Belly Up

The next morning, Teddy finds a footprint outside his trailer. He suspects it was made by a dress shoe and the person who left it heard him talking to the police. This discovery only increases Teddy’s determination to find Henry’s killer. On his way into the park, he passes a group of protesters who belong to the Animal Liberation Front. The ALF believes zoos are prisons, but Teddy knows zoos do important work to combat extinction and inspire people to care about animals. Henry’s enclosure is barricaded and guarded, preventing Teddy and the many visitors who come to mourn the animal from getting a good look at the area.

Summer McCracken comes to the zoo, and an excited mob clusters around her. Teddy approaches her in the hope that she could help him talk to her father about Henry’s murder. However, he stares at her “like a dork” when he comes face to face with the blond-haired, blue-eyed girl (79). He whispers, “Henry Hippo was murdered” (80). She gives him a bemused look and continues on. Embarrassed, Teddy resumes his investigation. He realizes the level of security around Henry’s empty enclosure is suspicious. Summer sneaks away from her bodyguards, disguises herself, and tells Teddy to meet her behind one of the park’s restaurants.