Chapter 1: VSpy

             “Laura Ross plays the viola.”  If someone were introducing moi, that would be the first sentence.

             Hi, I’m Laura Stephanie Ross.  I am sixteen years old.  I am in tenth grade at Spoketown High.  People know me because I play the viola.  In a small town like Spoketown, small things are noticed.  I am beautiful, brilliant, and charming.  But that is not what I’m known for.  I’m known for playing the viola.

             What people don’t know is that I have a secret identity.  In the crime world, I am known as VSpy.

             The name VSpy comes from my viola.  Obviously, I play the viola, but my viola is also my number one crime stopping ingredient.

             I pass secret information to the police using my viola. Sometimes, I write a note on black paper and stick it under the chin rest, where it blends in.  Other times, I hide my note in the rosin compartment in my instrument case.  I have many ways to pass secret information.

             Spoketown, Illinois is a small town known for big crimes.  I joined the Spoketown police force three years ago.  Since then, I have solved five big crimes.

Chapter 2: Surprise!

             My first official case was the kidnapping of Cary Donaldson.  An avid reader, seven-year-old Cary was in the Spoketown Public Library when the kidnapping happened. 

             A man named Felix “The Cat” Ember snuck up behind Cary, gagged him, and dragged him into Felix’s waiting truck outside.  Then, Felix drove Cary all the way across town to the Spoketown dump.  At the dump, Cary was picked up by Frank “The Master” Greenburg and driven to Pennsylvania.

             When I was picked to investigate the case, I was shocked.  I was thirteen at the time.  I don’t know how the police chief, Chief Randall “Randy” Townes, expected me to solve this case because:

1. I couldn’t drive, so how could I rescue Cary?

2. I was young, which meant I could become a target for the kidnappers, too.

3. My parents, Bill and Laynie Ross, did not approve of me becoming a detective, so why would they let me travel all the way to Pennsylvania, if I found a ride, to do something that would risk their daughter’s life?

Surprisingly enough, Chief Randy convinced my parents to let me take the case.

             The day after I was assigned the case, I scouted around for a ride.  I first thought of asking my boyfriend, David Knightsley, if his older brother, Chris, who was seventeen at the time, would drive me first to the scene of the kidnapping, which was the library, second to the dump, where Cary was picked up, and last to Pennsylvania, where I could hopefully find Cary.  After I thought for a while, I decided that I would try and carry out that plan.

             The next day was Sunday, which meant I could talk to David privately about my plan.  I called him at 4:00 that afternoon.  “David,” I asked.  “Could you come over for dinner tonight?  I have a case to work on, and I need to talk to you about it.”  He replied with a yes.

             David came over that night at 6:30.  Fortunately, my parents were out, so I could talk to him alone.  My older sister, Elizabeth (Lizzie) was upstairs, so we did have a chaperone.

             For dinner that night, I had prepared filet mignon, salad, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and strawberry shortcake for dessert.  We had a wonderful meal.  We chatted about the upcoming week and what we were doing.  After eating, we went into the parlor to discuss my plan.

             Our house was an old Victorian mansion.  Victorians were very fond of their parlors.  So, obviously our house had a parlor.

             David and I were sitting in the parlor.  My hands were clammy.  I had a sneaky suspicion David did not know what he was getting himself into.

Chapter 3: Explanation

             “David,” I began nervously.  “Yesterday, I got a very interesting case…”  I went on, explaining my plan in detail.  “So,” I ended.  “Will you help me?”

             Now David looked kind of nervous.  “Laura, do you have any idea what could happen with this case?  I mean, this could be very dangerous for you, me, and Chris.”

             Now it was my turn to appear surprised.  “Wh-wh-what?” I stammered.  “You want to go with me?”

             “Of course,” David said, looking shocked.  “Isn’t that why you told me about it?”

               “No,” I said quietly.  “You could get hurt.  Your parents would kill me!  I was asking for Chris because I knew if he came with me, I wouldn’t get in trouble with anyone if he got hurt.”

             “Laura, that is so sweet of you,” David said softly.  “But I would never forgive myself if your parents let you go with Chris, and you got hurt.  If you go, please take me with you.” he pleaded.

             “Okay, okay,” I assured him that he could go if I went.  “But how are we going to convince to Chris to take us?”

             “Leave that to me,” David said.  “You’ve done enough already.”

             Sure enough, a few days later, David had arranged for us to leave on Saturday.  Now all I had to do was pack.

             “Hmmm, what should I take for my detective case?” I already had my regular suitcase packed, and my viola was by the door.  “I should definitely take my magnifying glass.” I said as I picked it up by the smooth wooden handle.  The magnifying glass had been a Christmas gift from my parents.  They had said I needed one if I was going to be a detective.  I thought that had been a generous purchase, especially because they weren’t so enthusiastic about my work.

             “Ring, ring!” The phone startled me out of my thoughts.  “Hello, Ross residence.” I said as I picked it up.

             “Hi, Laura, it’s Chris.”

             “Hi, Chris.”

             “Listen, did Dave tell you?”

             “Tell me what?”

             “That I was going to help you two?”

             “Oh, yes, Chris.  As a matter of fact, I’m packing right now.”

             “Sorry to disturb you, Laura.  I just wanted to make sure you knew.”

             “Yeah, thanks for calling, Chris.”

             “Well, I have to go now.  Bye!”

             “Bye!” Laura said.  She hung up the phone.  “Back to packing!” she chirped.