Where we left off from the mystery story: The Case of the Missing Chips: Part 1

Our detectives, Kinley and Ella, interviewed Miss V, walked outside, and Ella looked at Kinley and said, “Time to get to work.” They rode back to the office, which is a chicken coop in Ella’s backyard. There, they talked about what they had written down in their notebooks. Miss V gave no clues as to who could have taken the potatoes or where they went.

Jessica and ali

They looked back in their notebooks at the two names who gave them the news, Jessica and Ali.  Kinley and Ella decided to go talk to them again. They found the two teenagers at the beach, playing volleyball. Kinley asked, “Hey Jessica! Ali! Can we ask you some questions?” The girls were more than happy to take a break from volleyball and all the diving seagulls.

“UGH!” yelled Jessica.  “These stupid seagulls have been dive-bombing into the sand all morning, ruining our games.”

“That’s strange. Must be something dead around here or a spilled picnic. Anyway, where did you first hear about the missing potatoes?” Ella started off.

Jessica said, “At the Sea-Side Club. We went in to get some potato chips and she was very upset because she couldn’t make any, the potatoes were already gone when she got into work.”

Kinley asked, “Did she say anything else?” This time, Ali answered, “No, she apologized, walked into the back, we left, and then that’s when we saw you.”

“It’s such a bummer because I could sure use some of her potato chips right now while solving this case,” said Ella.

Ali suggested, “Why don’t you just go to Pringles Beach Hut? His chips are pretty good, too.”

Right away, Kinley looked surprised, “Wait. Did you just say Pringles Beach Hut also serves homemade potato chips?” Ali said, “Yeah. Everybody’s been going there, now.”

“Well, well, well…” Ella said. She and Kinley looked at each other and knew right away they had to go talk to Mr. Pringle.

Pringles Beach Hut

Later that day, Kinley and Ella rode their bikes to Pringles Beach Hut so they could ask Mr. Pringle some questions. When they got there, it was so busy! The two girls felt horrible for Miss V. because a lot of people there were usually at the Sea-Side Club. And now, they were eating homemade potato chips here, instead. Poor Miss V, they both thought.

Kinley and Ella waited for a table and then when they sat down, asked the waiter to talk with Mr. Pringle. The waiter said he was super busy and couldn’t come to talk to us. So they waited and ate some chips, which they liked but would never admit. And they waited. Finally, an hour later, Mr. Pringle came over and apologized. His son, their waiter, just told him that they were waiting.

“My son is pretty protective of me and really wants our business to succeed so he didn’t tell me you were waiting to talk until he realized you wouldn’t leave. You two are persistent,” Mr. Pringle said. Ella said, “Yeah, we get that a lot.”

“Mr. Pringle,” Kinley said, “We’ll get to the point. Miss V’s potatoes, over at the Sea-Side Club, have gone missing. Do you know anything about this? Have you ever been over there?”

He responded, “I heard about that.  I don’t know anything about it, sorry girls. I can’t really talk, it’s really busy now that everyone is coming here for chips and it’s only my son, Barry, and I that work here. You understand, right?”

“Absolutely,” Kinley smiled, “Thank you for your time.”

Suspicious

Kinley looked at Ella, as they were walking out, “Did you see the way Barry was watching us talk to his dad the whole time?”

“Yes, I did,” Ella agreed, “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

“Barry,” they said at the same time. They both agreed that Mr. Pringle seemed clueless and very nice. However, Barry, seemed like he didn’t want us there, let alone talk to his dad. “He’s definitely hiding something. He’s suspicious.”

The steakout

Kinley and Ella learned from Miss V that there would be another order coming in the next night. So, the girls decided to keep watch after the delivery guy left and see if anyone, Barry, came to steal them.  They were going to camp out on the beach, catch the potato thief, and save Miss V’s restaurant.

The next night, the delivery guy came and went. Miss V locked the doors and gave the girls a thumbs up as she left. Kinley and Ella love camping out anyways, so this was pretty fun for them. Night came. They played cards, the game of Life, Mad Libs, and then, it happened. Someone came riding up to the back of the Club and started to wiggle and pick the lock.  It didn’t take whoever very long and he or she was in.  The girls couldn’t get a good look because the person had a hoodie and jeans on.

The culprit went into the restaurant and came out dragging a huge sack. The girls kept watching. They followed him/her. The thief dragged the bag of potatoes down the beach and started burying them. Kinley looked and Ella and said, “That explains the seagulls earlier.” Ella shook her head.

When they saw what was happening, they confronted the potato thief and asked, “What do you think you’re doing?” HE turned around quickly and looked alarmed.

gotcha!

It was Barry!

Ella spoke, “We’ve been following you, and we know everything.”

Barry hung his head and explained, “My dad has wanted this business for a long time and Miss V was so successful with those chips. I didn’t want my dad to have any competition, I love him.” Well, any anger that Kinley and Ella went away.  They felt sorry for him. Barry apologized and said he would tell Miss V and his dad it was him. And he did. The three talked it out and Miss V understood.

The best part is that they also came to an agreement where Miss V would keep her famous homemade potato chips and the Pringles would make the best homemade french fries. This way, they’re not competing but promoting each other in each of their special dishes.

Another case solved for The Detectives: Kinley and Ella.

The end

**Want more mystery in your life? Read more stories by The Detectives: Kinley and Ella!

And of course, for something longer to read, pick up a Nancy Drew Diaries book or read the Mo and Dale Mysteries. I highly recommend both series and have Book Reviews on some of them. Three Times Lucky is the first in the Mo and Dale Mysteries. My favorite Nancy Drew (right now) is Phantom of Nantucket. These are affiliates but don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you!

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