The Last Chance Detectives

Chris: Hi, this is Chris. Welcome to a special presentation of Adventures in Odyssey, The Last Chance Detectives. Please keep in mind that Last Chance is aimed for a little older audience than Odyssey and may be intense for younger listeners under the age of 10. So kids, make sure your parents are listening with you, okay? And now, sit back and enjoy The Last Chance Detectives.

Brian: Previously on The Last Chance Detectives: 40 years ago, the famous rock trio Buddy Lewis and the Cats mysteriously disappeared. With new evidence on the case, the Last Chance Detectives discover the wreckage of Buddy's plane. Onboard, lost tapes of music worth millions of dollars. Ray Barnett, Buddy's former manager, offers the Last Chance Detectives a reward for the discovery, $10,000. It's enough money to save the B-17, which serves as headquarters for Last Chance.

But Ray refuses to pay up because the tapes are now missing. With the media on his tail, Mike comes up with a plan. They split up. Mike and Spence go back to the crash site to search for clues. Meantime, Winnie and Ben search for Crazy Carl, who lives in the barren wastelands of El Dorado, but maybe hiding some vital information.

Mike Fowler: Hi, my name is Mike Fowler. When I was six years old, my dad was my hero. As a fighter pilot, Dad went on dangerous missions. One night, he didn't return. They never found him. So now, I work on my detective skills. And one day, I hope to find my dad.

My clubhouse is a B-17 bomber. My three friends and I solve mysteries in the town of Ambrosia. Together, we're the Last Chance Detectives.

Bobbin' Bill Baranan: Hey there, hi there, ho there. This is Bobbin' Bill Baranan, broadcasting live and in person from the Last Chance Gas and Diner in beautiful downtown Ambrosia, otherwise known as the fruit bowl of Arizona. Stay tuned for more oldies, goldies, and moldies right here on Ambrosia Radio Network.

In case you just joined us, a group of local kids who call themselves the Last Chance Detectives have discovered what many believe is the very plane in which Buddy Lewis and his band mysteriously disappeared 40 years ago. Onboard this plane, these kids found a reel-to-reel tape with a never-before-released song called I Think I'm In Love.

Today, they handed me another reel, a haunting recording that tells the story of what happened in those final moments aboard that plane. Be forewarned, folks, this may be upsetting, especially to Buddy Lewis fans. So now, for another exclusive from Ambrosia Radio Network: Quiet please, as we present to you the lost voices of Buddy Lewis, Andy Davis, and Nick Turner.

Nick Turner: Come on, Buddy. How many one more times, huh? Really?

Buddy Lewis: Till we get it right, Nick. Andy, you're flat on that last note.

Andy Davis: I'm bushed.

Buddy Lewis: Oh, I'm sorry. One more time. I've got to keep my eyes up front, alright? It's not looking really good out there. Just lean back a little, man.

Nick Turner: Yeah. Oh, Andy, you were flat that time.

Andy Davis: What?

Buddy Lewis: You were. Let's go. One, two, one, two, three, four. My eyes meet your eyes as the moon shines above. I think I'm in love. Oh man, you guys just don't get it, do you?

Andy Davis: Listen, Buddy, cool it. We've been slamming hard for two weeks straight.

Nick Turner: Yeah, cool it.

Buddy Lewis: Oh, alright Nick. Yeah, you know what? You're right. Let's cool it, and then we'll just sit back and watch all the other bands pass us by, right? Come on, guys. You've got to be tougher than that. Now, we can either play around with this stuff, or we can take it seriously and maybe do something. Why are you smiling?

Nick Turner: Because I've been recording this the whole time on our reel-to-reel.

Buddy Lewis: You what?

Nick Turner: Cool. I wanted to show you what you sound like. You push us hard all week, and you won't even give us a break. Not to mention you make us fly through this stuff.

Buddy Lewis: Now, if you guys are going to let a little pushing and a little bad weather stop you, then maybe you don't belong in this band. You were saying?

Nick Turner: Whoa. Hey, good one Nick, but knock it off, will you? I've had enough of your practical jokes, okay?

Andy Davis: But this is no joke.

Nick Turner: What? Quiet. Buckle in, both of you. Now. Mayday, Mayday. This is Aztec 5901 Bravo. If anybody can read me, we're heading into severe turbulence. Request vector to get us out. Do you guys smell that? It's like something electrical.

Andy Davis: What's going on?

Nick Turner: Exactly what I warned you about. Lightning. Direct hit. Radio's fried. We have no instruments. We're flying blind.

Buddy Lewis: Keep the nose up.

Nick Turner: I know, I know. Come on, up front.

Buddy Lewis: Are we going to make it?

