Who was “Rosabelle?”

  How had the person known the Code Busters were going to Magicland tomorrow?

  And was this “Rosabelle” actually challenging the Code Busters to a race for the prize?

  Or was this some kind of threat?

  Cody frowned. The message had to be from Matt the Brat, the big, goofy, annoying classmate who was always bugging the Code Busters. He had tried to mess up their adventures in the past, so it made sense that he might be doing it again.

  Besides, who else could it be?

  * * * * *

  In spite of not sleeping well, Cody woke up early, jazzed and eager about the day. She showered, dressed in a black FBI T-shirt she’d bought at the Spy Museum and her favorite jeans, put on her red Converse Chucks, and grabbed her red sweatshirt. She thought about bringing her backpack along to carry her stuff but decided it was too bulky. Instead, she slipped a small notepad and pencil into her jeans pocket, stuffed her phone in the other pocket, and headed downstairs.

  Her mom and Tana were already at the table eating breakfast. Tana was slurping a bowl of cereal, while their mom ate from a carton of blueberry yogurt.

  “Cody,” their mom said. “Hurry and eat or we’re going to be late picking up the other kids. We leave in ten minutes!”

  Cody wolfed down her toast, gulped a glass of milk, then ran upstairs to brush her teeth and comb her hair. She returned just as her mother and Tana were heading out the door.

  As they got into the SUV, Cody noticed her mother was frowning and wondered if something else was on her mind. Being a Berkeley police officer was more than a full-time job, and Cody’s mom—now a detective on the force after passing her last exam—was always working on a case. Although her mom tried not to bring her work home, Cody could always tell when something was bothering her mother.

  “Mom? Are you okay?” she asked, settling into the front seat of their large SUV.

  Cody’s mom seemed to force a smile. “I’m fine, honey. Just a little tummy ache this morning. Probably too much coffee. No worries.” She backed out of the driveway and into Quinn’s driveway across the street, then honked the horn.

  Quinn appeared moments later, carrying his backpack. He’d spiked his black hair into sharp points and was wearing his favorite sunglasses, the kind with mirrors so no one could see his eyes. He’d bought them at the Spy Museum, and now he never went anywhere without them.

  “Hi, Mrs. Jones,” he said as he climbed into the second row next to Tana in her booster seat. He gave Tana a high five, then fastened his seat belt.

  “Hi, Quinn,” Cody’s mother said, smiling at him in the rearview mirror. “You ready to get your magic on?”

  Quinn laughed and nodded. “I’ve already learned five new tricks!”

  “Oh boy,” Cody said, teasing him. “Not more magic tricks. The finger trick was gross! M.E. was totally freaked out.”

  Mrs. Jones pulled out of his driveway and headed for the next Code Buster’s house. Along the way Quinn tapped a Morse code message on the back of Cody’s arm.

  Cody tapped back.

  Code Busters Key and Solution found on pp. 155 and 162.

  Cody didn’t like the idea of holding your breath for a long time. But Houdini was most famous for his Water Torture Cell trick. With his feet locked in place, he was lowered upside down into a tank of water. Holding his breath for as long as three minutes, he finally escaped, to the delight and relief of the audience. Cody shivered at the thought.

  They pulled up to M.E.’s house just around the corner. Always the fashionista, M.E. had on colorful cartoon leggings that stopped at her ankles and jeweled flip-flops. A long pink shirt that read “DIVA” in rhinestones covered her nearly to her knees and matched her pink-tinted hair. She’d added a lacey shrug and a multicolored scarf around her neck, and had woven her long dark hair into a thick braid.

  “Hi, guys!” M.E. said, sitting next to Quinn.

  Next, they picked up Mika, who was waiting for them on her front porch. She had on a simple green sundress, a matching sweater, and black leather sandals, and her short dark hair was held in place with green barrettes.

  Finally, they collected Luke at his condo. As usual, he was dressed in board shorts and a University of New Orleans T-shirt with a pirate and the word “Privateers” on the front, and a matching baseball cap. His grandmere waved as they pulled away from the drive and began the forty-five-minute ride to the amusement park. Along the way, the kids talked about Harry Houdini, the park, the hidden handprints, and their plans to find them all.

