I can't believe we weren't caught. Someone heard us, but couldn't catch us, we were too fast. We're not on camera, because apparently the Mud Man likes his privacy.
"Slow down!" Capall panted.
So I stopped, right in the middle of the corridor.
"I can't believe it!" I say for the umpteenth time.
Capall rolled his eyes. "I know, you already said. I wanna know how and why he's here."
I don't answer right away, not until we're safely in Dad's office. Then I sit, feeling very professional.
"I don't know how. That's weird. But he was expected. Remember, Holly said, they've been expecting him for ages."
"Maybe it's one of Dad's experiments?"
"Yeah, like he wouldn't have told us all about it. Anyway, what's to experiment? He's a Mud Man."
Capall's eyes light up. "I know! I know who it is!"
"I doubt it. But go on, who do you reckon?"
He leans in. "Artemis Fowl," he whispers.
I gasp, and throw my arms around my big brother. "You're a genius!" I shriek.
"I might be wrong though," he warns.
But I'm beyond listening, I'm so excited. I'm babbling away, making no sense.
"Athena, shut up. You can't be my super-secret detective partner if you're going to get so loud all the time."
I shut up instantly. The word 'detective' has me hooked.
"We're gonna find out if we're right. And if we are, find out all the goss."
"Cool," I agree, in awe of my brother.
So we begin our hunt.