فصل پنجاه

chapter-50

Kyle looked at what was written on the yellow card tucked into the yellow envelope: 41.376495

–83.651040

“Guess we better head back to the library,” he said with a sigh. “More Dewey decimal numbers.” “Whoa, hang on,” said Miguel.

“Those are not Dewey numbers, my friend,” said Pranav Pillai.

“There aren’t any negative numbers in Mr. Dewey’s library classification system,” explained Elliott Schilpp.

“I believe Mr. Lemoncello is inviting us to play a geocaching game,” said Angus Harper. “Because those numbers sure look like GPS coordinates to me.” “What’s geocaching?” asked Sierra.

“An outdoor recreational activity,” said Pranav Pillai, “where one uses a GPS device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek waterproof containers that each have a logbook sealed inside, where you can sign your name to indicate that you found it.” Kyle smiled. A lot of these library experts sounded like dictionaries.

Angus Harper pulled out his smartphone. “And it just so happens that I have a GPS navigation app on my phone. Most fliers do. We tap in longitude 41.376495 and latitude negative 83.651040 and—BOOM!—this map shows us where to go.” A red pin dropped on the app’s map, indicating a spot just across the street from Liberty Park.

“That’s near the motel!” said Miguel.

“Looks like the mailbox out front!” said Andrew.

“Let’s go check it out,” said Kyle.

The group of twelve new teammates trooped down to the crosswalk, where they waited for the light to change.

“You can’t miss the mailbox,” said Andrew. “It’s shaped like a bird.” The light changed.

Kyle and Akimi led the charge across the street to the boxy blue mailbox. It had wooden wings nailed to its sides and a tail feather on its rear. To open the drop-down front, you had to tug on the bluebird’s beak.

“Another envelope,” said Abia Sulayman when Kyle opened the mailbox.

“Is it official USPS mail?” asked Stephanie Youngerman. “If so, it is a federal offense for us to open it.” “No,” said Kyle. “It’s another yellow envelope with ‘Clue’ stamped on the front.” “Open it,” urged Angus.

Kyle tore open the envelope.

“It’s a bunch of riddles,” he reported. “Three of them.” Diane Capriola, who had won her spot on the Southeast team by solving riddles, stepped forward.

“Let me see that,” she said.

Kyle was pretty good with riddles, too, but he handed the envelope over to Diane.

“First riddle,” she said. “ ’What has four wheels and flies?’ ” “An airplane!” blurted Miguel.

“Hold that thought,” said Diane. “Second riddle: ‘You’ll find your next clue in the red stump.’ ” The other eleven kids started looking around the motel grounds, searching for a brightly painted tree stump.

“And finally, riddle three: ‘Everything I do goes to waste.’ ” She closed up the envelope. “All three clues are sending us to the same place.” “The woods?” said Nicole Wisniewski, who was still looking for the red stump. “I’m not big on woods. I’m from Chicago.” “No,” said Diane. “The third riddle is a pun. The second riddle is a jumble. And the first riddle is for kindergartners.” “So, Kyle,” said Akimi, “that means you can probably handle it.” Kyle grinned. “That’s okay. I’m sure Diane knows the answer.” “Yep,” she said. “The Dumpster.”

“This way,” said Andrew. “It’s behind the kitchen.” He led the way around the main building to a small loading dock in the back.

“Oh, I get it,” said Miguel. “The Dumpster has four wheels and attracts flies.” “Also,” said Sierra, “ ’Dumpster’ and ‘red stump’ are spelled with the same letters.” “Yep,” said Diane, “and everything a Dumpster does ‘goes to waste.’ ” “Good work,” said Kyle. “Now who wants to lift the lid?” Even closed, the Dumpster reeked of rotting fruit and rancid dairy products.

“You,” said Akimi, pointing at Kyle with one hand while swatting at the foul air and buzzing flies with the other. “You’re the team captain.” “Of our hometown team,” said Kyle, “but not this one. This is more like one of those superhero teams in the comic books.” “We could be the Justice League of Libraries,” said Pranav Pillai eagerly.

The guy sounded like he really liked comic books.

“All in favor of Kyle Keeley being our captain, no matter what our team is called, please raise your right hand,” said Akimi.

Everybody, including Andrew Peckleman, shot one hand into the air. They were using their other hands to hold their noses or fan the air in front of their faces.

The vote was unanimous.

Kyle was elected captain. He would open the Dumpster.

He might also need to climb inside it.