The Loch Ness Lock-In, Page 4

It turned out it was all about the wind farms. MacGregor thought the wind farms looked “tacky” and might drive away customers—and this coming from a guy who owned a Putt-Putt golf course. The wind farms were a safe and clean source of energy, but all he cared about was his business. So he devised a plan to wreck the farms and blame it on the Loch Ness Monster.

  What a weirdo.

  As for Troop D, we gathered our things and met back at the lighthouse to prepare for the trip home. Thankfully, the red caps seemed to have quieted down. Ginger said that before we left MacGregor’s place, she caught a glimpse of a red hat in one of the house’s windows, so I don’t think anyone will be moving in there anytime soon.

  It was sunrise, and as we waited for a cab to take us back to the airport, Walter assembled us at the shore. He lined us up with our backs to the water and started to lecture us.

  We all knew what was coming—we’d failed the red cap test. We were going to remain junior scouts.

  “Scouts,” he said. “Never in all my years as a Scout Master has a troop failed the red cap test so spectacularly….”

  I couldn’t look Walter in the eye, so I stared at my shoes instead.

  “And yet, never has a troop showed such bravery and teamwork when it really counted.”

  Huh?

  “Ben Beederman, step forward. You have earned the following badges: Teamwork, Good Deeds, and Creative Red Cap Handling. Congratulations, Strange Scout, First Class!”

  First Class! Man, that just sounds cool, doesn’t it?

  “What about my troop mates?” I asked. “They were just as—”

  But Walter chuckled. “Hold your horses. I was getting to them.”

  One by one, he pinned badges on Manuel, Ginger, and Asma. The four of us glowed with pride.

  “Uh, Walter,” said Ginger. “I hate to say it, but there’s one more person who really did help.”

  “Yeah,” said Manuel, “Spitzer’s a pain, but he’s sorta one of us. Sorta.”

  Walter grinned. “Turn around.”

  We looked back at the lake. Spitzer was down by the beach, and as the sun broke over the calm water, the mist parted for just a moment.

  There was Nessie. She wasn’t a fierce beast like the plastic phony MacGregor had mocked up—she was beautiful. Her scales shimmered silver in the morning sun.

  As we watched her slowly swim to shore, Spitzer held up his hand, and Nessie bowed her head. Spitzer petted her gently as he whispered something too softly for us to hear.

  I cracked open the scout handbook to the chapter on Nessie. There, written in the margins in Spitzer’s very own handwriting, was the following, the words he didn’t want us to read:

  P.S. Just met Nessie for the first time today, and this handbook doesn’t have it even half right about her. She’s amazing, and I think I might have finally found a new best friend. I hope I can come back someday.

  Walter leaned in close to us and said, “Long ago, I introduced a shy, lonely boy named William Spitzer to Nessie, and she changed his life, made him see the world in a whole new light—for a while, at least. And once a Strange Scout, always a Strange Scout. No matter how hard he might protest. Remember this moment, kids.”

  No one really talked much on the ride to the airport. I guess we were all kind of letting it sink in. Spitzer was in a daze most of the way, but by the time we got out of the cab, he was back to barking orders at us to straighten up and pay attention.

  Oh, well. Quiet Spitzer was good while it lasted.

  After a bit of arguing, Walter finally agreed to let us fly a commercial airline back home and put the Green Goose in retirement, at least until she could be spruced up. By the time we took our seats on the plane, our stomachs were growling so loudly that people were starting to give us looks.

  A smiling flight attendant came by and offered me a menu. “Would you like to purchase an entrée for the flight?” she asked.

  I glanced back at Walter to make sure it was okay. (I was used to little baggies of peanuts and that’s all.) But Walter nodded and said, “Why not? Go ahead and order something for the troop, Ben. Surprise us.”

  While the attendant waited for my order, I scanned the menu.

  And there it was. A glorious ending to an unforgettable adventure.

  “We’ll have the haggis,” I said.

  MATTHEW CODY is the acclaimed author of several popular children’s books, including the award-winning Supers of Noble’s Green trilogy: Powerless, Super, and Villainous. He lives in New York City with his wife and son.

  STEVE LAMBE is an Emmy Award–winning animator for such TV shows as The Fairly OddParents, Teen Titans Go!, and The Mighty B! He has also illustrated several Golden Books. He lives in Ontario, Canada, with his wife and son.