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“THERE’S A TELEVISION IN THE MIRROR?” Marco gasped. “Wallace, you didn’t say your apartment had a TV in a MIRROR.”

Wallace looked dumbstruck.“I DIDN’T KNOW!” He scrambled up onto the counter and pressed his face to the mirror.

Butterbean stood up and peered into the tub. There were way more bubbles than there should’ve been. “Is this a Jacuzzi?”

“WHAT?” Wallace said, looking wildly between the mirror TV and the tub. And he thought he’d been living it up by watching movies on the couch.

“It’s the News!” Oscar said, staring at the mirror in awe. “In the BATHROOM.”

Jerome turned up the volume.“… no ransom demands have been made. Zoo officials say that while it’s true that Mr. Wiggles has escaped before, this time there have been no signs of him. And with the mayor’s ceremony and Mr. Wiggles’s next big prediction scheduled for just days from now, time is running out. I’m Cathleen Carlson, Channel Seven News.”

Jerome clicked the remote off and tossed it into the sink with a clatter.“Let them worry.”

“What’s the mayor’s ceremony?” Butterbean asked.

Jerome floated on his back.“Some stupid thing. I’m supposed to pick the winner of something or other. Who can remember? They can manage without me.” He glared at them all. “Now if you don’t mind, I’m trying to take a bath.”

“Of course.” Oscar bowed again at Jerome. Butterbean had never seen him bob up and down so much. “Forgive the intrusion.”

Walt cleared her throat and shot Oscar a significant look.“Except…”

Oscar blushed and looked uncomfortable.“We’ll see ourselves out.”

“Oscar?” Walt lashed her tail. “Except…”

Oscar stared at the floor.“Except one tiny thing.” He spoke slowly, like each word was painful to say. “We’re really not set up for celebrity octopuses here. This is Mrs. Third Floor’s apartment. She’s… well, she’s a tad bit upset.”

“She’s FREAKING OUT,” Wallace said.

“You need to leave,” Walt said firmly.

Jerome rolled his eyes.

“Chad lives upstairs,” Walt started. “Why don’t you—”

“He can’t stay with me,” Chad said.

“Nope, no can do,” Jerome said at almost the same time.

“You heard the News. They really miss you at the zoo. The whole city is worried sick,” Oscar said. “It might be a good idea for you to go back.” He couldn’t believe he was saying this. The one time he’d met a real life celebrity and he was telling him to go away. “Something to consider.”

Jerome shook his head.“Nope, sorry. I’m staying right here.” He patted Oscar on the foot. “But look, since it’s so important to you, I’ll be good. No more messes, okay? I promise.”

Oscar looked doubtful.“Really?”

“Sure,” Jerome said. “Why not?”

Oscar shifted and looked to Walt, who shrugged. It’s not like they could make him leave. “I’m sure it’ll be fine,” he said to Walt. “He promised.”

Walt snorted.

“We should let him take his bath. Give him privacy,” Oscar said. He didn’t meet anyone’s eyes as he turned and hopped out of the bathroom.

“I’ll have my assistant get you a signed photo. Love you!” Jerome called as the others followed.

“STOP CALLING ME YOUR ASSISTANT.” They could hear Chad’s voice as they trudged off down the hallway.

“I think the sleepover is over,” Walt said. “Any objections?”

No one objected.

Oscar nudged Walt.“You don’t understand. That was MR. WIGGLES.”

Walt bumped his side with her head (almost knocking him over in the process).“I get it. And it’ll be fine. He’ll probably keep a low profile from now on.”

As they opened the door to head back to Mrs. Food’s apartment, a burst of music blared from the direction of the bathroom.

“Low profile starting tomorrow,” Walt corrected herself.

Oscar just hoped she was right. He didn’t want to think of what would happen if she wasn’t.

— 8 —

GETTING BACK TO MRS. FOOD’S apartment was a lot easier than they had expected. The hard part was waking up the next morning. At least, Butterbean thought it was morning.

“Come ON, Butterbean!” Madison whispered. “Wake UP!”

Butterbean opened one eye. It was dark. She shut it again. Definitely still time for sleep.

“Come on, dog! Don’t you want to go ghost hunting?” Madison asked, shaking Butterbean again. “It’s a secret adventure!”

“WHAT?” Butterbean’s eyes snapped open.

“WHAT?” Oscar fell off his perch. He’d had a hard time getting to sleep after all the excitement and couldn’t help but listen in.

It was definitely still nighttime, but Madison was dressed and moving around quietly in the dark. A secret ghost-hunting adventure could only mean one thing.

“Oh no!” Butterbean yelped, sitting bolt upright. “JEROME!”

“Good girl!” Madison said, patting Butterbean on the head. “We’re going to check out that apartment for ourselves. Find out the truth!”

“OSCAR!” Butterbean yipped. She didn’t know what to do. Madison wasn’t supposed to be a ghost hunter too.

“Walt!” Oscar croaked, shakily climbing back up onto his perch. “Alert! Help!”

Madison felt around on Butterbean’s collar to find the place to clip the leash. “You heard what they said. Animals are good protection against evil spirits. So you need to come too, just in case.”