The Monkey Howled at Midnight Read online

  For Philip and Dashiell

  STERLING CHILDREN’S BOOKS and the distinctive Sterling Children’s Books logo are trademarks of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.

  © 2011 by Dona Smith

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form of by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher.

  ISBN 978-1-4027-7913-8

  Sterling eBook ISBN: 978-1-4027-9805-4

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Norris, Zack.

  The monkey howled at midnight / by Zack Norris.

  p. cm. — (Double detectives)

  Summary: When twins Otis and Cody Carson, their father Hayden, cousin Rae Lee, and family friend Maxim go to the Amazon jungle of Brazil, they uncover a smuggling ring trafficking in endangered animals.

  ISBN 978-1-4027-7913-8

  [1. Smuggling—Fiction. 2. Endangered species—Fiction. 3. Rain forest animals—Fiction. 4. Twins—Fiction. 5. Brothers—Fiction. 6. Amazon River Region—Fiction. 7. Mystery and detective stories.] I. Title.

  PZ7.N7995Mo 2011

  [Fic]—dc22

  2010048187

  For information about custom editions, special sales, and premiumand corporate purchases, please contact Sterling Special Sales

  Department at 800-805-5489 or [email protected].

  Designed by Susan Gerber

  Lot #:

  2 4 6 8 10 9 7 5 3 1

  07/11

  www.sterlingpublishing.com/kids

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  [

  Chapter One ]

  The man known as “The Chameleon” smiled to himself. The nickname suited him perfectly. His moods changed as fast as a chameleon changes colors. He could go from friendly to nasty in seconds. He had a cold, cruel streak. That was why he was one of the most feared people in the business.

  What was his business? Smuggling. He didn’t care what was trafficked. Anything that could be marketed was fair game. He dealt in whatever was in demand. He was in business to make money.

  The Chameleon had become the most wanted smuggler in the world—and the most mysterious. Everyone was looking for him, and no one knew where to find him. He kept his identity hidden behind disguises and computer firewalls. His operation stretched over every continent.

  The Chameleon liked to wear clothing made from exotic animals. Right now he was wearing shoes adorned with the heads of extinct golden toads. Beside him was a cane encircled with a preserved snake, and around his neck was a very live python. His feet rested on a rug made from the skin of a rare ocelot. His umbrellas rested in a stand made from an elephant foot.

  His illegal business had made The Chameleon a rich man, but he wanted more. He was smiling to himself because he was going to get richer. His smile grew wider as he thought about all the money he would make.

  He was expanding his operation into an entirely new area. It was high profit and low risk. When he got things up and running he could double his money. The only hitch was in getting everyone to cooperate. His smile vanished. Nobody had better cause any problems. He was not a man to be crossed.

  [

  Chapter Two ]

  “The river looks like a giant snake twisting through a huge forest.” Otis squinted his brown eyes against the glare of the sun as he looked out the window of the airplane.

  “Niagara, o roar again,” said his twin brother, Cody. He pushed a lock of his brown hair off his forehead. “That’s not original, but I like it.”

  Otis wrinkled his freckled nose and looked at his brother. “Is that the best you could come up with? It spells the same backward and forward, so it’s a palindrome, and it’s about water. But we’re looking at the Amazon, not Niagara Falls. I mean, as a palindrome it kind of falls short in quality. It’s really all wet.”

  Cody groaned. “Ha ha—like those puns of yours are any better. Next time try a little harder.”

  “Amphisbaena,” their cousin Rae Lee piped up from the row ahead. She pronounced it AM-fiss-BEE-na. “It’s a different kind of palindrome.”

  “What?” Otis and Cody said together.

  Their father, Hayden Carson, and their all-around friend and helper Maxim Chatterton echoed the word. The multitalented Maxim had started out as their father’s agent and gradually became part of the family.

  Rae sat up straighter and tossed her short black hair. “It’s a mythical snake with a head at both ends of its body. I found it when I was looking through the dictionary and I memorized it for the trip. I figured Cody would have a palindrome about something and Otis would have a pun, so …”

  “The word isn’t a palindrome, but the snake is. Cool,” said Cody.

  “Awesome,” said Otis. The twins each turned to the window. They were all quiet for a while.

  Everyone in the group had been looking forward to the trip for weeks—especially the three 12-year-olds. It was summer vacation and they couldn’t wait to see the Amazon rain forest.

  Enrico Estevez, a wealthy Brazilian coffee merchant, had invited them to stay at his home in Manaus, Brazil. It was a city in the heart of the Amazon.

  Cousin Rae Lee had been asked along because she was so into everything about endangered animals. Months ago she had seen a program about them on television. She started doing research on the subject just about every day. Lots of endangered species lived in the Amazon rain forest.

  “Did I tell you that toucans are endangered?” Rae asked out of the blue.

  “Only about a gazillion times,” Cody replied. “Y’know, usually it’s Otis who gets obsessed with a topic, but when it comes to endangered animals you’re right there with him.”

  “You were pretty obsessed with that haunted pirate story when we went to Calavera Island,” Otis retorted. “What you’re really obsessed with, though, is talking. Blah, blah, blah, blah.” Otis chuckled.

