The Mystery of Croaker's Island Read online

  Blake flipped open the library book on ocean mysteries, and slammed his finger down on a paragraph. “Slowdowns are similar to patterns created by huge underwater aircraft.”

  “I knew it,” said Sam. “Those echoes aren’t from a giant squid, but from a top secret military weapon.”

  “Either way, you’ve got to report the echoes,” Khallie told Blake.

  “She’s right,” agreed Owen. “Those sound waves are super rare.”

  “That’s exactly why I’m not reporting them.” Blake shook his head. “I don’t want to look like an idiot.”

  “Blake . . . might be right . . . ” Sam reluctantly agreed. “My grandmother said the Ocean Institute hasn’t recorded any unusual underwater sounds.”

  Owen went nose to nose with the laptop screen. “I don’t know about the Institute, but you are reading this correctly. You’ve stumbled onto unexplained echoes. Those are patterns of sound, very loud sound.”

  “The water is deep and cold here,” said Khallie. “I still think colossal squids are migrating up our coast to gobble up whales.”

  “Cool,” said Owen. “Like out of a horror movie.”

  “Not so cool for the whales,” Khallie pointed out.

  “You know a little bit too much about mysterious underwater creatures to be completely normal,” Sam grinned at her.

  Blake laughed, but Khallie turned red and looked away. Her hurt expression made Sam regret his joke, although neither he nor Blake had taken offence when she’d said something similar to them.

  Owen fished inside his gigantic backpack. He brought out a radio set with huge antennae, and then he began unrolling wire from a spool.

  Exactly like the little man who was lurking outside Blake’s house the other day, Sam thought with a start.

  “What are you doing?” Sam asked Owen, who was busily letting out a long length of wire across Blake’s deck. Blake and Khallie turned to each other and shrugged.

  “Trying to make a bigger antenna to pick up any radio signals being emitted in this area that might be bouncing off rocks,” Owen said. He turned on the radio receiver he’d set up on the table beside Blake’s laptop. Moments later he let out a small yelp.

  “You hear a giant squid surfacing?” Khallie asked excitedly.

  Owen shook his head. “Nope, but I have picked up other strange signals really close by.”

  “Where?” asked Sam.

  “I’m guessing,” Blake began, “it’s . . . ”

  “Croaker’s Island,” said Owen. Blake and Khallie gave a knowing nod.

  “People have been hearing strange noises on that island for years.” Khallie lowered her head and nervously pulled on her charm bracelet, rattling the dangling silver hearts and rubies. “I get bad dreams about that creepy place.”

  That’s what Dory’s friend Angel had said. Sam wanted to ask exactly what Khallie dreamed about, but he hesitated. Was that too personal?

  Blake closed his laptop with a snap. “That settles it. We’ve got to explore Croaker’s Island.”

  “How?” asked Sam.

  “Ah, row a boat,” said Blake with a sarcastic smile.

  “Will your parents let you? Those waters are dangerous.” Khallie looked incredulous.

  “Let me figure that out,” said Blake. “Is it possible we can rig our own hydrophone and drop it off the far shore of the island? That way, we cast a wider net to pick up the echoes.”

  “The materials for a hydrophone wouldn’t be expensive.” Owen put his hand on his chin and began muttering, “I could rig a transducer that generates electricity as the water pressure changes, and sound is a pressure wave. It’ll need a conical reflector to focus the signals.” His voice rose in excitement. “I want to come with you when you make the drop. I’ll tell my parents it’s for Scouts and tag along,”

  “You shouldn’t lie,” Sam said automatically.

  “There’s no way they’d let me row to that island on my own. Those currents are dangerous,” Owen pointed out.

  Sam shrugged. “You still shouldn’t say you’re at Scouts.”

  “If that’s the case, maybe I should leave. They think I’m at Scouts now.” Owen shot them a wry smile and gathered his stuff, saying, “See you later.”

  After Owen left, Blake rolled his eyes, but smiled. “I guess the guy is all right.”

  “And he’s super smart,” said Khallie.

  “So, we’re on for exploring the island?” asked Sam.

  “Not we, you three. Count me out.” Khallie stared past the deck toward the crashing sea. “That place is too spooky.”

