Cora Flash and the Diamond of Madagascar (A Cora Flash Children's Mystery, Book 1)

by TOMMY DAVEY

  "What did you say, Mr. Sloane?" asked Willy.

  "My diamond. The diamond. It's been stolen!" Mr. Sloane said, obviously shaken. "I can't believe this! How could this have happened?"

  "Why don't you sit down, sir?" said Mr. Dabruzzi. "You're obviously distressed. Have some water."

  Mr. Sloane nodded and sank down at Mrs. Bronwyn's table. "I don't know what I am going to do. This is the absolute worst thing that could have happened. I can't believe this."

  "When did it happen?" I asked.

  "Just this morning, but I don't know when. I was looking at it earlier, in the briefcase. I had left it open so I could keep it in view as I got ready for breakfast. Then, the motion of the train must have knocked the lid of the case shut. I heard it close, but as there was no one else in the room and as the case locks as soon as it closes, I was not worried. Not in the least. I continued to get ready for breakfast and was going to check on the diamond when I noticed that girl watching me from the hallway. Naturally, I stopped what I was doing but decided to check on the diamond one last time before I came here. That's when I saw it was gone."

  "But there was no one else in the room," quipped the little nervous man with glasses.

  "No, there wasn't," Mr. Sloane said. "But the door was open. That stupid door kept opening! I tried to shut it over and over, but it just wouldn’t stay closed. Someone could have easily slipped in and out. I had my back turned for just a moment, but I guess that is all it took for someone to come in and steal the diamond. Oh, what am I going to do?"

  "Is the diamond insured?" Mr. Dabruzzi asked.

  "Yes, of course!" snapped Mr. Sloane. "But the value is not just financial. It is worth so much more than just the dollar amount. This is a one-of-a-kind piece, worth more money than you could possibly insure. Nothing like this has ever come out of Madagascar before; it is the most valuable and flawless diamond that East Africa has ever discovered."

  I remembered reading about it in one of our National Geographic magazines at home. The diamond was a magnificent discovery, found by a group of local villagers who were exploring a cave in a part of Madagascar that no one had thought could offer diamonds. All previous attempts had failed, so the large diamond excavation companies had not bothered to excavate in that part of the country.

  The locals always believed the area was rich in the precious gem, as their traditional stories had many references to the stones. Eventually, using almost primitive methods, they discovered a diamond that turned out to be the most valuable one the region had ever produced. It was auctioned with all the proceeds going to the townspeople. With the money, they were able to build schools, establish proper medical facilities, and were prosperous beyond their wildest dreams.

  Only a few days after the story broke, the large companies started arriving in their little village, offering them even more money to allow them to set up mining operations. It was because of that one discovery that the small village grew into one of the most prosperous towns in the entire country. Such an amazing discovery.

  "Well," I said to my tablemates, "the diamond is still on the train at least. We haven't stopped anywhere yet."

  "You're right," said Willy. "That should make it easier to find."

  "Willy," I asked, "where were you just now?"

  "If I wasn't in your car or in this room, I was somewhere in between. Why?"

  "Did you see anyone pass by to come into this car besides the people in this room?"

  He paused to consider my question. "Come to think of it, no, I didn't."

  "So," Sheila said. "No one from the first four cars of the train passed by?"

  "No, not a single person."

  "Then the person who stole the diamond is in this car!" I proclaimed.

  The room grew quiet as everyone realized that I was right. If none of the other passengers had gone by, the only people with any chance of stealing the stone had to be the people in that room.

  "I can't believe it," said Ted. "One of us?"

  "It certainly sounds like it," said the nervous man with glasses. "But which one of you took it?"

  "Which one of us?" demanded the girl in her twenties. "Who's to say it wasn't you?"

  "Now just a minute," he said. "I know for a fact it wasn't me, therefore it must have been one of you!"

  "Ugh!" The girl grunted in disgust. "I can't believe this."

  "Let's not get too excited now," said Mrs. Bronwyn. "I'm sure the diamond will turn up. Let calm heads prevail. What was your name, dear?"

  "Abigail. Abby."

