s Cove had become since the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor.

Sister stepped up behind me. The heels of her shoes tapped against the wooden floor like BBs pinging against a tin target. She leaned against the Post Office window and poked her face in between Mrs. Shaw and me. “What can we do you for?”

I side-stepped away from Sister and faced Mrs. Shaw. “My package… is it in?” I asked, trying not to sound too anxious.

Sister leaned closer. “I bet the package is Crime Stopper business.” She stuck her hand through the Post Office window and slapped the counter.

Mrs. Shaw jumped backwards. “Goodness me. Sister, how you do go on.”

“Don’t just stand there with your hands in your apron pockets. This boy has urgent business to attend.” Sister winked at me. She put her arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer. Her breath smelled of stale tobacco when she whispered, “Tell me. It can be our secret.” Again, I stepped away from Sister and spoke to Mrs. Shaw. “I ordered it four weeks ago. Sent a money order and everything–”

Sister interrupted. “I bet it’s something every lookout man needs? Ayup, a spy glass that’s what a lookout man needs.” She slapped her hand against her leg like someone does when they pat themselves on the back for a job well done.

I breathed deeply, sucking in the smell of Mrs. Shaw’s vanilla extract, Sister’s tobacco, and burning coal from the stove. Sister was impossible to ignore. I exhaled and watched Mrs. Shaw rummaging in her little corner for my package.