The next day...

"Morning, guys! Who want's pancakes?"

Buddy walked into the lodge's main room where Evelyn and I were putting our coats and boots on.

"As much as I'd really like some right now, Buddy, We gotta get ready for when Paul gets here. The last thing we need is for someone to panic."

"OH NOOOOOOOO! EVERYBODY PANIC!"

Uh oh, that sounded like Nova's voice.

After Buddy quickly put his winter wear on, the three of us rushed out of the lodge's front door to see what was up.

When we were outside, we saw Professor Nova, Beebee, and Agent Vic next to a ski rack. The problem was, the skis and snowboards on it were broken into pieces.

And from what Nova said, I don't think those were the only things.

"Who did this to my lodge?! The ski racks, trash cans, even the hot tub! Destroyed!"

"Oh wow, look at all this stuff! A yeti so did all this damage!" said Vic, "Yeah, you'd have to be pretty strong to break this stuff. And everyone knows yetis get all smashy when they're mad."

"No, I refuse to believe that." said the professor.

Then, Agent Rosalyn and a male walked into the scene.

He was blonde with white skin and had on a white shirt under a green argyle sweater vest, some brown khaki pants, and some slightly darker brown shoes. Something tells me he's rich. I really hope I'm wrong, because every rich person I meet is always snobby, spoiled, and selfish.

"Well then, you should probably listen to this." Rosalyn said.

The guy then said, "I was attacked by a yeti! It was awful! I barely escaped with my life!"

"What?! Preston?! Where was he?!" That came from Vic.

Wait, this is Preston?

"Prezzy!" Beebee said before going next to her boyfriend.

"I found him lying in the snow in front of one of the ranger's station."

"Oh! Oh, Preston, you're back! *hugs Preston* Oh, Prezzy-wezzy, I was so worried!" "Yeesh."

Call it a hunch, but I don't think Preston isn't that fond of Beebee.

"Can we do this later, Beebee? I'm a little busy right now." Beebee let him go then giggled a bit. Preston continued to the agents, "So anyway...There's a big, terrible yeti up in the mountains! He dragged me away yesterday, but I managed to get away when he wasn't looking."

"That's...That's..." "AWESOME!" Vic interrupted Nova, "(to Preston) Hey, did you happen to get a sample of his fur or saliva?"

"This doesn't make any sense, Aaron." Evelyn said to me.

"Yeah, I didn't see Preston anywhere near Paul's cave yesterday. Something's amiss, and I'm not sure I like it."

Then, Nova and Preston started going back and forth.

"This lodge is dangerous! You've got a yeti infestation! You should be shut down!" "Hmph. Yetis are the noble gentlemen of the north! If you made one mad, it must be because of something you did!" "That beast almost tore me apart! He should be destroyed!"

"Hey, guys! What are we talking about?"

We all turned to see that it was Paul who just arrived and said that.

Well,...this is awkward.

"...What?!" "He's beautiful!" "Eww! Somebody taze it!" That came from Preston, Nova, and Beebee in that order, if you're wondering.

Nova went up to Paul and said, "Majestic creature, I bring you greetings! We are all your friends! You are welcome here!"

Rosalyn then came over and said, "*pulls out handcuffs* Yeah, you're under arrest."

"Hey, Rosalyn...C'mon!" said Vic.

"Yeah, I don't think that's necessary, Agent." I said, "I know I just met Paul yesterday, but I know he didn't do any of this."

"Well, I've got the key to the handcuffs right here when you can actually prove that this creature is safe."

Nova jumped in, "Please, Aaron, you must rescue this beautiful beast!"

"Wait, what just happened?" said Paul who had shackles on his wrists.

"Aaron, this is awful!" Evelyn said, "I can't talk to Paul as long as he's in custody!"

"Hang in there, Evelyn. We'll help him.

Alright, the big question now is: Who vandalized the chalet?

I say we start off by asking Paul his side of the story.

I walked up to the yeti and said, "Paul, do you know anything at all about what happened here?"

"I sure don't. I took your advice and showed up here this morning to explain my story. The next thing I know, I'm in cuffs!"

"Well, do you at least have an alibi?"

I took Wolfah for a walk this morning."

"Wolfah? Oh, the wolf. He's yours?"

