Archive of Our Own

Rocky Beach, 1969

"A lakehouse?"

Jupiter Jones looked up from his newspaper. Pete Crenshaw was beaming, nodding his head eagerly. He had just entered the Headquarters from Green Gate One, one of the four secret entrances to their detective firm.

"Jeffrey and his parents always stay there in the winter holidays. But this time, his folks are going out of state to visit some relatives. Jeff stayed here with the lakehouse fully for his use-- and he's invited all of us to stay with him for the week of New Year's!"

Bob Andrews paused from organizing the cabinet. "That sounds fun, Pete. But… why us? I thought he would like to spend time with his surfing buddies."

"No one could make it," Pete shrugged, putting his bag on a bench with a soft thud. "Except me. I asked him if I could invite you both, and he's happy to have you guys. The more the merrier, he said."

Jupiter looked thoughtful. "That's kind of Jeffrey, but… we don't exactly converse."

"Exactly! He'd love to get to know you both! Do you know that he reads Hercule Poirot books, Jupe? He's so intrigued every time I tell him stories of our cases. And Bob, he loves reading the articles you publish for the college papers! You've got a distinct way of writing, he said-- snappy and sassy."

"Sure sounds fun, Jupe," Bob said, chuckling at the idea of the surf jock burying his nose in mystery books and newspapers the way Jupiter would. "We don't have any case right now. You always said investigators need to have all sorts of experience. We've never been to a lakehouse before."

"Where is this lakehouse?" Jupiter asked.

"Two hours away from Rocky Beach. It's in the mountains, so it's a nice change of pace compared to the coast. I think it's near a forest? Or a wildlife reserve or something? If I'm not mistaken, it's called… Spirit Forest," Pete explained.

"Oh, I've heard about it!" Bob exclaimed, "I'm pretty sure there's something about it right here."

He walked to the newly organized cabinet and took out a thick book, placing it heavily on the table. As the one in charge of Records & Research, he was familiar with all the resources that were in the Headquarters.

Pete and Jupe peered at the book, titled History of Californian Sacred Grounds, as Bob flipped through its pages.

"There," Bob said, pointing to a paragraph. "Spirit Forest was recorded by Spanish missionaries in the 1760s. Apparently it was home to some Native American tribes. It was considered sacred due to the Native belief of spirits dwelling in the forest, but apparently, following conflicts between the Natives and the colonial forces, it's been haunted by mysterious flames and floating lights!"

Jupiter perked up. "Now that's something. Why didn't you lead with that, Pete?"

"Because I am inviting you both for a vacation and not a ghost-hunt...?"

"Continue, Records," Jupiter said, fully interested now.

"Well, that's about it. People reported apparitions of floating lights in the misty forest, and some claimed that they were chased by the flames."

Pete gulped. "I believe the lakehouse is at the outskirts of the forest… so we wouldn't have to go inside it."

Jupiter pinched his lower lip, a habit he had when he's thinking. "…Maybe we can ask Jeffrey to take us to that forest so we can see these floating lights ourselves."

"What do you mean by we?" Pete exclaimed. "As far as I'm concerned, we were invited to enjoy the lakehouse, not be burnt to death by some ghouls! You're welcome to investigate, but I'm staying at the house!"

Bob suppressed a chuckle. Pete was always reluctant to investigate supernatural things despite being the most athletic one between them. "You can't karate-chop a ghost," he would say. But Pete was actually curious about mysteries and puzzles more than he liked to admit, and when it mattered, he would always be there.

"I believe--"

Jupiter didn't have time to declare his thoughts as the telephone rang.

The three boys looked surprised. Even though they had operated their amateur detective agency for years now, it was still rare for that telephone to ring.

The First Investigator picked up the receiver. "Jupiter Jones of The Three Investigators."

He listened for a second before his eyes lit up in recognition. "Jeffrey!"

Pete and Bob looked at each other. What a timing!

Jupiter held the telephone to the loudspeaker he had made.

"Hey Jupiter," Jeffrey Palmer said from the other side of the line, "Pete gave me this number. I'm sure he has told you and Bob about spending the new year at my lakehouse? I do hope you all can make it…"

"We were just talking about it," Jupe said. His detective instincts tingled. "Has something happened?"

Jeffrey chuckled. "Spot on. Uh… I'm not sure how to tell you this. So, my lakehouse is located near the Spirit Forest-- you know the legend about it?"

"Mysterious flames and floating lights, as I've gathered," Jupiter said calmly, motioning Bob to take notes.

"Yeah. Well, I just received news that the house caretaker-- someone my parents paid to guard and clean the house when we're not using it-- left in a hurry. And uh, she was crying to my parents about some spirit disturbances in the house…"

Jupiter nodded. "Fascinating. Go on, Jeffrey. Did the caretaker see mysterious flames, floating lights of the sort?"

Jeffrey sighed. "She did say she caught sight of it at the edge of the forest one time. But she tried to brush it off. What's weird was how she would black out at odd times, and when she came to, the furniture in the house would be placed differently, and there would be a mess on the floor. Like… like someone just trampled around wildly."

"Could it be that she was sleepwalking?"

"No… She has no history of it. She even invited her friends to stay one night, under my parents' permission of course, and it happened to all of them. They all passed out, and when they woke up, the furniture was a mess, like they had been thrown from one end to the other. It freaked them out so badly that she packed all her things and left."

"The poltergeist phenomenon," Jupiter's eyebrows furrowed. "So you're calling because you want to formally hire The Three Investigators to solve the mystery?"

Jeffrey laughed. "Well… I actually wanted to check whether you all are still okay with coming there. It's a decent place, really, if it weren't for those things happening. The mountain air is fresh and cold, and I always feel so serene there. If you can solve the mystery while you're at it, that's even better. But… my family has a beach house too, so we can stay there instead. I'd still love to host you guys for the holidays, no matter where."

