Mysteries of Lawndale - Night of the Coffee House - Part 5

 Mysteries of Lawndale – Night of the Coffee House Part 5

“You’re here just in time,” Helen said to her daughters as they entered the kitchen. “Dinner is ready.”

 

“You know these things can go into the evenings,” Daria said.

 

“But not often. You can’t solve every crime you come across, Daria.” Her older daughter may have been a successful detective in Highland, but she there were times when she did fail.

 

“Of course not!” Daria said with slight annoyance as she sat at the table. “But I was getting somewhere… I just need to think about it more.”

 

“How was your day, Quinn?” Helen asked.

 

“It was great. The Anime Club meeting was good, and I was able to join the relay team.”

 

“That’s great!” Jake said.

 

“That’s good, Quinn.”

 

 

After dinner, Quinn began to read Lawndale in the Post War Years 1945 – 1985.

 

 

 

Thursday, October 16^th, 1997

Daria arrived at the Lane’s house at 7:45. Jane was yawning as she sipped at her coffee. “I don’t think you can do much in half an hour,” she said.

 

“No, but I will get copies of the sketches to Officer Peterson after school,” Daria responded.

 

“I doubt Ms. Li would approve of that use of any of the school’s photocopiers.”

 

“She doesn’t have to know.”

 

“Of course,” Jane said. She went to get the sketches.

 

 

Daria then went to the phone. “I’m sure Corey, Alecia and Upchuck are still at home...”

 

There was no answer at the Bateman’s and Alecia’s mother said she had already left for school. Daria sighed and called the Ruttheimers.

 

 

Charles was about to leave for school when the phone rang. “Hello?”

 

“Charles? This is Daria.”

 

“Yes, Daria?” he asked in his usual way.

 

“Charles…” Daria said in a warning tone.

 

“Sorry, Daria. Mystery Club business then?”

 

“Yes. Meet Jane and I at the entrance 10 minutes before homeroom. See if you can find Corey or Alecia.”

 

“Sure, Daria, but what are we going to be talking about?”

 

“About the sketches Jane has made.”

 

“I knew she was good at art…” Charles began.

 

“Yes, she’s that good,” Daria interrupted. “I’ll see you at school.”

 

“Yes. I’ll try to find Corey and Alecia.”

 

“Good,” Daria said, before hanging up.

 

 

Jane returned to the kitchen. “I have the sketches, ready to go?”

 

“Yes.”

 

 

Quinn and Stacy arrived at the school at the same time as Daria and Jane. “So, where are the other members?” Stacy asked.

 

 

“I was only able to reach Charles,” Daria answered.

 

“Right,” Quinn said.

 

 

It was then that Charles arrived with Alecia. “We haven’t been able to find Corey,” Alecia stated.

 

“That’s OK,” Daria said.

 

“So, we’re going to hand the sketches out to our classmates?” Stacy asked.

 

“Pretty much,” Jane answered.

 

“More like, show them to the other students, but yes,” Daria added.

 

“That’s fine,” Stacy said.

 

“We’re going to photocopy the sketches before homeroom,” Daria said. There should be enough time.

 

 

In a few minutes the members of the Mystery Club came to the Faculty Office. They saw that Mr. DeMartino and Ms. Defoe were the only members of staff present.

 

“Ms. Defoe, I would like to use the photocopier to copy these sketches,” Jane said.

 

Ms. Defoe looked over the sketches. “These are very good, Jane. You’re continuing to improve. I’d say that being a sketch artist would be a good idea while you also do other work.”

 

“Thanks, Ms. Defoe.”

 

“Hurry. There isn’t much time before homeroom,” Claire added.

 

“Of course.”

 

 

As Jane began photocopying the sketches, Quinn went up to Mr. DeMartino. “I’ve had a look at the first chapter,” she said.

 

“Very good, Quinn. But that just sets the stage before the more recent history.”

 

“It was also more understandable than the books on the local history of the town in Texas we used to live in.”

 

“Some historians are more obtuse than others.”

 

 

“That is one lot,” Jane said. She handed the pile to Upchuck. “You can go now!”

 

“Sure, Jane,” he said in his usual tone.

 

“Charles…” Daria said from behind him.

 

“Sorry, Daria,” Upchuck said as he started walking off.

 

 

Jane managed to print most of the sketches before the bell rung, “I knew there wouldn’t be enough time!” she groused.

 

“Better hurry,” Ms. Defoe said before she left the Faculty Office.

 

Jane handed the remaining sketch to Alecia. “This will have to do,” she said.

 

“Thanks.”