Free The Monkey Howled at Midnight by Zack Norris Page B

to do is get lost. All of a sudden you can’t remember where you’re going anymore, okay? Nobody will blame you. After all, you’re just a kid.”
    There was that word again—and that annoying tone. Cody gritted his teeth. “Great. Can I be alone for a minute now?” he said.
    â€œOh—sure, kid. I’ll go on ahead. Just hurry up.” Then Officer Bezerra was gone.
    Moments later, Cody caught up with the officers. He saw Bezerra turn green as he marched right up to Captain Montez.
    â€œOfficer Bezerra just tried to bribe me,” he whispered. “He promised me a lot of money if I’d lose the way to the animal warehouse.”
    Captain Montez clenched his jaw. “I’ve been afraid of something like this. We’ve been watching Officer Bezerra for months now. We’ve followed him and seen him meeting people suspected of being involved in animal trafficking. We’ve seen him taking money from them. We just needed one more piece of evidence.”
    â€œAre you going to arrest him?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhat if he isn’t the only one?” Cody asked.
    â€œYou’re using your head, young man. However, I’m glad to say that I trust my men. There are more good officers than bad apples.”
    Captain Montez stopped walking. “Halt!” he ordered the men. “I’m sorry to say that one of the officers in this group is not on our side. Officer Bezerra, you are under arrest.”
    â€œOn what charge?” Bezerra protested.
    â€œThis boy says you tried to bribe him,” replied Captain Montez.
    â€œThen it’s his word against mine,” Bezerra protested. “You can’t arrest me based on what that boy says.”
    â€œI’m sorry, Bezerra,” said Captain Montez. “I already have surveillance photos of you taking money from people suspected of animal trafficking. I’m arresting you on suspicion of transporting endangered animals. I should have arrested you before…. I just wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt. I’ve always trusted my men—but this time I was wrong.”
    Captain Montez walked toward Officer Bezerra. He snapped handcuffs on his wrists.
    By then Mr. Carson and the other officers had caught up with the group. Mr. Carson caught Cody’s eye and gave him a thumbs up.

[ Chapter Sixteen ]
    C ody stayed away from Officer Bezerra for the rest of the way. Bezerra was taken to the back of the line, where Mr. Carson had returned. Cody’s father kept glaring at him.
    Cody walked up front with Captain Montez. But he could almost feel the heat of Bezerra’s anger at his back.
    He followed the trail markings that he had made with his Swiss Army knife. The trail began to look more and more familiar. Soon they were looking at the yard of the warehouse surrounded by the chain-link fence.
    Neither one of the guards wanted any trouble. As soon as they saw the uniforms of the police officers, they threw down their guns and put up their hands.
    â€œThank you, Cody,” said Captain Montez. “We’d never have found this place without you. It’s completely covered with trees. It’s amazing how huge it is.”
    â€œWait until you see what’s inside,” said Cody. “You’ll be knocked out.”
    The captain was knocked out all right. So were the other officers.
    â€œI’ve seen enough,” said the captain after he inspected the room with the animal stalls and the temperature-controlled rooms. He told the officers to watch the outside entrances. Then he marched into the office. There he found a public address system and flicked the switch.
    â€œAttention, all personnel,” he said. “This is Captain Montez of the federal police. Everyone here must walk into the yard and surrender to one of the officers. You will all be placed under arrest. Do not resist or try to run. My officers are guarding the entrances.”
    Soon they