Dylan turned to leave the lake. The group walked along another row of cabins. One cabin was larger, with a wide door. It had a long ramp instead of steps.
A boy about Dylan’s age sat out front. He swung a yo-yo back and forth, counting, “103, 104, 105.” Then, the yo-yo dragged against the ground and stopped moving.
Theodore investigated the yo-yo. He sniffed it to see if it was a treat. Or maybe a toy.
The boy scratched Theodore’s ears. “Hi-ya, pup. Aren’t you cute?”
Theodore wagged his tail.
“Hi,” said Dylan. “I’m Dylan and this is my sister, Emily.”
Paige cleared her throat.
Dylan added, “And this is Paige. She’s . . . helping us.”
Emily smiled shyly. “Green is my favorite color. Is it yours too?” she asked, pointing at the lime-green rims on the boy’s wheelchair.
The boy stared at his hands. “My parents thought I would like it. I’m Alex.”
Dylan flashed the UV flashlight on Alex’s shoes.
No paint.
“We’re looking for a missing trophy,” said Dylan. “Have you seen it?”
Alex shook his head. “No. How did you lose a trophy?”
Paige said, “We didn’t lose it. Someone took it. It’s the prize for the Camp Leaf games. Were you going to play?”
“Nope. Not interested,” Alex said quickly. He avoided looking at the group.
“But it sounds like so much fun!” said Emily.
“It’s the best,” Paige added. “Did you know that the Camp Leaf games are a big deal? People come from all over to play.”
“Yeah, well, it’s just not for me,” Alex said. “I’m just counting the days until I get to go back home.” He turned to wheel himself back to the cabin.
Out of habit, Dylan pointed his UV flashlight again.
This time, a spot of glow-in-the-dark paint shone on one of the tires.
“Whoa!” Dylan said. “There’s paint on your tire. That means you were by the winner’s stand where the trophy was. Are you sure you didn’t see it?”
“Huh? No,” Alex said. “My brother made me go there to check out the campground. That’s all.”
“Is he here?” Dylan asked. Emily leaned around the group to look up at the cabin.
“Caleb!” Alex called. “Can you come out here?”
Caleb bounded out the door. “You decided to meet some people after all?” he asked Alex with a big grin.
Alex rolled his chair back from the group. “Not exactly,” he said. “They came to ask some questions.”
“Are you two twins?” Paige asked, looking from Alex to Caleb.
Caleb laughed. “No. Alex is a year older.”
“Alex said you were over by the winner’s stand,” Dylan said. “Did you see the trophy that was there?”
Caleb was very interested in Theodore. “And who is this dog?” he asked. “Who’s a good boy?”
Theodore wagged his tail, happy to make a new friend.
“I already told them we didn’t see anything,” Alex said. “But they wanted to ask you too.”
“I didn’t see you at the fire making s’mores,” Emily said.
Caleb shook his head. “We didn’t go to that,” he said. “Somebody”—he pointed at Alex—“didn’t want to do that either.”
“I told you that you could do it without me,” Alex said.
Caleb groaned. “But we used to do everything together.”
“Doesn’t mean we have to,” said Alex.
Caleb crossed his arms. “Well, maybe I won’t.” He turned to the group. “What are you all planning to do? Mind if I tag along?”
“We’re just gonna keep investigating the missing trophy,” Dylan said.
“Oh,” said Caleb. He leaned down to pet Theodore more, hiding his face. “Sure. I’d like that. Just let me run in the house and grab something real fast.”
Caleb ran into the cabin and Alex followed after him. Caleb came out a minute later carrying a backpack.
Dylan grabbed his detective notebook. He added a third line.
The list of suspects was growing. When would they track down the trophy thief?