The Triceratops Pops Mystery by David A. Adler Page A

look on the back of the card. There’s a smiling hen sitting on an egg. In the egg is the number 125-98976. That’s the number of the card.”
    â€œYou’re right,” Eric said. “You have an amazing memory.”
    Cam has a photographic memory. She remembers just about everything she sees. It’s as if she has photographs stored in her head.
    Cam’s real name is Jennifer. When she was a baby, people called her “Red” because she has red hair. But when they found out about her amazing memory they began calling her “The Camera.” Soon “The Camera” was shortened to “Cam.”
    â€œThere was money inside the card,” Cam said. “Aunt Molly wrote that I should buy myself something for my birthday. That’s why I’m looking for the music store.”
    Someone in a rabbit costume gave Eric a flyer.
    â€œThank you,” Eric said to the rabbit.
    Eric read from the flyer. “Hoppy news! There’s a pajama and sock sale at Benders.”
    Cam started walking quickly through the shopping mall. Eric had to hurry to keep up.
    â€œLet’s get pajamas, or a pair of Jason’s sneakers,” Eric said, “or some of Mama Minnie’s ice cream. I love ice cream with sprinkles.”
    Cam said, “No, I want to get the new Triceratops Pops CD. I heard one of the songs. It was great.”
    â€œI’d rather have ice cream,” Eric said. “Close your eyes,” he told Cam, “and imagine strawberry ice cream covered with chocolate syrup. Now imagine red, blue, yellow, and green sprinkles sinking into the syrup. On top of all that are walnuts, sliced almonds, and pecans.”
    Cam closed her eyes. She imagined Eric’s ice cream sundae. And she walked right into a man carrying two large shopping bags. Apples and oranges fell from one of the bags.

    Cam opened her eyes and said, “I’m sorry.” Then she and Eric chased after the rolling fruit and returned it to the man.
    Cam told Eric, “I’m not imagining ice cream anymore. It only gets me into trouble. I’m looking for the music store. We have to hurry. My dad said he’ll meet us by the bank in an hour.”
    Now Eric’s eyes were closed.
    â€œI’m imagining the ice cream,” Eric said. “And it’s delicious.”
    Eric walked into a sign.
    â€œExcuse me,” Eric said to the sign.
    â€œKeep your eyes open and watch where you’re going,” Cam told him.
    Cam and Eric walked past a jewelry store, a candy shop, and a pet store. Then Cam said, “There’s the music store. And they’re having a sale, too.”

Chapter Two
    C am ran to Ernie’s Everything in Music and Video store. She was about to go in when Eric yelled, “Stop! You’re going in the wrong way.”
    Cam stopped. She looked at the gate. It was clearly marked EXIT. Near the bottom of the gate were two tiny red lights.
    Cam turned around and walked back to Eric. “That gate has an alarm,” Cam told Eric. “Each CD and tape in the store must have a magnetic strip on it. If you go through the gate without taking off the strip the gate beeps. When you pay, they take off the strip so you can get out without setting off the alarm.”

    Cam and Eric walked in through the entrance. It was a big store with lots of departments. The store was crowded with shoppers.
    Cam stood by the entrance and looked around. Near the front of the store videotapes of movies and old television shows were displayed. Above them were a few television screens showing scenes from some of the tapes on sale.
    Eric said, “Let’s buy a movie tape.”
    Cam shook her head and said, “No.”
    â€œThen let’s buy some blank tapes,” Eric said. “We can tape television shows that are on while we’re in school.”
    â€œLook,” Cam said. “There’s a map of the store.”
    Cam went to the