Disaster for Hire by Franklin W. Dixon Read Free Book Online

intimidate them?" Hershfield picked up the dead cigar again.
    Frank scraped his chair forward loudly. "So, our father is a slick hired killer—who just happens to kill someone in front of a bunch of witnesses."
    "They all make mistakes," said the sergeant. "Even the smart ones."
    Joe asked, "What was his motive?"
    "Money. He was hired for the hit."
    Frank started laughing. "Come on, sergeant. A hit man? Our father? No way."
    "That's your opinion, kid. Not mine."
    Baylor said, "I hear you boys play detective sometimes. What's your opinion about what happened to Bookman?"
    Joe began, "It's all tied in with the B — "
    "Joe," Frank cut in, "all we have so far are theories. Let's not waste the officers' time."
    "No, we'd like to hear what you have to say," said Hershfield. "See, my wife makes me watch a lot of TV shows about amateur detectives. I'm starting to think you amateurs can be a big help to us pros."
    "Sure you do," said Frank.
    Joe said, "You want a suggestion? Why not find who else was in the biotech building tonight?"
    "Nobody saw this alleged prowler, except you," the policeman reminded him.
    "But I saw him earlier," countered Frank, "out on Berrill Island."
    The sergeant pointed at him with the dead cigar. "Again, no witness to back up your story."
    "I'd also like to know why Dr. Winter was out at such a convenient time tonight. Just perfect to spot us."
    "We checked that," said Baylor. "He's famous for his nighttime strolls. You could set your watch by him."
    "And the intruder didn't know that—or did he?" said Frank. "The biotech building is built like a fortress. So how'd the intruder get in?"
    "We don't believe there was an intruder. But what are you suggesting? That Winter came around and opened the door for the other man?"
    Frank shrugged. "That's one of several possibilities."
    "None of which interests me." Hershfield ground out the unlit cigar in his ashtray.
    "That's because you're convinced our father is guilty," said Joe, his patience almost at an end. "While you're hunting him, you can just forget about finding the real killer."
    "Can we cut these kids loose?" Hershfield abruptly asked his partner.
    "Sure. Miss Bookman vouched for them before we sent her home," answered the black detective. "If we stretch it a little, she has a right to be in the biotech building. They were the young lady's guests, so it isn't breaking and entering."
    "Okay, you boys can go home now. And I suggest you go all the way home, back to Bayport," advised the sergeant. "Leave this case to us."
    "Afraid not, Sergeant." Frank stood up. "We're probably the only ones who have a chance to solve this case. You're looking for the wrong man."
    "We'll find the right one," added Joe. "Then we'll see what you have to say."
    "What I have to say is this." Hershfield rose to his feet. "I don't like amateurs, especially juvenile amateurs, poking around in police business. This time around you boys were lucky. Next time you may not have some professor's daughter along to back you up."
    "Don't worry," promised Frank. "We'll keep out of your way, Sergeant."
    "See that you do." The sergeant scowled at both of them. "And keep in mind that Fenton Hardy, no matter what you happen to think, is wanted by the Seattle police. If you know where he is. Do you, by the way?"
    "We don't."
    "All right." Hershfield leaned across his desk. "One last warning. If you find out where your father is, you'd better inform us. If not, you'll wind up right beside him, in a nice, cold jail cell."

Chapter 8
    THE NEXT MORNING was clear and bright.
    Joe was at the wheel of their rented car, staring at Frank. "You suspected Jenny?"
    Frank said, "President Fawcette's daughter is named Beth. I remembered that from the newspaper stories, but only after we'd been with Jenny awhile. On top of that, Jenny referred to Fawcette as President Fawcette once. That's not the way a daughter would talk about her father."
    "You think Jenny was trying to set us up last night? Letting the