"Sounds like a better idea, Jupe…" Pete whispered.

But when Jupiter Jones was faced with a mystery, no one could tear him away from it.

"We'll go to the mountain lakehouse, Jeffrey. With your permission, we will officially take this case and solve the mystery."

The voice on the other side of the line sounded relieved. "I'm so happy you said that. This lakehouse means a lot to me, Jupiter. I would be so sad if it turns out to be haunted or something."

"It's unlikely," Jupiter said confidently. "There must be a logical explanation to it."

"Thanks, Jupiter. Looking forward."

Jupiter hung up and looked at his colleagues triumphantly.

"It seems that we do have a case after all, Bob," he said happily.

Bob and Pete sighed. They forgot how stubborn their leader could be sometimes.

"Fine," Bob muttered. "But we will enjoy the vacation too!"

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The mountain air was fresh and chilly, as Jeffrey had described.

Winters were never really cold in Rocky Beach, so this was a welcomed change.

Alighting from the Jones Salvage Yard's truck were the three boys, stretching their legs after the long drive up the winding roads.

"Hokay, Jupe," Hans said, "I will be back here to pick you up next week."

"Thanks, Hans," Jupiter said to the Bavarian man. "Tell Aunt Mathilda that we'll be looking forward to fresh cherry pies once we're back."

Hans laughed heartily before driving away. "Enjoy your vacation, kids!" he waved before the truck disappeared down the curving road.

The boys turned to their luggage.

Bob shivered. "Does it snow here, Jeffrey?"

Jeffrey Palmer approached them gleefully. He was built like Pete, tall and athletic, except a tad bit more muscular. He wore long-sleeved shirt fitting for the weather, a unique sight for the boys who were used to see him in a sleeveless get-up or sportswear. His ash-blond hair and hazel eyes twinkled under the afternoon sun.

"Not that I know of," Jeffrey replied, helping the boys with their luggage. "It's always cold here, but never to the point of snowing. Then again, who knows? Maybe we'll see a miracle."

The three boys looked at the lakehouse. It was a grand sight, its white-painted exterior contrasting against the dark green of the surrounding forest. All around were pine trees, standing tall as though they were guardians of the forest. Together with the pine trees were cedar and black oak trees, adding to the beauty of the ancient woodland.

"I was wondering," Jupiter said, "were you named after these pines, Jeffrey?"

Jeffrey's eyes lit up. "Correct! These are "Jeffrey Pines". They're often confused with the Ponderosa or Sugar Pines, but to me they're different. Though I'm probably biased."

"Pinus jeffreyi," Jupiter nodded, "discovered by the Scottish botanist John Jeffrey in 1852."

Pete and Bob shook their heads. Of course Jupiter would know that. And of all things to bond about, who would've guessed that the surf athlete Jeffrey Palmer would be as excited about pine trees as Jupiter Jones, the walking encyclopaedia.

Jeffrey gave a mischievous smile. "Not just that. My parents said I was named that because I was conceived in this house."

Jupiter choked. Pete and Bob laughed out loud.

"Jeffrey!" Pete roared, "I don't think we need to know that-- look at poor Jupe!"

"I-- I-- No, I mean, it's normal for couples who love each other to-- uh--" Jupiter stammered, face red all over.

Jeffrey laughed. "I'm just messing with you, Jones. Well, there's some truth to it. My brother Brian was named after my great-grandfather, who built this house. And my parents loved the view of the forest so much that I was named after the trees. That's why we have a special bond with this place, you know?"

Jupiter remembered why they were here. "We will figure out whatever's been disturbing the peace here. Is there any neighbor around?"

"No," Jeffrey shook his head, "the nearest shops and residential area are 30 minutes away. This house is the nearest to the edge of the forest, you see. Not a lot of people are comfortable living this near to the sacred grounds."

Pete looked worried. "Because of the... ghosts?"

Jeffrey waved a hand. "Nah. The original tribes who lived here believed that the spirits who resided here were good spirits-- not that I totally believe it. But I've been spending holidays here my whole life and I've never experienced anything weird. I believe what Jupiter said. There must be a logical explanation to it. If it's really haunted, though… maybe we can just ask the ghosts to not bother us."

"That doesn't make me feel better…"

"And now," Jeffrey said, pausing for dramatic effect, "I welcome you to the Spirit House."

They have arrived at the entrance of the lakehouse. It looked like a hotel lobby with high ceilings and marble flooring. A stark contrast to how it looked outside. Light filtered in through tall arched windows, giving a cozy and sophisticated gleam.

Above them was a chandelier, lightbulbs glowing as if welcoming them with pride. A wide staircase curved elegantly to the second floor.

The boys gaped in awe. Pete let out a low whistle. "This isn't a lakehouse… it's a luxury resort!"

"It's like something out of Sunset Magazine," Bob added, "I can picture the headline-- Spirit House: The Lakeside Dwellings Made of Dreams."

Jeffrey was bashful. "It's been in my family for generations… guess I'm so used to it that I forgot how grand it really is. I shouldn't take it for granted. Make yourselves at home, please."

Jupiter noticed photographs on the wall, framed neatly along the hallway.

A baby nestled comfortably in the arms of an expensive-looking woman.

A boy smiling brightly next to pine trees, with another boy who looked like him but older.

A teenager with his hair tousled by the wind in the canoe, laughing at the camera.

"These are your pictures," Jupe concluded, glancing at Jeffrey.

"Yeah… that's me and my brother Brian. That's my mom and dad too," he said, pointing at other frames.