"Yep, but I don't think he'll be able to vouch for me."

"Yeah, wolves probably don't make the best alibis."

"Or the best house- Er, cave-pets. He's quite loyal, but all that howling is distracting, especially during my 'stories'."

"Okay, well, what about Rosalyn? You know why she thinks you're guilty?"

"Besides the fact that I'm a frightening yeti? Perhaps, it has something to do with...with my past."

"Your past? Is there anything besides what you told me yesterday that might help?"

"Everything before I came here is kind of vague. The last thing I remember was feeling very angry and...a fight of some sort."

"Okay, I'll talk with Rosalyn and see what else I can find out."

I was about to walk to her, but before I did,

"Oh, and Paul, sorry about...all of this."

"Thanks, Aaron. I don't think this is your fault, nor can I really blame the others. I'll probably lock me up as well."

Now that that's said, went over to Rosalyn and asked about Paul's past, her reply was, "This isn't the first time I've heard of Paul Wiesin-, Wisenow-, Paul W.. He's been on the agency's radar for years."

"Is he wanted for something?"

"Oh, yes! He destroyed a lab years ago in a rage. Then, he disappeared. *smirks*It looks like justice finally caught up with him."

"You sure? Because Paul's a nice guy. I have a lot of doubt about him destroying anything, let alone an entire lab."

"Just check the agency records. You can access them from the lodge computer...assuming Paul didn't destroy them!"

Rolling my eyes, I turned to go back to lodge and use the computer and see what I could find.

Okay, bad news: The records show proof of Paul wrecking stuff before, so that's a mark against Paul.

There's gotta be something I'm not seeing.

Wait, 'seeing'.

I pulled out my magnifying glass to look for stuff in the snow. I started with the ski lift next to the lodge.

Wait, what the-? There's two sets of different big footprints. One of them is Paul's, but the other's? I don't know.

I followed Paul's footprints and they led to the hot tub, which is empty and only has a little bit of water in it. Hmm...

"*calls Roxie on phone* Hey, Rox, could you analyze this water? It could help out with this case."

I pressed a few buttons and analyzed he water on my phone after a bit of time,

"I found traces of fur. Yeti fur, to be exact. Paul's yeti fur, to be overwhelmingly precise." "Ah. Thank you, Roxie. *hangs up*"

That's two against Paul now. His yeti fur's in the hot tub. This ain't good.

Sorry, I had to ask Paul about the hot tub.

Turns out he likes to use it at night. When you think about it, a hot tub soak during out in the cold and snow is not a bad idea.

Anyway, I started following the other set of footprints. They led into the trees, and- Whoa! Almost tripped on something. Something's in the snow.

I dug in it and found, a broken baseball bat? I'll have to ask Nova about this bat, I saw a few in the shop at the lodge.

I continued to follow the prints and they led up the mountain, through the gate, and all the way to one of the old ranger stations. The prints were only visible on the snow, so I think someone went in, but how? The door's boarded up.

Ooh, I see a way.

I climbed up some crates and got onto the roof. I used my crowbar and cleared away the ice blocking the chimney, then went down it.

Looking around the inside, this place looks pretty much deserted. I then noticed a trapdoor in the middle of the cabin. It was stuck, so I pried it open with my crowbar.

When it was open, I looked inside before going inside.

Not too long later...

I came out through another trapdoor. It was not easy going through that abandoned salt mine, let me tell ya.

Anyway, it looks like I'm in the other ranger station, the one by the gate up the mountain.

Let's see what's around here. Empty water bottles, notes-

Wait, is that? It is! I found a yeti costume. That explains the other yeti tracks! Someone must've dressed up as a yeti and wrecked the place to frame Paul!

Bach at the lodge...

I made it back to ask Professor Nova if she recognized the bat while showing it to her.

She responded, "Of course! Those are novelty baseball bats that we sell here to support our off-season minor league baseball team: the Yetis!"

"Well, have you sold one to anyone recently?"

"Hm...Not that I can recall. But we sell lots of these bats, so I imagine anyone could have found a spare one somewhere on the mountain."

"*sigh* Well, that doesn't help at all. Now how am I gonna find out who wrecked the hot tub?"

"Oh, if they destroyed the hot tub, you could probably just review the security camera footage."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, you're telling me you have a security camera?!"

