Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit

by Octavia Spencer

  “Who me?” Randi said, playing innocent.

  “You two are getting as thick as thieves,” Herb said.

  “Mei-Ling’s pretty cool,” Randi had to admit.

  “Cooler than Glenn Street?” Herb asked.

  “Much,” Randi said. “I’d say Mei-Ling’s the second coolest woman I’ve ever known.”

  Randi couldn’t remember Herb Rhodes looking happier than he did at that moment.

  “Come on,” he said. “I think you and your friends have one last duty to perform before we head out to the Cruzes’ orchard.”

  ~ ~ ~ ~

  The honor of opening the time capsule had been given to Angus McCarthy. He, in turn, had given it to the three kids who had saved his life. Everyone in Deer Creek had gathered around the monument to see what the legendary capsule contained. Once Randi, Pudge, and D.C. were in place at the microphone stand, Sheriff Ogle presented them with a small hand-carved box. Pudge held the box. D.C. opened the latch. And Randi removed the lid. Inside was a scroll of yellowing paper tied with a faded red ribbon. Randi unrolled the scroll, cleared her throat, and began to read.

  “Two hundred years from now, this capsule will be opened. If any Suttons, Prufrocks, or McCarthys live in Deer Creek when this letter is read, then our families may have finally discovered the treasure we always hoped they would find.

  “Each of us came to this land to find his fortune. We quickly discovered that we could never survive on our own. Only together were we able to found this fine town. We have been prosperous because our friendship is more precious to us than any riches on earth. Unfortunately, our sons and daughters are now battling over their inheritance—an inheritance we’ve agreed that they shall not have.

  “United we stand. Divided we shall fall. If the town of Deer Creek has survived two hundred years, then its residents have learned that lesson. REMEMBER HOW IT ALL BEGAN and you will have earned your reward.

  “Jed McCarthy

  “Sean Prufrock

  “Liam Sutton”

  After the ceremony, the Taylor, Cruz, and Rhodes families gathered at the Guyton Orchard for a celebratory feast. There were apple pies, fish yi mein, catfish dumplings, and a mouthwatering jambalaya cooked up by Pudge’s mom. Mrs. Taylor had brought Pudge’s three little sisters and the family’s golden retriever, Sherlock, down to Tennessee a week earlier than scheduled so they wouldn’t miss the Founders’ Day Festival. She said she still found it hard to believe that her Boston-born son had somehow learned to love sleepy Deer Creek. In fact, Randi heard her telling Mrs. Cruz that the change in Pudge’s attitude was nothing short of miraculous. And Mrs. Cruz confided that D.C. seemed much more confident since the events in Rock Hollow. And while his asthma hadn’t disappeared, Pudge’s advice was helping him learn how to deal with it. Mei-Ling spotted Randi eavesdropping on the two women and gave her a wink. They both knew that Pudge and D.C. weren’t the only ones whose lives had recently changed for the better.

  After dinner, when the adults were chatting and Pudge’s little sisters were chasing one another around the farm, the three ninja detectives slinked away to their hideout. A brand-new computer sat on the table, along with a range of state-of-the-art detective gadgets. They were all thank-you presents from the people of Deer Creek.

  The three kids spent the rest of the evening talking about the night they’d spent in the caves. They argued over who’d clocked which bad guy—or who’d spent more time acting as Angus McCarthy’s crutch. But there was one thing that neither Randi, Pudge, nor D.C. would ever, ever question . . . .

  They wouldn’t have been able to do it alone.

  * * *

  EPILOGUE

  * * *

  Everyone said that the Founders’ Day celebration had been the best in Deer Creek’s history. The excitement was over, but Deer Creek would never be the same. Tourists had started trickling in after the treasure’s discovery made the national news, and the Deer Creek Restoration Project was busy giving the town a face-lift. More buildings had been restored, and Angus McCarthy’s Bait ’n’ Tackle shop had received a fresh coat of white paint. A brand-new school was in the works. The volunteer fire station got a shiny chartreuse fire truck.

  As soon as they were no longer grounded, Randi, D.C., and Pudge had spent the summer finishing their hideout. By the time the first leaves began to fall, the toolshed had been transformed into a high-tech ninja detective agency, complete with a security guard—Pudge’s golden retriever, Sherlock.

  ~ ~ ~ ~

  A knock at the door brought them all to attention. They waited patiently to see if the intruder knew the secret knock. He did. Randi hurried to the door and opened it to find her dad waiting at the threshold. Tucked under his arm were three books.

  “Hey, kiddo. Thought you guys might like to see these.” He handed each of the kids a bright red book embossed with the title The Ninja Detectives.

  “Is this your new book, sir?” D.C. asked.

  Herb nodded. “Fresh off the presses. These are just galleys, of course. That means the book isn’t quite finished yet. It still needs a little work. If you don’t mind, I’d like you guys to read them and tell me if I’ve left anything out.”

  “Thank you for this wonderful opportunity, sir,” Pudge said. He was in awe of Randi’s dad.

  “I’m starting right now!” D.C. exclaimed, turning to the first page.