Jeffrey sighed. "Bummer that none of them come to love this house as much as I do. I mean, surfing's my life, but I still love the mountains. My brother followed my parents to visit our relatives this time-- otherwise you could have met him."

"Must be nice," Jupiter replied. "I'm an only child. Pete and Bob, too. We never really had the sibling experience, except with our cousins and kids in the neighborhood."

"It's nice when he's not driving me crazy," Jeffrey said fondly. "I love my brother but sometimes I feel like roundhouse-kicking him to the lake."

Jupiter laughed. Jeffrey was caught off guard by how nice Jupiter looked when he smiled, and found himself staring at him a second too long.

"Uhh," Jeffrey finally said, "would you all like a tour of the house?"

"Of course. We'll need it for the investigation anyway."

"Right."

He turned to Pete. "Yo, Crenshaw!"

The tall boy looked up from the rows of lava lamps. "What?"

"Let's see who can bring the luggage to the rooms faster. Winner gets to eat the loser's dessert tonight."

"Alright, bet!"

The two athletic boys rambled and scrambled, leaving Bob and Jupe speechless.

"Jeffrey and his bets," Bob sighed.

"And Pete falls for it every time," Jupe added.

The two boys chuckled and calmly brought their bags, ignoring the sound of something crashing, Pete's lament, and Jeffrey's laughter from upstairs.

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The house tour added to the charm that the house already had.

After settling their luggage, Jeffrey led them from room to room, like a tour guide at a museum.

"This is the study," he said, leading them through a heavy wooden door. "My great-grandfather spent his time here the most."

The room had built-in shelves all over, filled with leatherbound books. The scent of papers and wood filled the air. A solid oakwood desk sat near the window, overlooking the lake.

A portrait of a grand-looking man and a beautiful woman sat on the desk, looking like it was taken in the 1900s.

"Is this him?" Jupiter enquired.

"Yeah," Jeffrey nodded. "And that's my great-grandmother. He loved her very much. I'm pretty sure he built this house because she couldn't stand the noise in the crowded downtown."

"A romantic man," Bob observed. "Great moustache too. You have his eyes, Jeffrey."

Jeffrey grinned. "Guess I need to grow a moustache and see how similar I look to him."

The boys chuckled and went to the next room.

Jupiter tried to see if there were any secret chambers or passages, but he couldn't find any. Jeffrey also told him that his brother and he would have known if there was anything like that.

"We know this house like the back of our hand, Jupe. I can show you the blueprints later too-- but there's no indication of any secret room or entrance."

Jupe was thoughtful. "That means the disturbance wouldn't be caused by an outsider sneaking in…"

"How about the flames and floating lights, Jeffrey? Have you ever seen them?" asked Bob.

Jeffrey shook his head. "No… my brother and I would go fishing in the lake and explore the forest, but there's nothing like that."

"Even at night?"

"Well… we would always be home from 8PM onwards. Our mom insisted that we might meet a grizzly bear at night, although we've assured her that grizzly bears were extinct in California."

"Really? I thought there were still some," Bob asked, eyes wide.

Jupiter nodded. "It's because of bear-baiting and hunting in the 19th century, Bob."

"Kind of sad when you think of it. Why should animals die to entertain humans?" Pete commented with a frown, for he loved animals.

Jeffrey shrugged. "Beats me."

"Then, Jeffrey… maybe we can go to the forest after 8PM. We need to see those floating lights ourselves," Jupiter stated.

Pete groaned. "Do we really have to?"

"Yes, Pete. This house means a lot to Jeffrey and his family. It shouldn't be abandoned due to unproven haunting rumors," replied the First Investigator, resolute.

Pete and Bob knew that they had no choice and gave a tired sigh.

"Alright…" said Pete tentatively, "we'll do it for Jeffrey."

Jeffrey smiled. "That means a lot to me, guys. Just don't do anything reckless, alright?"

He looked out the window and saw the dark skies. "It's dangerous if we go out after a rainy day, though. It gets very slippery. I'll take you all to the forest on a night when there's no rain. Maybe in a few days, maybe sooner."

Jeffrey looked at Pete with another glint in his eyes. "Wanna bet what day it will stop raining? If you win, you get to take my Camaro for a spin, and if I win, you will tell me about your detective firm's secret office."

"Alright, be--"

"Stop it!" Bob and Jupe cried together.

Jeffrey burst out laughing. Even Pete couldn't help join in.

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__

It had been raining for the three days they stayed at the Spirit House.

Jupiter was a bit disappointed, as neither the poltergeist nor the chance to investigate the forest had appeared. But he found himself relaxing and having fun. As it turned out, it was a much-needed vacation for all of them after an intense first semester at college.

He was also pleasantly surprised to find out that Jeffrey and he had a lot of common interests, and getting to know him was very enjoyable.

"I think Dr. Watson is just as important as Sherlock Holmes in the novels," Jupe said after lunch. "A good detective needs to bounce his ideas with someone who understands his goals. Their friendship is part of what makes the stories so compelling."

"Agree, dude. Hercule Poirot also has Captain Hastings," replied Jeffrey.

"But Hastings is not always featured in the Poirot mysteries," reminded Jupe. "Whereas Dr. Watson always narrates Holmes' stories-- except for two narrated by Holmes himself. Well, three if you count the Musgrave Ritual."

"So you're saying Holmes is a better detective because he has a stronger friendship story?" challenged Jeffrey.

"Well, I would even say he's a better man due to how he treats Watson with utmost respect, albeit his eccentricity and sometimes blunt method of speaking often mischaracterized as arrogance," Jupiter explained, falling into his habit of using long words, though Jeffrey didn't seem to mind. "Whereas Poirot's comments about Hastings are actually condescending, for example--"

"Anyone seen my glasses?" Bob called out.