  “Cut it out, you two,” said Rae. “What’s wrong with being interested in endangered animals, anyway?”

  “Nothing,” Cody replied. “I’ve got to admit, you’ve got me hooked on the subject. I know lots of endangered animals live in the rain forest—but I’m into finding out about all of the rain-forest animals. I know that even if you could see them all, there are so many that it would take months.”

  “That’s right,” Otis agreed. “There are about two thousand species of birds and mammals.”

  Rae began rattling off a list of animals. “Brazilian tapir, jaguar, pink dolphin, scarlet macaw, hyacinth macaw, toucan, three-toed sloth, golden lion tamarin, harpy eagle, manatee—they’re all endangered rain-forest animals. There are more, too, but those are the ones I remember.”

  “That’s a lot,” said Otis. He swallowed. “Hey, my ears are popping. How long before we touch down?”

  Maxim checked his watch. “Oh, should be about ten minutes now.”

  Mr. Carson cleared his throat.
“There will be a little extra surprise for you all,” he said. “I know you are going to ask me why I didn’t tell you before, but you would have been pestering me every day. All I’m going to tell you is that you’ll soon find out.”

  “Oh, come on, tell us,” Cody asked eagerly.

  “See what I mean?” said Mr. Carson with a mysterious smile. “You’d have been saying that every day for months. I’m not telling you. Not a chance.”

  When they stepped off the plane at the Eduardo Gomes International Airport in Brazil, they all felt as though they had suddenly been wrapped in a thick, soggy blanket inside and out. It was like no weather they had ever felt before.

  “The air smells different,” said Otis.

  “Tropical,” said Rae.

  “I hope you’ll get to visit the rain forest soon,” said Mr. Carson. “I probably won’t be going along with you, though. I think I’ll be busy painting for a while.”

  Mr. Estevez had hired Mr. Carson to paint his portrait. Hayden Carson was one of the most famous painters in the world. Everyone loved his work. Usually Mr. Carson liked to travel the world painting animals and nature, but he made pictures of people sometimes, too.

  Mr. Estevez had been looking for an artist to do his portrait. When he saw the picture Mr. Carson had done of Jamal Mason, the young movie star, he knew that he had found exactly the right painter. He contacted Maxim and made all the necessary arrangements.

  As the Carsons, Rae, and Maxim collected their luggage they saw a tall young man, about eighteen years old, coming toward them with long, sure strides. His eyes matched his black hair, and he had the broad shoulders of an athlete. He reached them quickly and held out his hand to Mr. Carson.

  “You must be Mr. Hayden Carson. I’ve seen pictures of you. I am Pino Estevez.” The young man smiled. “I’ve seen your paintings, too. My father has shown us a book of them. He even bought two paintings.”

  “Really?” Mr. Carson raised his eyebrows. “Which ones?”

  “Sunning Iguana and Skull Island Afternoon.”

  “The ones you did on Calavera Island, Dad,” said Otis.

  “I remember them very well,” said Mr. Carson.

  “So do I,” said Maxim. “I remember what happened on Calavera Island very well, too. I don’t want to have any mysteries on this trip.”

  The young man knitted his brows. “Mysteries? What kind of mysteries?”

  “It’s a long story,” said Mr. Carson. “Let’s not talk about it now.” He looked at Maxim. “Let’s just say that the mystery we got mixed up in on our last trip was enough to last a lifetime. We want to relax.”

  Pino took them to a shiny black Cadillac. “It’s my dad’s car,” he explained. “One of them, anyway. You’ll all enjoy the air conditioning.”

  As they drove, the twins and Rae took in the sights. Manaus was a very modern city, though there were some beautiful old buildings.

  “We live near the Teatro Amazonas, the opera house. It was opened in 1896. That was when Manaus was the rubber capital of the world. It’s coming up on your left.”

  Everyone turned to look at a beautiful pink building with white columns and a dome that glittered with dazzling blue tiles. It was surrounded by trees. A few seconds later the car turned into a driveway flanked by ornate metal gates. Pino pulled to a stop in front of a mansion that looked a lot like the pink opera house, only white.

  Everyone piled out of the car. The door of the mansion was opened by a gray-haired gentleman wearing dark trousers, a white shirt, and a black vest. There was a tiny monkey perched on his shoulder.

  “It’s a pygmy marmoset!” Rae exclaimed. “Oh, he’s so cute. He would fit in the palm of my hand.”

  The gray-haired man smiled. “Welcome to the Estevez home. I am Carlos Santos, head of the household staff. This little monkey is a she and her name is Anjo. It means angel.”

  He reached up and scratched the monkey’s chin. “You’re my little querida. My little bonequinha. My little sweetheart … my little doll. You know we speak Portuguese in Brazil, don’t you?”

  “Oh, yes, yes,” Rae and the twins said at once. They watched as two maids and three other servants came hurrying toward them.

  “Someone take their luggage to their rooms. Another one of you show the way to Mr. Estevez,” Carlos instructed.

  A tall, smiling man with white hair combed straight back from his forehead appeared. He was wearing a tailored gray suit and had a glittering diamond ring on the first finger of his right hand.

