I tried texting him back, but all of my attempts failed to send. I stood there on the street in shock. I couldn't believe it had happened again. First Stevie, now Bones. And why would Bones send me a text about some stupid detective show from the '70s . . . in the middle of being kidnapped!

     I looked around the Circle and saw a couple of police officers walking up the subway stairs. I thought for a second about going to them for help, but I knew they wouldn't believe a word of what I said.

     I could only imagine how the conversation would go. "You see, officer, this phone has an app for time travel and these guys from China are looking for it so they kidnapped my best pal who, oh by the way, has cancer." I was better off telling it to the hot dog guy.

     Then it hit me. The text: Columbo. Bones wanted me to go back and investigate the scene, just like we did when Stevie was kidnapped . . . and we ended up in Annie's living room with her coming down the stairs and being not only the prettiest but the coolest girl ever . . .

     "Hey, kid . . . you okay?" The police officer startled me out of my daydream.

     I nodded and started walking back to the hot dog stand, where the blue dot had started flashing. It was a giant crime scene—all of Central Park—but I had to start somewhere.

     Challenge Question!

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