Kate and the Wyoming Fossil Fiasco (2 page)

Just a week and a half after the fossil fiasco, Kate’s father drove the family’s van to the entrance of Yellowstone National Park. He had agreed that after a week in Colorado, the Oliver clan would go to Wyoming so Kate could go to fossil camp. Talk about an answer to prayer!

As they entered the park, her father shook his head. “I still can’t believe you talked me into this.”

“But we’ll have so much fun!” Kate gave him an encouraging smile.

“You’re probably right.” He steered their van toward the campsite. They arrived moments later and worked together to unload and set up the family’s large tent.

“I want to go to fossil camp, too,” Dexter grumbled. “It’s not fair that Mom and Dad won’t let me.”

“Who knows? You may have an adventure of your own, here at Yellowstone,” Kate said. Leaning closer, she whispered, “You know there are bears here, right?”

“Bears?” He reached for the video camera and held it up. “If I see one, I’ll tape it! Maybe I’ll make a movie to

show my friends. I’ll call it … Un-bear-able! “

Kate laughed until her sides hurt. Suddenly she didn’t feel so bad about leaving Dexter here while she went to fossil camp.

An hour later, McKenzie’s family arrived. Kate smiled as her friend climbed out of their large RV. She could hardly believe how much older McKenzie looked. At thirteen, McKenzie was the second oldest of the Camp Club Girls. She was much taller than last time.

McKenzie wore her red hair pulled back in a ponytail and freckles dotted her cheeks. The freckles were the only thing Kate and McKenzie had in common. Well, the only thing except their faith and their love of crime solving!

“It’s so great to see you again!” McKenzie hugged Kate. Then she scratched Biscuit behind the ears. “And it’s supergreat to see Biscuit, too. I’ve missed you, boy!”

He rolled over on his back, begging for his tummy to be rubbed.

“Okay, you silly thing.” McKenzie laughed as she knelt to tickle his tummy. “I never could keep from spoiling you.”

The happy pooch rolled in the dirt, glad to get so much attention.

“I’m so happy your parents agreed to come!” Kate said. “Can you believe we’re really here?”

“No, but I’m so glad!” McKenzie looked up from tickling Biscuit’s tummy and grinned. “Oh Kate, we’ll have the best time in the world. Fossil camp. Can you believe we

actually get to go?”

McKenzie’s mother walked up. “I can’t believe we let you girls talk us into this,” she said.

After the Phillipses got settled in, the two families gathered around the campfire, where they roasted hot dogs and nibbled on potato chips. Kate ate her first hot dog then reached for another.

After eating hot dogs, they roasted marshmallows. Kate ate three in a row then smacked her lips. “Man! Those were good!”

“Tell us the whole story about why we’ve come to Wyoming, Kate,” Mrs. Phillips said. “What happened with your teacher at the museum, and what are you and McKenzie hoping to find on your adventure at the quarry?”

Kate put down her stick. “Well, my science teacher, Mrs. Smith, just got a new job at the Museum of Natural Science in Philadelphia. She’s a curator.”

“What’s a curator?” Dexter asked, looking up from his sticky marshmallow.

“A curator is the one in charge of the projects,” Kate explained. “She organizes the collections. Mrs. Smith was organizing the new fossil collection and it turned out to be fake.”

“Oh I see.” Dexter swallowed the rest of his marshmallow, licked his fingers, and went back to playing with his Gameboy.

“Tell us again how you found out they were fake,” Mrs. Phillips said.

“We were unpacking the fossils from their boxes when I accidentally spilled a glass of water on one of them,” Kate explained.

Mr. Phillips shrugged. “A little water shouldn’t hurt anything.”

“That’s just it,” Kate said. “The imprint began to melt and Mrs. Smith realized the fossils weren’t fossils at all. We looked closer and found out someone had forged them!”

“Out of sand?” Mr. Phillips asked. “I suppose that would be the obvious choice.”

“No.” Kate shook her head. “You’ll never believe it. Brown sugar!”

“Oh my.” Mrs. Phillips looked stunned. “Must be someone who really knows his or her fossils to disguise brown sugar that well.”

“Yes, a real pro,” Kate’s father agreed. “I think you girls need to keep your eyes open for people who have worked at the quarry a long time. Maybe you will find your suspect that way.”

“Maybe,” Kate said. “Or maybe the bad guy—or girl—doesn’t work at the quarry at all. Maybe it’s someone on the outside.”

“What makes you think that?” her mother asked.

“Sydney did some research and sent me a list of other quarries in Wyoming that compete with Stone’s Throw.”

“Oh I see,” her mother said. “Could be a competitor, trying to make Stone’s Throw look bad.”