"Yes, it's up on the roof. I had it installed by Secureroom last year, but they never taught me how to use it!"

"I'll take a look. Thanks, Nova."

I made my way outside and onto the lodge's roof. I hacked into the camera and took a look.

Nothing yet, nothing yet, no- Hey, wait a minute!

Some yeti's whacking the hot tub with the bat! It's not Paul, but it looks like a yeti! Someone was in the costume! But who? And why would they vandalize the chalet? I just need a little bit more information.

I came back to the lodge and decided to ask Preston if he knows anything. He said that the 'yeti' attacked him, he has to know something.

When I asked him he said, "How would I know? I just got away from the yeti! I was in his cave all night and all day!"

"You were held prisoner in Paul's cave?"

"Yeah! It was scary and empty and dark! He knocked me out and ripped my shirt!"

I see two things wrong with his claim.

"Okay, A: You sure you were in his cave? I was there yesterday and you weren't there, and it was neither empty nor dark."

"Wait...what? You were in its cave? Maybe there are two yeti caves on the mountain!"

"The summit only had one. How'd you escape again?"

"The yeti tied me up, but when it went out sometime this morning I managed to loosen the ropes and run down the mountain."

"Eh, I guess I'll buy that...for now. Alright, B: You said the yeti ripped your shirt, but it looks fine. Did you change it?"

"Well, yeah! I wasn't going to show up looking like that! I stuffed the ripped shirt into my luggage before I ran out to warn everyone."

"You won't mind if I check out the shirt, would you? It's just to confirm your story."

"No! I don't have to show you anything! The yeti is the threat here, not me!"

"Alright, alright. I'll find something without your help."

As Preston walked away, I made sure he was out of sight before going to his luggage.

Hey, I said I'd find something without his help, I never said what I'd be finding.

Looking in Preston's suitcase, I didn't see a ripped shirt. But what I did find was a financial ledger. What the? Preston is the C.E.O. of a water bottling company? So he is rich. Huh.

Wait a second! I saw this brand on the water bottles in the ranger station! Preston's tied in with this somehow.

I closed the case before going to Preston and asking him about it, to which he replied, "Water bottles? Did you go through my luggage? How dare you!"

"Hey, I'm an agent. I'm just looking for the truth."

"What? Well, yeah! I do run a bottled water company. Who doesn't?"

Most of the world's population. Who wants to own a bottled water company?

"Thanks for your time, Preston." I said before walking away.

I then noticed Beebee sitting by the fireplace. I walked over to her and asked, "Hey, Beebee, you know anything on Preston's water bottling company?"

"Of course! Prestie's going to be a water bottle king! He's already started building an empire."

"Wait, 'empire'? He already has a bunch of factories?"

"Yes, but he's looking to build one more right at the source! He wants to find a snow-capped mountain where clean water flows."

"Like...this place?"

"Maybe? All I know is that Preston keeps all of his real estate paperwork in his car."

"You don't say. Thanks, Beebee."

I made my way outside and to the mountain's parking lot.

I looked in a car, and by beginner's luck, it turned out to be Preston's.

There's a deed on the dashboard; Preston owns all the land around the chalet! It's all making sense now!

Time to prove Paul innocent.

I got Buddy and Evelyn to gather everyone outside the lodge after explaining what really happened. I also had my sunglasses on.

"Agent Rosalyn Marshall, we've got your proof. You'll have to let Paul go."

"WHOOOOOOOOOO! IN YO' FACE! " Nova went. She then realized, "Ooh, sorry. Go ahead, Aaron."

"Thank you, Professor. (to everyone) Preston was not missing at all. He was hiding out in one of the ranger stations the whole time."

"Aaron found out from the security footage that a baseball bat was used to attack the lodge." Buddy said.

"But that footage also showed a yeti destroying Professor Nova's property." Rosalyn said, "A yeti that left yeti tracks."

"First off, let's be real. A yeti wouldn't need a baseball bat to smash a hot tub. He would just use his fists."

"And besides, yetis hate baseball. They're more into cricket." Buddy said.

"That's true." Paul confirmed.

"That aside, secondly, the more important thing is that the other pair of yeti tracks were made by some boots. *looks at Preston* Someone was dressed as a yeti to make fake prints."