  "Well, Abby," said Mrs. Bronwyn, "I'm sure this gentleman did not mean to accuse anyone. We're all just a little edgy right now."

  "As well we should be!" yelled Mr. Sloane. "My employer is going to be furious. I'm supposed to deliver the diamond tomorrow! Oh! I feel sick to my stomach."

  "Here," Mr. Dabruzzi suggested as he stood. "Take my chair. You should sit."

  "Thank you." He took up Mr. Dabruzzi's offer.

  Mr. Dabruzzi turned to everyone in the room. "I'm afraid I have a confession to make."

  A wave of quiet shock went through the car as everyone stared accusingly at him and expected he was about to confess to stealing the diamond.

  "I am not who I said I am. Yes, it is true that I am called Rudolpho Dabruzzi, but I am not a watch salesman on my way to a convention. I am here on official business, sent to ensure the Diamond of Madagascar made it safely to Topaz Mountain. From now on," he took a confident step forward, "You may call me Inspector Dabruzzi."

  CHAPTER SIX

  "Inspector?" gasped Mrs. Bronwyn.

  "Yes, that is correct. I was hired to protect the diamond on its journey."

  With a smirk, Abby said, "Well, you didn't do a very good job."

  "I have to agree with you, Abigail. I have failed in my efforts to ensure the diamond arrived safely in the mountains. However, I still have time to figure out exactly what happened, and apprehend the person responsible. If, however, he or she would like to confess, we can end this right now."

  Dead silence echoed in the room as everyone waited for someone to say something.

  Finally, the nervous man with glasses spoke. "Oh, this is ridiculous! No one is going to confess. Why would someone confess?"

  "Inspector," Mrs. Bronwyn began, "if you were not who you say you were, why should we believe you now? Maybe you are not a real inspector, but a jewel thief pretending to be here to insure the jewel so we will not suspect you!"

  I had to admit, Mrs. Bronwyn had a point. We had no way of knowing if Mr. Dabruzzi was who he said he was.

  "I understand your concern, Mrs. Bronwyn. Perhaps this will help you to believe me." He reached in his suit pocket and pulled out his wallet. Inside, we could see the glimmering reflection of the sun on his police badge. It certainly looked real to me, and judging by the expressions everyone else had, they thought so, too.

  "Humph," grunted Mrs. Bronwyn. "You could have bought that badge at any dollar store. Still, I suppose we ought to believe you if we want to get anywhere with this investigation."

  "Thank you, Mrs. Bronwyn. I knew I would have your cooperation," he said.

  Willy stepped forward. "Excuse me, Inspector. Is there anything you would like me to do? Should we stop the train or radio ahead to tell the police in Topaz Mountain about this?"

  "There is no need to stop the train," he replied. "There is nowhere to go. If anyone tried to jump off a moving train, their efforts would be futile. In this part of the country, you would not last a day in the wilderness. No, we'll keep going as we are. And please do not inform any other passengers of this matter. There is no need for everyone to panic. I believe the diamond was specifically targeted and that we are not dealing with a common petty thief. The person responsible for stealing the gem knew it was on board and came specifically to find it."

  "But how could anyone have known?" asked Mrs. Bronwyn. "None of the newspaper articles mentioned how the diamond would be transported."

  "I am not sur
e how they knew," said the inspector. "They were likely tipped off by someone who knew it would be here. Someone who works at the auction house, perhaps."

  "An insider!" I snapped my fingers.

  "So it would seem, Cora," he replied.

  I was beginning to get excited; my mind raced in every direction, trying to remember who I saw in the hallway and who I did not. Looking around the car, I already had some suspicions as to who might have stolen the diamond, but there were too many unanswered questions.

  I glanced down at Calvin, who was now sleeping peacefully at Mrs. Bronwyn's feet, unaware that he was in the midst of a world-class jewel heist.

  "Well then," said Inspector Dabruzzi, "I think we should begin the questioning. Mr. Sloane, if you don't mind, I would like to start with you. If you would care to show me your cabin and walk me through the events of this morning?"

  "Yes, of course. Follow me."

  The two men promptly left the dining car and proceeded to Mr. Sloane's private compartment, leaving the rest of us behind.