Nick Turner: We're nose-heavy. I think the luggage shifted. Nick, look. Check the airspeed indicator. It's redlining. We're diving. Pull up the yoke on your side. It's not working. I'll pull mine up at the same time. Okay, together. Ready? One, two, three. I can't bring it up.

Buddy Lewis: Come on, Buddy.

Nick Turner: I'm trying. I'm trying. Now, pull up. Come on.

Bobbin' Bill Baranan: Folks, I don't know what to say. Obviously, we're all shocked by what we've just heard. Let's go to commercial and we'll be right back with some final thoughts from Ray Barnett, the manager for Buddy Lewis and the Cats.

Mike: What room did she say? Ben.

Ben: Huh?

Mike: What room number was it? You know Ray Barnett's room?

Ben: Oh, 276. No, or 267. No, 14. Yeah, that was it, I think.

Mike: Not a help.

Ben: I was just rehearsing what I was going to say to this guy. It's going to be good.

Mike: Listen.

Ben: Hey, that's Ray Barnett.

Mike: We've got him now.

Ray Barnett: The actor, Vito, Vito. Of course. I always get you two mixed up. The actor, Bruno has the lisp. Good. Well listen, let me get right down to business. We've had a slight complication. Give me a chance to explain. Somehow, a tape showed up last night, the one you heard, the kid's. Right. That's what I've been trying to tell you. I don't know where they found it. No, it wasn't supposed to happen.

Ben: What's he talking about?

Mike: I don't know, but you know what? I think Mr. Barnett is being totally unfair with the way he's treating us.

Ben: If it's okay, I want to talk to him first, man to man.

Mike: You sure? Pause.

Ray Barnett: I understand. Just relax, okay? Look, the deal still stands, but we need to find those tapes. Just give me a little time to work this out. Look, somebody's here. I've got to go. No, no, I'll work it out, I promise. Don't worry. Oh, it's you kids. What do you want?

Ben: Mr. Barnett.

Ray Barnett: Yeah.

Ben: Mike has something he wants to tell you.

Mike: Thanks, Ben. Mr. Barnett, I know things have been kind of crazy lately, but listen, we've been thinking. We've found two tapes now, and we think you should pay us at least part of the reward money for that.

Ben: Yeah, like ditto.

Ray Barnett: Well, you know what? You're right.

Mike: Great. This was easier than I thought.

Ray Barnett: In fact, I've been doing some thinking myself. I was pretty upset about losing those tapes, and I just assumed that you stole them. But I've heard, and I can see that you're really an honest, decent kid. Forgive me?

Mike: Sure.

Ray Barnett: Thanks. But I'm afraid you're wrong about that reward money. I don't owe you part of the reward. I owe you the whole thing, fair and square.

Ben: Alright.

Mike: Yeah.

Ray Barnett: Listen, I'm getting an advance sent to me on Friday, and I'll pay you out of that. Sound fair?

Mike: That's all we ask. Here's a tape we found, the one that aired last night.

Ray Barnett: Thank you. This means more to me than you'll ever know.

Mike: Good.

Ray Barnett: Just one more favor, if you don't mind. I need your Last Chance Detectives to find those stolen tapes for me, and quickly. I'll throw in a bonus for each tape you find.

Ben: Bonus? We're on it.

Ray Barnett: Thanks.

Winnie: Something keeps bugging me. Why was the song I Think I'm In Love so completely different on the two tapes?

Ben: Well, maybe the tape from last night was an earlier version that they scrapped. They do that kind of thing, I think.

Winnie: But the lyrics aren't even close, neither is the music.

Mike: Good point, Winnie. What is Spence doing?

Winnie: Oh, he recorded the tape on his computer. He's analyzing it or something.

Spence: Think about it. Where did the last reel-to-reel tape come from? That tape couldn't have been with the other ones you found because it was recorded from inside the cockpit. The other tapes were in the cargo hold.

Mike: Good one, Winnie. And there was no cockpit left in the wreckage, just the cargo area and the nose.

Spence: Still freaks me out to hear that.

Mike: Spence, can you stop that? It's kind of creeping us out.

Spence: Something strange is going on here.

Mike: What is it?

Spence: Give me a minute.

Mike: Well, just keep it down, please.

Ben: Yeah. I wonder if Crazy Carl is the one who planted the tape on our quad. He's the only person who lives around that area.

Mike: Couldn't have been. Winnie and me saw him at his shack at the same time you were at the cave.

Winnie: It was kind of weird he wouldn't let us in.

Mike: Yeah, I think he's hiding something.

Ben: I don't know about that. I mean, the guy is well, let's just say the cheese has slipped off his cracker.