  Blake coughed suddenly. “In the meantime, is anyone interested in astronomy? I’ve set my telescope up,” he said out of the blue.

  Puzzled, Sam realized Blake had suddenly switched the conversation when his mother appeared at the patio door. Sam had been so busy staring at the laptop screen, he hadn’t noticed the telescope on the other side of the deck. So Sam and Blake had another thing in common. “That’s a deluxe model.”

  Blake said, “Go for it.”

  “Blake, you have more company,” said Mrs. Evans.

  Sam turned around as an uninvited guest stepped onto the deck.

  Sam’s face heated up. What was she doing here?

  × 6 ×

  MARS IS IN RETROGRADE

  SAM AND HIS friends stared at Dory, who’d just walked through the open patio door. “I should bring out more refreshments.” Mrs. Evans eyed the plate of crumbs on the table.

  “No, thank you, Mrs. Evans. I’ve got to get Sammy back home to his granny.”

  Sam stared in horror at Dory.

  Khallie gravitated toward Sam. “If you ever murder her, I’ll testify on your behalf,” she whispered in his ear.

  “What are you kids up to?” asked Dory in her fake accent.

  “We’re about to look at some stars,” Khallie said evenly.

  “I know lots about stars. I’m a Capricorn,” Dory said.

  “That’s astrology not astronomy.” Blake arched his eyebrows.

  Dory waved her hand dismissively. “It’s still all about stars, mates.”

  “Astronomy is about constellations, not predictions,” said Sam.

  “Astrology covers planets too,” said Dory. “Like when the moon or Mars is in retrograde. Then watch out, you’re going to have a bad month.”

  “The moon’s not a planet,” Khallie pointed out.

  “Whatever,” Dory shrugged.

  “We’d better go.” Sam had to get out of there before Dory embarrassed them both . . . even more.

  “Let me help Mrs. Evans tidy up first,” Dory said primly. Gathering plates and cups, she went into the kitchen.

  Frowning, Sam wondered what she was up to. With Dory he always felt like a pawn on a chessboard—moved a square and then sacrificed.

  “Don’t tell anyone about me being a stargazer.” Blake glared at Sam and Khallie.

  Sam was puzzled. “But stargazing is cool.”

  “I wish I was more like you,” Blake told him, “and didn’t care what people thought about me.”

  Sam wasn’t sure if that was an insult or a compliment. He shrugged. “I care what people think, but I don’t let it keep me from doing what I want, or I wouldn’t like my life much.”

  A thoughtful expression stole over Blake’s face. “I . . . I’m starting to get that,” he said quietly. Then Sam and Blake talked about how the horizon was usually cloudy by the water, and Blake told him if he travelled a little farther inland, the sky was clearer there for stargazing.

  “You guys know the new observatory at the university is holding free astronomy classes every week, right?” said Khallie. They turned to her.

  “Yeah, I guess you nerds don’t know everything,” Khallie said with a smirk. “The community centre is sponsoring a star program.”

  The three of them looked at each other and instantly agreed they’d sign up together.

  “Will your parents allow you to join a night class?” Blak
e asked Khallie. “Aren’t they crazy strict?”

  Sam didn’t know what to make of the look that crossed Khallie’s face as she quickly said, “I’ll . . . tell them it’s for school. I’m sure I can get extra credit.”

  Sam couldn’t help it, but his heart took a little leap when she said she’d join them. Someone came up from behind and patted him on the head.

  “That’s nice this little guy’s got something in common with all of you,” Dory said in a sickly sweet sisterly voice. “He wants to make friends.”

  Blake shook his head and grinned. Sam felt the blood rush to his face and wished he could crawl under a rock. Instead, he said goodbye.

  “See you tomorrow,” Khallie called after him as he walked away.

  Sam didn’t care for the amusement in her voice.

  On their drive back to the cottage, Sam said, “Okay, Dory, what’s with the ‘get the little guy home to his granny’ crap?”

  “Chill, mate,” said Dory. “Your babcia, or whatever you call her, made me pick you up and . . . ”

  “She’s your grandmother too,” Sam reminded her. “How can you not know babcia is Polish for grandmother? She was born in Poland, you know.”

