The Open Door Calamity: A Clever Lee Mystery
A Donald Harry Roberts Flash Fiction Mystery
Angelia Lee, known to her friends as Clever Lee, was an ordinary high school student with an extraordinary knack for solving mysteries. One day, she walked into the town library, a place she often visited to study or satisfy some curiosity. But that day, the library was different. The door was ajar, and inside, chaos reigned. Books were strewn everywhere, and the librarian lay unconscious on the floor.
“Mrs. Jenkins!” Clever rushed to the librarian’s side, checking her pulse. It was steady, but she was out cold. Clever dialed 911, then began to look around. The toppled shelves and scattered books were alarming, but what caught her attention was a torn piece of a club flyer, a place where the town’s notorious gang often hung out.
Clever pocketed the flyer and began to search the library. She found a few more clues: a muddy boot print, a discarded bandana, and a library card. The card belonged to a member of the gang, a boy named Rokko.
With the clues in hand, Clever decided to investigate the clubhouse. She knew it was risky, but she also knew she had to find out what happened. She arrived at the clubhouse just as the sun was setting. She hid behind a barrel and listened to the gang’s conversation.
“Yeah, we knocked over some shelves, so what?” one of them said. “It was just a bit of fun.”
“But why the library?” another asked.
“Rokko lost his library card there,” the first replied. “We had to get it back before anyone found it.”
Clever couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She quietly dialed the police and relayed the information. Within minutes, the police arrived and arrested the gang members. Clever handed over the clues she had found, and the police thanked her for her help.
The next day, the library was back to its peaceful self, and Mrs. Jenkins was back on her feet. She thanked Clever for her bravery and quick thinking. And though Clever was just glad she could help, she couldn’t help but feel a thrill at solving another mystery. After all, she was Clever Lee, the high school detective.