04-WHAT'S UP, COUSINKINS？

WHAT'S UP, COUSINKINS? Trap dumped his bags on my floor. Then he pulled the wrapper off a cheddar lollipop. "What's up, Cousinkins?" he asked, plopping into my chair. He put his paws up on my desk. Then he started picking his snout. "Do you mind?" I squeaked. I shook my head in despair. Did I mention Trap can be a complete slob sometimes? It's a wonder we are related! He pulled the LOLLIPOP out of his mouth and burped. "Well, somebody forgot

to take their anti-grouchy pill this morning," he smirked. He stuck his sticky lollipop in his pocket. Then he began cleaning his teeth with a toothpick. By this time, I had had enough. I slammed my paw on my desk. "Trap, can't you see we are busy?" I burst out. "We are working on a story about the PHANTOM in the subway. It's big news!" His eyes grew wide. "Big news, huh?" he muttered, deep in thought. Then he grinned. "Don't worry, Germeister. I can handle this one," he said. "Just sit back and watch a pro at work." Before I could squeak, he grabbed the phone and started dialing. "I've got friends in all the right places, you see," he explained. "Simpleton Smallpaw is the

nephew of the doormouse for the building where the head of the entire New Mouse City Transit Authority lives. Yep, Simp and I play checkers together every week at the Telltail Tavern." Seconds later, he was chatting away on the phone. First he told some awful jokes. Then he made some rude noises. Finally, he got down to business. "Listen, Simp, I'd love to blab all day, but I've got work to do. I need some info about that CAT in the subway," he said. Ten minutes later, he hung up. A big smile spread across his face. "I know everything!" he squeaked. "Am I GOOD or what?" I tried not to roll my eyes. After all, I wanted to hear Trap's information. Still, it wasn't easy. I wanted to knock his paws off

my desk. I wanted to throw his sticky lollipop out the window. But more than any of that, I wanted the scoop. I leaned forward. "Well?" I asked in my nicest voice. "What's the news?" Beside me, Thea grabbed her notebook, pencil in paw. But instead of spilling the beans, my cousin just snickered. He twirled his tail, looking smug. Uh-oh, I thought. When Trap gets that look, it can mean only one thing. Trouble with a capital T!