CHAPTER 9

Cracking the Case

“I don’t get it,” said Raining as the four friends hurried down the main steps of the museum. “Who was on the phone?”

“Reporters,” Wilson said, glancing back over his shoulder at his friends. “TV news, websites, local networks, and national cable networks.”

“And that made you decide Moonstar isn’t behind this?” Amal asked. “I’m with Raining — I don’t get it.”

Amal and Raining sounded confused, but Clementine was nodding in understanding. “He never really made sense as a suspect,” she said. “Even if he had cut the cables on the Quetzalcoatlus, he certainly wasn’t around last week to flicker the lights and drag a dinosaur skeleton halfway across the museum just to spook Lev.”

“Exactly,” said Wilson. “But one person had both the opportunity and the motive for all the alleged ghost acts — Mr. Collini.”

“Mr. Collini?” Amal said. “But what was his motive?”

“Don’t you see?” Wilson said as the four swung around the staircase and hurried to the big front room. “This is great publicity for the museum.”

They reached the front and found Dr. Kipper, Mr. Collini, and Lev standing in the now–empty center of the room. The remains of the Quetzlcoatlus and the Allosaurus — its first victim in more than sixty million years — had been cleared away.

“Wilson,” Dr. Kipper said, “what are you four doing here? Did you have some lunch?”

“Yeah, we did,” Wilson said. “Hey, Mr. Collini, I was wondering, how did promotion go for the new pterosaur exhibit?”

“It went fine,” said Mr. Collini. “Why do you ask?”

“I don’t remember seeing anything about it in the paper,” Amal said.

“There was a small article,” Dr. Kipper pointed out. “I remember seeing it in The Daily Post.”

“Ah, yes,” said Mr. Collini, frowning. But he brightened quickly and waved his arms toward the crowd still waiting outside in the summer heat. “But look! It worked wonders. Look at the crowd out there.”

“You think they’re here for the pterosaurs?” Lev asked. He shook his head. “I think it’s the ghosts that are bringing them out today.” He turned to the kids. “That’s exactly what that woman told us this morning, remember?”

“Ha!” Mr. Collini laughed nervously. “That’s ridiculous. If they wanted ghosts they’d wait till Halloween.”

“You think so?” Wilson said suspiciously.

Mr. Collini didn’t reply. Instead, he checked his watch. “I should really be getting back to my office,” he muttered, starting off.

Amal grabbed his arm to stop him. “Mr. Collini,” she said. “Do you have a key to all the emergency exits in the building?”

“Well, of course I do,” he replied. “But why — ”

“Then the alarms wouldn’t go off if you used an emergency door,” Wilson continued.

“And of course you have access to the catwalk above us right now?” Clementine said.

“Naturally I do, but — ” Mr. Collini started to say.

“You must work some very long hours, too,” Raining interrupted him. “You’re probably here all the time. Even when there are only a couple of security guards roaming the halls, maybe someone from the cleaning crew?”

Mr. Collini opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

“What are you kids getting at?” said Lev.

Wilson didn’t have to answer. He could see the gears turning in Lev’s mind, and a moment later, Lev turned to Mr. Collini. “Hey, wait a minute,” he said. “You’re the ghost, aren’t you?”

“Mr. Collini!” Dr. Kipper said, looking horrified. “Is that true?”

Mr. Collini didn’t speak, but his cheeks turned red.

“I can’t believe this!” Dr. Kipper exclaimed. “You destroyed our Quetzalcoatlus and Allosaurus models! You could have seriously hurt someone!”

“Please understand!” Mr. Collini said. “I never intended to hurt anyone. I never even meant to break anything! I only cut one cable. I thought the giant thing would soar across the lobby like it had come back to life.”

“But why?” Dr. Kipper asked.

“Publicity!” Mr. Collini said. “I’m no scientist, Carolyn. My job is to bring in the money. And for money, we need visitors.”

Lev shook his head and pulled the set of handcuffs from his belt. “I’m sorry, Mr. Collini,” he said. “But this is a matter for the Capitol City police.”

“I know, I know,” said Mr. Collini. For a moment he looked upset, but when he caught sight of the crowds milling around outside, waiting to come in, he smiled again. “But look at all the people! It worked! The museum will have its best day in years.”

With that, Lev led him away, toward the security room, to wait for the police.

“See?” Amal whispered to her friends. “I told you — follow the money.”

“There’s still one thing I don’t understand, though,” Clementine said. “What about the giant flying ghost Lev saw?”

Wilson stepped behind the front desk. He had a feeling he’d find what he wanted, and he did — a big, heavy flashlight like the ones the security team carried. Right next to it sat a small plastic model of a pterosaur.

Wilson clicked on the flashlight, held up the pterosaur toy, and cast its shadow on the far wall. It was huge. “Easy,” he said, grinning at Clementine. “Now let’s see if we can get the lights turned back on. I still want to check out the pterosaur exhibit before closing time.”