"It's on your head, Bob," answered Jupiter and Jeffrey together without even looking.

"Wow," Pete observed, "Holmes and Poirot of Rocky Beach in action."

Jupe and Jeffrey glared at Pete while Bob sheepishly put his glasses back on.

"I'm actually surprised how much you both have in common," Bob commented, plopping himself on the bean bag next to Jupiter and Jeffrey. "Jupe was complaining the other day that you took Pete away to go surfing all the time, Jeff. I guess now you'll kidnap him instead."

Jupe looked like he was about to protest, but Jeffrey eagerly nodded. "Yeah, it's been fun. Did you know that Jupiter made a telescope only from items he found at the salvage yard when he was ten? It won the science fair at the time!"

Bob and Pete in fact didn't know. They listened to how Jeffrey's brother Brian whined that time for losing against a fifth-grader, and Jeffrey was fuming and wanted to see how good the telescope was, but ended up fascinated by it instead.

"I didn't know Jupiter at the time, but after seeing the telescope I just told my brother that he deserved to lose. It made him sulk even more."

Pete cackled. "And now you're meeting the culprit here."

"I wasn't intending to make anyone feel bad…" Jupe said quietly.

"Ah, well," Jeffrey sat up. "Let's play some games. Fancy a round of Mystery Date, everyone?"

Bob snorted. "Isn't that board game for girls?"

"Don't judge a book by its cover, Andrews," Jeffrey said, taking a box from a cabinet near the television set. "I played this with my brother and his girlfriend last time. It's actually pretty fun."

"If you say so," Bob shrugged.

They played the board game, which involved collecting pieces of clothes that would match a theme, and then opening a mystery door, hoping that the clothes they had gathered would match the date.

But instead, it became rounds of who could be the most convincing in defending their cards against the mystery dates. Pete made up an absurd story on how ski gear is essential for a beach date, and Bob wholeheartedly narrated why high heels were the perfect shoes for a bowling date.

"So, Jupiter," Jeffrey said, holding back tears from laughing too much. "Please explain how you would defend wearing a bikini to a formal date."

Jupe cleared his throat like he was going to expose a criminal. "Firstly… the formal date would most likely end up in their clothes being torn away by the time they end the night--"

Pete and Bob roared.

Jupe continued despite his cheeks going pink. "So, wearing a bikini to the date suggests a woman who knows what she wants, doesn't dilly-dally, and doesn't need the man to initiate. Ten out of ten on the scale of attractiveness."

Jeffrey clapped like a proud mentor. "Well done, son."

He watched as Jupe explained more wild theories about the mismatch, and somewhere along it, he started to notice the way Jupiter's eyes would sparkle when he spoke about things he loved. The way he would command the room with his presence. The habits he had when he's deep in thought. The sudden smile that would appear which contrasted his intimidating features.

It was like an alarm going off in his mind when he realized that Jupiter Jones was his type-- dark hair, dark eyes, stoic outside but actually warm and silly once you get to know him.

Oh no, he thought, don't fall for a straight guy, Jeff.

Jeffrey laughed along, but something in his chest tightened.

Bob was wheezing, pressing his stomach. "Imagine if Kelly shows up to a formal date in a bikini, Pete. I bet you would love that, huh?"

Pete suddenly stopped laughing, but quickly forced a smile. "…Yeah."

The others realized the sudden change.

"Oh," Bob sat up, "did I say something wrong…?"

"Come to think of it, Pete," Jeffrey said, "you haven't called Kelly even once since we got here. I remember you'd always occupy the telephone when we were at the surf camp."

"You've been quieter than usual, Pete…" Jupiter added. "But if it's not something you want to talk about, we'll drop it."

Pete looked at them, then quietly sighed. People would find out anyway.

"Kelly broke up with me," Pete admitted. "Just a week before this vacation. We fought a lot and we always made up, but… I think this time's for good."

The three boys stared at him, unsure what to say.

"Oh, I'm ruining the mood, aren't I?" Pete laughed, though there's still tightness in his voice. "Don't let me sour the energy, fellows."

"No, Pete, sometimes we need to take time with our grief," Jeffrey said kindly. "When Daniel and I broke up, I--"

Jeffrey stopped himself and realized he had slipped up. He had only been out to Pete and some of his closest friends. He glanced frantically at Jupiter and Bob.

"I-- I mean, Danielle, there's this girl named Danielle…"

Panic surged in his chest, and he realized it would have been useless to cover it up. He took a deep breath, not daring to meet their eyes.

"…Sorry. I just don't want to make you guys feel uncomfortable around me. I… I'm…"

Jeffrey clenched his fists, his voice shaky as he muttered,

"I'm gay."

There was silence for a few seconds. Jeffrey's eyes darted from Pete to his two new friends anxiously, as if he had just broken something. He'd half-regretted admitting it.

"It doesn't mean I'll jump on any guy, you know," he quickly added. "Like-- like how you guys wouldn't do that to… to girls…"

The rest of them glanced at each other, Pete tilting his head as if saying "not my story to tell", Bob and Jupe quietly nodding in response.

"So…" Bob muttered, "you were telling us about how to handle a breakup?"

Jeffrey raised his head, meeting Bob's gaze.

The blond-haired boy smiled reassuringly. "Doesn't matter, does it? Not like we'll call the cops on you or something. Right, Jupe?"

Jupiter nodded. "Yes. It's none of our business who you love."

A huge weight had been lifted from Jeffrey's chest. He let out a shaky breath that he didn't know he was holding.

Pete grinned and gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Told you they'd be cool about it, Jeff."

"Well, I… right…" Jeffrey muttered, sheepish. "Thanks. Anyway… yeah. His parents found out, and they threatened to disown him. After that, he treated me like a total stranger."

