Katie Kicklighter Read online

  He stooped low and glared at her. “Come with me.”

  Mister Templeton and his cohort whisked the girls into a side room that was unoccupied.

  “What are you doing?” Katie demanded. “I’ll scream if you don’t let us out right now.”

  “Where’s the key?” he asked.

  Katie stuck her nose up in the air. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She looked at Maggie, who fidgeted with her hands in her pockets.

  He leaned over, took off his sunglasses, and put his hands on his knees so he could look her straight in the eyes. “Don’t play dumb with me, young lady. I know you know what I’m talking about. Now, where is it?”

  Katie put her hands on her hips. “Is this what professional treasure hunters do? Kidnap young girls and steal their possessions? I certainly don’t want to be one if that’s the case.”

  “I don’t have time for games,” he said. “Maybe I’ll let the authorities know about what your little friend did last night to hack into the castle’s electrical grid. I doubt he’ll get to join you on the return flight home.”

  “You wouldn’t.” Katie shot back.

  He threw his head back and laughed. “Of course I wouldn’t — as long as I get that key. Now where is it? I’m not going to ask you again.”

  CHAPTER 19

  Stinky Cheese and

  a Song in the Dark

  IF YOU’VE NEVER SMELLED Limburger cheese, your nose is a happier place. One tiny whiff of such a disgusting odor would make you wish you’d crammed one of your brother’s stinky socks in your mouth. Anything but Limburger cheese. But to Katie, Mister Templeton’s breath smelled worse than that. It was like moldy Limburger cheese. She would’ve said anything to get his putrid breath out of her face. But she didn’t need to. The truth did the trick.

  “The key is with Miss Dingledine,” Katie said. “And if we don’t rejoin the group quickly, they’ll wonder where we are and you’ll never see that key.”

  Mister Templeton stood upright and said nothing.

  “Now, if you don’t get out of my way, I won’t be able to get you what you want,” Katie said.

  Mister Templeton backed up a few steps and stared down at Katie. “Fine. Let’s go. But don’t get any bright ideas like yelling for help, okay? Just remember I can still have your little friend Trey arrested for his stunt earlier.”

  Katie nodded and marched forward with Maggie in tow. Mister Templeton and his partner followed right behind them.

  It didn’t take long before they caught up with the rest of the group. The tour guide was in the middle of explaining how it took thirteen years to complete the construction of the theater when they slipped into the group without as much as a glance from Miss McGuffin.

  Katie stared around the room at her blissfully unaware classmates. If they were in danger, none of them knew it. George Oscar Orville Baumgarner the Fifth dug through his nose like he was trying to scratch the paint off a wall. Corrina Olympia Whetzell smacked her gum as if everyone in the room were hard of hearing and couldn’t detect the saliva swishing around in her mouth with each chomp. Dorian Osmond Richard Knightley Jr. slipped his hand under his armpit and cranked it gently to make a high-pitched noise that often preceded an offensive stench. All just like Katie remembered them — and not a single one of them suspected Katie was being bullied by the treasure hunter standing behind her.

  Think, Katie. Think!

  While Katie didn’t care about losing the fame of discovering the lost panels, she cared deeply about injustice. And right now, an adult was terrorizing her with threats of turning her friend into the authorities. She needed to change the situation back into her favor.

  Maggie bumped Katie’s arm and showed Katie her phone. Katie smiled. Suddenly, she had a plan.

  With Mister Templeton’s watchful eye towering over her, Katie couldn’t attract his attention. She noticed Miss McGuffin standing in front of her with her purse slung over her shoulder. Attached to the purse was a pen, the tool Katie needed to write a note to Maggie. Katie pulled a hair clip out of her pocket and dropped it. When she knelt down to get the hair accessory, she snatched the pen from Miss McGuffin’s purse. She scribbled on her hand a note to Maggie and showed it to her. Maggie nodded discreetly. It was time to take action.

