Ready Freddy
And The
Great Pop Bottle Caper
The First of the
Ready Freddy Mysteries
Ben Miller & Audrey J Miller
Artwork by Matthew A Miller
Smash Words Publishing
2011
Dedication
All of the Ready Freddy books, (1~5, so far…) are dedicated to my daughter, Audrey Jean Miller. Back in 1977, I was trying to produce a story telling series on radio. I wanted the show to be called, Dream Weavers. As usual, I was ahead of my time. In 2011, there are several shows just like my idea on the radio that I like.
This book you are holding is the result of our intention to turn the Children’s stories into short stories or novelas out of the notes from 1976 and 1977. We are going to release them as part of a marketing plan where they will be part of a $0.99 downloads.
These characters were originally created by me in stories that I told to her as we drove back and forth from Chicago to Grampa Miller’s house in Kansas and on other on road trips. In the 1970’s, there weren’t good radios in the cheap cars I drove, so I would tell her stories to keep her entertained. To be fair, I was entertaining my self as well. Her mother slept through most of them. There were lots of stories. Just like in the Kissing Stones, there really was a fire and boxes of manuscripts and radio play notes were lost to fire and water damage.
These three stories are Books 1, 2, and 3, in a series that is now 5 books long. I intended to make radio plays that I first created for my oldest daughter, Audrey, when she was around two years old. My daughter and I have agreed to recreate our work from back in 1976.
To reintroduce the players in these stories, we meet Police Lieutenant Fred (Ready Freddy) MacGarn. I was and always will be Ready Freddy.
Next, we meet Jimmy (J Dawg) Simpson. My brother, Jim, is the real Unka Jimmer (Audrey’s name for him.) He did play ball. He threw his arm out in A ball and became an Xray tech. In these children’s stories, these two boys and some of the members of their Little League baseball team spent their non-playing moments as a crime solving detective agency.
Denny Jones is really Audrey’s Uncle Kenny. Sadly, he died in 2010, so I can tell the truth. We loved him, but, he was one of those hapless shlomozzles on whom soup is always being spilled.
Jackie “Digger” Jacobi, was patterned after my childhood best friend, Paul Marches. I heard that he became a mayor. The name “Digger” comes from one of my wife’s childhood friends. He was a way too serious boy and a great friend. Paul was never a crook. I made that part up.
Fred provided (and still does provide) the leadership. Jimmy, Denny, and Greg were the fearless followers. Peg and Teeny provided a different point of view that was often critical to the solutions.
Jimmy’s little sister, Margaret Eloise “Peg” Simpson is now and always was Audrey Jean Miller. She is remembered by all as the true brains of the outfit (except Jimmy, who assigned himself that task. No matter what the facts were).
Delilah, “Little Teeny” Wilkins, (Peg’s best friend) was patterned after Audrey’s BFF in day care named Renee’. As far as I know, she and Aud are still chums. Changing her race to African American added a sense of drama to her inclusion in a white family’s life in rural 1960’s. It was especially poignant that Delilah and Jimmy maintained a secret love affair until Jimmy’s death.
The notes I have now, show Book 5 will be about Gramma Sarah and a new boyfriend who preys on rich widows. Book 6 will be about the trouble that Papa Junior causes with that last diamond and the escaped gangsters, Stomper and the Dragon. BUT, I have to write #’s 1, 2, and 3 first.
Enjoy!
Book 1
The Great Pop Bottle Caper
By Ben Miller & Audrey Miller
Cover art by Matthew Miller
Copyright 2011 Ben Miller
Smashwords Edition
ISBN:?
Title: Ready Freddy and the The Great Pop Bottle Caper
Author: Ben Miller
Publisher: Smashwords, Inc. 9/24/2011
Smashwords License Statement
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Disclaimer
This is a work of fiction. All events are fictitious. All resemblance to police or regular citizens is unintentional. Resemblance to any known pop bottle thieves is accidental.
The Great Pop Bottle Caper
The
First Ready Freddy Mystery
“Freddy and Jimmy drove their bikes like mad men down Maple Street.
As usual, they were racing. As usual, they were taunting each other about who was the best racer in the race.
The two boys were so intent upon their race that they failed to notice the Candy Store van parked in front of Jimmy’s house. In a well practiced maneuver, they skidded their bikes side by side, turning into and throwing bits of the gravel of Freddy’s driveway. Righting themselves, they powered right up to the tree in between their houses.
Jimmy jumped off his bike and scrambled up into the tree fort. He leaned out the window, yelling, ‘I win! I win!’…”
Jimmy’s mom had been watching for the boys to come in from ball practice.
