The Case of the Stunning Spill(Charlotte Chan) The Case of the Stunning Spill


Tonda Willis and Lee Adams were the best known sleuths at Kensington Street Public School. So it wasn’t much of a surprise when Kelly Baker, a pretty black girl, came crying to them with a fresh mystery. “Hey Kelly,” greeted Tonda. “Hi,” Kelly responded. Lee nodded hello. He shoveled a spoonful of lasagna in his mouth before saying, “You got a mystery, Kelly?”

Kelly nodded. “Sit down and tell us,” urged Tonda. Kelly sat down, looking hesitant. She used her right hand to eat grapes, as if to postpone spilling the beans.

“Well, on Saturday my cousin Max came over,” began Kelly. “Max is very naughty He’s violent and tells lies. He is so vile, but with adults he’s an absolute angel,” Kelly said. “Oh, like those double faced kids,” Lee said thoughtfully.

Kelly nodded. “So we were hanging out in the family room, eating blackberries. Max and his family came over because we just renovated it. My mom got all the furniture and stuff custom made in Indonesia. But what she loved most was the carpet. It was a creamy white and really fluffy and soft. Max and I were taping it. He was talking about it when he dropped his handful of blackberries on the ground!” she exclaimed.


“Ooh, my mother would die,” Tonda said imagining the scene. “So he blamed it on you, correct?” Lee said plainly. Kelly nodded. “You’re right. Max hurried to the kitchen and plastered on his worried angel face, explaining vividly what ‘I did’,” said Kelly making air quotations. “My mom was livid,” she said, shivering at the memory.

“Hey, but you caught it all on tape,” Lee said. He relaxed in his chair. “Lee, it’s not all that easy,” Kelly said, sounding annoyed. “The room was dark, and with our dark hair and skin we looked identical.”

“May we see the video?” Tonda asked. Kelly murmured yes. She pulled out a sleek black phone and began searching for the video. “Here it is,” cried Kelly. Everyone leaned in.

The video took place in a dim shadowy room. A tall slim figure stepped forwards and began speaking. He was talking so softly they barely knew he was.

Then a series of little round objects spilled out of his left hand, which everyone identified as small ripe blackberries. The video ended and Kelly frowned. “See?” she said to Lee.

“It’s alright, Kelly,” Tonda said reassuringly. Lee coughed and both girls stared at him. “Actually,” he said. “The mystery is solved.”

“What?” said Kelly blankly. “You’re innocent because we just witnessed you eat grapes with your right hand. We also viewed a video showing Max dropping those blackberries with his left hand,” explained Lee.

“You did it, Lee!” squealed Kelly. She flung her arms around him and Tonda. “You guys are the best,” she declared. “This time, Max is busted fair and square!”

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