  Maggie pretended like she fainted, bringing the tour guide to a halt as everyone gathered around her to see what was wrong. Despite strict orders to stay attached to Miss Dingledine, Trey broke away from her. He put an ear to her mouth and waited a moment. “Don’t worry, everyone,” he said. “I know CPR.” The truth is Trey knew nothing of the sort. CPR — or cardio pulmonary resuscitation — wasn’t necessary, nor did Trey know how to perform it. However, he knew enough to know that when you perform CPR, you must listen intently for the breath of a person. And when he put his ear next to Maggie, she knew what to do: she passed the message.

  To perform CPR, you must put your hands on a person’s chest and push before breathing into their mouth. Maggie wasn’t about to have any of that. She sprang to her feet and announced her sudden miracle healing before Trey could get close enough to breathe into her. Katie laughed to herself, knowing Maggie was more afraid that Trey’s lips might touch hers. Everyone doted over Maggie to ensure she was okay. As everyone crowded around her, Maggie slipped her phone into Trey’s pocket just before Trey slipped away. Not a soul noticed him worming his way through the crowd, not even Miss Dingledine.

  Once Maggie stood up and it was apparent to everyone that she was fine, the lights in the theater went out. A few people screamed, terrified of what a few moments in the dark might mean. But not Katie. Quite the contrary — she was about to take down the slimy Mister Templeton.

  Mister Templeton grabbed Katie’s arm and leaned in close.

  “I don’t know what you’re up to, but I don’t like it,” he whispered in her ear.

  “I’m helping you get the key without anyone noticing,” she whispered back. “The woman who sings next has the key around her neck.”

  He let go of her arm and shoved her away.

  Before he could get another syllable out of his mouth, Katie screamed, “Sing, Miss Dingledine. Sing. This is your chance.”

  Miss Dingledine didn’t wait a moment, nor did she wait for further instructions. This was her chance and she knew it.

  She began singing at the top of her lungs, embracing the chance to croon from one of Europe’s finest stages. Miss Dingledine was so caught up in the moment that she never even noticed the person slip up behind her and cut the string holding the key that swung from her neck. Nor did anyone else — except Katie.

  CHAPTER 20

  The Dark Comes to Light

  AT KATIE’S OLD SCHOOL, one of the most humiliating games was called “Kneel and Push.” One student would kneel down behind an unsuspecting classmate, while another student would walk up and push the unsuspecting classmate just enough to make him lose his balance and stumble backward and topple over the person kneeling behind him. Katie considered it cruel — most of the time. But right now, the game was the only way to help her expose Mister Templeton.

  Remember Harry Needlemeyer and his stinky underwear? Before the lights went out, Katie spotted him just a few feet away. As she led Mister Templeton in his direction, she kicked Harry in the back of his knees, forcing him to stumble to the ground. Then, she spun around in front of Mister Templeton, who was surprised by her sudden movement. It was all Katie needed to get him off balance with a little shove — and send him tumbling over Harry, who was still trying to figure out why someone kicked him in the back of the knees.

  That’s when the lights flashed on again. And the scene on the National Theater’s stage raised plenty of questions, such as Why is Mister Templeton laying on his back with his feet draped over Harry’s back? And why does Mister Templeton have a knife and a key? Why are Katie and Maggie lying on the ground, too? And where was Trey?

  Katie sprang to her feet and cast an accusing finger
toward Mister Templeton. “Someone arrest this man,” she said. “He just stole my key and tried to kidnap me.”

  Mister Templeton sat up and refuted Katie’s statement. “This is nonsense. This little girl is making up lies. She ought to be grateful that I stopped the thief who tried to steal her precious little magnifying glasses before I saved her life.”

  Miss McGuffin stepped forward. “Well, this does look like a precarious situation here, Mister Templeton. I would like to know why you have a key in one hand and a knife in the other.”

  “I thought someone was attacking me so I pulled out this knife I carry around in my shoe for protection. And I’m holding this key because I wanted to make sure nobody picked my pocket in the dark and tried to steal it. It’s obvious that I was under attack.”