“Exactly.” Kate nodded. “Sydney also sent me a bunch of information about the type of fossils found at Stone’s Throw and where they’re sold, so we have a lot of information to go on.”

“That’s why we have to go to the quarry,” McKenzie said. “To figure all of this out.”

“I just hope we can crack this case,” Kate said. “I don’t want Mrs. Smith to lose her job. I got an e-mail from her just yesterday. She said that the board members at the museum are holding a special meeting next week. Some of them are holding her responsible for this, but it’s not her fault. She had no idea those fossils were fake until I spilled the water.”

“Well of course she didn’t. How could she?” McKenzie asked. “It’s not like anyone goes around licking fossils or pouring water on them!”

“Still, we have to figure this out before that meeting,” Kate explained. “If so, we can save the day.”

“Remember, honey, only God can truly save the day.” Kate’s mother reached to give her a hug. “He uses us to touch others’ lives, but ultimately only He can work the miracles, not us.”

Kate nodded. “Thanks, Mom. Just keep praying, okay?”

“I will, honey.”

“And we will do what we can to help, too,” Mr. Phillips said. “Tomorrow, when we drop you off at the quarry for fossil camp, we’ll go on the tour. Maybe we can unearth

some helpful information.” He laughed and then slapped his knee. “Get it?
Unearth
some helpful information?”

Kate giggled.

“I’m sure McKenzie will be a big help to you, Kate,” Mrs. Phillips said. “She always has a way of digging deep to find answers.”

“Digging deep! That’s a good one!” Mr. Phillips slapped his knee again. “Man! We’re on a roll, aren’t we?”

Everyone had a good laugh. It made Kate feel terrific to know their parents were excited about this. Now, if only she and McKenzie and the other Camp Club Girls could actually solve this case in time for Mrs. Smith to keep her job … then all would be well!

The next morning, Kate’s dad drove the girls to Stone’s Throw Quarry, about an hour away from Yellowstone. Mr. Phillips went along for the ride. So did Dexter. Kate could hardly contain her excitement, not just about the camp, which started at ten o’clock, but about spending time with McKenzie, too. All along the way, she kept in touch with the other Camp Club Girls by sending text messages to keep them updated.

“Elizabeth says she’s praying for us,” Kate whispered to McKenzie.

“And Bailey says to have fun!” McKenzie added, looking up from her phone.

The girls giggled.

Just then, Kate received an e-mail on her wristwatch. She looked up at McKenzie, wide-eyed. “Sydney says to drink lots of water because we’re at a higher elevation.”

“Oooh, good idea.” McKenzie nodded. “If anyone would know about that kind of stuff, Sydney would.”

Kate typed a response to Sydney’s e-mail then sent it.

“There. I told her we would use sunscreen and drink lots of water.”

“Don’t you just love technology?” Kate’s father said. “Here we are, in the middle of Wyoming, and the girls can stay in touch with their friends all over the country by text messages or e-mails.”

“Oh, that’s nothing,” Kate said. “Just wait till tonight! We’re doing another Internet chat with our friends. It’ll be great. They’re all on the case.”

“I love it.” McKenzie’s father smiled. “Back when we were their age, we didn’t even have cell phones.”

“You didn’t?” Dexter looked at them, clearly stunned. “How did you talk to people?”

“Well for one thing, we spent a lot more time talking to the people we were actually with,” Mr. Phillips said. “If we had an emergency while driving down the road, we would stop and use a pay phone.”

“Pay phone?” Dexter shrugged. “What’s that?”

Kate’s father laughed. “Never mind, son. Just trust us when we say that times have changed.”

Dexter crossed his arms and leaned against the seat with a sour look.

Kate glanced his way, concerned. “Everything okay, Dex?”

“I just wish I could go with you to camp. You and McKenzie are going to have a lot of fun solving mysteries.”

“Maybe next time,” Kate said. She didn’t worry too much about her little brother. He would have a lot of fun at

Yellowstone. “Think of all the bears you’re going to see,” she whispered.

His eyes grew large.

When they arrived at the quarry, Kate looked around, surprised by what she saw. Or rather, what she
didn’t
see. To their right she noticed a boring-looking building and to the left, a parking lot. “Doesn’t look very exciting,” she said. “Pretty dull looking, actually.”

“Yeah.” McKenzie bit her lip and shrugged. “Hope we didn’t make a mistake in coming.”

“Looks can be deceiving,” Mr. Phillips said. “You might be surprised what you find hiding under rocks or bushes.” His wiggled his eyebrows and the girls laughed.

They got out of the car and Kate looked at her watch. “Looks like we’re right on time.”

