The Mystery Cruise
Chapter 1:
The gang was bouncing up and down with excitement
while waiting to board the Grand Haven cruise ship
"I can't believe that we're about to go on a week-long
cruise. To the Ice Island, it's like a dream come true."
I can't wait to explore all the caves that I read about."
Vicky Dragonfly was happily telling them. Before
any of the gang had a chance to answer her back,
Tommy Cub suddenly yelled out
"Oh shoot! I just remembered that I forgot to grab my
passport from my travel bag." I better go get it
before we board the ship."
"Why doesn't that surprise me? He'd forget his tail if it
wasn't attached to him." Daisy Penguin smirked
as she and the other girls watched Tommy and Sammy
Turtle runoff
Cookie laughed and then went to where Vicky was
standing and gave her a big friendly hug
"I can't believe it either. It was totally sweet of your
grandma to invite us to come with her."
"Yeah, I was surprised when she did. But I've a funny
feeling that she has some other reasons for
wanting us to join her." Vicky giggled
"Oh wow, like what?" Cookie asked her
"Don't know? When I tried asking her about it she only
laughed. And promised that we've nothing to worry
about. This is nothing more than a mystery-free
good old fashion fun vacation." Vicky shrugged
"Sweet." Cookie smiled
"What's sweet?" Sammy Turtled asked as he and Tommy
rejoined them
"We'll tell you later. We better go before the ship takes
off without us." Vicky joked
A few minutes later they boarded and made plans to
Meet with Vicky's grandma for dinner. When they heard
loud shouts coming from outside their door
"Something is dead-looking floating in the pool!"
"Oh great, there goes our mystery-free vacation."
Cookie thought to herself as she and the others rushed
over to see what was going on
Chapter 2:
"Wow, that was a pretty messed up prank. That swan
looked like it was floating upside down underwater."
Sammy told them once they were back inside their
cabin
"Totally, but what's sad. How did whoever did it mess up
the pool when they poured that red dye into the water."
Daisy frowned
"Well, if they meant it to be a prank. I don't believe it
was very funny I just hope that Professor Webster isn't
terribly upset. Once he hears about this, the poor dear
is already nervous as it is. Nana mumbled mostly to
herself
"Whoa, excuse me? But did you just say that Professor
Webster is on this ship?" Vicky suddenly cried out
"Yes, I was saving it as a surprise and introduce you at
dinner. Since I know how much you admire him." But
I guess this dumb little prank just ruined my
surprise, such a shame." Nana sighed
"No, it didn't Grandma! That's so cool!" Vicky began
"Umm, I hate to interrupt but who is Professor Webster?"
Tommy asked. Vicky laughed
"Professor Webster, besides being the most amazing
gemologist. He has traveled all around the world in search
of the most mysterious gems." His latest search was for
the monkey Stone, which is rumored to be both the most
beautiful and unluckiest stone in the world."
"How can a stone be unlucky?" Sammy frowned
"Many, many, years ago the stone belonged to a very
powerful king. Who placed a very powerful curse on it
when it was stolen from him. Since then whoever
owned the stone had nothing but bad luck."
Vicky explained
"Oh please, a cursed stone? They probably just made up
that story for whatever reason." Tommy smirked
"Don't know. Maybe, they did and maybe they didn't"
Vicky shrugged
"Well Tommy, I'm sure he'll be happy to answer all your
questions later on tonight at dinner." Nana smiled
Chapter 3:
Later that night during dinner the gang happily
listened as Professor Webster shared his tales about
the search for the monkey stone
"So, does the monkey stone look like a monkey?"
Sammy asked the professor laughing. The professor also
laughed before answering him back
"I'm afraid not my young friend. It's just a regular-looking
stone, although some believe if you look at it."
In a certain way, it does look like a monkey."
"What will you do with it? When you do find the
stone." Cookie asked him
The Professor smiled.
"I plan to donate it to the Ice Island
of the Fine Arts. Though my grandson Fred."
"Oh, I didn't know your grandson was traveling with
you.
