Chapter 19

19 FRANK AND WATSON BIKE THE BACK ROADS OF MIDVILLE, AVOIDING any townspeople, hiding the Electro-Finger in a plain backpack. Klank follows right behind, propelling himself with semi-controlled bursts of his foot- jets, holding Klink and trying his best to look like some kind of completely not-dangerousto- anyone motorized vehicle. Frank and Watson park their bikes in the lot behind the Midville Police Department, and

all four hustle in the back door. They hear Police Chief Jacobs before they see him. "Ten-four! Unit One, report latest on the Midville Coal Plant!" BZZZZT BZZZZT. "Ten-four! Unit Two, report latest on the Midville Wind Farm!" BZZZZZT BZZZZT. "Well, find something! These power plants aren't wrecking themselves!" Frank and Watson step into police headquarters and see Chief Jacobs hunched over an old-fashioned microphone, directing police-radio traffic. "Oh, hey, guys," he says, and waves Frank and Watson over to an old green leather couch. "Take a load off. This day has started crazier than a fruitcake and busier than a cat in a full litter box!" Frank laughs. He remembers why Chief Jacobs and Grampa Al are such good friends.

Klank peeks around the corner. BZZZZZT BZZZZZT. "Yep... uh-huh... right... ten-four," Chief Jacobs says into the microphone. "And tell Klink and Klank to come in and make themselves comfortable. Or at least robot comfortable."

"What?" says Frank. "How did you know about Klink and Klank?" asks Watson. BZZZZZT BZZZZT. "Poetry Club. Your grampa and I talk." Klink rolls in and sits on the couch. Klank plops down next to him. "Frank Einstein and his merry band," says Chief Jacobs. "What can I do you boys for?" "Huh?" says Klank. "We might be able to help you, Chief," says Frank. "And you might be able to help us prove to the people of Midville that my invention"—Frank pulls the Electro-Finger out of his backpack—"is not dangerous." Chief Jacobs leans back in his swivel chair. "I heard all about the unfortunate elephant incident last night." "That wasn't the Electro-Finger's fault!" says Watson. "But everyone thinks it was," says the chief.

"I wish there was something I could do... some way you could show that the Electro- Finger does good, not harm. But I just don't—" BZZZZT BZZZZZT. The speaker squawks, "Ten sixty-seven, Chief! Ten sixty-seven! Caller says Midville Solar Array is being attacked by some kind of robot monster. Repeat—Midville Solar Array being attacked by a robot monster." Chief Jacobs jumps up. "Unit Three to the Midville Solar Array," he barks into his radio. "Unit Three to the Solar Array. Right now!" The radio beeps. "Um, we don't have a Unit Three, Chief. We only have two." Chief Jacobs yells at his radio. "Aw, dang it, Sergeant Susan! What are we supposed to do now?" Frank Einstein jumps off the couch. "We are on it, Chief!" "Great idea, Einstein!" says Chief Jacobs. Frank leads the charge out the back door.

"Come on, guys. Electro-Finger to the Solar Array's rescue!"