The Case of the Terrible T. Rex Read Free

we know, steam is very hot, and hot air rises.”
    Drake drew a quick diagram on the chalkboard. “Basically, your tent became a hot air balloon. We escaped just in the nick of time.”
    “So I pitched my tent on a fumerole?”
    “Correct,” said Drake. “No more camping on Waxberry Hill. We’ll send a full report to your father.”
    Wiley shook their hands. “Amazing work. How can I thank you enough?”
    “Our pleasure,” said Drake and Nell.
    Later, Drake wrote in his lab notebook:
    Wiley one happy customer. park service notified about fumaroles. Received "Warriors Versus Werewolves" video game.
    Must return in one week.
    Paid in full.

I t was a perfect morning in Mossy Lake for observing mama birds and their hatchlings. In fact, perched on a ladder in her backyard, Nell Fossey was doing just that. She peered between the tree branches. She adjusted her binoculars. She sketched a bird in her notebook.
    And just as she was about to sigh happily, her cell phone rang.
    “Doyle and Fossey,” she answered.
    “Thank goodness you’re home,” said the caller.
    Nell recognized the voice. It was Mary Elizabeth Pendleton. Not only was Mary a repeat customer, but she was a proper young lady. Born with a teacup in one hand and a lace hankie in the other, she had read all the works of Shakespeare and could recite lovely sonnets. Her tea parties were simply not to be missed.
    “What can I do for you, Ms. Pendleton?”
    “Today I’m having my delightful picnic on the banks of Plum River.”
    “I hadn’t forgotten. Two o’clock, was it?”
    “That’s what I like about you, Nell. Ever so punctual. However—” Mary paused. “I’ve only just arrived and—well, there’s a slight situation.”
    “Situation?”
    “I’m afraid my picnic is in peril. It—it would be ever so helpful if you and Detective Doyle could pop over for a moment. You simply must see this for yourselves.”
    “Check. Fifteen minutes and counting.”
    “Splendid. Cheerio.”
    Click.
    Nell phoned Drake. “Mary Elizabeth Pendleton’s picnic’s in peril. Plum River. ASAP.”
    “Check.”
    Click.
    Plum River was, well, a plum of a river. Sparkling water gurgled. Trees, shrubs, and grassy hills lined the banks, while birds flitted to and fro.
    Nell and Drake arrived at the same time. (Not only that, but they arrived on time as well, as should all top-notch science detectives.) They hurried over to where Mary sat under a tree as she arranged a bouquet of flowers just so.
    “Doyle and Fossey, at your service,” said Nell.
    “Good day, Ms. Pendleton,” said Drake, shaking Mary’s hand.
    “So good of you to come,” Mary replied.
    Nell whipped out her notebook and pencil. “Now, what seems to be the trouble?”
    “As I always say, a picture’s worth a thousand words.” Mary led the way across the grass, down a little embankment, and to the river.
    When Drake and Nell saw the river, they gasped in horror.
    “Egads!” cried Drake.
    “Oh, no!” cried Nell.
    Mary shook her head sadly. “Quite tragic.”
    Yes, quite tragic indeed. For washed up on the banks of the river lay dozens, maybe hundreds, of fish— all dead .
    “This is an ecological catastrophe,” said Nell, feeling a bit weak in the knees, as if she’d just lost dozens of her best friends, which, scientifically speaking, she had.

    “But—but—” Drake scratched his head, puzzled. “How—why?”
    “I have no idea. That’s why I’ve hired the two of you,” said Mary. “A picnic is no picnic with such tragedy in the air. Perhaps there’s something you can do to help. I’d hate to reschedule.”
    “You can count on us,” said Drake.
    Mary checked her watch. “Only three hours until everyone arrives for the picnic.”
    “We’ll get to work immediately,” said Nell.
    So, while Mary went back to her flower arranging, Drake and Nell whipped out their waterproof periscopes and their specimen jars. They pulled on their surgical gloves. Snap!
    First they took