“And it looks like we have just enough time to get you girls settled in before going on the tour,” Mr. Phillips said. He looked at Kate’s dad. “Are you game?”

“I’d love to go on the tour before we drive back,” Kate’s father said with a nod. “I’ve been working on a project with my robotics students back in Pennsylvania, and a trip to the quarry would help me think more creatively.”

The girls made their way to the building with their dads behind them. They followed the signs that read C
AMPERS
S
IGN
I
N
H
ERE
. As they joined a long line of other campers, the boy in front of Kate turned to look at her.

“You here for camp?” he asked, nudging up his glasses with his finger.

“Yes.” She nodded. “I’m Kate and this is McKenzie.”

“I’m Joel.” He gave them a nod, then raked his fingers through his dark, curly hair. “I come every summer. This is my favorite camp.”

“You go to other camps, too?” she asked.

“Sure.” He shrugged. “Math camp. Science camp. Band camp. But this is the best.”

“Well this is our first time,” McKenzie explained. “And we have a lot to learn.”

“I see.” His brow wrinkled. “Newcomers. Well, welcome. If you have any questions about fossils, ask me. I’m your guy.”

“He’s your guy all right,” McKenzie whispered in Kate’s ear. “Sounds like you two have a lot in common.”

“W—what?” Kate could hardly believe McKenzie would say such a thing!

McKenzie winked then looked from one to the other. Kate’s stomach fluttered. How embarrassing! She hoped Joel hadn’t heard. Or Dexter! He would tease her nonstop if he thought she was interested in a boy!

“You’re both very scientific,” McKenzie whispered. “And I’ll bet he would love your electronic gadgets.”

Thankfully the line moved forward. Before long a young man with a nametag that read C
ONNER
greeted them.

“Welcome, ladies! And you are …?”

“I’m Kate Oliver and this is McKenzie Phillips,” Kate said. “We’re first-time campers.”

“Welcome to the best fossil-tastic adventure ever!”

Conner said. “You girls are in for a real treat. Want me to help you get checked in?”

“Please,” McKenzie said.

He gave them each a clipboard. “Just fill out these forms for me. You can turn them back in here at the desk when you’re done.”

Kate nodded and took the paperwork, which she filled out lickety-split. McKenzie took a little longer. When they finished, they returned to the desk and Kate’s father paid her tuition. McKenzie’s father paid for hers as well.

“What about the tour, Dad?” Dexter asked. “You promised we could go!”

“There’s a tour starting in ten minutes,” Conner said. “I’ll be leading it.”

“How long does it last?” McKenzie asked. “Do we have time to go with our dads before camp starts?”

“Yes, it’s just a thirty-minute tour of the quarry, which is behind this building,” Conner said. “When you’re done, meet Megan at the bunkhouse, and she will get you settled in.” He pointed to a pretty young woman in her twenties with blond hair and a bright smile.

She drew near. “Did someone call my name?”

“I was just telling our new campers to meet you at the bunkhouse after the tour,” Conner said. “This is their first time at Stone’s Throw.”

“Welcome.” Megan extended her hand and Kate shook it. “I’m Megan Jenkins.”

“Megan’s father, Mr. Jenkins, owns the quarry,” Conner explained.

“That’s right.” Megan nodded. “I grew up just a couple of miles from here. Spent my childhood digging for fossils with my dad.”

Kate smiled at the pretty blond. “I’m Kate Oliver and this is my friend McKenzie.”

“We’re glad you could join us at fossil camp,” Megan said. “Enjoy the tour, and when you’re done, I’ll be at the bunkhouse to help you get settled in. We’ll be great friends!”

“Thanks.” Kate had a feeling she was right. They were going to be great friends.

The girls and their fathers walked to a sign with the words T
OUR
G
ROUPS
on it. Then they went on the tour, which Conner led. They started by touring the museum. Kate noticed a room near the front that was open to the public, but another behind it said E
MPLOYEES
O
NLY
. Curiosity got the better of her. She tiptoed to the door, slipping away from the others on the tour. Unfortunately, it was locked. She wouldn’t find out what was behind it. At least not today.

Next Conner led the way to the quarry’s closest excavation site. He talked to the group about some great fossils that paleontologists had found there, and told them about a few that he had found as a teenager.

“I used to love to come here as a kid,” he said. “There’s just something about this place that really gets under your skin.”

“Under your skin?” Dexter whispered, looking at his arms. “What does that mean?”

“He means once you come here you have to keep coming back … it’s that much fun,” McKenzie explained.

Dexter pouted.

Kate did her best to pay attention to Conner. He seemed like a great guy, and he certainly knew a lot about fossils! Maybe she could learn a few things from him.