  “Did you know Houdini died after someone punched him in the stomach?” Quinn asked, holding a deck of cards. As a budding magician, Quinn knew all kinds of facts about Houdini. “His appendix burst, and that’s what caused his death.”

  “That’s so sad!” M.E. said, frowning. “How old was he?”

  “Fifty-two,” Quinn answered.

  “Wow, that’s the same age as my grandmere,” Luke said.

  After a moment of silence, Quinn said, “I’m gonna get some of those trick handcuffs while we’re there, then learn to do a card trick while handcuffed. It’ll be epic!”

  “I want some too,” Luke said, “so I can lock up Quinn and keep him from doing more magic tricks.”

  Everyone laughed.

  Cody’s mother looked in the mirror and said, “Boys, I have some real handcuffs for you, if you want to try those.”

  Luke and Quinn shook their heads. “No, thanks, Mrs. J.” Luke said. “We’re cool.”

  “I want a crystal ball,” Mika said, “so I can tell the future and find out what I’m going to be when I grow up.”

  “Can you tell our future too?” M.E. asked. “I want to know if we’re going to find all of the hidden handprints and win the prize.”

  She felt bad not interpreting for Tana, but it was awkward signing from the front seat. On the way home, she’d sit in the back and make sure Tana understood what everyone was saying. Luckily, Tana was busy drawing symbols in her little notebook.

  “If you think about it,” Cody said, doing her best to sign as she spoke just in case Tana was interested, “Houdini was the first actual ‘Ghostbuster,’ way before the movie.”

  “What do you mean?” M.E. asked.

  “He used to go to séances in disguise and expose the psychics as fakes,” Cody explained. “I read it online. He kept trying to find a real psychic who could talk to the departed, and even offered a prize, but he never found one. The mediums—those were the people who said they could ‘talk’ with spirits—they all used tricks to fool people into giving them money.”

  “Cool,” Luke said. “He really was a Ghostbuster.” Suddenly he began singing the theme song from the movie Ghostbusters.

  “How about calling the Code Busters instead of Ghostbusters?” Quinn suggested, and the kids laughed.

  They spent the rest of the ride creating codes for one another using their newly created Pledge of Allegiance code that was inspired by Houdini’s code. Cody suggested they write fun facts about Houdini for one another to decipher. She started them off with this:

  United it indivisible to states which states under / Nation the I republic / which I for the / liberty I under / the Nation states and / liberty the states under z.

  Code Busters Key and Solution found on pp. 158 and 162.

  Before they knew it, the Code Busters had arrived at Magicland! Cody’s mother pulled into the parking lot, and everyone got out of the SUV. They followed her into the park, then stopped when she turned around at the gate.

  Cody noticed her mother was frowning again. Her face was pale, and her eyes looked tired. What was going on with her?

  “Listen, kids,” Cody’s mom said to the Code Busters. “You can go off on your own as a group, but I want you to stay together. Tana and I will meet you all for lunch at noon at Rosabelle’s Café just inside the entrance, so keep track of the time. Do you have your phones?”

  The kids nodded.

  “All right, then,” she said, “Go have fun!”

  “Thanks, Mrs. Jones,” the other Code Busters called out as they started off.

  Cody held back a moment. “Mom, are you sure you’re all right?”

  Her mother nodded, but she didn’t look all right, not at all.

  “Still have that tummy ache,” she said, rubbing her abdomen. “Must have been something I ate. I’ll be fine. You go have fun. Tana and I will do the same.” She looked down at Tana and forced a smile. “Right, sweetie?” she signed to her younger daughter.

  Tana grinned and nodded.

  The Code Busters headed for their first destination—Harry’s Trunk of Trickery. But just as they were about to get on the ride that would take them inside the magic trunk, Cody’s phone chirped. She pulled her phone from her pocket and checked the name on the text message: It was from her mom. But when she read the message, she knew it had come from Tana, not her mother. It read: “Help! Mom throwed up!”