Mike: That's the thing about Carl. Some days, when he stops by the diner, he seems okay, quiet but okay. And then other times, whew.

Winnie: What if Crazy Carl took the tapes, hid them in his cabin?

Mike: Possibly. You know, I think it's worth checking out.

Ben: No way. Carl doesn't want us anywhere near there.

Winnie: Here's something you guys don't know. Carl doesn't really own that property. The US government sold it to the Navajo Nation. The Navajo let him stay there because they're kind to him. Well, and because they have superstitions about crazy people.

Mike: So we have as much right to go inside that camp as he does. Try telling him that. Winnie, you told us Carl delivers rocks to your grandma's trading post, right?

Winnie: Every Thursday.

Mike: And what's today?

Winnie: Thursday.

Grandmother Bird: We get people coming in here from all over, and you're from Pittsburgh. Is that so? I've got some relatives there.

Guest (Male): Oh.

Crazy Carl: Hello.

Grandmother Bird: Oh, Carl. I wanted to tell you that last shipment of rocks was simply beautiful. You know, I'm just about sold out already. You can set your sack right here on this table. Oh, these are beautiful. Here's your check.

Crazy Carl: Thank you.

Grandmother Bird: Have a wonderful day, Carl. This is Grandmother Bird to Sparrow One. Grandmother Bird to Sparrow One.

Winnie: Go for Sparrow One.

Grandmother Bird: Carl is here in town.

Mike: I don't like sneaking around Crazy Carl's place.

Ben: And how come Spence gets to stay back home?

Mike: Because he's working on something important instead of playing Game Guy.

Winnie: Guys, why are you whispering? My grandma told me Carl was in town, not here.

Ben: Right. Okay, let's spread out and search the room.

Mike: Not much room to spread out. Okay, I'm going to check the cupboard. Hey, what's this doing in here? A guitar with the initials BL.

Winnie: Buddy Lewis.

Mike: And check out the hook by the door. This looks like Buddy Lewis's leather jacket. Bingo. Tapes. You found the tapes. Scotch Dynorange, yep. These are the same ones Spence and I found. Busted. I can't wait to see that old guy's face when he where can I hide?

Mike: It's just a donkey, Ben.

Ben: With Crazy Carl riding it. He's coming this way.

Mike: What? I thought you said that he was in town.

Winnie: I did. My grandma saw him.

Mike: He must have a turbo donkey. Quick, everybody grab some tapes. We'll head out the back door.

Ben: Mike, there is no back door.

Mike: What are we going to do? Act natural.

Ben: Whoa, Carl's scared.

Mike: So what's happening, Carl? Nice cabin, nice day, nice real nice.

Crazy Carl: Why are you here? This is private property.

Winnie: Carl, you're on Navajo land. I have more of a right to be here than you do.

Crazy Carl: No, no. I get Smitty. He arrests you, he arrests you all.

Mike: Go ahead. But keep in mind we found the tapes you stole.

Crazy Carl: No, no, I not steal.

Mike: Then where did the tapes come from, Carl?

Crazy Carl: I get them from John Glenn.

Winnie: John Glenn?

Crazy Carl: Yeah, John Glenn splashdown.

Mike: Carl, you better come up with a better story than that. I don't think Sheriff Smitty's going to buy that one. Carl, we really need those tapes.

Crazy Carl: No please, I keep tape. I keep all the tape please.

Mike: But they don't belong to you. It's really for the best, Carl. Can you help us out here?

Ben: Are you sure this is the right room?

Mike: I'm sure, I think. Mr. Barnett, are you in there?

Bobbin' Bill Baranan: Be right there.

Mike: I can't wait to see the look on his face when he hears about this. Mr. Barnett. Oh, Mr. Bobbin' Bill, we must have gotten the wrong room.

Bobbin' Bill Baranan: Well, you got the right room alright, just no Ray. I've been looking for him too. His door was open.

Mike: Do you know where he is?

Bobbin' Bill Baranan: Nope, but my guess is he won't be coming back anytime soon.

Mike: But we've got to find him. We found the tapes, all 11 of them.

Bobbin' Bill Baranan: Yeah, well, then you might as well throw them in the trash where they belong.

Mike: Excuse me? Did I hear you right?

Bobbin' Bill Baranan: Oh yeah, you did. See, when that second tape showed up, things seemed fishy, especially since the two songs were so different. The media poked around and here's the story they found so far. It looks like Ray planted those tapes in the plane and led you kids to the site of the supposed plane crash.

Mike: Supposed plane crash? But I saw the plane with my own eyes.

