CONTENTS

  Chapter 1 Mania at the Museum!

  Chapter 2 Detective Run-In!

  Chapter 3 Crime Comb-Over

  Chapter 4 Big Al

  Chapter 5 Co-Inky-Dink?

  Chapter 6 Art, Stilts, and Gliders

  Chapter 7 Three Bears Cry Wolf

  Chapter 8 The Big (Bad) Reveal

  Chapter 9 The Great Rooftop Chase

  Chapter 10 You Can’t Keep a Good Dog Down

  ‘Rider Woofson Mystery Mountain Getaway’ Excerpt

  About the Author and Illustrator

  Mania at the Museum!

  “Welcome to the Catskills History Museum. My name is Tina, and I’ll be your tour guide. If you have any questions, just ask!”

  Tina led the tourists through the museum. The first exhibit was dinosaur skeletons. “This prehistoric moment shows dino-dogs and cat-osaurs. Though they may look like cats and dogs, they were actually more closely related to birds!”

  The next exhibit showed proud animals in togas. “This is the Roaming Period,” Tina explained. “Salamander the Great, Dog-Run Maximus, and Julihiss Caesar are just a few classic heroes of their time. They roamed and ruled over many different lands. Now, if you’ll follow me to the next exhibit, I can tell you the story of King Arthur and the swordfish in the stone.”

  “Oooh, what’s that?” a tourist asked. She pointed at a WANTED poster.

  “That is the international art thief known as the Big Bad Woof,” said Tina. “Not much is known about the dangerous crook except that he steals valuable works of art. But this poster is not part of the tour—”

  Tina was interrupted by three bumbling bears that walked into the room. One bear was giant. One bear was medium-size and thin. The third bear was short and round. They each wore a worker uniform and carried ropes and hooks. The largest bear tripped over his own paws and knocked over a knight’s armor set. As the armor crashed to the ground, it made a loud CLANG!

  “What in the art world is going on?!” Tina demanded.

  “Sorry, miss,” the littlest bear said as he swatted the big bear across the arm. “He’s new and doesn’t know to be careful in a museum. We’re training him.”

  “Please do!” the tour guide huffed. Then she turned back to her group and smiled. “I apologize for the interruption. Where was I? Oh, yes, the Knight Owls of the Round Table.”

  The tour continued through the museum’s outdoor courtyard. In the center of the clearing was a very large, very old totem pole.

  A parrot in the tour group raised his wing and asked, “What is that?”

  “This is a totem pole from an ancient tribe of snow cats,” Tina explained. “It was once a giant tree of the icy north until it was carved into the tribal cat faces you see today. It is a priceless artifact and the museum is lucky to have—”

  Tina was interrupted again, but this time it was by a very strong gust of wind from overhead. THWOP-THWOP-THWOP!

  It was a helicopter! Suddenly, several ropes dropped down from the helicopter and landed on the ground.

  “Coming through, lady!” yelled the littlest bear. He and the other bears crunched hooks into the ground around the totem pole.

  Tina hollered over all the noise. “What is going on?!”

  “Just doing our job,” the small bear said with a wink. “Nothing you need to worry yourself about.”

  The bears tied the helicopter ropes through the hooks in the ground. Then the helicopter lifted up—pulling the totem pole and the bears with it!

  “Help! Help!” Tina cried. “We’re being robbed!”

  “Oh, I’ve never seen a robbery before,” said one of the tourists. “How exciting!” Some of the them pulled out their cameras and started taking pictures. An old snail in the crowd had an instant camera. When he took a picture, the photo popped out, but it was swept away by the wind.

  “Ha-ha-ha-ha!” Laughter filled the sky from above. An animal in a red cloak leaned out of the helicopter and tossed down a card.

  As the crooks and the totem pole flew away, Tina caught the note. It said:

  Detective Run-In!

  “Bow-wowza! Did you see this?!” Ziggy Fluffenscruff held up his tablet. He was the youngest pup in the P.I. Pack and usually the hungriest. “Taco Taco is having a two-for-one lunch sale!”