Jeffrey shook his head, recalling the painful memory.

"For a few months I went into a cycle of madness, just… blaming myself, then blaming him, then blaming his parents, then blaming society, and then back to blaming myself, and I kept asking myself all the what-ifs. I cried myself to sleep almost every night. But one day I realized that… we made the best decision based on what we knew back then. So it's not about the blame game. If it's meant to be, it will be. If it's not… just… remember that the earth is still going on its course. And you can always find happiness again."

The three boys observed Jeffrey, thinking how mature he was even though they were all the same age.

Jeffrey took a deep breath and put a reassuring hand on Pete's shoulder. "You did your best, dude. If it happens, it happens."

"Wow," Pete said quietly. "Didn't know you were so wise, man. I salute you. Thought you're just a heartbreaker on a surfboard."

"Asshole," Jeffrey laughed, followed by Bob and Jupiter.

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__

After a few more rounds of Mystery Date and Shotgun Slade, Jeffrey took the plates to the kitchen to rinse. Jupe followed to help.

"You don't have to, man," Jeffrey said.

"Please," Jupiter replied, waving a hand, "I always do the dishes at home. You've been doing everything these past few days."

Jeffrey looked at him with a sense of respect. Then he nodded and quietly rinsed the plates to pass to Jupe, who started to put dish soap on the sponge.

They worked in silence for a few minutes, until Jeffrey spoke.

"You must think it's very weird, huh? All these pretty girls and I choose boys," he said quietly.

Jupiter shrugged. "Love is illogical. It can happen to anyone at any time at any place. I think just because the object of that love is unusual, it doesn't change the concept."

Jeffrey smiled faintly.

Jupiter continued. "I might be weirder than any of you, actually."

"Oh?"

"I don't really feel that kind of attraction toward anyone, boy or girl. But…" Jupe lifted his shoulders tentatively. "…When I do find myself attracted to someone that way, usually it's because I have formed a cherished relationship with that person first."

"…So their gender wouldn't matter to you?"

"Perhaps."

Jeffrey's heart leaped. He stole a glance at the detective, still focused on washing the plates. Maybe…?

"Hey Jupe--"

"Yo, Jeffrey!! How do we turn the television set on?"

Pete's face popped up at the kitchen entrance, looking as innocent as ever.

Jeffrey swallowed whatever he was about to say and forced a mischievous smile.

"You have a way with timing, Pete! Jupe and I were having a heart-to-heart talk here."

"Really?" Pete said, approaching them. "What's it about?"

"Eh. I was about to ask Jupe on a date so he could experience what it's like to go out with a guy."

Pete's head snapped up. Jupe almost dropped a plate, a furious blush creeping on his cheeks. "I-- Huh?"

Jeffrey laughed and winked, hiding the pain welling in his throat. "Just messing with you. I thought you should be able to read me by now, Detective."

"Oh Jupe's pretty bad about these things," Pete said, raising his hands. "I mean, differentiating romantic intentions and friendly ones. One time a girl approached him at school and asked him to become pen pals. He said "of course" and they actually became pen pals-- she even wrote some romantic poems. After a few letters, she felt like he was rejecting her and gave up."

"I didn't know that she was… interested in me that way! I thought she merely wanted to practice her penmanship with me," Jupe replied, scandalized.

Jeffrey was wheezing. "Oh poor girl," he said in between his laughs, "guess she should've said "hey Jupiter, wanna go steady with me?"-- haha!"

"Laugh all you want," Jupe muttered. "Besides, I don't think I'd feel comfortable starting a relationship with someone I barely knew."

"…Right."

Jeffrey was secretly glad that he hadn't asked Jupe out. He might have been rejected before getting anywhere. He made a plan to slowly get to know Jupiter so that he would feel comfortable around him first.

"So… the television set?" Pete asked, reminding him.

"Ah. You just need to press the power button, and then turn the knobs for the volume and channel selections."

"Golly, no wonder it wouldn't light up when I turned the knobs."

Jeffrey grinned. "Wonders of technology, my man. They separated the power knob and volume control now."

"Pete! I figured it out! You have to see this-- the television has colors!" Bob called out.

"Whoa!" Pete scurried away to the living room.

Jupe looked apologetic. Jeffrey brushed it off and chuckled. Then he noticed that the skies had cleared outside.

"I think we're getting your forest visit tonight, Jupe."

Jupiter looked outside. "About time. I was worried we couldn't conduct any investigation until we leave."

"I'll see what we can eat for dinner tonight. Better not explore the forest on empty stomachs," Jeffrey stood up and walked to the fridge, Jupe following out of curiosity.

A moment later, he cried out in dismay.

Bob and Pete hurried back to the kitchen and found the two boys staring at the fridge and the open cupboards in disbelief.

"Darn it!" Jeffrey exclaimed, "I didn't realize we're out of food. I thought we had a whole month's supply!"

Pete scratched his head. "What should we do, then?"

Jeffrey sighed. "Well, I have my car here. I'll drive to the commercial area and buy some groceries. We're lucky that it's stopped raining and it's still light out. I'll be quick."

"We can go together," Bob offered.

"No, that's alright. I think the drive alone will be good for me. Want to clear my head a bit."

The boys understood and said nothing more.

Jeffrey took out a bottle from the fridge. "We're supposed to have two bottles of these too. My brother said it's a Varanian herbal tonic to increase your appetite or something. It smells really nice, like vanilla mixed with chocolate and rum."

The bottle looked like one of those fancy wines, except it was unlabelled, save for the embossed silver spider, indicating the emblem of the European kingdom.

They passed it around, each taking a sniff.

"You're right, it smells so good!" Bob said.