  “Then I’ll get out of here and let you three get to work.” Herb Rhodes winked at his daughter on his way out the door.

  “Why does the cover say the book was written by O.K. Rhodes?” Pudge asked Randi. “I thought your dad’s name was Herbert.”

  “O.K. stands for Olivia-Kay. It’s my mom’s name,” Randi said, beaming.

  No one said another word until the sun had set and it was too dark to see the pages of their books. That’s when they hurried back to D.C.’s house, eager to keep reading about the three young ninja detectives who solved crimes in a small Tennessee town.

  As they sprinted through the orchard, Sherlock began to bark. He’d spotted a trespasser hiding in the shadows. . . . But that’s another story!

  * * *

  NINJA TASKS

  * * *

  Now that you’ve helped to solve the first mystery, log on to theninjadetectives.com and learn how you too can become a card-carrying member! The fun doesn’t have to end here. Watch kids your own age demonstrate proper forms in Tae Kwon Do (kicking and blocking). And while you’re at it, whip up a tasty ND treat! Complete all the tasks and get your Ninja Belt!

  And, if you didn’t stop along the way to Clue Review, here’s your chance. This chapter will take you through the process of evidence collection and much, much more. You can try all of these experiments at home. Find a partner—recruit Mom and Dad, Gram or Gramps, or invite your best friend over. Follow the evidence and enjoy the fun!

  Author photo by Randee St. Nicholas

  A veteran character actress and one of Holly­ wood’s most-sought-after talents, Octavia Spencer has become a familiar fixture on both television and the silver screen. Her critically acclaimed performance as Minny in the DreamWorks feature film The Help won her a 2012 Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Golden Globe Award, SAG Award, and Broadcast Film Critics’ Choice Award among countless other honors. Octavia is a native of Montgomery, Alabama, and holds a BS in Liberal Arts from Auburn University. She currently resides in Los Angeles. Randi Rhodes, Ninja Detective: The Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit is her first novel.

  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

  Simon & Schuster, New York

  Meet the author, watch videos, and get extras at

  KIDS.SimonandSchuster.com

  * * *

  APPENDIX A:

  * * *

  CONDUCT A STAKEOUT

  Things You’ll Need:

  • Food and water

  • Diapers (optional)

  • Patience

  • A notebook and pen

  • Camera

  �
� Binoculars

  • A good excuse

  What to Do:

  » FIND a place where you can watch your target without being seen—or a spot in which you won’t seem out of place.

  » GET as comfortable as you can. Stakeouts can take a very, very long time.

  » LIMIT your food and water intake. You may miss something important if you have to keep running to the bathroom.

  » STOCK UP on diapers if you can’t resist eating and drinking on duty.

  » TAKE lots of notes. Be sure to write down the things you observe. You may not know how important they are until later!

  » RECORD any activity that seems suspicious.

  » INVENT a good excuse to use if you’re caught in the middle of your stakeout!

  * * *

  APPENDIX B:

  * * *

  GET RID OF SKUNK STINK

  Things You’ll Need:

  • One quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide

  • 1/4 cup of baking soda

  • One teaspoon of liquid soap

  What to Do:

  » AVOID being sprayed in the first place! Skunks won’t attack unless they feel threatened. So if you find yourself confronted by one, be as quiet as possible and try not to make many sudden movements.

  » WASH your face and eyes with water if skunk juice has made contact with your head. Not just because it’s gross, but because it can also cause temporary blindness.

  » DON’T go inside, if possible. You want the whole house to smell like skunk?

  » TOUCH as little as you can. It’s going to be hard enough getting the stink off of you!

  » MIX up a solution of the ingredients shown above.

  » SCRUB yourself with the mixture while it’s still bubbling.

  » INVEST in a good perfume or cologne. Otherwise that smell’s gonna be in your nose for days.

  * * *

  APPENDIX C:

  * * *

  MRS. CRUZ’S CHOCOLATE-DRIZZLED CARAMEL APPLES

  (BECAUSE YOU DESERVE A SNACK!)

  Things You’ll Need:

  • 6 wooden craft sticks (found in cake decorating or hobby shops); Popsicle sticks work too

  • 6 tart apples, washed, dried, and stems removed (Granny Smiths preferable)

  • 1 14-ounce package of caramels

  • 2 tablespoons water

  • 8 ounces semisweet chocolate morsels

  • 2 teaspoons butter

  • Tray or baking sheet lined with wax paper

  What to Do:

  » INSERT one wooden craft or Popsicle stick into stem end of each apple.

  » MICROWAVE caramels and water in large, microwave-safe bowl on high (100%) power for 2 minutes; stir. Cook for additional 10- to 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth.

  » DIP each apple in melted caramel; scrape excess caramel from bottoms. Then place on prepared tray. Refrigerate for 30 to 45 minutes or until set.

  » MICROWAVE chocolate and butter in a large microwavable bowl on medium for 1 minute. Stir.

  » RETURN bowl to microwave and cook on medium for another 1 to 2 minutes, or until all chocolate is nearly melted, stirring every minute.

