"I have a confession to make," Luke went on.
"I knew it!" Maggie exclaimed. "You took those tickets, didn't you?"
"What?" Luke looked confused.
"No, wait. My confession is that I already saw Revenge of the Pirate's Ghost.
My uncle owns a movie theater in my hometown.
He held an early screening, and I got to go."
Henry was surprised. That wasn't the confession he'd expected!
"Wait," Henry said. "You already saw the movie? Why didn't you tell us?"
Luke shrugged. "I didn't want to give away any secrets about the plot.
Especially anything important, like Captain Green is actually the main pirate's brother . . . Oops!"
He clapped one hand over his mouth.
Then he pulled it away, looking sheepish.
"Don't tell Nathan I just said that, okay?
He's really excited to see the movie.
I don't want to ruin the surprise for him.
Sorry I just ruined it for you guys."
"It's okay, and don't worry, we won't tell Nathan," Cole promised while Henry and Maggie nodded.
"But does this mean you didn't take our booty?"
"Of course not!" Luke said. "Why would I do that? I'm not a thief."
He hurried to rejoin the others. Henry looked at Maggie and Cole.
"I guess Luke's innocent," he said.
"If he already saw that movie, he has no motive for stealing the tickets."
"Yeah," Maggie agreed. "Especially since his uncle owns a movie theater.
He can see any movie whenever he wants."
A few minutes later the whole group reached the town of Sea Cove.
Maggie hurried over to Anna and Luke, who were looking at the drawing.
Cole was about to go over there too. But Henry grabbed his arm.
"Look," he said, pointing to a shop nearby.
"Sea Cove General Store," Cole said, reading the sign on the front.
"That must be Anna's family's store."
"That's not all," Henry said. "Look at the initials—SCGS.
That's where Roger got that soda cup. Let's go find out!"
They hurried toward the store. When they got closer, Henry could see it wasn't just a store.
There was a sandwich shop, a catering business, and a soda fountain.
"Wow, Anna's family sure must be busy," he commented.
Cole didn't answer. He was looking in another direction. "Here comes William."
Henry looked and saw William walking toward them.
"Let's try to question him while he's alone," he whispered to Cole.
When William got closer, Henry smiled.
"Hi, William. Are your new shoes more comfortable?" he said.
They all looked down at William's feet.
He was wearing the same shoes he'd had on all day.
"I couldn't find my other sandals," William mumbled. "So I just left these on."
"Are you sure that's what happened?" Cole said.
"Or were you really hiding something in your room?"
"Hiding something? What do you mean?" William asked.
Henry elbowed Cole. Henry didn't want Cole to give away their suspicions.
But Cole ignored him. "Did you take those movie tickets, William?"
"What?" William looked confused. "Of course not! Why would I do that?"
"We don't know," Henry spoke up.
"But we've noticed that you don't seem very happy to have us here.
Maybe you changed your mind about inviting us."
"Yeah," Cole added.
"Maybe you're trying to ruin the treasure hunt so we'll leave early."
William looked upset. "No way!" he blurted out. "I'm glad you guys are here!"
"Then why have you been in such a bad mood all day?" Cole asked.
William sighed. "Sorry about that. It's because of my parents.
They're used to spending lots of money entertaining people for Dad's job.
I didn't want them to do that this weekend.
I just wanted us to have a fun, normal weekend at the beach." He shrugged.
"But they planned this whole expensive treasure hunt without even telling me!
I was afraid you'd all think I was showing off."
"Is that why you kept disappearing?" Cole asked.
William nodded. "I was trying to get them to tell me what else they have planned.
But they wouldn't tell me anything."
Henry could tell William was being truthful.
"Don't worry. We didn't think you were showing off."
"Yeah. The treasure hunt is fantastic." Cole clapped William on the shoulder.
"Anyway, we like you no matter what."
Henry nodded. "We don't care how much money your parents spend," he added.
"We came because you're our friend."
William looked relieved. "Thanks.
In that case I'll be in a better mood from now on," he promised.
"Good." Henry smiled. Then he realized something.
"This means we still don't know who took those tickets."
"Is Roger Redbeard still a suspect?" William asked.
"Because when I was leaving my house just now, I saw him lurking around outside!"