"From Varania?" Pete said, recalling that they had visited the country before for one of their cases. "Wow. Prince Djaro never told us about this drink."

"You're friends with the prince of Varania?" Jeffrey replied, startled.

"We'll tell you all about it later, Jeffrey," Bob chuckled.

"This isn't alcohol, is it?" Jupe asked, cautious. They might be old enough to vote, but somehow not old enough to drink legally.

Jeffrey laughed. "It's just tonic. You can try it first and save some for me later."

He went to grab his coat and walked toward the entrance. "I'll be back in an hour or so!"

The door shut behind Jeffrey, and the boys could hear the unmistakable sound of his Camaro starting up.

They returned to the living room with the bottle and some cups in hand.

Jupiter examined the bottle again. "Strange that they didn't label it… although the spider is definitely Varanian crest."

Pete flopped next to him. "We can ask the prince about it next time. Pour it already."

Bob filled the cups and they held them up together, as if they were in a grand banquet.

"To a peaceful vacation with no poltergeist and flaming ghosts," Pete declared.

"To Jeffrey Palmer and his grand lakehouse. Bless his heart," Bob continued.

"To The Three Investigators. And new friendships," Jupiter closed.

Clink!

They took a sip and their mood immediately brightened.

"This is… heaven in a bottle," Pete said, mesmerized.

"It's very smooth," Bob observed. "I wonder how something can be sweet and fresh and velvety at the same time."

Even Jupiter who had a sensitive tongue couldn't figure out what exactly were in the concoction. "I have to admit I'm at a loss, fellows. All I know is this is really good."

They each poured a second. Then a third.

And soon, the bottle was half empty.

And it looked like their wits were left half empty as well. Their faces were flushed, and they kept grinning and laughing at the smallest things.

Unmistakably drunk.

Bob stumbled toward the cabinet which contained the board games, still giggling about something Pete said. He pulled out a deck of cards in a plain white box which had a label: "Trooth or Bear ;)"

"What the heck is that?" Pete said, followed by a stupid chuckle. "Was this spelled by a toddler?"

"Let's just playyy," Bob said, uncharacteristically cheerful.

They opened the box and began taking turns.

The first few cards were innocent enough.

"Bob, trooth or bear?"

"Trooth," Bob chortled.

"What's your most embarrassing moment?"

Bob thought for a while, then grinned. "Stumbling into the ladies' changing room by accident…"

The other two laughed.

"You pervert!"

"That's horrible!"

"I swear it was an accident!" Bob declared, taking another card.

"Jupe, trooth or bear?"

"Bear," Jupiter said lazily.

"Imitate a wolf on a full moon."

"Really…?" Jupe sighed, then went on all fours.

"AWOooOOoooO!!!"

Pete was rolling on the floor. Bob buried his face in a pillow.

"That's-- that's the worst wolf I ever heard in my life--" Pete laughed, breathless.

With the content of the bottle constantly reducing, the three normally sensible boys descended into chaos.

Someone took a card saying "pretend you're a rock star".

Pete climbed onto the sofa and stripped his shirt off, getting collective gasps and cheers from Bob and Jupe.

"Sexy son of a gun!!" Bob shouted before erupting into fits of laughter.

Jupiter looked at Pete all over, face red from the alcohol and maybe something else.

"Are you having fun, Rocky Beach??" Pete yelled, voice cracking. He started to spin his shirt in the air like a helicopter blade, howling like a rock star that people wouldn't pay to watch.

"Yeahhhh!!!" shouted his two friends with glee.

Cushions went flying, Jupiter thought the coffee table looked nicer upside down, and Bob knocked over the lava lamp when he tried to do a cartwheel.

Jupiter and Bob took the fake money from the Monopoly box and hurled imaginary dollar bills at Pete.

"It's raining dollars!!!" Bob happily announced before plopping into the bean bag dramatically.

"Ladies and gentlemen-- PETER DUNSTAN CRENSHAW!!!" Jupiter cried out at the top of his lungs. Pete and Bob shouted some nonsense in response.

The living room looked like it had been ransacked. Couch pillows scattered, chairs and ottomans knocked over, lava lamps rolling ungraciously on the floor.

Laughter echoed as if the house had been possessed. Anyone who walked in would have thought that something demonic was in the vicinity.

Through it all, the Varanian herbal tonic stood like an innocent bystander.

.

.

.

--

They crashed on the beanbags, staring at the ceiling. Light from the setting sun caught on the chandelier, refracting into colorful strands.

"Whoa…" Pete said, still breathless. "That's a psyche-- pscyhotic--"

"Psychedelic," Jupe mumbled.

"Psychedelic… lights… up there…"

"Mmm."

Jupiter was almost asleep when he noticed something. He sat up. He glanced at the television, thankfully unscratched throughout their shenanigans, its screen showing a documentary of a forest.

"…That's it. I figured it out."

"Figured out what…?" Bob mumbled, still feeling loopy.

"The mysterious flames, Bob! The… the…"

Words failed him, feeling too overcome by sleepiness to continue. He laid back with a satisfying plop next to Pete.

"Aww," Pete muttered, putting an arm over their drunk leader. "Rest your brain this once, Jupiter…"

Jupe didn't have the strength to fight back. He nuzzled close to Pete and fell asleep, feeling more peaceful than ever.

Outside, Jeffrey's car parked with a hurried screech.

He got out and his heart was pounding. The shopkeeper had told him a crucial information about that herbal tonic-- which was no herbal tonic at all!

"Make sure you don't drink that, kid," the good-humored man had said. "Your father got those from his business partners in Varania. Lowers your inhibitions and it'll make you do all sorts of crazy things."

Jeffrey was alarmed. "Crazy things like what?"