  Miss McGuffin nodded knowingly. “Katie does have quite the active imagination.”

  “Miss McGuffin, you’re going to believe him over me? He tried to steal the key Maggie and I found and then he tried to hurt us.”

  As Miss McGuffin stood there pondering two conflicting stories, Mister Templeton and Katie’s voices began to fill the auditorium through the speakers.

  Mister Templeton: “Don’t play dumb with me, young lady. I know you know what I’m talking about. Now, where is it?”

  Katie: “Is this what professional treasure hunters do? Kidnap young girls and steal their possessions? I certainly don’t want to be one if that’s the case.”

  Mister Templeton: “I don’t have time for games.”

  The recording stopped and everyone turned their gaze toward Mister Templeton.

  “I can explain everything,” he said as he clambered to his feet and began walking backward. “It’s all a mistake.”

  Miss McGuffin, leading the group, edged closer and closer toward him. He didn’t wait another moment. He turned around and dashed toward the nearest exit.

  But what Mister Templeton didn’t know was that George Oscar Orville Baumgarner was returning from the restroom on the other side of the door. Deeply engaged in trying to extricate an itchy booger, George didn’t even realize that he hit Mister Templeton in the head when he opened the door. Not even the thud of Mister Templeton hitting the floor fazed George. But when George looked up to see his entire class staring at him with his finger jammed far up his nose, he quickly pulled it out. “What are you looking at?” he said. “Everybody does it.” Then he looked down at Mister Templeton writhing on the floor in pain. “Did I do that?” George asked.

  Katie rushed over to Mister Templeton and snatched the key out of his hand. “You ought to be ashamed of yourself.”

  Before he could make another move, the theater’s security guards stormed into the room and apprehended Mister Templeton. Katie, Maggie and the entire class waited until the police arrived to sort out the incident.

  Trey re-emerged and joined Katie and Maggie.

  “That kid right there,” Mister Templeton said, pointing at Trey. “He’s the one who hacked into the electrical grid. He’s the one you ought to be arresting.”

  The police officer shook his head. “A kidnapper and a thief telling us we should be arresting someone else? I didn’t know we were arresting a comedian as well.” He tightened the handcuffs on Mister Templeton’s wrists, eliciting a yelp of pain. “Let’s go.”

  Miss McGuffin turned to Katie. “Can you please explain what this was all about?”

  “Why don’t I show you?” she said.

  CHAPTER 21

  A Door Opens

  WITH THE THEATER TOUR cut short due to the exciting commotion, the class returned to the Chateau Zbiroh. Katie and Maggie rode near the front with Miss McGuffin so they could begin to explain the entire story. Brimming with anticipation, Katie rubbed the key with her thumb as she recounted the old man’s story about the Amber Room’s treasure.

  “And we found it,” Katie said. “We were going to tell you about it today after we could bring some people with us to make it official. We want everyone to know that we found it.”

  Miss McGuffin smiled. “Well, this certainly has turned into quite an adventure for you, hasn’t it? Though I’m quite certain that if we ever take another class trip, I’m going to make sure that you stick with me at all times. We may have never known what happened to you if you disappeared. We wouldn’t ever know where to begin to look.”

  Katie nodded. “I know. You’re right. But it all worked out, didn’t it?”

  Miss McGuffin shook her head. “Sometimes I just don’t know about you, Katie.”

  The bus lurched forward as it came to a stop. Katie and Maggie stormed off the bus, dragging Miss McGuffin behind them. Trey hustled after the trio.

  “You couldn’t have done this without me,” he called out. “Wait for me.” He reached them as they stood in the lobby and excitedly retold their story to the hotel manager. He furrowed his brow as Katie explained how they slipped around the velvet rope and downstairs into the belly of the castle.

  He grabbed his keys and shouted for several other hotel employees to join them.

  Katie rubbed her hands together as the growing group marched down the hall toward the stairwell.

  I’m going to be a real treasure hunter, she thought.

