19 - Deep Trouble Read online

  “Sheena,” I said, “if someone gave you a million dollars, would you show them where the mermaid lives?”

  “No,” Sheena replied. “Not if they wanted to capture her.”

  “Me, neither,” I said. “That’s what I don’t get. Dr. D. is a great guy. I just can’t believe he’d—”

  I stopped. I heard a noise. The sound of a motor.

  Sheena listened. She heard it, too.

  We dropped our spoons and ran up on deck.

  Dr. D. was standing on the deck, staring out to sea.

  A boat was approaching. A white boat with Marina Zoo stenciled on the side in large letters.

  “The zoo people!” I said to Sheena. “They’re here!”

  What would our uncle do? I wondered with growing dread. Would he tell them where the mermaid was? Would he accept the million dollars?

  Sheena and I ducked behind the cockpit. We watched the Marina Zoo boat tie up beside the Cassandra. I recognized Mr. Showalter and Ms. Wickman.

  Mr. Showalter tossed a rope to Dr. D. Ms. Wickman jumped aboard.

  The zoo people smiled and shook Dr. D.’s hand. He nodded at them solemnly.

  “We had word from the fishermen on Santa Anita that you found the mermaid,” Mr. Showalter said. “We’re ready to take her with us now.”

  Ms. Wickman opened her briefcase and pulled out a slender envelope. “Here is a check for one million dollars, Dr. Deep,” she said, smiling. “We’ve made it out to you and the Cassandra Research Lab.”

  She held out the check to my uncle.

  I peered out from behind the cockpit. Please don’t take it, Dr. D., I pleaded silently. Please don’t take the check.

  “Thank you very much,” my uncle said. He reached out a hand and took the check from her.

  28

  “A million dollars means a great deal to me and my work,” Dr. D. said. “Your zoo has been very generous. That’s why I’m sorry I have to do this.”

  He raised the envelope and tore it in half.

  The two zoo people gasped in surprise.

  “I can’t take the money,” Dr. D. said.

  “Just what are you saying, Dr. Deep?” Mr. Showalter demanded.

  “You sent me on a wild goose chase,” my uncle replied. “I have searched these waters thoroughly ever since you left. With my equipment, I searched every inch of the lagoon and all the surrounding waters. I am now more convinced than ever before that mermaids do not exist.”

  “Yaaaay!” I screamed to myself. I wanted to jump up and down and cheer my head off—but I stayed hidden with Sheena behind the cockpit.

  “But what about the fishermen’s stories?” Ms. Wickman protested.

  “The local fishermen have told mermaid stories for years,” Dr. D. told her. “I think they believe they’ve really seen mermaids rising through the mist on foggy days. But what they have seen are only fish, or dolphins, or manatees, or even swimmers. Because mermaids don’t exist. They’re fantasy creatures.”

  Mr. Showalter and Ms. Wickman both sighed in disappointment.

  “Are you sure about this?” Mr. Showalter asked.

  “Completely sure,” my uncle replied firmly. “My equipment is very sensitive. It can pick up the tiniest minnow.”

  “We respect your opinion, Dr. Deep,” Mr. Showalter said with some sadness. “You’re the leading expert on exotic sea creatures. That’s why we came to you in the first place.”

  “Thank you,” said Dr. D. “Then I hope you’ll take my advice and drop your hunt for a mermaid.”

  “I guess we’ll have to,” said Ms. Wickman. “Thank you for trying, Dr. Deep.”

  They all shook hands. Then the zoo people got back on their boat and motored away.

  The coast was clear. Sheena and I came bursting out of our hiding place.

  “Dr. D.!” cried Sheena, throwing her arms around him. “You’re the greatest!”

  A wide grin spread over Dr. D.’s face. “Thanks, guys,” he said. “From now on, none of us will say anything to anyone about mermaids. Is it a deal?”

  “It’s a deal,” Sheena instantly agreed.

  “Deal,” I said. We all shook hands. The mermaid was our secret.

  I swore I’d never mention the mermaid to anyone. But I wanted to see her one last time. I wanted to say good-bye.

  After lunch, Sheena and Dr. D. went to their cabins to nap. We had been up for most of the night, after all. I pretended to take a nap, too.

  But once they were asleep, I sneaked out of my cabin and slipped into the bright blue water.

  I swam over to the lagoon to search for the mermaid.

  The sun was high in a pale blue sky. It glowed down on the still lagoon waters, making them glitter as if covered in gold.

  Mermaid? Where are you? I wondered.

  I was just past the reef when I felt a playful tug on my leg.

  Sheena? I thought. Had she followed me again?

  I spun around to catch her.

  No one there.

  Seaweed, probably, I thought. I kept swimming.

  A few seconds later, I felt the tug again. Harder this time.

  Hey—it must be the mermaid! I told myself.

  I turned once again to search for her.

  The water rippled. “Mermaid?” I called. A head popped out of the water. A gigantic, slimy, dark green head. With one enormous eye. And a mouthful of jagged teeth. “The sea monster!” I shrieked. “The sea monster!” Would they believe me this time?

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