"Oh you know. Knocking over furniture, laughing uncontrollably, and even…"

Jeffrey's eyes widened. He said a quick thanks and scampered over to his car at top speed despite holding all the groceries.

When he reached the house, he had hoped that the three detectives had figured it out before it's too late.

What welcomed him though, crushed his hopes.

The living room looked like it had been trampled by wild animals.

The coffee table was upside down. A lava lamp lay on its side, glowing faintly like a wounded extraterrestrial. Monopoly money was scattered on the floor like confetti.

Couch pillows were scattered across the room. Pete's shirt hung from the television set.

And sprawled on the bean bags were his three friends, in the most scandalous condition.

"Holy shit--" Jeffrey gasped.

He acted quickly.

He returned the furniture to its rightful place and cleaned up his friends, wrestled Pete into his sweatpants, tugged a shirt over Bob’s head and secured his glasses on the coffee table.

He was running all sorts of possibilities when he heard a soft voice.

“I want Pete’s hoodie…”

Jeffrey turned.

Jupiter had barely opened his eyes, tear tracks on his cheeks. His voice was slurred and small.

“Okay, okay,” Jeffrey whispered. “Pete’s hoodie it is.”

He draped it over Jupe, him immediately nuzzling into it and letting out a tiny sigh.

“Darn it,” Jeffrey muttered. “You're adorable like this.”

"Thank you Jeffrey," Jupiter smiled. "You're the most fantabulously whimsical person on earth."

"I'm a what?"

"Just don't take Pete away from me so much," Jupe pouted. "I miss him, you know."

"Oh-- Okay...? You can always join us when we go surfing, Jupe."

Jupe's eyes were teary. "Too fat..."

"Whoa whoa whoa hey," Jeffrey said, cupping his cheeks now. "Surfing is for everyone. If someone says you're not cut out for surfing just because you're a bit chubby, who cares? I'll personally smack them and none will be the wiser."

Jupe smiled again. "I love you Jeffrey..."

Jeffrey's eyes widened. Darn.

He remembered how they had a lot of common interests and how Jupe had blushed when he flirted with him as a joke. He saw how unfazed he was when he found out about his relationship… how he had advocated for him. How he said it's not impossible for him to like a guy if they have a connection…

And Jupiter's dark eyes were ravishing under the soft glow of the lava lamps.

Jeffrey found himself leaning in for a kiss when--

"Whoa dude, get away from my man," Pete said, slurring, reaching out to hug Jupe tightly. "He's mein pummelchen, my honey bee, my sunshine, my personal plushie. Get your own teddy bear."

Jeffrey found his sanity back. "Uhh... okay... great." He saw Jupe gently kiss Pete's cheek and snuggle against him.

Ah, he thought, so that's what's going on.

Bob suddenly sat up and stared at Jeffrey.

"Jeffrey Palmer."

"Yes, Bob Andrews?" Jeffrey gave a tired smile.

Bob grinned lazily. "Do you know that I have sapphire eyes?"

"...Yes?"

"Good. Pete said everybody ought to know that."

"Okay. Back to sleep with you now," Jeffrey said, gently tucking Bob in with the other two.

Bob hugged Jupe from behind. "Best game ever..." he muttered before drifting off to sleep.

Jeffrey observed the drunk investigators.

The good news was, Jupiter Jones was probably not straight.

The bad news was, he might be into his good friend Pete Crenshaw, who was most likely not straight as well. And equally into him.

Jeffrey smiled ruefully.

That's alright, he thought to himself. Another day will come.

He sighed and looked at Bob who was embracing Jupiter like he was a life-sized teddy bear, mumbling a girl's name and kissing Jupe's shoulder, making him shiver.

Okay, this one's just horny.

He suppressed a laugh and went to wash the towels. Discarding evidence of the wild evening.

Around midnight, all three boys woke up, feeling very dizzy.

"Golly," Bob said, "it's like someone's pounding my head from the inside."

"What happened?" Pete asked, bleary.

"Good morning, sleeping beauty," Jeffrey said. He had been dozing off on the couch, feeling that he needed to be there when they woke up.

"Oh," Jupiter said softly, "you're back, Jeffrey."

"I've been back hours ago," Jeffrey replied. "You all slept like a baby."

"Dressed like one too," he had thought.

Jupiter suddenly became alert.

"Jeffrey. I think I figured out what happened."

Jeffrey stammered. "What-- what do you mean?"

"The mysterious flames!" he said excitedly. "I can't recall how exactly I figured it out, but… it just came to me. I don't remember anything else after we drank that tonic."

Jeffrey breathed out, and he asked cautiously. "What's the last thing you remember?"

Bob shook his head. "Probably just… drinking that thing and… playing cards or something? I might have blacked out afterwards."

"Same here, Bob. What was in that drink, Jeffrey?" Pete sat up.

Jeffrey sighed, relieved. "I found out from the shopkeeper that it was uh… a very powerful alcohol. It's dangerous because it doesn't taste like one, and it causes people to do crazy things."

He nodded at the living room. "The furniture's all over the floor when I came home. I've cleaned everything up."

The three boys felt bad.

"Gee," Pete started, "we're sorry for the trouble, man. How can we make it up to you?"

Jeffrey waved his hand and smiled. "It's nothing. None of us knew what it was."

"Besides," he grinned, "it was hilarious hearing Bob say that he has sapphire eyes."

Bob looked like he'd just been shot. "I said what??"

"And it's so adorable seeing Jupiter cry like a baby, wanting Pete's hoodie."

They turned to Jupe and realized that he was wearing the hoodie in question.

"You're messing with me again," Jupe said, turning pink.

Jeffrey laughed. "Nope. This time I'm totally serious, Detective."