Why didn't he join us this evening?" Nana interrupted
"He's not very happy with me at the moment. And
refuses to leave our cabin, he believes that I should
sell the stone." And doesn't understand why
I firmly believe that all my discoveries should be shared
with the world. And not just be locked up in
some closet or vault." The Professor explained. Nana
patted his back and smiled
"I agree with you. I'm so sorry that he feels
that way, hopefully he'll change his mind."
"Umm, I'm a bit confused. Are you still looking
for the monkey stone? Or did you already find it?"
Cookie asked him. The Professor busted out laughing
"I'm so sorry little one, let me put it this way."
He pulled out a tiny steel box from his jacket and
placed it on top of the table
"Young ones! I happily present to you the famous
monkey stone!"
But when he opened the box inside was what looked
like a cheap plastic glass stone. With a monkey
face painted on it
Chapter 4:
"What is the meaning of this?" My precious stone
has been stolen! We must call the police right away!"
Professor Webster yelled
"Now, Webster, I'm sure that there's some
reasonable explanation." Nana began
"No, no! It has been stolen I'm telling you. I should've
listened to Fred, he warned me that if I didn't
sell it before coming out here." Something like this
would happen!"
"I strongly hope that's not the case. Why don't we
just go back to your cabin and speak with your
grandson." Nana calmly answered
The next morning during breakfast the gang was
discussing what happened the night better
"This is awful." Vicky sobbed as she sat on the bed
"What's awful?" Cookie asked
"I just came from Nana's room. She told me that Fred,
had a major fit when he heard what happened."
She began. " Not only did he threaten to sue the ship for
what happened. But he even dared to accuse my grandma
of stealing it." She added
"Wow, sorry Vicky that's awful. I wish that there was a
way that we can prove your grandma would never
do a dumb thing like that." Cookie told her
"I think I know of a way?" Tommy smiled
"Tommy, I really don't think this is such a great idea.
What if we get caught? Sammy whispered over to him
Once they sneaked inside Professor Webster's cabin
"Don't start freaking dude, we'll just take a quick look
around and leave," Tommy whispered back
A few minutes later they returned to their cabin
"Well, that was a big waste of time. The only thing we
found was a few pennies." Sammy sighed
"Thanks, for rubbing it in," Tommy growled
"Stop picking on him, he's right we didn't find anything.
Hopefully whoever did it didn't throw the stone overboard."
Daisy scowled him
"Why would they do something stupid like that?
Tommy frowned
"Don't know? Maybe, they got scared or nervous of getting
caught." Daisy shrugged
"This isn't helping us any. We're just getting on
each other's nerves let's go for a walk or something.
To clear our heads." Cookie suggested
Chapter 5:
They were walking around the main deck when they
bumped into Fred
"Oh hi, we're sorry about what happened. Are there
any updates on how the investigation is going?"
Daisy asked him
"No, I can't believe my grandfather was so careless. If
he just would've listened to me and sold the dumb thing
before we came on this cruise." I might be enjoying
myself instead of listening to him cry about his stupid
stone. Now, if you kids would excuse me, I've more
important things to do than to continue speaking about
my careless grandfather's problem." Fred snorted
"Wow, he's a real jerk." Tommy whistled once Fred left
"He's, makes you wonder." Daisy began
"If he didn't have something to do with it." Vicky finished
for her
"Why do you think that?" Sammy asked
"Just a hunch. I also think that we should maybe
search their cabins again." She added
Later that afternoon the gang knocked on the Professor's
cabin. To ensure the cabin was empty, they
were about to open the door and go in. When a voice
yelled out to them
"What do you kids think you're doing? Vicky, you
weren't about to go into the Professor's cabin when
he wasn't there." Were you?"
Her grandma asked her frowning
"Sorry Nana, we weren't going to take anything. Just
take a quick look around and check if there were
any clues that would prove." You didn't have anything
to do with the missing stone." Vicky quickly explained
"That's very sweet of you kids, but I don't think
sneaking inside their cabin when they're not there
would help any." It'd probably make matters worst
let's go back to my cabin and continue this conversation."
