Free Capture the Flag by Kate Messner Page B

said. “I’m in.”
    â€œIf being in means you wish to be of help,” Sinan said, “then I am in, too.”
    Anna put a hand on his shoulder. “That’s good, and we’ll come get you in the morning to help. Right now, your parents are looking for you.”
    Sinan’s mother had spotted him and was making her way through the crowd. “There you are!” She pulled Sinan into her and kissed the top of his head. “It has been a long day, hasn’t it, jaanu ?”
    Sinan squirmed and made the same face Anna made when her mother called her honey bear . She guessed jaanu probably meant something like that.
    â€œLet’s get you a snack and a pillow.” Sinan’s mother took his hand and nodded to José, Henry, and Anna. “Thank you for being a friend to our boy today.”
    They had taken only three steps when Sinan tripped over something and there was a loud squeak.
    â€œMr. Squeaky!” It was the rubber clown toy, so well loved that its nose had faded from red to pink with white rubber flecks. Sinan’s eyes filled with tears as he picked it up. “Hammurabi will never be able to sleep without Mr. Squeaky.” He looked around, but the security guards who had taken the dog were long gone. “Excuse me,” he asked an officer who was leaning up against the keyboard. “Do you know where I can find my dog? He needs this.”
    â€œYou people are staying right here,” the officer growled.
    Sinan started to argue. “You don’t understand. He will be —” But his mother pulled him away.
    â€œOh, my Sinan … Hammurabi is named for a brave king. He will be all right. And he will have his Mr. Squeaky back tomorrow.” Sinan’s mother took his hand — the one that wasn’t clutching the rubber clown — and started to lead him away.
    â€œWait!” Sinan tugged away from his mother. He squeezed the clown slowly, and it let out a long, high, wheezy noise. Sinan sighed. “I have to go to the bathroom first.” He pointed toward the restrooms next to the frozen yogurt stand.
    â€œBe quick.” His mother kissed his head.
    â€œI will see you tomorrow.” Sinan waved to Anna, Henry, and José, then gave the clown one last squeak and walked away.

The eleven o’clock news was on when they got back to Gate B-16. José’s father was in front of the television, listening to the end of a flag update.
    â€œDad,” José said, “have you heard —”
    â€œShhh!” His father’s eyes were red, his smile gone.
    â€œAnd finally,” the news announcer continued, “there’s still no sign of Vincent Goosen, leader of the infamous art-theft gang known as the Serpentine Princes. Police are asking anyone with information about his whereabouts to call their tip line immediately, but do not approach this man. Goosen and the other gang members are known to be armed and extremely dangerous. We’ll keep you updated.”
    A commercial came on, and José’s dad turned to them.
    â€œSorry,” he said. “I’m just … exhausted. And worried about Mom. Did you get dinner?”
    José nodded. “I’m all set. Any news?”
    Mr. McGilligan took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. “They’re — the police are still … interested in her as a suspect. They’re holding her for now.”
    â€œIn jail ?” José’s mouth hung open.
    â€œAt the police station. They say she’s the last person who had access to the flag — apparently, she did a final check on it late last night, after the party — and they keep asking her if she saw anyone else, anyone suspicious.”
    â€œDid she?”
    Mr. McGilligan shook his head. “Nope. She said the chamber was quiet — blissfully quiet after the big shindig.”
    â€œMr. McGilligan.” Anna couldn’t hold back. “We actually