"You can wear that for a while," Pete stated cheerfully. "You look good in it, Jupe!"

Jupiter massaged his head, still dizzy from the hangover.

"At least that solved the poltergeist phenomenon," he muttered. "Your caretaker might have been too ashamed to admit that she drank the other bottle, Jeffrey. She must have drunk it and it caused her to black out. Same case when she invited her friends to stay over."

"Sneaky little thief!" Jeffrey exclaimed, crossing his arms.

"Would you do me a favor, Jeffrey," Jupiter continued, eyebrows furrowed, "and see if there's any book in your great-grandfather's study that recorded the natural phenomena he observed around this lakehouse?"

Jeffrey nodded and moved swiftly.

Bob and Pete gave Jupiter questioning glances.

"What is it, Jupe?" Bob prompted.

Jupiter shook his head. "I need to check something to be sure."

Bob and Pete understood that Jupe preferred to stay quiet before he was entirely sure with his deduction. Sometimes it annoyed them, but most of the time they understood.

Jeffrey returned with an old book. The boys saw that he had made a detour to the kitchen and brought mini-sandwiches from the store, along with a jug of water.

"My great-grandpa's diary," he said, placing the leatherbound notebook on the coffee table. "He wrote about his days and made observations about the environment. Plants he encountered, fish he caught, and all that. And dudes, please eat. You all haven't had dinner."

Jupiter nodded swiftly and flipped through the pages, being as careful as he could with the vintage paper. He munched absent-mindedly on the sandwiches Pete fed him while the rest of them ate in silence.

He stopped at one page and a slow smile formed on his face.

"Let's go to the forest right now, Jeffrey."

"What??" Pete exploded. "It's midnight, Jupe!"

"Exactly," the First Investigator replied. "We still have time to catch it."

"Catch what? A ghost? A wild animal?" Bob demanded.

"You're not far off," Jupiter said, taking a sip of water and standing up. "Let's go, fellows."

He walked toward the entrance, not waiting for any more complaints.

Jeffrey laughed. "Does he always do that?"

Pete rolled his eyes. "Too many times. I'm this close to leaving him alone in the forest just to teach him a lesson."

"Mm-hmm of course," said Jeffrey, nodding quietly as he remembered how Pete had called Jupe his sunshine and honey bee just moments before.

After waiting for Bob, who took his camera from his room, the boys set off toward the inner part of the forest.

Jupiter was giving directions, as if he knew the forest like the back of his hand.

"Turn right at that corner, Jeffrey," he instructed. "If this book's accurate, we'll see a clearing."

He sat back, looking pleased with himself. "And we'll see the magic unfold."

The boys said no more. Not that it would matter anyway-- Jupe loved the drama of things.

The pine trees loomed grandly even in the dark. They were lucky that there was still some light from the moon, looking like a half-circle above them. Jeffrey's Camaro also lit up the path decently.

But upon arriving at the clearing Jupe asked Jeffrey to turn his headlights off.

"We'd be surrounded by darkness, Jupe!" Pete protested.

But Jupiter was steadfast. Jeffrey's curiosity also got him to follow.

They waited in the darkness for a few moments.

After what felt like forever, they saw it.

Lights, floating.

Through the thin mist, some of the lights looked like ghostly flames in the night.

"What," Bob whispered, "what is that?"

The rest of them sat silently.

Until one of the lights approached the car.

And then they realized.

"Fireflies!"

The boys gaped and stared at each other. Slowly they opened the door and stepped outside.

They walked toward the clusters of lights and behold.

It was like a scattered constellation in the forest. Soft, golden glimmers like stars among the pine trees and cedar wood. The air had that after-the-rain scent, adding to the serenity that came with the sight.

Those bioluminescent creatures moved as if dancing through the night.

Magical, ethereal.

The beauty of it left them stunned for a few moments, even Jupiter.

Bob spoke first. "In areas where the mist is thicker, the clusters of fireflies look like… ghostly flames." He reached for his camera and took a few photos without the flash, hoping that the moonlight and the fireflies' own glow would be enough. The shots might come out grainy, but he didn't want to risk scaring them away.

"So that's it…" Jeffrey whispered. "How did you know, Jupe?"

"I figured out that… if this forest is untouched by settlements, it might be one of the few places in California where we could see fireflies. Your great-grandfather's book recorded it."

As always, he was indignant at himself for not figuring this out earlier.

"I should have thought about this sooner. It all made sense. The ecosystem, the environment, the temperature, the humidity, and the fact that it's close to the lake… perfect breeding ground for the species."

Pete chuckled. "Solved the poltergeist and the mysterious flames, all in a day's work. You did well, Jupe."

"Now you're smiling, Pete," Bob teased. "You didn't even want to come here when you heard about the spirits."

The tall boy was sheepish. "You don't need to rub it in, Bob…"

"Well, I've heard before that fireflies are spirits of our ancestors and loved ones," Jeffrey commented. "So there's some truth to that legend."

Jupiter shrugged. "Not that it's scientifically proven…"

His voice faltered when two fireflies landed on him. One on his shoulder, and one on his arm.

"…Oh."

"Two spirits visiting you, huh?" Jeffrey smiled fondly.

Jupiter blinked. "If we're taking that theory… it's probably my parents."

"Your parents?"

"They died when I was four."

"Oh, sorry… I didn't know that," Jeffrey replied.

"It's okay," Jupiter smiled, looking pleasant under the glow of the fireflies. "…I guess it's fine to believe in comforting stories once in a while."

The boys agreed. Perhaps there was wisdom in that legend and in the fact that the forest was revered as sacred ground.

Some things remain as secrets of the universe, but the mystery of the Spirit Forest and the Spirit House had been solved.

Leaving memories and new friendships in its stead.