  » REMOVE bowl and stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is smooth.

  » DRIZZLE apples with chocolate as desired. If you have a squeeze bottle on hand, they make great drizzlers.

  » STORE apples in refrigerator in airtight container. Apples are best if they are served the same day as they are prepared.

  » (ADULT SUPERVISION REQUIRED.)

  * * *

  APPENDIX D:

  * * *

  MAKE A FOOTPRINT CAST

  Things You’ll Need:

  • A freshly made footprint in loose soil

  • A shoe box

  • 1 small bowl or cup

  • Small twigs or Popsicle sticks

  • 1-pound box of powdered spackle

  • 8 ounces of water

  • 1 small paintbrush

  • 1 bottle of pump hairspray

  • 45 minutes of patience

  What to Do:

  » FIND or make a footprint in loose soil.

  » MIX water and spackle mix (until it has the consistency of pancake batter).

  » SPRAY the print with pump hairspray. Let stand for five minutes or until print is hard.

  » CUT out the bottom of the shoe box, then place box around footprint.

  » PUSH dirt up around the outside of the shoe box to seal any holes so the plaster mix doesn’t leak out. (Place twigs at base if needed for extra hold.)

  » POUR plaster in at one end of the contained area, letting it run into the shoe impression slowly, until the print is covered in plaster.

  » WAIT forty-five minutes or until completely dry.

  » UNCOVER print and lift.

  » USE the paintbrush to gingerly dust debris from your cast. After it dries for twenty-four hours, rinse lightly with water to remove the remaining dirt.

  * * *

  APPENDIX E:

  * * *

  NASTY STAIN AND PRINT DETECTION

  Things You’ll Need:

  • One black light (inexpensive devices can be purchased at many drugstores or hardware stores)

  • Petroleum jelly

  • Spit (optional)

  What to Do:

  » PERFORM your experiment in a room that you can make perfectly dark (a bathroom is ideal).

  » DIP a finger into the petroleum jelly. Leave a few petroleum-jelly-covered fingerprints on a surface of your choosing. With the lights on, the fingerprints should be invisible.

  » SWITCH off the regular light and turn on your black light. The fingerprints you just left will instantly glow blue.

  » TRY the same experiment with a bit of saliva. Both urine and spit will be invisible under regular lights. Under a black light, however, they will be a bright, glowing yellow.

  * * *

  APPENDIX F:

  * * *

  COLLECT A DUSTY FOOTPRINT

  Things You’ll Need:

  • A roll of packaging tape (must be transparent)

  • A piece of black poster board

  • Scissors

  • A sneaker

  • A nice, dusty surface (could be a floor, table, desk, etc.)

  What to Do:

  » FIND a very dusty surface and place your sneaker firmly in the center of it.

  » REMOVE the sneaker. (You should see a nice impression of the shoe.)

  » CUT about four strips of tape and connect them. (It should be enough to cover the print.)

  » PLACE the connected tape over the dusty print.

  » PRESS and lift. (The print should adhere to the tape.)

  » PLACE the tape on the black poster board.

  » VOILÀ! You should have a nice dusty footprint.

  * * *

  APPENDIX G:

  * * *

  EAVESDROPPING

  Things You May Need:

  • Headphones

  • A water glass

  • A disguise

  What to Do:

  » GET as close as you can to the conversation you’d like to hear. This is easier if the people don’t know you. Just try your best to blend into the background.

  » CONSIDER wearing a disguise if you’re eavesdropping on people who might know or recognize you.

  » PRETEND to be busy.

  » DON’T look at the people having the conversation.

  » WEAR headphones and bob your head to imaginary music. Or pretend to be on the phone.

  » FIND a water glass if you’re attempting to listen through a wall. Place the open end of the glass to the wall and press your ear to the closed end. It’s an old trick, but you may be surprised how well it works.

  * * *

  APPENDIX H:

  * * *

  PRUFROCK’S FIVE-MINUTE ICE CREAM

  (WHEN A CASE IS OVER, YOU DESERVE A REWARD)

  Things You’ll Need:

 
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar

  • 1/2 cup of whole milk (for real ice cream consistency)

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (see other flavors below)

  • Lots of ice (crushed ice works better)

  • 8 tablespoons rock salt

  • 1 pint-size plastic zipper bag

  • 1 gallon-size plastic zipper bag

  • 1 spoon

  • An ice cream cone (if you desire)

  What to Do:

  » TAKE the small bag and add sugar, milk, and vanilla. Seal it.

  » TAKE the large bag and fill it with ice and rock salt.

  » PLACE the small bag inside the large bag. Seal it.

  » SHAKE, shake, shake! (Until mixture is ice cream.)

  » OPEN bags, and spoon out or pour into cone. ENJOY!

  » For chocolate-flavored ice cream, add 1/2 teaspoon of sweetened cocoa powder instead of the vanilla.

  » For strawberry-flavored ice cream, add 1/2 teaspoon of sweetened strawberry powder instead of the vanilla.