Eye on Crime by Franklin W. Dixon Read Free Book Online Page A

jewelry.”
    â€œAnyway,” Chet said, “I thought the cops had collared Rojas and Wingfoot from Shoreham High for that job.”
    â€œMaybe they think that those two robbed the store to get the jewels to give the girls,” Tony said.
    â€œI don’t think they even know Callie and Iola, let alone know them well enough to steal a million dollars in baubles for them,” Joe said. “And anyway, if that was the case, the cops would have just brought the girls in for questioning.”
    â€œStill, we do plan to follow up the Rojas and Wingfoot angle,” Frank added.
    â€œAll of this speculation is giving me a headache,” Chet said. He looked at his watch. “I’ve got time to call my parents to see what they found out at the station. Maybe they have some clearer information.”
    Chet got up from the table and left the cafeteria. The three other friends sat in silence, picking at their lunches for the five minutes that he was gone. When he returned, Chet wore a worried frown on his face.
    â€œDidn’t hit a home run, I take it,” Joe said.
    Chet shook his head. “Didn’t even get to swing the bat.”
    â€œThey didn’t tell you anything about your own sister being arrested?” Tony was amazed.
    â€œThey said the police told them that they could reveal nothing, not even to me. Specifically to me, in fact.”
    â€œThey must have your mom and dad pretty shaken up to be able to get them to go for such a gag order.”
    â€œYou got that straight, Frank. My mom sounded very nervous. Then my dad got on the phone and grilled me about last night.”
    â€œHow so?” Joe asked.
    â€œWhere I was, who I was with. Times, travel routes, the whole nine yards. It was like he was investigating me.”
    â€œWow, talk about overreactions,” Tony said.
    â€œYou might be next, buddy,” Chet replied. “He asked for your mom’s number.”
    â€œJust because we were all together last night? Well, the guys at the pizza place have us covered.”
    â€œThe police grilled us about what we were up to last night also,” Frank said.
    Joe put his chin in his hand and leaned his elbow against the table. He furrowed his brow, deep in thought.
    â€œDoing chemistry in your head again, Joe?”
    â€œNo, Frank, more addition. Remember when we were about to leave the interrogation room? WhenCollig made that crack about teens hanging together?”
    â€œCollig is always making cracks about us. I think he was born a crotchety middle-aged man. He’s not fond of youth, which to him is anybody a day or more younger than he is.”
    â€œThat’s my point,” Joe said. “He doesn’t like teenagers. To him we’re all one step away from making trouble. Emphasis this time on the word all.”
    â€œI think I follow you now,” Frank said.
    â€œWant to let us in on it?” Chet asked.
    â€œGangs,” Joe said. The word hung in the air.
    After a moment Tony spoke. “And he thinks we’re a gang?”
    â€œWouldn’t be the first time,” Frank said.
    â€œSo he thinks we’re all part of some jewelry store-robbing gang? That’s a little hard to swallow.”
    â€œNot for you, Chet,” Joe said with a smile.
    â€œYeah, but a gang like that is big-time stuff,” Tony said. “People get hurt, serious crimes are committed. Nothing like that happens here in Bayport.”
    â€œWe’ve been fortunate,” Frank replied. “And part of that may be because the police chief has strict views on young people. Maybe he has a fear, what with the Jewelry Exchange robbery, that gangs are making a debut in Bayport.”
    â€œThat still doesn’t tie us or Iola and Callie into it at all,” Chet said.
    â€œNot yet,” Joe responded. “But we’re going to work on that angle later this afternoon.”
    â€œWork on it how?” Tony