  Westie Barker, an inventor with a keen eye, pointed to the screen. “You’re missing the big picture, Ziggy. The article next to the Taco Taco ad says someone robbed the Catskills History Museum!”

  “Oh, I saw that, too, but it’s lunchtime!” explained Ziggy.

  Rora Gooddog—the smartest dog in the city—picked up the phone and called the mayor. “Hello, sir. We read about the Catskills museum and want to help.”

  “Thank goodness,” the mayor said. “It’s the Big Bad Woof! I’m afraid Rider and the P.I. Pack may be our best bet to find him.”

  “Actually,” said Rora, “Rider is taking a much-deserved day off. But we can help.”

  “We definitely need it,” said the mayor. “The police are baffled by this bad guy.”

  “Always happy to lend a paw to the police. We’ll head to the museum now.” Rora hung up the phone and waved to the others. “Let’s solve this case, detectives!”

  “Wait! What about Rider?” Westie asked.

  “What about lunch?” Ziggy’s belly growled.

  “Our boss hasn’t had a day off since . . . ever,” Rora said. “We can handle this ourselves. And we’ll get lunch on the way.”

  When the P.I. Pack stopped at Taco Taco, they were surprised to see Rider Woofson there. He was sitting at a table with a fox the group didn’t know.

  “Boss!” Ziggy barked.

  “Team!” said Rider. “Allow me to introduce Vicky Crown. She’s an art collector and a dear friend.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Vicky said, shaking hands with the detectives.

  “Where are all of you going in such a rush?” Rider asked. “Is there a case?”

  “We’re going to the Catskills History Museum,” Rora said.

  “Yeah! A helicopter made off with a totem pole, and we’re gonna solve the case!” Ziggy squealed.

  “Way to keep it quiet, kid,” Rora whispered to the young pup.

  “Hmm, perhaps we should come along,” Rider said. “Vicky could be a huge help.”

  “It’s true,” Vicky said. “I’m quite familiar with the tribal snow cats and their art. I’ve owned and sold a few of their pieces myself.”

  “I appreciate the offer, but no, thank you,” Rora said kindly. “You and Rider should finish your meal and enjoy the day.”

  “If you need any help—” Rider started.

  “You’ll be the first to know,” Rora finished.

  Rora, Ziggy, and Westie waved good-bye and hopped into their van. “Does everyone have everything they need?” Rora asked.

  “I have my latest invention!” Westie said.

  “I have so many tacos!” Ziggy cheered.

  “Great,” Rora said. “Let’s roll.”

  Crime Comb-Over

  “Aw, are we there yet?!” Ziggy’s knees were bouncing up and down.

  “I told you not to drink all that water,” Westie reminded him.

  “But the tacos were so spicy!” The pup fanned his tongue with his paws.

  “You’re in luck. We’re here.” Rora parked at the museum.

  As they went inside, Ziggy made a run for the bathroom. Rora and Westie asked to talk to the tour guide who had been working when the statue was stolen.

  “Tina, can you tell us anything about the crime that stands out?” asked Rora.

  “We’ve never been robbed by a famous art thief before, so that stood out,” Tina said. “Also, there were three clumsy bears—one large, one medium, and one small. They were dressed as museum workers, but apparently they stole the uniforms! One of them even stole my lunch, too!”

  “Stealing food?!” Ziggy was back from the bathroom. “That’s the worst crime imaginable!”

  “Did you see the Big Bad Woof?” asked Westie.

  “Yes,” said Tina, “but he stayed in his helicopter the whole time. Here, let me show you where everything happened. She led the detectives to the courtyard.

  Westie examined where the totem pole had been stolen. “The Big Bad Woof knew exactly where to place the hooks and ropes to lift something so heavy.”

  Rora nodded. “That means he was studying the museum.”

  “Oh my,” Tina said. “We have hundreds of visitors every day.”

  “Well, that doesn’t narrow down our suspects,” Rora said. “Let’s see if we can find any clues.”