  Once they reached the bottom of the stairwell, Katie and Maggie sprinted ahead to the middle of the room and then stomped three times, revealing the location of the keyhole. Katie rushed over to it and jammed her key into the keyhole. As she turned it, the door began to creak and groan as it opened.

  Everyone stared in amazement as they waited breathlessly for the Chateau Zbiroh’s great treasure to be unveiled.

  Once the door opened all the way, the hotel manager stamped his foot. “What is the meaning of this?” he demanded.

  The room was empty.

  Katie struggled to see through the tears now welling up in her eyes. “It was right here. I promise I’m not making this up.”

  “The Amber Room hidden here at Chateau Zbiroh? Sounds like you’ve got quite an active imagination, young lady.”

  “But— but it was right here.”

  He shook his head and motioned for his fellow employees to join him as they exited. “Let’s go,” he barked. “We need everyone out of here.”

  Katie wiped her eyes and looked around the room once more — and that’s when she realized the room wasn’t completely empty. In the corner of the room, there was a small envelope with something scrawled on the front.

  She dashed over to pick it up.

  To: Katie

  She slipped it in her pocket and rejoined the rest of the group, which had grown to include several curious classmates. However, they used the opportunity to poke fun at Katie’s fanciful imaginations.

  Maggie put her arm around Katie. “It’s gonna be all right.”

  Katie sniffled and nodded unconvincingly. She wanted to believe Maggie, but it was difficult to think about it right now. She’d just been humiliated in front of plenty of people. And to make matters worse, somebody had taken the Amber Room.

  Once they reached the top of the stairs, Miss McGuffin told everyone to go back to their rooms, except Katie.

  She waited until everyone dispersed before speaking. She led Katie to a nearby bench and sat down with her.

  “Katie, I believe you,” she said. “But I also believe you need to be careful about what you say and who you say it to.”

  Katie nodded but said nothing.

  “You were in some real danger — and you need to think a little more before you do things. Being impulsive may have been what led you to the treasure, but it also led to some trouble for you. Do you understand?”

  She nodded again. “Miss McGuffin, I just can’t help myself sometimes. I’m just so curious.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with being curious. Curiosity helps us discover new things about the world around us — and it even helps us learn things about ourselves. But you can’t be foolish like you were. Leaving our group and disappearing in this giant castle were not
wise choices. I’m just glad that you’re all right, treasure or not.”

  Katie appreciated the kind words from Miss McGuffin, who got up and rejoined the group. She knew her teacher was right — she needed to use more wisdom. She’d have to figure out what that meant for her another day. Meanwhile, Katie thought she could almost hear the envelope she’d found begging for her to open it.

  Katie pulled the envelope out of her pocket and re-read only the outside of it before Maggie plopped down next to her on the bench.

  “What’s it say?” Maggie asked.

  Katie continued to rip it open and scanned it quickly. “You won’t believe this,” Katie said as she shook her head.

  The letter read:

  Dear Katie,

  Thank you for all your help in finding the treasure here. You’re going to make a great treasure hunter one day.

  Gratefully yours,

  Mr. Milkovich

  Katie handed the letter to Maggie, who read in disbelief.

  “The old man? He’s the one who found it?” Maggie asked.

  Katie nodded. “But at least he left me something.” She pulled a gold coin out of the envelope.

  “Fifteen roubles?” Maggie asked as she inspected the coin. “This was made in 1897. Do you know how much this is worth?”

  Katie shook her head. “I have no clue.”

  “Let’s put it this way. You’d be able to by enough mismatched socks for a semester.”

  Katie snatched the coin back. “See — I told you we’d find the gold.”

  The two girls laughed but were interrupted from further conversation when Trey rushed toward them. “Come on, you two! You won’t believe who’s on television!” He yanked them to their feet and raced ahead to the lobby.

  On the television was Mister Milkovich with the Russian prime minister, both discussing the return of the Amber Room to its rightful place in The Catherine Palace near St. Petersburg, Russia.