  “Right, well, I didn’t, or I forgot. I mean, she has a bit of an accent, but I’ve only met her like three times before I got stuck here. My mother never mentioned . . . ” Dory drifted for a second then snapped back. “Anyhow, I just saw a picture on the mantle of Blake’s older brother, a college guy. His name is Colton,” Dory said dreamily. “Mrs. Evans says he’s nineteen, so I want to impress her with my maturity. Maybe she’ll mention me to the brother,” she sighed. “Colton Evans.”

  An idea hit Sam like a lightning bolt. “I could use a ride to and from astronomy classes,” he said. “If you drive me, you can chat with Mrs. Evans in the parking lot. That would show her you’re responsible and helpful.”

  “You’ve got it,” Dory said. “Mercury is definitely not in retrograde over Capricorn. I’m feeling lucky in love.”

  Sam felt a little lucky himself. Dory’s interest in Blake’s older brother might be his ticket to keeping her happy and cooperative. If he played it right, he’d be in the driver’s seat soon.

  As long as he only dangled the possibility of meeting Blake’s brother in front of Dory, what could go wrong?

  × × ×

  THE FIRST NIGHT of astronomy class, Sam couldn’t wait for dinner to be over, even though Babcia had made thick, delicious borscht with warm bread on the side. After Dory had grumbled through the dishwashing and Sam had dried the dishes, Babcia sat at the kitchen table with her knitting.

  “Look, Sammy, Babcia’s making us matching sweaters,” Molly chirped.

  “Matching sweaters, that’s . . . nice, Molly.” Sam tried sounding enthused. Behind Babcia’s back, Dory smirked before she disappeared down the hall.

  “She’s even made a matching green and yellow pompom for Pix.” Molly bent over the cat sprawled under her chair and tied the pom-pom onto his cat collar.

  “You need to look handsome for your new friends,” Molly told Pix.

  “Cat friends?” Sam asked puzzled.

  Molly shook her head. “No, they’re people friends. I hear kids call to him from my bedroom window. I have to get up and close the window or he’ll jump out. I told him we’re not allowed to play outside after dark.”

  Sam remembered the posters of missing cats. “Don’t let Pix wander, Molly. Cats have gone missing.”

  Molly squealed in alarm. “Oh, no!” She lifted her cat onto her lap and hugged him tight. Pix stared longingly at the butter dish.

  “Pix can’t sit at the table,” Babcia said firmly.

  Molly released him, and he jumped onto the window ledge, trying unsuccessfully to bite off the pom-pom.

  “Sam, you’d better be ready if you want a ride to the observatory.” Dory breezed in after a quick visit to the bathroom with her hair piled on her head and her eyelids lined like an ancient Egyptian’s.

  Babcia scrutinized Dory. “Don’t you look nice,” she said suspiciously. “And just to drive your brother to his astronomy class?”

  Sam grabbed his jacket and raced for the door before Dory could open her mouth and get them in trouble. Sam figured their grandmother wouldn’t appreciate Dory being interested in a college guy, even if he was only a couple of years older than her.

  “Sammy didn’t say goodbye,” Molly complained.

  Babcia needn’t have worried. Dory’s grand plan of chatting with Mrs. Evans in the parking lot was for nothing. Even though they arrived early, Blake’s parents had already left. Complaining every step of the way that Sam had been too slow getting ready, Dory headed for the library to do her homework rather than hang out with Sam and his friends. That was a big relief.

  Sam found Blake sitting on a chair beside the giant telescope inside the circular observatory. Only three other people waited in the astronomy class—two middle-aged women who introduced themselves as Betty and Diane, and a guy who looked a little older than Dory. He mumbled his name—George—that he was in college, and that he hosted a podcast about unexplained mysteries that he hoped would go viral when he landed a big story.

  Just before the class began, Khallie burst in. She looked breathless, and the circles on her eyes were even darker than before. But she greeted them with her usual cheeriness.

  The door on the other side of the circular room opened, and the astronomy professor walked in. The podcast guy snickered. Sam sucked in his breath.

  It was the strange little man with the bumpy face, long white hair, and thick eye-glasses.

