Crime Busters, Inc.: The Alligator Alibi

CHAPTER 1

Rude Awakening

Chim Chim Tanner knew she was not your average private detective. Weighing in at five pounds dripping wet, she might be considered scrawny by some. But to her friends and business associates, she was five pounds of fierce feline courage! A few had even compared her to the tiny Indian mongoose that takes on the mighty cobra. Okay, well . . . no one had yet. But they would. And if they didn’t, then that was their problem.

She lay back on the glass-topped table in the Florida room—a fancy word for a screened patio—and lazily licked one of her glossy black paws. Chim Chim was one-half of Crime Busters, Inc., a highly respected detective agency in Valencia Springs. She and her partner, Simone, ran the operation out of the home of their kind but clueless owner, Audrey. Not that Audrey was dumb—she was just, well, human.

Chim Chim yawned deeply. Business had been steady since she was a kitten, for almost four years. But now it had slowed to a crawl. No one needed a good private detective these days. She could tell that Simone was starting to get anxious. And when Simone got anxious, she came up with fur-brained ideas to attract more clients. Translation: more work for them both!

Chim Chim curled into a tight ball and tucked her tail under her nose. Not much stirred during the hottest hours of a Florida afternoon, so most intelligent beings—such as herself—used the time for a good nap. She’d worry about business later. She closed her eyes and drifted into a sweet, dream-filled slumber.

Suddenly, an insistent tapping awakened her. It wasn’t so much a tapping, as a light thudding. Chim Chim raised her head and cocked an ear toward the door. She glanced across the table where Simone lay in a deep sleep, a look of bliss on her furry white face.

Maybe it had all been a part of her dream.

Thud, thud, thud.

Chim Chim bolted upright. Definitely not! She stole another look at the sleeping Simone and gave a deep sigh. Guess it’s up to me. She jumped down from the table and cautiously approached the screen door.

Who is it? she asked.

A friend of the family, came the low-throated reply.

A friend of the family! That was the code phrase. Crime Busters was a real detective agency, which often brought with it real danger, so she and Simone had to be careful. They had come up with the idea of a secret code, widely known in their Highland Oaks neighborhood, to help screen new clients. They didn’t want to be picked up by Animal Control—or worse, end up as someone’s meal!

"Well then, please enter, friend, Chim Chim told the stranger. You may use the pet door."

I would be quite happy to, except that I cannot fit through an entryway of such small dimensions, replied the stranger.

Chim Chim stood, resting her forepaws on the solid part of the screen door. What she saw made her jump back as if burned!

"Mo . . . Chim Chim squeaked. You need to wake up!"

What is it? Simone asked groggily.

We have a visitor outside, Chim Chim answered. He used the code phrase, but if we let him in, he may have us for lunch!

Simone sighed. She gave a deep stretch, then jumped off the table and padded over to the door. Chim Chim stepped aside and waited, breath held, as Simone rose on her back feet and peeked out the screen. "Hmm. This is interesting."

Chim Chim inched up beside Simone for a better look. The visitor gazed back at her with round, golden eyes, the pupils mere slits in the bright sunshine. Its long, scaly snout was gnarled with age. Several razor-sharp teeth jutted down from its upper jaw line. Chim Chim swallowed hard.

Simone took a deep breath and addressed the visitor. Sir—it is ‘sir,’ isn’t it? Are you aware that this is the office for Crime Busters, Inc.?

I am indeed, the visitor growled.

Okay, good. But how do we know that you mean to do us no harm? After all, alligators have been known to eat cats and small dogs.

The visitor grinned broadly, exposing even more sharp teeth. Chim Chim’s fur stood straight on end!

I could have eaten you outside—in the yard—at any time, if that had been my wish, he replied in a gravelly voice. The truth is, I am in need of help, and I was told that you were the best in this field of expertise.

Fair enough, Simone said. And how may we be of assistance?

I’m being framed for something I didn’t do! the alligator declared. The authorities are looking for me at this very moment.

Chim Chim snorted. Likely story!

Can you help me, or am I wasting my time? the alligator sputtered. He glared at Chim Chim, who instantly regretted her outburst.

Yes, yes. Please calm down, Simone replied, narrowing her eyes at Chim Chim.

Chim Chim sat back on her haunches with a sigh.

You, uh . . . might want to back up a bit so I can open the door, Simone suggested to their visitor.