  “I have just the thing!” Westie said. He revealed a comb-shaped machine. “I call it the Crime Comb-Over. Watch.” He pressed a button and the machine grew large and began combing the floor.

  Meanwhile, Ziggy wandered around the museum. He loved seeing the cool exhibits, until he passed a Goji Goblin statue.

  “Yipes!” Ziggy raced back into the courtyard and tripped over the Crime Comb-Over.

  Rora helped him up and noticed a photo stuck to Ziggy’s forehead.

  “A clue!” Rora said. “It’s a photo of the helicopter! A tourist must have snapped it.”

  “Then that’s the Big Bad Woof!” Ziggy pointed. The helicopter pilot was wearing a long red cloak with a hood.

  Rora pulled out her magnifying glass. She examined the picture closely. “Hmm, something is painted on the helicopter. What’s it say?”

  Westie read the tiny lettering. “Big Al’s

Helicopter Rentals.”

  Rora smiled. “Looks like we found our first big break.”

  Big Al

  Rora pulled into the parking lot of Big Al’s Helicopter Rentals. “Now, remember—we could be dealing with criminals, so be careful.”

  “Do you think Big Al is behind this?” Westie asked.

  “He sounds scary,” Ziggy said.

  “Anything is possible,” Rora said. “Follow me.”

  The detectives entered the helicopter yard. There was a small shop in the back, but no one was around. Inside on the counter was a bell with a sign that said, PLEASE RING BELL FOR HELP.

  “Bow-wowza, I love bells!” Ziggy pressed the button over and over and over.

  RING-a-LING! RING-a-LIIIING! RING-a-LING! RING-a-LIIIING!

  “CUT IT OUT!” someone roared. “I’M COMING!”

  “Big Al!” Ziggy and Westie whispered. They huddled together and started shaking.

  A tiny bird flew out from the back and landed on the bell.

  “Big Al?” Rora asked.

  “That’s me,” said the bright yellow canary with a deep voice. “Don’t let the name fool you. Al is short for Alice. You need a whirlybird?”

  “We need some answers,” Rora said. She showed Al the photo. “Yesterday, your helicopter was used in a crime. We are detectives on the case. Do you know who rented this helicopter?”

  “Sure,” Al said. “I rented it two days ago to three bears and a wolf in a big red cloak.”

  “Did you know them?” Rora asked.

  The tiny bird shook her head. “Nope.”

  “How did they pay for the helicopter?” Rora continued.

  “Cash,” Al said. “They even threw in some birdseed.”

  “Could we see the helicopter?” Westie asked.

  “I’d love to help you, but they rented it for the whole week,” said Al.

  “Well, that’s a dead end,” Ziggy said with a frown. “But you mentioned some birdseed. Feel like sharing?”

  “Nope,” Al said. “But I could share something else.”

  The bird flitted over to a computer, clicked open a file, and scratched a note on a piece of paper. “I made sure they gave me their contact info. They didn’t have a phone, but they left an address. Here you go.”

  Rora took the note. “I know where this is . . . and it’s right in the middle of downtown Pawston!”

  Co-inky-dink?

  Rora was focused as she drove back to Pawston. She was excited to get to the address and catch the Big Bad Woof. That was the part of being a detective that she loved: solving the case and saving the day.

  “One thing bothers me,” said Rora. “Why would the bears and the Big Bad Woof keep the helicopter for a week?”

  “Maybe they need to move the totem pole again,” Westie said. “Flying is the quickest way to travel.”

  “Maybe they just like helicopters,” Ziggy suggested. “I like helicopters!”

  “Or maybe they intend to use the helicopter again—for another crime,” Rora said. “I don’t think the Big Bad Woof is done stealing yet. Ziggy, check your phone. See if there’s anything new or big in the Pawston art world.”

  “Bow-wowza, there is!” Ziggy said. “A priceless painting is going up this week at the Pawston Museum. It’s called the Bona Lisa. It was painted by Leobarko da Vinci!”

