Operation Sherlock Read Free Page A

“What did I do to deserve this?”
    The toys responded, as they had been programmed to: “Life is rough, Captain Wendy.”
    â€œAnd then you die,” added Baby Pee Pants in her truck-driver voice.
    â€œRight.” Rolling onto her side, Wendy pulled the sheets over her head.
    â€œLet us up! Let us up!”
    With a sigh Wendy reached down and scooped the toys onto her bed. This cued them to give her five minutes of silence.
    When the time was up, the bear began to sing.
    Ray Gammand dug his spoon into the strawberry jam and scooped an outrageous amount onto his English muffin. “I don’t like it here,” he said. “I want to go home.”
    â€œFor heaven’s sake, Ray, give the place a chance,” replied his stepmother. “We got here after dark last night, and you haven’t been outside yet this morning. How can you possibly know if you like it or not?”
    Ray looked at her suspiciously. “I thought you didn’t want to come here, either.”
    Elinor Gammand shrugged. “I didn’t. But I lost that fight. Do you think I should hold a grudge about it? Your father had good reasons to accept this assignment, so I figure I just have to make the best of things.”
    Ray scowled. “I don’t want to live on an island.”
    â€œWhat did you think Manhattan was?” asked the new Mrs. Gammand, trying to hold in her smile.
    â€œWell, at least it had a city on it! I hate this place. You can’t even get a cell phone signal here!”
    â€œI suppose you’d better just go back to your room and sit,” said Ray’s stepmother, wiping a smear of jam from the side of his mouth. “After all, there’s no point in going out to explore a place you hate.”
    Ray sighed. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t get Elinor to put up with his nonsense. “I guess I can cope with it,” he grumbled, shoving the last of the muffin into his mouth and grabbing his basketball. “I’ll see you later.”
    Elinor Gammand let the smile she had been holding in blossom. It was quite dazzling, one of the things that had led to her becoming the second Mrs. Gammand. Then her face went serious again. “Don’t forget what your father told you.”
    Ray looked puzzled. “He told me lots of things.”
    â€œSecurity is tight. So pay attention to the signs and don’t go where you shouldn’t! Also, be back by eleven-thirty. Dr. Hwa has scheduled a big meeting where we’ll meet the other scientists and then tour the base. For heaven’s sakes, try not to be late for a change. This is an important meeting.”
    â€œOkay,” said Ray.
    He didn’t really mean it. By eleven-thirty he planned to be on his way back to Manhattan.
    â€œToo much blue,” said Trip Davis to his father.
    Elevard Crompton Davis looked out at the early morning sea, then back to the easel he had set up on the bluff above Anza-Bora’s eastern shore. “You’re right,” he said glumly.
    Trip smiled.
    â€œLook, Trip, I appreciate the advice,” said Mr. Davis as he opened a tube of brown paint and smeared some onto his palette. “But the truth is, you’re starting to drive me slightly mad. I know there are some other kids here. Why don’t you go look for them?”
    Trip’s smile faded. “I don’t like meeting new people.”
    His father paused, then wiped his brush on a rag. “I can understand that,” he said at last. “But let’s face it—it’s new ones or no one.”
    â€œI didn’t ask to come here,” said Trip bitterly.
    â€œNeither did I!” snapped his father. They looked away from each other. “Your mother…”
    â€œI know,” sighed Trip. “Mom-the-computer-genius has to do this.” He turned away. “I’ll be good,” he muttered. “She’ll never know how mad I am.”
    Turning