She went out on the back porch and called, “Jimmy… I need to see you.”
Jimmy didn’t like that tone. Without argument, he climbed down and went inside.
Freddy went with him because he knew his folks were out and he needed a cookie. He knew Auntie Ag would have something for him.
When he went in, though, everyone was in the living room. Freddy heard Big Jim and another man talking. This can’t be good, he thought. If this visitor was there on friendly business, they would be at the kitchen table. He sat to wait. He saw a half filled coffee cup.
Then, Fred heard Jimmy say, “Hey… I didn’t do it… I swear…”
“You and your hooligan friends can just stay out of my candy store forever!” said an angry voice as the candy store owner stomped across the front foyer and out the front door. He slammed the door on his way out.
The four Simpsons came into the kitchen. Fred looked up from his comic book and asked, “What was that? What’s with Mr. Kendrake? Tell me what happened?”
Big Jim sat and sipped his cold coffee. “Old Man Kendrake thinks Jimmy has been stealing pop bottles out of his alley and selling them across town for the one penny deposits.”
Jimmy looked from one parent to another, “I swear I didn’t steal nothin’…”
Agnes looked at her husband and then at Jimmy, “We know… Go on and play now. I gotta make us all some supper.”
Jimmy and Fred are sitting dejectedly out on the back stoop. Peg was rocking her doll and humming to herself on the big couch swing near them. After a minute, she jumped up and said, “I know what to do. We’ll catch who ever is doing this and clear our names and we can buy candy again.”
Jimmy looked from one parent to another, “I’m not kidding. I swear I didn’t steal nothin’…”
Agnes looked at her husband and then at Jimmy, “We know he’s wrong about you, son. You kids go on and play now. I’m going make us all some supper.”
Jimmy and Fred are sitting dejectedly out on the back stoop. Peg was rocking her doll and humming to herself on the big couch swing near them. After a minute, she jumped up and said, “I know what to do. We’ll catch who ever DID do this and clear our names and we can buy candy again.”
Jimmy said, “Oh… wadda you know?”
“Mommy… Jimmy’s making fun of me again…” Peggy ran into the house.
Fred said, “Come on, buddy…” He ran for the fort. With a whoop, Jimmy took off after him. They went up the ladder and shut the trap door before Peg could catch them. She stood at the bottom of the tree and stomped her feet. She ran into the house screaming her mother’s name.
Fred and Jimmy laughed and started to plan. Fred said,”I am thinking that maybe we should think about what we can do. Look we’ve read all the Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys books. They were kids solving crimes, so, WE could do this if they could.”
“You think, man?”
“Yeah… I think.”
“What’ll we call the detective agency?”
“Well… You’re the client, so, I guess I’m the detective…”
Jimmy thought for a long moment. Finally, he nodded, “Alright, buddy. You’re the detective in this game, but, we’re partners!”
“Okay! The Ready Freddy Deyective Agency it is. Let’s go tell your folks that we have a plan to clear you of this bogus charge.” Freddy’s parents had arrived for dinner by then. All three kids were talking as they laid their plans out for their parents. The moms were full of cautioning advice. The dads were just proud that their kids were full of positive solutions to their dilemma.
The next day, the boys were waiting in the alley behind the candy store. They waited for over an hour before giving up. They turned to go back home.
At the same time that the boys had been waiting and sweating in the alley, Peg and Teeny performed their usual ritual of walking home from school together with their friends. As usual, they stopped at the candy store for a snack. This time, Peg was walking around the store watching the buzz of activity. She whispered to Teeny, “If I was gonna steal pop bottles out of the alley, I would pick this time. With this store full of kids, neither of the Kendrake’s has a moment to watch things.”
“Yeah… You’re right… Let’s go talk to the boys.”
Peg and Teeny met up with the boys just as they were coming out of the alley. Teeny and Jimmy shared a secret smile. Jimmy put her on his bike and they rode off.
Fred and Peg took off walking. Fred offered, “You want a ride, too?”
Peg said, “No… I want to think. Can we walk and talk this out?”
“Sure, I guess.” He pushed his bike as he tried to keep up.
Meanwhile, out in the alley, after thinking a while, Peg continued. “Some of what you’re doing is right and some is wrong. I was watching the Kendrake’s. It’s a circus in there until past 4. This would be the best time for the robbery, but, the robbers’ll never come if we don’t figure out how to hide better. Those boys, whoever they are, will see you here and wait you out.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Fred said dejectedly.