Bobbin' Bill Baranan: Yeah, a reporter followed the paper trail. He turned up a receipt proving that Ray bought the front fuselage at an airplane scrapyard. As soon as they started to suspect something, an impersonator who sounded just like Buddy Lewis stepped forward. He admitted that he helped write and record all the tracks on those tapes. The whole thing was a big scam. Those tapes are worth nothing.

Mike: We've got to tell Spence. Yeah, we do.

Mike: Spence, I don't know how to tell you this, but Mike, you've got to hear this. I just found something that could break this case wide open. Sorry Spence, we just found out. It was all a con game.

Spence: A con game? But I was going to show you. Guess it doesn't matter now. Whoa.

Mike: What's whoa?

Spence: I just spotted something. See these two graphic monitor screens?

Mike: Yeah.

Spence: This is a graphic voiceprint of Buddy Lewis. It doesn't match the voice on the tape we found from inside the plane.

Mike: Yep, that's what we've been trying to tell you. Those tapes were fake.

Spence: But wait, Buddy's voiceprint matches the voiceprint from the tape we found on the quad. Matches perfectly.

Mike: You mean the tape we found on the quad is the real thing? Mike, check outside. The media's here. Oh great. You can do it.

Randy Nettles: Excuse me, Mike. I'm Randy Nettles, World News Network. Can you tell us any more about the Buddy Lewis tapes?

Guest (Female): Yeah, what's the latest?

Randy Nettles: Mike, our sources have analyzed the tapes and determined that the last tape you found is the real thing.

Mike: Could you excuse me for a moment? Sure, hurry back.

Mike: Guys, what are we going to do here?

Mike: This is wild. Wow. Spence, where's the recording you put on the computer?

Spence: Too late. I just erased the whole thing off my hard drive.

Mike: What?

Spence: Just messing with you. It's right here. And I think I figured it out. Listen to the sound of the explosion on the tape. Do we have to? Listen. Now, we isolate the sound of the explosion and run it through a high-pass filter to lessen the low frequencies of the sound. Listen closely to what you hear right after the impact. Hey, there's not an explosion. It's a splash.

Mike: Right. You mean they crashed into water? The one place they could immediately disappear without leaving a trace.

Spence: But this is the desert. Not exactly a lot of water around here.

Mike: Which makes it easy. I've already checked. There's only one place near Ambrosia big enough to hide an entire airplane: Apache Wells.

Mike: This water's so clear. You can almost see to the bottom.

Ben: Yeah. Hey Ben, let me see that pole now. Here you go. Man, I'm getting hungry.

Mike: You're always getting hungry.

Ben: I'm always getting hungry. Listen. Another barrel. Sounds different. See, it sounds a lot bigger than a barrel. Probably more mining equipment. Let's dive down and see. I'll stay here and watch. Right with you, Mike.

Mike: It's another barrel. And here's a license plate. Where's Ben?

Ben: I saw a weird-looking rock down there. Can you guys see it?

Mike: I see it. Man, that is a weird-looking rock. Wait a second. That's no rock. It's the nose of the plane. Wow. We've found the missing plane of Buddy Lewis.

Brian: So, how'd you like today's show? I'm Brian, and we'd like to hear from you. Just drop us a note in the mail. Send it to The Last Chance Detectives, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80995. In Canada, that's PO Box 9800, Vancouver, BC, V6B 4G3. You can also log on to LastChanceDetectives.com. And if you'd like a copy of today's show, just mention the title, Mystery of the Lost Voices, Episode 7.

Now, here's a sneak preview: Oh my, after 40 years of silence, a small white private plane is finally resurrected. Buddy Lewis, his body is gone? We combed this lake from top to bottom, one end to the other, not a trace. John Glenn, John Glenn splashdown. John Glenn Jr. has become the first American to orbit the earth.

What if Crazy Carl was in fact the real Buddy Lewis? Whoa, too weird for me. You're not calling anybody. Easy mister, just let us out of here, okay? You're not going anywhere. It looks like a news chopper. Oh no. I'm scared. He has a guitar slung on his back and he's making a run for some quad runners nearby. Go, go, go. Keep going, go.

The Last Chance Detectives is a presentation of Focus on the Family, created by Robert Vernon. Mystery of the Lost Voices was written by John Fornof and Robert Vernon, directed by John Fornof. Mike was played by Adam Wylie, Winnie was Mae Whitman, Spence was AJ Noel, and Ben was Daryl Sabara. Our cast included Jess Harnell, Townsend Coleman, Daran Norris, Susan Silo, and Kat Cressida. Engineered by Jonathan Crowe, sound design by Gap Digital, and our producers were John Fornof and Bob Hoose. Hope you enjoyed today's show. You're always welcome back for another mystery adventure of The Last Chance Detectives.