The Case of the Mossy Lake Monster Read Online Free PDF Page B

puzzled. “We followed Frisco and Baloney until after school closed for the day, and they didn’t come near the school.”
    “Hmm,” said Drake, looking equally puzzled.
    Once Alexandra had gone to class, Drake and Nell found the janitor. They asked him if he’d seen anything suspicious.
    “Can’t say that I have,” he said, pushing his broom. “’Course, lots of kids stay after school. They do sports, projects, maybe a test or two. Can’t keep track of everyone.”
    “You don’t remember anyone marking up the campaign posters?” asked Drake.
    “Posters? What posters?” The janitor looked to where Drake was pointing. “Jeepers! She’s an ugly one! Now, what were you saying?”
    “Never mind,” said Drake with a sigh.
    Nell handed the janitor their business card. “Thanks for your time. Call us if you see anything.”
    Then they walked back to class together, looking just a little glum. “This calls for drastic measures,” said Drake suddenly, putting his fist in his hand. “Meet me at the lab after school.” (Drake didn’t know what those drastic measures would be, only that they had to be drastic.)
    After school at the lab, Drake pulled a book off his shelf and thumbed through until he found the right page. “Evil Plots: What to Do When Campaign Posters Are Ruined and the Election Is Coming Right Up.”
    Nell sat next to Drake, and together they read the section. Then they looked at each other. “Let’s get to work,” said Drake.
    First Nell called Alexandra. “Quick. We need more glamour photos. Drop some off at Drake’s house so we can make new posters for you.”
    Alexandra sighed. “New posters? Again?”
    “I assure you it’s quite necessary. Tell no one.”
    “You’re the boss.”
    Click.
    Without waiting for the photos, they immediately set to work. They pulled on surgical gloves.
    Snap!
    And when the doorbell rang, Nell quickly grabbed the photos. “Thanks! Bye!” she said, closing the door in Alexandra’s surprised face. There was simply no time to waste. Back in the lab, they worked and worked until finally they were ready.
    They pulled off their surgical gloves.
    Snap!
    “That should do it,” said Drake, nodding with satisfaction.
    “Tomorrow at school,” said Nell, her mouth in a thin line. “Be there.”
    On Thursday morning, Drake and Nell hung the new posters. Again, they were careful to wear surgical gloves. When school was finally out, they didn’t follow Frisco or Baloney. In fact, they went to the lab for a relaxing afternoon of experiments. Why? you ask. Because there was no need for surveillance….
    The next day was Friday. Election day.
    Sure enough, black teeth, black eyes, mustaches, and beards were plastered all over the posters.
    Alexandra stamped her foot. “I thought you were going to get to the bottom of this!” she screeched.
    Drake plugged his ears. (He had no idea that beauty princesses could screech so loudly.)
    Once she stopped screeching and stamping her foot and turning purple, Drake said calmly, “I assure you, Ms. Landsright, it’s all part of the plan. Doyle and Fossey, Science Detectives, will nab your culprit in plenty of time for the election, never fear. Now, here’s what I want you to do …” And he lowered his voice to a whisper.
    Afterward, Drake and Nell marched to the principal’s office and received permission from Mr. Hong to carry out the rest of their plan. (Mr. Hong wanted to catch the bad guys just as much as they did. “Do what you have to do,” he said, shaking their hands. “The full resources of the school are yours.”)
    That afternoon, all the students filed into the gym. Nell and Drake sat in the first row. Haley Glibb sat beside them. Her fingers were crossed. The row of student candidates sat facing them.
    The hour wore on. There was speech after speech. Speeches for wannabe treasurers, secretaries, and vice presidents. Finally, it was time for the presidential speeches.
    Frisco was first. “I promise to