"Ha! You can't prove that it's my yeti costume!"

"We could make you put it on to make sure it fits." Buddy said.

That made Beebee giggle and coo, and Preston replied in a nervous tone, "Oh, um..."

"Put the costume on, Preston." I said, handing him said costume.

After he shook his head, I raised an eyebrow. That combined with the sunglasses was enough to make him change his mind.

"...Fine"

He took the costume and put it on.

"A perfect fit!" Buddy said, while Preston looked away embarrassed and annoyed.

"Not a very good likeness, though..." Paul said.

"Oh, Preston, don't you look adorable?" his girlfriend said.

Seeing no more reason to wear the costume anymore, Preston tugged on the zipper to get it off, but he couldn't. He pulled harder, but the zipper was stuck.

"Oh, great, now I can't even get it off!"

Beebee didn't seem to mind.

Vic then said, "Wow! Nice sleuthing, Aaron! But why'd he do it? What did Preston have against Nova's lodge?"

"I think it has something to do with this." I pulled out the deed from earlier and said, "This deed proves that Preston recently purchased all of the surrounding land in these mountains. Well, all but the chalet.

If Nova's lodge had to be shut down suddenly, like by yeti attacks for example, it'd be a lot easier to get all the land in this area."

"And what exactly were you going to do with my lodge once you had it?!"

"...Bulldoze it and build a bottled water factory."

Everyone was silent before Paul said, "Well that's just tasteless."

"I think it's fantastic! You're so amazing, Preston!" Beebee said.

How'd she fall in love with him again?

"Well, I guess you've solved the case, Aaron. We'll let the yeti go right away." Rosalyn said before going to Paul to set him free.

And Vic said to Preston, "And Preston, you'll be paying for all of the damage you did to this lodge."

"Aww...but daddy said if I borrow any more money, he'll cut me off!"

"(sarcastic tone) That's awful. No, seriously, you're breaking my heart here. (normal tone) Again, really excellent work, Special Agent Aaron."

"Alright, Vic." Rosalyn said, coming back over.

"I mean, you sure made us look like chumps!"

"ALRIGHT, VIC!" Rosalyn then grabbed his arm and dragged Vic away as the two left to the parking lot, escorting Preston and Beebee with them.

Nova then came to me and said, "Aaron, Buddy, I can't thank you enough. You saved my lodge, and you gave me a chance to chat with this handsome yeti!"

"She said I can use the hot tub anytime I want!" Paul said.

"I'll go call the hot tub repairman right now!"

Nova then went to the lodge. That just left Aaron, Buddy, Evelyn, and Paul to themselves.

"Paul?" Evelyn said, getting the yeti's attention, "My name is Evelyn. Evelyn Gray. I think you worked with my father?"

"Evelyn Gray? Is that...Is that little Evie?"

"You know me?!"

"I think...Yes! Evie! You used to scurry around the lab all the time back when I worked with your dad! Man, you've grown!"

"So you really knew my father? You and he were researchers together?"

"Yeah...Yeah, that's right! He helped make the Nightmare Crown! But after the crown disappeared I didn't see him anymore...He was a good guy."

"Paul, why is Morcubus looking for you? Does he think you have the crown?"

"I don't know what happened to the crown. Morcubus knows that. I just helped him make it."

"Wait! What if Morcubus wanted to make a new crown. Is that possible?"

"He'd need the raw resources...and a ton of money. But yeah, that would explain why he wants to talk to me!"

Evelyn turned to me and Buddy and said, "Aaron, please, we have to find out more about the Nightmare Crown! Maybe we can even figure out what happened to my father..."

"Don't worry, Evelyn! We'll do everything we can to help you." Buddy said.

"Thank you, Buddy."

I turned to Paul and said, "Paul, thanks for your help. If you remember anything else, don't hesitate to let us know."

"No sweat! Thanks for clearing things up with those crazy agents!"

"(to Buddy and Evelyn) Let's head back to H.Q.."

"These cases keep going by so quickly, pal!"

"You can say that again, Buddy. So what were you two up to while I was up at the summit?"

"Yesterday, Evelyn stayed inside and read a book by the fireplace, and I took some time to sit down and appreciate the beauty of freshly fallen snow...

Good thing this jet has heated seats!"

I rolled my eyes with a smile.