Floors #2: 3 Below Read Free Page B

their plans in peace on the roof.
    “Is there any chance either of you might listen to me, because if there’s not, I’d like to get back in Remi’s pocket and take a nap,” Blop complained.
    “What’s that you say?” asked Leo, finally looking down at the chattering little robot.
    “I said there’s a gift on this table that’s not for the bride or the groom. It’s for you and Remi.”
    “Really?” Remi said, taking a keen interest. “Maybe it’s candy or comic books.”
    Leo told Blop to lead the way, and the two boys followed until they came to the envelope.
    “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Leo asked Remi.
    “I sure am,” said Remi.

    Leo picked up the envelope and gently broke the wax seal.
    “Mr. Powell must have left it here,” said Remi. “He’s sneaky.”
    Leo popped the wax seal off the envelope and pulled out two things. One was a letter, the other a key card.
    “Whoa,” said Remi, taking the card and turning it in the soft light. “That’s the coolest hotel key card I’ve ever seen.”
    And it was. The card was black, but then it wasn’t. As Remi turned it in the light, the color changed from deep green to burnt orange and everything in between. When he held the card still, it went black once more.
    “Is there liquid inside that makes it do that?” Leo asked no one in particular.
    “I’d have to take it apart and examine the insides to find out,” Blop said. “Let me have a closer look.”
    But Remi knew better. If Blop got ahold of the key card, he’d waste no time trying to break it open and experiment with it. He had tiny arms and claws that were surprisingly good at destroying things.
    “It’s from Merganzer,” said Leo, and his heart leapt. Maybe it wouldn’t be a quiet summer at the Whippet after all.
    “Hang on! Don’t read a word without me,” Remi said, running to the six-tiered wedding cake and loadingup two glass plates. He returned and the boys sat on the grass.
    “Okay, here goes,” Leo said, taking a big bite of cake and then talking with his mouth full. The penmanship was even worse than normal, and Leo guessed that it was written from the blimp as it flew through the night sky, bumping along on gusts of wind.
Dear Leo and Remi,
I have a slight problem that will require a small favor, and I know you two are perfect for the job. My apologies for needing to get rid of your parents for a while, but it simply had to be done. They would never have let you go because the slight problem and the small favor are terribly dangerous. Parents can be so very . . . safe. It will be much easier if they’re not around.
    “This is starting to sound awesome.” Remi smiled and shoved a huge chunk of wedding cake into his mouth.
The slight problem is embarrassing. I neglected to mention the state property taxes for the hotel. (Ms. Sparks always took care of such things, and itslipped my mind.) If memory serves, you owe about $700,000 for last year.
    “Uh-oh,” said Leo. “This is starting to sound not so awesome.”
    “Keep reading!” Remi begged.
    “Okay, okay,” Leo said, and went on:
The key card will help you solve this little problem. And you’ll be able to do me that small favor. I need some things from the hotel subbasement. Important things. You’ll find them on the way, and some people, too. They will help you. I wish I could say more, but really, I shouldn’t. If you knew where this adventure was going, you wouldn’t do it. I’ve said too much!
    “He has a weird way of asking for favors,” Remi commented.
    And yet, it was somehow the perfect invitation. It would be dangerous, so much so that if they knew how dangerous they wouldn’t go at all.
    It was exactly what Leo and Remi needed to hear.

    “There’s a subbasement in the Whippet Hotel?” Leo couldn’t believe it was possible, an entire basement he knew nothing about.
    There was one more part at the end of the letter:
Ask Betty, she’ll know what to do with the key card.
Off with