Nana stated
Once they were back to her cabin the gang took turns
explaining the whole story. Of what they believed
happened
"That's a very interesting story. And I truly appreciate
all your efforts in trying to help." Let's just hope
for the Professor's sake that Fred doesn't have anything
to do with this." Nana began." But I believe we should
let the police investigate the case and deal with Fred,
from now on." She added
The next morning the gang was going to breakfast
when Fred stopped them
"I may not have any proof, but I've got a strong feeling that
you kids. Were the reason that both my grandfather and
the captain." Now believe that I may have something to do
with the disappearance of my grandfather's stone."
Fred snorted. None of the gang answered him
"All of your silence says it all. But let me give you nosey
kids some friendly advice." The next time any of you
accuse me of anything make sure that you can prove it."
He then stormed off before any of them had a chance to reply
"Don't worry the next time we will!" Vicky yelled after him
"And I think I know how." Cookie added
Chapter 6:
An hour later they were all squeezed inside the
Professor's cabin. When Fred walked in
"What's going on here? Why are you in here?"
He demanded
"Well Fred, the captain had a break in the case and has
requested that their security team. Take a look around
our cabin, especially what's inside your book bag
that's underneath your bunk." His grandfather answered
"I see. Well grandfather, if you remember they already
searched our cabin and found nothing." So, sorry
I refuse to be any part of this ridiculous search.
Fred began
"That's enough Fredrick, now be quiet. And let them do
their jobs." His grandfather strongly interrupted. Fred
gave the gang you'll pay for this look as he grabbed his
bag from underneath his bunk and threw it at the
captain
"Take it!" He growled
"There's nothing in here. But a few books and a
small plastic bag full of colorful stones."
The captain informed them
"May I see those?" Fred's grandfather asked the
captain. He began looking through the bag but stopped
halfway. Taking a deep breath he reached inside the bag
and pulled out the monkey stone
Chapter 7:
"Oh Fred, how could you do this?"
His grandfather groaned
"Oh shut up! And give that back!" Fred growled
as he yanked the bag out of his grandfather's paw
and then ran out of the cabin.
They chased him to the upper deck
"Go away! If any of you come any closer I swear
I'll throw this bag overboard." He yelled
"Fred, please calm down. Why don't we just go back
to our cabin and discuss this?" His grandfather begged
"Don't make me laugh grandfather, you must think I'm
dumb or something. We all know that as soon as I do
the captain and his goons will arrest me." Now back
off!" Fred cried
"That's not true Fred," And before his grandfather could
finish a loud siren rang out scaring Fred enough to
have him lose his balance
"Now!" Cookie cried out as she and the rest of the gang
rushed him
Chapter 8:
Minutes later Nana informed the gang that the captain
ordered Fred to stay inside his cabin until they dock
and just to make sure he does. There'll be a security
guard standing outside his door
"What about the professor does he have to stay in the
cabin too?" Tommy asked her
"No, Professor Webster's very upset and confused by
Fred's action. He's going to stay in another cabin while
he tries to make sense of what happened."
Nana added
"So grandma, why do you think he did it?"
Vicky asked her
"Sorry Vicky, only Fred can answer that. But I've learned
that he has a very serious gambling problem."
Maybe, he believed that if he sold the stone the money
from it would bail him out. From his gambling debts."
Nana shrugged. "Now, even though I'm very proud of you
kids for helping solve this mystery. What you did after
that siren went off which was kind of strange how it
did." Jumping on top of Fred, was dangerous one of you
could've been hurt. So, please don't ever do that again."
She added
"It wasn't strange." Tommy smiled as he took out his cell
phone and pressed a button causing a loud siren to
ring out
"Again very impressive Tommy, but I need you to
promise me you'll never do that again."
Now, we should be reaching Ice Island in a few days
until then. Let's just enjoy the rest of the trip and
remember." Nana stated
"No more solving mysteries on our non-free mystery
vacation!" The gang cried out together laughing
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