Throwback Thursday: ‘The Extra: Frankie Ray, the Sleuth with the Platinum Hair’ by Mel Anastasiou

Eugene turned away from the window and led Frankie into his unlit bedroom. He switched on a bedside lamp with an iron base and a ruffled shade, a twin to the lamp next to her bed in Villa 7B. Like her own and Connie’s bedroom next door, Eugene’s bedroom was equipped with a built-in closet and twin beds. His bedroom felt a bit roomier than theirs, for he had apparently taken the second bed to bits. The mattress and frame stood against the wall, covering the window that opened, like onto the back lawn he shared with 7A .

“You’re a policeman, Eugene.” Frankie clenched her fists and moderated her tone. She felt as if she were back in front of the camera, acting brave and calm. “As this is a murder case, what will happen now?”

“There will be a door-to-door search. Despite the Queen’s kids’ best efforts to cover your absence, the police will have noticed by now that you are missing. And since we’re the first door the police will knock on, we’ll have to move quickly.”

Move where? Did you think of that before you convinced me to run away? Frankie scowled. She was tired of acting brave when really she was angry. She couldn’t say another word lest she raise her voice in fury to Ellery and give herself away to the police outside. Frankie had never realized that being accused of murder would make her so angry she’d want to kill somebody. 

Or was this burning emotion really anger? Very hot and very cold materials were said to feel the same. Perhaps in extremis, anger and fear were also indistinguishable. With an effort she kept her peace and scanned Eugene’s bedroom for a hiding place.