Going Wild by Lisa McMann Read Free Book Online Page B

embarrassing?” asked Mom, walking into the kitchen.
    â€œDad is,” Andy piped up. “He needs to stop talking about us in class. It’s weird.”
    Charlie’s mom laughed. “You just aren’t used to your dad talking to anybody but you kids. But I talk about you all the time at the hospital—I always have. Back in Chicago, too. Just today I was telling the mom of a young patient about the awful diaper rash Andy had as a baby.”
    â€œMom!” Charlie and Andy said together. Andy covered his face with his hands and fell dramatically back in his chair. Charlie shook her head.
    â€œWhat?” their mom asked innocently. She joined them at the table. “I only do it if it helps me connect with a patient. Besides, every baby has a diaper rash once in a while. Andy’s was just . . . exceptional.” She grabbed a slice of pizza and winked at her husband across the table. “Wasn’t it, honey?”
    â€œMother, stop!” Charlie said. Andy pretended to faint off the chair. He crawled under the table.
    â€œIt won first prize in the diaper rash contest,” Dad said, chuckling.
    Reluctantly Charlie laughed too. She had to admit, diaper rash was kind of funny—unless you’re the baby who has it. And when your mom is a doctor in the emergency room, you end up talking about embarrassing stuff like that a whole lot.

CHAPTER 8
Escape
    F ar from Arizona, a scientist in a white coat entered a heavily guarded office across the hallway from his laboratory. “Good evening, soldiers,” he said to the black-suited figures inside. “You’ve had a busy week.”
    â€œGood evening, Dr. Gray,” said the two nearest him.
    The scientist’s gaze was drawn to the center of the office by his desk, where the burglar who’d broken into the facility sat. The man’s hands were tied behind his back and his ankles were bound. He had a gag in his mouth.
    â€œHow’s my old friend Jack today?” asked Dr. Gray, walking over to him. He pulled the gag out, then stepped back and leaned against the desk. “Tired of the interrogation yet? Ready to talk, just the two of us?” He studied the man, a curious, almost sympathetic look on his face. “Soldiers, please give me a moment with Dr. Goldstein.”
    Without question they slipped out, leaving the two men alone.
    Dr. Jack Goldstein looked angry and unkempt. He had bruises on his face. “You can’t keep me here, Victor. People are going to notice I’ve gone missing.”
    Dr. Gray reached into his lab coat pocket and produced the prisoner’s passport. He pulled out a folded, unused plane ticket and waved it at Jack. “People think you’re in Peru doing research. Isn’t that right? They won’t miss you for quite some time.”
    â€œThey’ll check in,” Jack said through gritted teeth. “How long are you going to hold me here? If you really think I’ve wronged you by trying to take back what’s rightfully mine, then have me arrested! If not, let me go.” He narrowed his eyes, glanced at the doors to make sure the soldiers were gone, and wriggled his wrists inside the rope. He’d been working at the knots since the soldiers had brought him to this room. His skin was covered in rope burns, and every movement was excruciating, but the knots were getting looser.
    The scientist frowned. “Not until you tell me what you did with the other device.”
    â€œI don’t have it.”
    â€œYou keep saying that.” Dr. Gray shifted. “But we both know that’s not true.”
    â€œYou’ve searched me. It’s obvious I don’t have it.”
    â€œNot on you.” Dr. Gray clucked his tongue. “You always were so literal.” He crossed his legs in front of him and then leaned forward and looked Jack in the eye. “Where is it?”
    Jack’s head fell back and he let out a deep, ragged