The Mystery, part 2

They gathered in the Library: The cook, Mr. Butler, his junior apprentice butler, Alec, Ms. Twurthy, the Doctor--and one other. J.R. Peters.

Dr. Cutless-Sawmore came in last. "Another break in?" she asked as she came in.

"Yes, Dr.Cutless," J.R. replied. "But I have a plan to figure out who it is."

Ms. Twurthy wrinkled her forehead. "J.R., who do you think it is?" she inquired.

J.R. pursed her lips. "I'm not sure. But there are only a few suspects in my mind--I've been narrowing them down."

Alec frowned. "I'll get 'em for you, boss!"

J.R. smiled. "That won't be necessary, Alec. I've decided to invite them to dinner."

The cook gasped. "Here?!?!"

"Yes," J. R. grinned. "You will be responsible for planning a menu which has all of their favorite dishes."

The cook shook her head darkly, muttering. "I don't suppose any of them like arsenic pie now, you think?" J.R. ignored her, but Ms. Twurthy frowned at the cook.

"Ms. Cooke!" She then turned to J.R. once more. "So who are you inviting?"

J.R. smiled. "Well, first, I would like to invite Police Chief Bhage--and the Inspector, Shirley Combs."

The Burglar, Part 2

In my last post, I neglected to mention a few things. Among them, my name, (which I will reveal later for purposes of drama.) Actually, when I said no police officer has ever found my trail, that was not precicely true. Two police detectives have, but one of them doesn't count. That is because, although my profession is theft, my trade is dececting crime. Yes, you just read that right. I am a police detective and a burglar.

It all started when I was in school. My parents had named me Mortia Rea Combs, which I have no explanation for. I hated that name. My friends in school knew that, and when they learned that I read mystery books and nearly always had the crime figured out before the end of the book, they gave me the nickname Shirley. Say my nickname with my last name, and you'll figure it out. I liked figuring mysteries out, and I decided to become a dectective when I grew up.

Then... I went to college.