Just then, Peg turned on her heel, “Come on! I have an idea!” She ran back into the alley. Fred turned his bike after her. She was well ahead by now.
“Hey, wait,” He jumped on his bike and pedaled after her. When he found her, she was back in the center of the alley. Just as he caught up to her, Jimmy and Teeny came rolling up. Peg was looking away from the store at a dark green garage.
“What are you looking at?” Fred said as they skidded to a stop.
Teeny said, “Isn’t this Digger’s dad’s garage?”
Fred nodded, “Yeah… They park the long black cars in here, I think.”
“Look up there,” she pointed at a small window up above them.
Jimmy said, “I think that’s Digger and Denny Jones’s clubhouse up there.”
“Come on! Let’s see if he’s up there!” All four kids hurried around the garage. The garage was open. They quietly moved through the empty room and up the back stairs. At the top of the steps, they knocked on the door.
Digger peeked out. Although he was the same age as Fred and Jimmy, he was much smaller. He and Fred had been best friends since the day in first grade that Fred had stood up to a third grade bully for a smaller kid. Later, his smaller size made him a great shortstop. Once he saw who it was, Digger smiled in recognition. He opened the door. “Come on in!”
The other three kids walked in and greeted Digger and Denny. The boys had moved a couch and a table and chairs up there. Denny was lying on the couch looking at a comic book. Digger opened an old fridge to show them some cold soda pops.
“Excellent,” said Jimmy grabbing one for him and another for Teeny.
Peg ignored them as she strode across the room and looked out the window. She pointed to the candy store, “Look!”
The other five came to look. Digger said, “Okay… What’s going on?”
Peg looked at Fred, “You’re going to have to deputize them. You can’t tell them unless you do that.”
Fred looked at her for a second and nodded. “All right, here’s the deal. I can’t tell you what’s going on unless you become detectives in the Ready Freddy Detective Agency.”
Denny leaped off the old couch and flew to the window. “Cool, man. Count me in!”
Digger thought a moment and agreed. “Sure! Sounds like a fun game. What gives?”
“You swear to uphold the law and be good detectives?”
Both boys agreed. Fred began to catch them up. “Jimmy’s been accused of stealing pop bottles out of the alley back there.”
“Bummer!” said Denny
“That stinks, man!” said Digger.
“Peg has a plan to keep watch through this window. When we see someone taking bottles, we follow them and then get the cops to arrest them and clear Jimmy.”
Jimmy said, “We can have our bikes ready downstairs to follow them.”
The other boys said, “Right!”
Peg said, “Okay. I noticed that the Kendrakes are very busy right after school. They are so distracted that they are ripe for being ripped off.”
“Okay, Peg… What’ll we do?” asked Freddy.
Peg looked at the boys with her arms crossed, “I have a plan.”
Jimmy gets in her face, “Oh, really? What is your grand plan?”
“I figure that the robbers won’t come if they can see us.”
“Right…And?”
“We just watch from up here where they can’t see us. When they come…”
“If they come,” said Jimmy quickly.
“When they come, we follow them. Digger, is there a phone out in the garage?”
Jackie jumped. He had lost interest in Jimmy and Peggy fight. “Um, yeah… it’s at the bottom of the stairs.”
“Good! We’ll need it.” She began watching the store.
Jimmy walked away from his sister, “Sounds boring… Come on, Teeny, play me some checkers.”
“What ever you want, Jimmy.” Teeny went over to an old table in the far corner of the attic and began playing checkers with them.
Fred sat by Peg in an old overstuffed chair and pretended to read a comic book, but, he felt better just being near her.
Peg pretended to ignore him, but she was glad Freddy was near by as well. His support made all the difference to her. Just then, an old pickup pulled slowly into the alley. “Look! They’re here!”
The room erupted into sound. Fred jumped up and said, “Quiet! They’ll hear us!”
Fred said softly, “They’re loading cases of bottles into their pickup!”
Peg grabbed a piece of paper. She wrote on it. She handed the paper to Teeny, “Here, call the cops and give them this license plate number.”
Teeny grabbed Jimmy by the hand, “Come on, Jimmy!” They went down the stairs together, trying to be quiet.
Fred said, “Come on, Peg. You ride Digger’s banana seat. It’s your size. We gotta stay back and be careful so they don’t see us.”
They headed out the door toward the front of the funeral home. They waited on the corner. They saw the rusty old pickup. It turned on 3rd Avenue and then along River Road. Freddy and Peggy peddled as fast as they could. They went along Washington street parallel to River road. At every cross street, they looked for the truck. That way, they were able to track it. “Look,” said Fred, pointing, “They turned into Puddle Island.”