When the tour ended, she hugged her father. “Dad, thanks so much for letting me come here. I’m going to have a blast.”

“You’re welcome, honey.” He smiled down at her. “It looks like you’ll be in good hands.”

Both girls said their good-byes, and then headed to the bunkhouse to join Megan. She greeted them with a broad smile and a bubbly “Hello!” Once inside, she led them to their room, where three other campers were unloading their backpacks. Kate sized them up. The tall one with brown hair was probably twelve or thirteen. The short one with red hair and freckles was probably ten. And the one with the blond ponytail? She looked like the oldest of them all … maybe fifteen.

Megan quickly made the introductions. She pointed first to the girl with the blond ponytail. “Kate and McKenzie, I’d like you to meet Lauren.” She gestured next to the blond. “This is Ginny.” Finally she pointed to the cute little redhead. “And this is Patti.”

Patti nodded. “Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, too,” Kate added. She couldn’t help but smile. Meeting these girls reminded her of that day at Discovery Lake Camp when she first met McKenzie, Bailey, Elizabeth, and the others. Camp was always such a great place to make new friends.

After a few pleasant words, Kate and McKenzie started unloading their things.

“Did you bring everything on the list?” McKenzie asked, opening her backpack.

Kate went through the items, one by one. “I’ve got my sunscreen and sun hat. Comfy clothes. Sleeping bag and pillow. Backpack. Gloves. Hiking shoes. Toothbrush. Toothpaste. Shampoo.” She looked at McKenzie. “Did I forget anything?”

“Yes!” Her friend looked shocked. “What about your gadgets?”

“Oh, I have all of those in this bag.” Kate lifted her backpack where she’d put all of the good stuff—her laptop, the digital recorder, the text-reader pen, and much, much more. “I’ve got a GPS system on my phone in case we get lost,” she said. “And I brought my laptop. I hope they let me use it.” She looked at Megan, who flashed a smile.

“Sure. Those things are fine. We’ve got no problem with technology at fossil camp. In fact, the people who run the place encourage the campers to use all the technology they can to learn more while they’re here. So Internet access is a plus.”

Kate nodded. “Speaking of the Internet, we hoped to have a video chat with some friends tonight on my laptop.” She gazed at Megan, more curious than ever. “Is that allowed?”

“As long as you do so before lights-out, it shouldn’t be a problem,” Megan said. “But trust me, if you girls get too rowdy after lights-out, that’s a different story.” She grinned. “I’m a pretty easygoing counselor, but I like my beauty sleep.”

Kate laughed. Megan didn’t look like she needed any beauty sleep. In fact, Kate couldn’t help but hope she’d look like Megan when she got older.

“I brought lots of snacks, too!” Kate said, opening another, smaller bag. She dumped out dozens of candy bars, cookies, and chips.

Kate quickly ate a candy bar and tossed the wrapper in the trash. Then she put all the rest of her snacks away for later. In the meantime, she listened as McKenzie and Megan kept talking.

“Are you bunking in here with us?” McKenzie asked.

“Yes,” Megan said. “And Conner bunks with the guys. If you need anything or have any questions, just ask.”

“So what happens first?” McKenzie asked, glancing at her watch. “It’s five after ten. Aren’t we supposed to be doing something?”

“Conner is going to meet us at the excavation site at eleven o’clock,” Megan said. “We’ll give the campers some instructions before we break for lunch. There’s a lot to learn before we begin.”

“I’m sure!” Kate laughed. “I feel like I don’t know anything about excavations!”

Lauren headed off with Ginny and Patti behind her. As they left their room, Kate glanced over and saw a Bible on Megan’s bunk. She looked at her counselor with a smile. “Megan, you’re a Christian?” she asked.

“I am.” Megan flashed a broad smile. “You are, too?”

“Both of us,” McKenzie said. “We met at a Christian camp awhile back.”

“I’m so glad to hear this.” Megan reached over and rested her hand on Kate’s shoulder. “I always pray that the Lord will send just the right people to fossil camp. Looks like you’re both here for a reason.”

“Oh, we came to solve a mystery,” Kate said. She quickly explained what had happened with the fake fossils, and Megan’s eyes grew wide.

“You’re saying the fossil plates that came from Stone’s Throw were fake?” She paused then added, “I wonder if my dad already knows. He’s been acting kind of down lately. This might explain it.”

Kate nodded. “Our friends, the Camp Club Girls, are trying to figure out who would forge the fossils … and why. And I need to do it before my teacher loses her job!”

“Wow.” Megan drew in a deep breath. “You really have a mystery on your hands, don’t you.” She paused once again. “But maybe the Lord has brought you here for more than that.”