  "Well," said Sheila. "How do you like that? A jewel caper on my honeymoon!"

  "It's all so unbelievable," muttered Mrs. Bronwyn. "I don't know how anyone could have known the diamond was on the train. It simply doesn't make sense."

  Ted held his wife’s hand. "Not really. Mrs. Bronwyn, it was you who made the connection with the diamond in the first place. You suggested in the lounge car last night that Mr. Sloane was carrying it in his case. If you figured it out, then anyone could have."

  "Oh, yes," she said. "I suppose you are right, but that was merely a guess. I don't see how anyone could have known before getting on the train."

  "That part is a bit odd, isn't it?" wondered Sheila.

  "Well," I said, "Inspector Dabruzzi said the thief must have had some inside information."

  We sat in the car for a few minutes of silence, each considering how someone could have known the diamond was on the train.

  "Well, I'm going back to my cabin," said the man with glasses. "I'm not going to sit around here and wait all day."

  "I don't think you should do that, Mr. MacEvoy," Willy said. "I think we should all stay put until the inspector comes back."

  We all agreed in a chorus of “yes,” which only agitated Mr. MacEvoy even more.

  "It's preposterous. We can't all be treated like criminals. We're paying passengers; we should be allowed to roam freely on the train as we see fit."

  With that, Mr. MacEvoy stood up, forcefully stuffing his handkerchief into the front pocket of his suit, and started for the door of the cabin.

  As he passed us, Calvin awoke and peered up at Mr. MacEvoy before letting out a faint growl.

  "You mind your own business!" snapped Mr. MacEvoy.

  He opened the sliding door leading to the sleeping cabins and walked right out, letting the door behind him close with its usual crash.

  "I can't believe him," said Sheila. "Why is he in such a hurry to get back to his seat?"

  "Maybe he needs to hide the diamond before the cop searches his stuff," suggested Abby.

  The others looked at her as they considered her theory.

  "Hey, I'm just sayin'."

  In the hallway, Mr. MacEvoy was determined to get to his seat without Inspector Dabruzzi noticing him. We could see him through the glass door as he attempted to creep to his things. Unfortunately, just as he thought he was safely past the door of Mr. Sloane's compartment, Dabruzzi jumped out to confront him.

  "Mr. MacEvoy, sir. Where are you going?"

  Thankfully, we not only could see the conversation, we could hear it too, although I admit it was a bit muffled.

  "I'm going to my seat, that's where. And I ask that you please get out of my way."

  "Mr. MacEvoy, I think it’s imperative that you stay in the dining car with the others. I'll just be a few minutes longer. I'm almost finished searching Mr. Sloane's room."

  "Inspector," he said. "I must voice my objections at your confining all of us together. Now, I have done nothing wrong, and I insist I be allowed to go back to my seat. I'm very upset and would like to rest."

  "I'm sure we all would like to rest, but until we determine the whereabouts of the diamond, there will be very little rest for us."

  Mr. MacEvoy didn't quite know what to say in response to that. He seemed to know a law enforcement agent had more authority than anyone else on the train, and saw little point in arguing.

  "Fine. I will join the others, but I am most displeased."

  Mr. MacEvoy spun on his heels and strode back to join us, no doubt preparing what to say so as to not look embarrassed in front of all of us.

  "Well," he said as he opened the door, "The inspector and I decided it would be best for me to stay in the room with all of you. In the interest of justice, I suggested I stay here until the investigation is complete."

  He strode back to the seat he had been sitting in just a few minutes earlier and hunkered down.

  "I knew you wouldn't get far," said Abby with a smirk.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  "Ladies and gentlemen," said Inspector Dabruzzi, "I have completed my search of Mr. Sloane's compartment and have determined that the diamond is indeed missing."

  "And one of you took it!" interjected Mr. Sloane.

  "That is not what I said."

  "But it must be true, Inspector," said Sheila. "You said so your self. No one else from the front of the train had come back yet, and Willy said no one went past the first section after the sleeper car, so it had to be someone here."

  "That's right," added Ted. "That is what you said."