  × 7 ×

  PROFESSOR MARIGOLD

  “GET A LOOK at the professor,” Blake said softly.

  “I mean, whoa.”

  Sam blinked his eyes. “There is something strange about him.” Again he felt the hair at the nape of his neck bristle.

  “Shush, you two,” hissed Khallie. “How rude.”

  “I mean . . . ” Sam started explaining how he’d seen the professor lurking in the bushes by Blake’s house, but before he could finish, the professor looked directly at Sam. Then the professor drew himself up on his toes so he could reach the podium, adjusted his white lab coat, tucked a strand of white hair behind a hairy ear, and cleared his throat.

  “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” the man said. “I am Professor Marigold, and I hope you will enjoy tonight’s thrilling journey through the stars. There are billions of stars in the sky, more than you can shake a leg at.”

  “Do you mean shake a stick?” asked Sam.

  The ladies clapped enthusiastically, but the podcast guy snorted and muttered, “Marigold? Seriously?”

  Khallie scowled at him. Sam was on her side. It didn’t seem polite making fun of somebody’s name, especially when they looked so . . . different.

  Owen Chatterjee ran into the observatory, knocking over a small stand as he did so. A star globe fell to the floor with a bang and rolled along a little. He scooped it up and set it back on its stand.

  “Walk much?” jeered George, who Sam figured was old enough to know better.

  “I almost missed you guys until I called Sam’s grandmother,” Owen wheezed. He took out his puffer and inhaled before continuing, “I don’t remember us saying we’d meet here.”

  Sam’s face heated because they hadn’t even thought about inviting Owen to sign up for the class with them. Dodging that subject, he gestured at Owen’s Scout uniform covered in merit badges. “Let me guess. You’re supposed to be at Scouts?”

  “I told my parents I’m working on my astronomy badge,” Owen smiled slyly. “And now I am.”

  Professor Marigold cleared his throat again. “You are in for a huge treat, as we have a clear night.” He pressed some buttons and flicked a toggle switch on a dashboard next to the telescope. The domed ceiling of the observatory dilated and the giant telescope began rising.

  The cold, sharp tang of sea air rushed in, and Khallie shivered in her thin,
silky hoodie. Before Sam could offer her his jacket, Blake had ripped off his sweater and handed it to her. She smiled, and Sam could only wish that Khallie would gaze at him so gratefully.

  “You should have layered up, dearie,” the lady named Diane told her. “It mentions that in the brochure.”

  When Sam took his turn at the telescope, he drew in a sharp breath as he viewed two stars rotating around each other, a dwarf star and a nebula. Stargazing reminded Sam of how those distant lights sparked such curiosity and wonder inside him—it was a good feeling.

  “This is cool.” Blake took his turn by leaning from his chair and straining to see through the telescope. Without attracting too much attention, Sam shoved Blake’s chair closer to the lens.

  “Do you suppose anyone’s looking back at us?” Khallie asked.

  “The distant galaxies and stars we’re looking at tonight are only rocks and dust, gas and vapour,” said Professor Marigold. “No one’s out there at all.”

  Sam didn’t want to believe that for a second. Where was the mystery?

  “That sounds so lonely,” said Diane.

  “But there are billions of planets, Professor,” said Blake.

  Professor Marigold waved his hand. “The delicate balance of life requires a rare mathematical symmetry. Do any of you know what the Goldilocks Zone is?”

  Khallie politely raised her hand, but then only scratched her head.

  Owen jumped in. “Professor Mari . . . ah . . . gold, that’s where life can only exist on a planet that’s close enough to the sun so it isn’t frozen, but far enough away so everything on the planet doesn’t burn to a crisp.”

  Khallie’s face brightened. “I get it. You mean the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears where the porridge is not too hot or too cold, but just right.”

  “Yeah,” said Sam.

  “That is . . . mostly. . . correct,” said Professor Marigold. “And I’m sorry to report that countless planets in countless galaxies are not in the Goldilocks Zone.”

  “Isn’t there an Earth-like planet at the right distance from its star called Kepler 186f?” Owen said matter-of-factly. “Also Planet 0.482, Sector .08, of the Sagittarius galaxy?” George, the podcast guy, did a double-take.