Oh, yes, of course. The alligator pulled his legs—normally spread to each side—up underneath his massive belly. This allowed him to lift the trunk of his body and most of his tail off the ground. He was then able to take a couple of unsteady steps backward before he flopped back onto the sidewalk.

Simone reached up and hit the latch with her front paw. She nosed the door open, which gave them a full view of their prospective client.

"Mo?" Chim Chim whined, fighting a sudden wave of panic. The creature looked even bigger without the safety of the screen door between them.

It will be all right, Simone whispered. I have a gut feeling.

"Let’s hope you don’t become his gut feeling, because I’m leaving if he makes any sudden moves!"

As Calvin approached the door, it soon became obvious that he and Simone couldn’t both fit in the doorway at the same time. Calvin paused, clearing his throat.

Oh, sorry, Simone said. She stepped outside, wedging her shoulder against the door to hold it open.

Chim Chim retreated several steps, then several more, as the old alligator squeezed through the doorway and filled half the Florida room with his immense size. She jumped up on one of the marine-print patio chairs, where Simone soon joined her. From her higher vantage point, Chim Chim turned to study their visitor. His scaly armor and hooded eyes—not to mention those teeth!—gave him a threatening look that made her shudder. Head to tail, he must have been over twelve feet in length.

Let me introduce myself, he began.

His tone was very proper, Chim Chim thought, almost regal—like a British gentleman from those old movies that Audrey liked to watch.

My name is Calvin. I have lived in Lake Marion and its connecting canals since I was born, over forty years ago. I’ve been a respectable citizen my whole life. I’ve never bothered anyone in the Highland Oaks community, except for the occasional rabbit. He paused for effect.

Chim Chim managed to keep her face blank. Yeah, I bet he’s real respectable.

Simone nodded for him to continue.

I don’t know if you’ve heard the rumors as of late, but some of the residents’ pets have recently . . . vanished.

I think I did hear about that, Simone acknowledged.

"Apparently someone claims to have seen me snatching one of them. But I had no part in their disappearance! I assure you that I am innocent!" Calvin scowled at them and awaited an answer.

Simone turned toward Chim Chim, her eyes questioning.

Chim Chim gave a slight shrug of her shoulders. She wasn’t ready to give him the benefit of the doubt just yet.

Simone turned back to Calvin. Are you sure the authorities are looking for you?

Absolutely, Calvin replied. Florida Fish and Wildlife trucks have been spotted out here all week. I’ve had to lie low.

And is there anyone who could vouch for your whereabouts when these pets disappeared? Simone asked.

Frankly, no. Calvin gave a defeated sigh. I mostly keep to myself. But I swear to you that I was home asleep—not disturbing anybody.

Simone nodded, seeming to give it a moment of thought. Calvin, if we accept your case, would there be any problem with, um . . . She cleared her throat. Payment?

The old alligator made a low gurgling noise and spread his massive jaws wide. A large, spotted bass flopped out on the floor, seemingly fresh and intact. And there is more where this came from, he assured them.

Chim Chim positively drooled!

Simone’s eyes widened. Oh, yes, uh . . . let me speak with my associate, and we’ll make a decision on your case. She nodded to Chim Chim and jumped down from the patio chair, slipping through the inner pet door with a swoosh! Bat, bat, bat!

Chim Chim darted after her, not wanting to be left alone with their sharp-toothed visitor. She joined Simone in the kitchen. I don’t know about this, she muttered, pacing the linoleum floor. She came to a stop in front of Simone, then began to pace again.

Will you stand still for a moment? Simone asked. We have no reason not to trust him. If he wanted to eat us, he would just catch us outside, like he said—not invent some grand scheme to get inside our house!

"Not if he’s too old to catch us!" Chim Chim declared.

Now, Chim Chim. I believe Calvin. He looked genuinely worried.

"Maybe we should nominate him for an Oscar!"

Chim Chim!

Oh, all right, Chim Chim finally agreed. She did so only because Simone was older—and sometimes wiser. I’ll give him a chance. But one mess-up, and he’s on his own!

"That’s better. We need this case. Business has been too slow lately. And with Audrey’s hours getting cut back at work, food is becoming quite scarce."

You’ve got a point there. Chim Chim rubbed her shrinking waistline.

So, let me get the paperwork for him to sign. I do believe Crime Busters has a new client!