  Inspector Dabruzzi took a deep breath and stepped closer to the center of the room. "I think we must all remain calm. As the expression says, calm heads prevail. Now that I have verified the diamond is missing—"

  "Stolen!" interjected Mr. Sloane.

  "Now that I have verified the diamond is missing, I will begin my investigation. I am going to conduct a thorough search of the other compartments and the seating area."

  Abigail frowned. "You're going to look through my stuff?"

  "Yes, I am. But let me assure you that I will conduct my business with the utmost discretion. I will simply look for clues related to the crime at hand. Anything else in your belongings will be held in the strictest confidence."

  "I don't know how I feel about this," said Mr. MacEvoy.

  Mrs. Bronwyn had a sly smile on her face. "Do you have something to hide?"

  "No, I certainly do not!" she snapped back.

  "Then let the inspector conduct his business," Mr. MacEvoy replied. "If it's the only chance we have to figure this out, then stay out of his way."

  The officer held up a hand for silence. "During the time I am searching, I ask that you all remain here."

  The room fell quiet as we watched him exit the car and make his way to the sleeping compartment to begin his search.

  Mrs. Bronwyn sat at a table by the window, staring out at the passing landscape. Willy stood beside her, an expression of concentration creasing his lips and forehead.

  "I wonder if he will find anything," wondered Willy aloud.

  I asked, "What if he doesn't find anything?"

  "I suppose that’s possible," replied Mrs. Bronwyn.

  "Oh," said Mr. MacEvoy quite nervously. "I hope he doesn't mess everything up. I am very careful about how I pack my bags, and would be terribly upset if things were out of place."

  "I'm sure he will be careful, sir," I said, trying to calm him down. "He is a professional, after all."

  "There are several books in my bags, rare ornithology novels that I should have taken out. They are first editions, including the only known copy of The Spotted Pilkington and You! by Georgia Lennox. It took me years to find that book, and now the inspector is going to ruin it! Oh!"

  I was worried Mr. MacEvoy would have a breakdown, right there in front of us. There were many things I was prepared to deal with, but an adult male crying on my shoulder was not one of the
m. "Mr. MacEvoy," I said. "I'm sure Inspector Dabruzzi will not damage your book. He will probably not even touch it."

  "Oh, I hope you’re right. It was so hard to find, so very, very hard to find."

  "Aaarrrrggggg," cried Calvin from below the table.

  "Oh, my dear," said Mrs. Bronwyn. "What is upsetting you so much?"

  The pup was lying flat on his stomach with his front paws stretched in front of him, staring up at Mrs. Bronwyn with big brown eyes.

  "Your dog is making quite a noise," grumbled Mr. MacEvoy.

  "I can certainly hear that, you old fool. He needs a walk, I’m afraid. We’re supposed to be stopping in Pecan River soon. That is where I had planned to take him for a short walk on the platform."

  "I don’t think you will be allowed to leave the train," interjected Willy.

  "I strongly disagree, he simply must!" Mrs. Bronwyn looked a little panicked at Willy’s suggestion. She clearly hadn’t considered that the investigation would interfere with Calvin’s bathroom break. "Look at him. Who could refuse that face?"

  We turned to Calvin, who was cocking his head to one side, desperate to figure out why everyone was giving him so much attention.

  "We’ll ask the inspector when he comes out," said Willy. "I’m sure he will be fine with you going out for a few minutes. We’ll be in Pecan River in about twenty minutes. Do you think he can hold it that long?"

  "Oh yes," added Mrs. Bronwyn. "I’m sure he will be fine."

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Thirty minutes later, the inspector returned to our car. He did not look particularly pleased, at least not to me. One glance at his face told me he had not found the diamond, not even close.

  "Well?" cried an anxious Mr. Sloane.

  "I am afraid I have found no trace of the diamond," he conceded.

  Mr. Sloane whirled on us. "One of them might have it on them right now!"

  "That is a possibility that we must consider," said the inspector as he walked further into the room. "Gentlemen, turn out your pockets. Ladies, empty your purses."

  One at a time, everyone in the room emptied their belongings onto the tables in front of them.