  “No need for that, Carlos,” he said. “Here I am. Welcome, Mr. Carson, family, and friend.” He beamed. “Come into my home.” He led the way.

  They all exhaled a long aahhh. The great entrance hallway had French doors that opened onto a garden, which exploded with colorful flowers. On the ceiling was a painting of the Amazon rain forest with animals peering out from behind trees and vines. The floor was marble.

  “I hope that you’ll all be comfortable here,” said Mr. Estevez. “There is a swimming pool a short walk down the path behind the house.”

  Cody, Otis, and Rae exchanged glances. This guy had a swimming pool in the middle of the city. Right in back of his house. Well, that was someone who could afford to fly an artist and his family from another continent because he wanted his picture painted.

  “I know we’ll all be very comfortable in your beautiful home,” said Mr. Carson.

  He was about to thank Mr. Estevez when the sound of a crash and breaking glass came from somewhere in the house.

  [

  Chapter Three ]

  They all followed Mr. Estevez, who hurried into the living room. A vase was shattered in pieces all over the floor.

  “I’m so sorry. It was an accident,” said a young man who was dressed in a blue T-shirt and cut-off jeans.

  The twins and Cousin Rae gaped at him open-mouthed. He had dark eyes and dark hair, just like Pino. In fact, he looked exactly like Pino.

  “There’s your surprise,” said Mr. Carson. “We’re staying with twins.”

  “I’m Luis Estevez,” said the young man. He glanced at his brother. “We decided that it might be fun not to let you know we were twins right away.”

  “Wow,” said Rae. “You guys are as much alike as Cody and Otis. I couldn’t tell you apart if you weren’t wearing different clothes.”

  “Their mother was the only one who could tell them apart,” said Mr. Estevez. He looked down at the broken glass on the rug. “I’ll have the butler clean this up,” he said. “Why don’t you all go out into the garden for lunch?” He opened the French doors and walked away.

  “I hope to talk with you about painting, Mr. Carson,” Luis called after them. “I’m a great fan of your work. I—”

  “Stop talking, change your clothes, and get downstairs right away,” Mr. Estevez said gruffly. There was something about the way he spoke that let them all know he was used to telling people what to do.

  In the garden, a long table was set for lunch. The variety of plants was dazzling. Orchids bloomed on the trees and ruby-throated hummingbirds and butterflies flew among the flowers. Mr. Estevez joined them. “I hope that you’ll enjoy a traditional Brazilian dish,” said Mr. Estevez. “It’s called feijoada.”

  “I know what it is,” Cody piped up. “I read about it. It’s smoked meat and seasoned vegetables with manioc and fruit. Manioc is a root, and it can be used like potatoes or flour.”

  “That’s right, Cody. I hope you will enjoy it. To drink we have some tropical fruit juices—guava or passion fruit.”

  “This sure beats airplane food,” said Otis.

  Mr. Estevez laughed. “After lunch we can take a little tour of the city museums.”

  “Can we go to the rain forest soon?” Cody blurted out. “I’m sure the museums are nice but we’ve been reading all about the rain forest.”

  “Oh, Cody, really,” said Maxim reprovingly. “Mr. Estevez has made plans for us. Don’t be rude.”

  “No, no, it’s quite
all right,” said Mr. Estevez, smiling. “You can go with my sons. They’re certified rain-forest guides. How about tomorrow?”

  “Great!” Cody said, grinning broadly at Otis and Rae.

  Pino turned to Luis. “I have some business to take care of tomorrow. I think you’d rather go anyway, wouldn’t you?”

  “Uh—sure,” said Luis. “I can ask Aldo to go along with me. He’ll be coming to the museums with us.”

  “Aldo is a fellow Pino and Luis met while they were training to be rain-forest guides,” Mr. Estevez explained. “He’s become quite a good friend.”

  “Such a good friend, Aldo,” Luis muttered.

  Mr. Estevez’s cell phone chimed. He answered, and they saw his face become redder and redder as he listened. “I’m not selling you my land. I told you several times before,” he said through clenched teeth. “I’m not letting you turn more of the rain forest into a cattle farm!”

  He ended the call and shoved the phone into his pocket. “I own many acres in the Amazon rain forest,” he explained. “I think the land should remain as it is. But someone is always after me to sell it, including my own family.”

  “I don’t think it would be such a bad idea, Dad,” said Luis. “We could use the money for—”

  “Stop!” Mr. Estevez threw down his napkin. “I have enough money and I’m not selling land so that Pino can throw his life away. Usually he is the one bothering me about selling land. I don’t need you starting in on me, too.” He glared at Luis, then at Pino.

  A hush fell over the table. The silverware clanged as everyone ate in silence.

  “This lunch is delicious,” said Maxim finally. “My compliments to the chef.”

  “I just remembered that I forgot to wash my hands,” said Rae. “Can I go do it now?”

  “Go right ahead.” Mr. Estevez smiled at her.

  She left the table and Mr. Estevez looked around at the others. “I’m sorry I lost my temper,” he said, “but the idea of selling my land always annoys me. I have to fend off offers nearly every day. This cattle baron was practically threatening me.”