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A group of gutsy and spirited preteens banded together to solve the puzzle of the spooky double-murder suicide committed last week down by Old Man Jefferson’s plot of land. The five children figured out the caper as much through sheer pluck and determination as through their piercing, childhood prescience. Jack Robinson, Violet Stephens, Jessica Hoyden, Robbie Wilkins and Little Benjamin Thornton each brought something special to the table, but every one of the kids approached the prospect of an adventure with the same bellyful of fire and energy.
“Jack is the leader, definitely,” reported Wilkins at a press conference on Thursday. “He has a sling shot and photographic memory. Violet is very tidy and loves books. Jessica hit her growth spurt last summer, so we keep her around to reach for things. She’s a tomboy and likes playing in the creek at least as much as I do. I’m the weapons expert and Little Benjamin is reconnaissance. Also, Rex is our watchdog.”
The intelligent and gifted kids scoured the woods for evidence, looking high and low with their flashlights and magnifying glasses. Jack scoured for prints with the kit he got for Christmas last year. Jessica checked which way the wind was blowing by licking her finger and throwing leaves up into the air. Robbie brought his compass. All clues and hunches supported the narrative released by officials last week, that Gary Manning was the culprit and not, in fact, framed by someone jealous for ownership of the famous Manning Family Farm.
“The police’s story that Gary Manning killed his wife and her lover before turning the gun on himself checks out,” Wilkins confirmed. “Definitely checks out."
At press time, the group of friends were beginning work on the scary case of that abandoned car by the highway.
