The Absent Author

Mr. Paskey shoos Dink and his three friends out of the store and locks up to go to lunch. The group go to Ellie’s Diner to use the phone so that Dink can call the airport. As they enter, Jimmy Fallon and his grandfather are leaving. Mavis asks to buy the children ice cream. Dink turns it down, though Josh orders green ice cream, which Mavis says is also her favorite. Dink feels guilty for Wallis Wallace’s disappearance. He also feels excited to be like a detective from one of Wallis Wallace’s books.

The airport confirms to Dink that Wallis Wallace was on Flight 3231 and that it did arrive on time at seven o’clock the previous night. Dink crosses out “airport” from the itinerary and tells his friends they need to find the taxi service. Ruth says that the taxi company is located by the river. On the way there, the children wonder why Mr. Paskey was so nervous and speculate that perhaps he kidnapped Wallis Wallace. Mavis says that detectives should consider every suspect. At the cab station, they ask whether one of the drivers met Flight 3132 at the airport.