  “Wow! I know that painting. It’s super-famous,” said Westie.

  “Well, now it’s in super-trouble,” Rora said. She stepped on the gas pedal.

  Westie used his own invention called the Mapper to find the fastest way to get to the crooks’ address. As the P.I. Pack drove into the downtown neighborhood, they found themselves moving between beautiful new buildings with large windows, and lots of old, abandoned warehouses.

  “Our destination is a block away,” Westie said. “Hey, this building has been empty for years.”

  “A lot of these buildings were shut down when the businesses moved out of the city,” said Ziggy. “Now animals are moving back and turning the old buildings into fancy homes.”

  “Let’s pull over here and sneak up,” Rora suggested.

  Rora parked the van, and the trio of detectives got out. They walked slowly and carefully over to the old warehouse. They were hiding behind a tree when someone said, “Hey, gang!”

  It was Rider Woofson.

  “Boss!” Westie said as he clutched his chest. “Don’t sneak up on us like that!”

  “What a co-inky-dink it is to see you here!” said Ziggy.

  “Wait, Rider,” said Rora. “Did you already solve the crime?”

  “Not at all,” Rider said. “I trust my P.I. Pack to handle the case. I’m still enjoying my day off with Vicky.”

  The small fox waved. “You’re in front of my new apartment. Would you like to come up for a snack?”

  “A snack?!” Ziggy said. His mouth watered and his tail wagged. “Absolutely!”

  Westie agreed. “Normally I’d say we’re on a case, but a snack sounds good after a day of hard detective work.”

  Rora looked at the address that Big Al gave her. It belonged to an old abandoned warehouse. Now she learned that Vicky Crown lived right across the street.

  While the other detectives may have been thinking with their stomachs, Rora smelled something rotten. She didn’t believe in chances or coincidences or what Ziggy called “co-inky-dinks.” Could Rider’s friend Vicky be up to no good? If so, what was her connection to the Big Bad Woof?

  “Are you coming?” Vicky asked as the others went inside.

  “I’m right behind you,” Rora said.

  Art, Stilts, and Gliders

  Inside Vicky’s apartment, the P.I. Pack helped themselves to some refreshments. “What a beautiful home you have,” Rider said. He reached toward a statue, but Vicky quickly stopped him.

  “Please don’t touch. Most of the art in here is valuable and rare,” Vicky explained.

  “Valuable?” Rora noted. “How does one afford to buy such expensive art?”

  “Most of these pieces were gifts,” Vicky said. “I have many friends in the art world, you see.”

  “Bow-wowza!” Ziggy said. He pointed to a statue of a beautiful sandwich. “Are you sure this is art? It looks delicious!”

  While the rest of the detectives admired the other pieces in the room, Rora walked to the window. From across the street, she could see the rooftop of the old warehouse where Big Al’s rented helicopter was parked. There was a suspicious chimney next to the helicopter too. It was covered by a tarp. When the wind blew, the tarp went up and Rora knew that the chimney didn’t belong there.

  “Bingo!” Rora whispered. She had found the missing totem pole.

  Then Rora spied three bears, as well as a fourth animal, through an open skylight. They were playing a game of cards.

  “We found it!” Rora called to the others. The P.I. Pack rushed over, along with Vicky. “See? That’s the stolen totem pole next to the helicopter and the crooks. We have to get them!”

  Luckily there was a rope next to the window. Rora reached for it to swing over to the warehouse, but Vicky quickly snatched it away. “This isn’t any old rope! This was created by an ancient rope weaver! It’s priceless—and it’s a gift for Rider.”

  Vicky handed Rider the rope. “Um . . . thanks,” he said.

  Rora rolled her eyes. “Westie, do you have any inventions that can get us across to the roof?”

  “Do I ever!” Westie pressed a button on his belt and a glider popped open behind him. The huge wings crashed through Vicky’s apartment. Rider caught a vase while Vicky leaped across the room to catch a statue.

 

1 2