“I think they’re six-ish.”

Josh turned around and watched the guy approach a family farther down the line. “Am I a bad person if I’m kind of impressed? I mean, something about it seems wrong, you know, like cheating, but still.”

“Yeah, I get it. And it doesn’t seem like such a big deal because he’s not lying to anybody and, after all, we’re only talking about Cronuts. But I’m pretty sure that people try the same scams with stuff like getting into schools or even getting new organs, and that’s really messed up.”

“You mean, like, human organs?”

“Yeah.”

“There are human organ scalpers?”

“Jeanine was telling me about it.”

“That’s messed up.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“Okay, no longer impressed with the Cronut scalper and considering calling the cops on him before he becomes a big-time scalper and moves up to hearts.”

• • •

Josh and I bought our Cronuts and ate them on a bench.

“Okay, these are unreal.” Josh licked sugar from the corners of his mouth.

“I told you. But this is definitely the best flavor I’ve ever had. They change it all the time. I didn’t even know they made a Salted Dulce De Leche.”

“It’s just so…” He took another bite. “Mmm. Why don’t you make Cronuts?”

“I would if I could. It’s like, impossible to fry croissant dough. You see all the layers, right? Well, if you fry them, they separate. Dominique Ansel came up with a way to do it so they wouldn’t. He keeps it secret so nobody else can come out with a Cronut.”

“Can we come here every day?”

My phone pinged, and I checked it.

It was a new email.

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: Re: Urgent Investment Opportunity

Dear Mr. Levin,

Thank you for your email. Unfortunately, at this time, Mr. Okello is not investing in any new ventures.

Best of luck,

Wally Siglinder

Press Officer, Majani Tea

“It’s not as if we expected it to work,” Josh said, reading over my shoulder. “And it’s not that he doesn’t like our business, he’s just not investing in any businesses other than his, I guess.”

“Or maybe they just said that.” I stood up. “We should go.”

There was just one way for us to get the Donut Robot now: I had to figure out how to be a shark.

Chapter 18

The Petersville Gazette

Vol. 1, Issue 19

SPECIAL EDITION: Reporting from the Petersmobile in NYC

Greetings from the Big Apple, where people can’t get enough of the Petersmobile! It even caught the attention of the star of the morning show Breakfast with Brynn.

Team Petersmobile members Mayor Jim Partridge and General Store owner Winnie Hammond return to Petersville today. Join them Tuesday night at the Watch, Cut, and Quilt for a screening of video they took in NYC, including footage of Breakfast with Brynn’s tour of the Petersmobile.

Town Happenings

The Station House Special Pupusa Dinner: This Friday from 5:00–7:00 p.m.

The Doughnut Stop: Until further notice, Winnie Hammond will be operating the shop for reduced hours and selling only chocolate cream FYOs.