Previous chapters of the River Road story:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

How should the story continue? Voting is open on the current chapter!

Last time, Mrs. DeLorca was desperate to get into the museum to look for clues even though Pete, the volunteer caretaker, had told them all that Miss Whiteside’s orders to keep everyone out had to be followed. Mrs. DeLorca and Eben concluded that Pete could be distracted; a few of them could sneak into the museum and look around. Annie, Nancy and several others were against the plan, thinking it wrong to go into the museum when they had been told not to. However, they decided to go along with the plan anyway. All that was left was to decide who would go in and who would stay out? Did they decide to send the DeLorcas in or did they opt for Mia Duomo and the pelican, Shakuntala? Here’s what you decided.

Chapter 32:
Surprise Eyes

“Perhaps we should send Shakuntala on her own.” Mr. DeLorca suggested. “She knows what to look for.”

“No, then we’d just end up with a beak-full of historical sardines.” Mia Duomo sighed. “I think I should go in, after all, I am the most graceful of the group. My footsteps are so light, only dogs can hear them.”

“What does that even mean?” Violet Trotter asked angrily.

“It means that at least I’m light on my feet.” Mia Duomo answered.

“And, I’m not?” Miss Trotter growled.

“Now, now, arguing amongst ourselves isn’t going to help anyone.” Mrs. DeLorca raised her hands. “Let’s calmly decide.”

“Even though I have my doubts about this,” Mrs. Conn spoke up, “I think it best that the DeLorcas go in. They do have the most experience with museums and should be able to get in and out very quickly. Besides, with their knowledge of art, they’ll be able to see if anything is strange or out of place.”

“I agree.” Uriah Trotter nodded.

“Well, then, it’s settled. Jolly good. Now, what we need first is an assortment of baked goods. Scones; cookies; brownies swirled with lovely, creamery, cream cheese; various tiny cakes, and so forth. I will also require a can of fish slurry for my pelican, a pizza with extra cheese, some tomatoes for later and sweet potatoes that I may employ later as some sort of footwear. Understood? Excellent and such.”

“Joel, darling, let’s do try to stay focused just for a few minutes.” Mrs. DeLorca said.

“Ah, yes. So, what I’m hearing is that there will be no scones, nor assorted root vegetables. Is that correct?” Mr. DeLorca raised an eyebrow.

“For now, yes.” Mrs. DeLorca said.

“I’ll remember this. And, it won’t be a fond memory.” Mr. DeLorca pouted.

“I’ll have to take my chances with that.” Mrs. DeLorca nodded. “Meanwhile, are we ready? Eben, Joel and I will sneak around the side. You knock on the door and distract Pete. When he steps away from the door, the three of us will go inside and look around.”

“Three of us?” Mr. DeLorca raised his eyebrows. “I say, that’s inaccurate. As a family, we are more in number and all that.”

“You have to leave the pelican out here.” Mrs. DeLorca shook her head.

“What? What? What?” Mr. DeLorca gasped.

“I’m sorry, dear, but Shakuntala needs to stay outside. The key to this is being quiet and quick. It’s difficult to be either of those things if you have a fifty pound bird sitting on your shoulder.” Mrs. DeLorca explained.

“Well! What insults! Shakuntala does not weigh fifty pounds.” Mr. DeLorca pouted again. “She weighs forty.”

“She has to stay out here.” Mrs. DeLorca shook her head again.

“Very well.” Mr. DeLorca said, suddenly becoming bright and happy once more. “She can stay with Miss Duomo, her new friend.”

“Oh, really.” Miss Duomo’s eyed widened nervously. “What a treat.”

“Like a can of fish slurry.” Mr. DeLorca nodded.

“Charming.” Miss Duomo sighed.

Shakuntala flew off and sat at Miss Duomo’s feet.

“Come on, then,” Mrs. DeLorca said finally, “let’s wait around the side.”

Eben and Mr. DeLorca followed Mrs. DeLorca to the shrubs at the side of the museum.

“Now,” Uriah Trotter said. “I’ll knock on the door, and, then…”

“WHAT is going on here?” An angry female voice cut through the air.

They all turned to see Miss Whiteside angrily storming up to them.

“I gave strict orders that the museum is to be closed today!” Miss Whiteside shouted. “What is the meaning of this?”

They all watched as Miss Whiteside joined them outside of the museum. She stumbled a bit as she walked. She looked very tired. Her eyes were ringed with black circles.

Nancy studied Miss Whiteside. She noticed that the museum curator’s hand had been bandaged. Nancy looked closely at Miss Whiteside’s eyes. Something wasn’t right about them. The black rings around them looked more like make-up or dirt than it did like the circles people get around their eyes from lack of sleep.

“I’m waiting for an answer!” Miss Whiteside continued. “And, you three hiding back there, you might as well come out!”

Eben, Mrs. DeLorca and Mr. DeLorca all joined the group.

“Now,” Miss Whiteside continued, “will someone tell me what’s going on here?”

How should they answer?

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