Peg nodded. She knew that Puddle Island was really a deep bend in the river with old fishing shacks, a bait shop that sells more beer than bait and a boat garage that was mostly closed. Fred and Peg’s dads used to have cabins there before the State built the dam and all the fishermen bought or built new cabins and moved to the lake.
Fred saw the pickup pulling into the old garage, “Come on…”
They turned their bikes and headed back for Digger’s garage. When they pulled up, Fred’s dad was pulling up in the other driveway. “Dad, what is going on?”
“Teeny called me. The Sheriff’s dispatch didn’t believe her. She called to give me the license plate. I called the Sheriff. He is meeting me here.”
“Dad… We followed the pickup to Puddle Island Garage. They went inside and closed the big doors.”
“Well, that was smart thinking, son. Oh, look, here comes the Sheriff. Let’s tell him what you’ve found.”
The Sheriff pulled in behind Mr. MacGarn’s car. Fred’s dad quickly told the Sheriff everything that all of the kids had told him. The kids returned to the hideout to watch the excitement.
The Sheriff sent a deputy into the store. He got on the radio to order all cars to Puddle Island to seal the only road off. In a moment, the kids watched as Mr. Kendrake came out with the deputy and began shouting and gesturing. The Deputy was writing stuff in a little book. When Kendrake went back into the store, the Deputy came back to the Sheriff.
Fred, Jimmy, Teeny, and Peg went downstairs. Jack touselled his son’s hair, “You junior detectives go sit in my car so you can be close and out of the way at the same time.”
“Okay, Dad.” Digger and Denny got in the front seat.
The Sheriff listened to the deputy’s report. He immediately got on his radio. Then, he said, “Okay… as long as he has signed the warrant, I’m going in…” The two cops jumped in their cars and Jack MacGarn got in his. He followed the cops slowly as they went along River Road.
They got to the roadblock. One of the cruisers pulled back and all four of the cars pulled into the area around the garage. They went into the supposedly empty garage. The kids watched as four older boys were brought out in cuffs. Two each were placed in the back seats of cruisers and those two cars went off to the County Jail.
The Sheriff sauntered over to their car. “We found hundreds of empty pop bottles which the boys had no paperwork on. We found a TV set that is suspicious and we found maybe a dozen bikes that Smitty says were on his ‘hot list’ of stolen bikes. You kids did a smart and brave thing, bringing these crooks to justice. Thank you very much.”
The next day at school, Mr. Kendrake came into Mrs. Jones’s 6th Grade class room. Peggy and Teeny were with him. They sat in chairs at the front of the class. He stood uncomfortably in front of the class. Mrs. Jones said, “As you all know, Mr. Kendrake runs the candy store down town. This is Sheriff McKinley. They need to talk to you all today.”
Mr. Kendrake went first, “I have been the victim of several robberies recently. I mistakenly accused Jimmy Simpson of these thefts. Jimmy, I am sorry. I hope you will accept my apology and this box of candy bars as a reward.”
The Sheriff then continued, “He and his friends acting as intrepid detectives discovered who the real thieves were and lead us to their hideout. There, my men and I found hundreds of stolen pop bottles and other stolen objects from crimes around the area.” The children applauded.
The tall man continued, “Miss Peggy Simpson told me this morning that these brave children are the Ready Freddy Detective Agency. Please stand as I call your name. I would like to honor Miss Peggy Simpson, Miss Delilah Wilkins, Jimmy Simpson, Jackie Jacobi, Dennis Jones, and, last but, not least, Fred MacGarn.”
Each child was given a detective’s badge to more applause and a box of candy bars as their reward for a job well done.
When they got home that afternoon, Freddy’s dad had painted a sign and nailed it to the tree trunk under their fort. It said:
THE READY FREDDY DETECTIVE AGENCY
No Crime too small
The End ###
Thank You for reading Ready Freddy and The Great Pop Bottle Caper, Book 1 of the Ready Freddy Mysteries…
Look for other titles by Ben Miller that have been published at Smashwords.com:
Book 2; Ready Freddy and the Baby Snatchers1976
Book 3; Ready Freddy and the Sandy Creek Mystery1977
Book 4; Ready Freddy and the Kissing Stones2011
Chasing the Jewelled Throne
The Arms of the Watcher
The Secrets of The Preacher Man
Long As I’m Alive Gonna Lay That Boogie Down (My Life in Lyrics)