  Chapter 4

  Cody!” M.E. called from the front of the line. “You’re going to miss the ride!”

  “Wait!” Cody hollered back to her, holding her phone up. “My mom is sick!”

  The Code Busters stepped out of line and headed for Cody, who stood a few feet to the side.

  “S’up?” Luke asked, scratching his forehead.

  Cody shrugged, as worry ate at her insides. “I just got a text from Tana that my mom is sick. She’s in the park infirmary. I need to go there.”

  “We’ll come with you,” Quinn said, then added, “The Code Busters don’t leave anyone behind.”

  “Where’s the infirmary?” Mika asked, scrunching her nose.

  Luke pulled out the map he’d brought with him and located the infirmary building near the park entrance, marked with a red cross. He showed it to Cody, then led the way, weaving between costumed park attendees and around various kiosks selling tricks and treats. When they arrived, Cody told the others, “Wait here. I’ll be right back,” and rushed inside.

  She held her breath as she entered the lobby of the small infirmary, hoping her mother was all right. She approached the desk where a nurse sat writing on a paper pad.

  “Hi, I’m Cody Jones,” Cody said, twisting her hands. “My sister texted me and said my mom is here. Susan Jones.”

  “Oh, yes, honey,” the nurse said. Her name tag read Holly. “She’s in room 1.” She pointed to a closed door a few feet down the hall behind her.

  “What’s wrong with her?” Cody asked.

  “Oh, honey, I think she just has a bug. She mentioned she ate some yogurt this morning and it tasted funny. I’m sure she’ll be fine in a couple of hours. I’ve given her something to settle her stomach, but I’m keeping an eye on her.”

  “Can I see her?”

  “Of course, honey, go right in. Your sister is in there with her.”

  Cody made her way to room 1, slowly opened the door, and found her mother lying on a bed, facing the wall. Tana sat nearby watching an old black-and-white Houdini film on a TV monitor. She looked up when she spotted her sister.

  “Cody!” Tana ran up to her.

  Cody put an arm around Tana. “What’s wrong with Mom?” She tapped the thumb of her open hand on her chin, the sign for “mother.”

  Their mother rolled over and looked at Cody, her eyelids drooping. “Cody . . .” she whispered.

  Cody stepped up next to her. “Mom, are you okay?”

  Her mother closed her eyes for a few seconds. When she opened them, she spoke quietly, and signed slowly. “Sorry, girls, I’m going to rest here for a while. If I’m not better soon, I’ll call your dad and have him come get us later.”

  Cody took her mom’s hand. “Okay, Mom. Are you sure you’re going to be all right?”

  Her mom nodded. “But I need you to look after Tana for me, understand? I don’t want her to stay cooped up here with me while you kids are out having fun. Can you do that—keep an eye on her and make sure she’s included in everything?”

  Cody nodded. Although she was disappointed that her younger sister had to tag along, she understood and just wanted her mother to feel better. She was also relieved that they didn’t have to go home—at least, not yet. The other Code Busters would be bummed if they didn’t even get a chance to try to find all the Hidden Houdini Handprints.

  “Promise?” Mrs. Jones whispered.

  “I promise,” Cody answered, crossing her heart.

  Their mother turned back over, and moments later, Cody could tell by her breathing that she’d fallen asleep. The nurse came in and told the girls to let their mother sleep, then escorted them out the door.

  “How old are you?” the nurse asked Cody when they reached the desk.

  “Thirteen,” she answered.

  “I guess you’re old enough to visit the park without your parents,” she said, “but if you have any problems, just go to the nearest security guard or park employee. All right?”

  Cody nodded.

  “Don’t worry, honey. I’ll take good care of your mom.”

  Cody thanked the nurse, gripped her sister’s hand, and headed out the door. The other Code Busters were waiting for them.

  “Is she okay?” M.E. said.

  “What happened?” Mika asked.

  “The nurse thinks she might have eaten some bad yogurt,” Cody answered. “She just needs to rest for a while.”

  “What about us?” Quinn asked.

  “We get to stay,” Cody answered, “but I have to take care of Tana too.”

  “That’s cool,” Luke said, patting Tana on the head. “She can be an honorary Code Buster for the day.” He turned to her, pointed at her, and fingerspelled the word “C-O-D-E-B-U-S-T-E-R.”

  Tana grinned. “I can help you find the Hidden Houdini Handprints!” she signed, while Cody translated.

  “Okay, let’s go!” Quinn said, leading the pack back to Harry’s Trunk of Trickery ride. They spent the waiting time in line looking around for a hidden handprint. There were lots of magic symbols on the floor and along the walls—magic wands, crystal balls, tarot cards—but no sign of a handprint.

  “Wait! I think I see one!” Mika finally said, pointing to what looked like a handprint on the side of the trash can nearby.

  “Shhh,” Luke said, glancing around to see if anyone heard, then took a close look. “Red herring,” he said, using the term mystery writers use for a fake clue. “There are a bunch of handprints, and none of them have any kind of secret message with it. It’s a trick.”

  Cody realized this game of finding the Hidden Houdini Handprints was going to be more challenging than she thought. As the kids moved up the line, she kept her eye out for other handprints but didn’t see anything that even resembled a hand.

  Just as they were about to board the ride, Mika tapped Cody and whispered, “I think there are two right there!”

  Cody looked in the direction Mika was pointing. On the turnstile were two handprints—a left and a right—with Xs marked on some of the fingers. This had to be the Magician’s Code!

  Code Busters Key and Solution found on pp. 154 and 162.

  M.E. took a picture of the prints with her phone camera while Mika copied them in her Top Secret Code Busters Club Notebook. Luke and Quinn kept watch to make sure no one else saw them. Cody was eager to show everyone the copy of the Magician’s Code she’d brought, but she’d have to wait until the ride was over.

  “Hurry,” Cody said to Mika, “we’re almost to the front of the line!” As soon as Mika finished, she and the others hopped onto the ride just in time and headed into a dark tunnel.

  “Awesome!” M.E. said to the others. “Our first handprints and clues!”

  The ride took them back in time to the days of Houdini’s magic shows, where holographic 3D images of the magician seemed to bring him right into the room. Cody noticed that Quinn seemed mesmerized by the attraction, and she had a feeling he’d be trying a few of the tricks he’d just seen. She just hoped he wouldn’t try the “saw-a-lady-in-half” trick.

  “Guys,” Cody said as soon as they were done with the ride, “here’s a copy of the Magician’s Code I got from the website. Mika, get out the drawing you made.”

  Mika held up the handprints. “Look at the Xs. They match the letters H O W.”

  “How? What’s that supposed to mean?” M.E. asked, scrunching up her nose.

  “Maybe it’s part of the coded message!”

  “Dude,” Luke said. “Now we just need to find the other handprints to gather all the codes and clues and make sense of the whole message.”

  M.E. clapped her hands. “This is so awesome! I can’t wait to find more. Where are we going next?”

  “How about the Séance Salon?” Quinn suggested.

  The others agreed.

  Cody turned to take Tana by the hand before they headed over there.

  She frowned. “Tana?” she signed.

  No Tana.

  She glanced around, the back of her neck prickling with growing fear.

  “Guys? Where’s Tana?” she asked the other Code Busters.

  They shrugged. “I thought she was with you,” M.E. said.

  Quinn called out, “Tana!”

  “She can’t hear you, remember?” Cody said.

  “Oh yeah,” Quinn said. “Sometimes I forget.”

  Panic began to take over Cody as she started searching the area for Tana. Then panic turned to horror when she realized she had totally lost her Deaf little sister in this ginormous amusement park among all these billions of people . . .

  Just like a magician, Tana had disappeared.

  Only this time it wasn’t a trick.

  Chapter 5

  Oh no!” Cody cried as she scrambled around frantically trying to find her sister. She had only let go of Tana’s hand for a minute—or was it longer than that? With tears welling in her eyes, she looked for a park security guard or employee to help her, like she’d been told to do in case of an emergency.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8