See No Evil by Franklin W. Dixon Read Free Book Online Page B

return.
    When Callie turned around to return to them a few minutes later, a worried look crossed Frank's face. "She looks like she found something out— and I think it wasn't good."
    "What happened?" asked Lisa when Callie sat down again. "You look like you saw a ghost."
    "I heard something more scary than that," said Callie. She took a sip of her drink before continuing. "It seems the cause of Jack Morrison's death has been changed. They did aft autopsy, which everyone thought was going to be routine, considering the bullet wound in his head. But a lab assistant noticed a tiny puncture mark on the arm. When they checked it out, they discovered traces of poison. A poison that kills instantly. After more lab tests, the coroner realized that Morrison must have already been dead when the bullet entered him. Jack Morrison's death wasn't a suicide. Someone poisoned him, then staged the suicide."
    "But who could have managed to sneak in and out of Mr. Morrison's office in broad daylight?" asked Lisa.
    "Well, there's more," Callie said, looking paler than ever. "Morrison's secretary said that the last person who entered and left Morrison's office that day was a mailman — a mailman carrying a registered envelope, which required Morrison's signature." Callie swallowed before continuing. "The mailman had a beard."
    "The mailman you bumped into," said Frank.
    "The mailman who had the black book," said Joe.
    "The mugger who's after us," said Lisa.
    "No. He's not just a mugger anymore," said Callie. Despite herself, her voice trembled. "The killer who's after us."

Chapter 8
    THIS TIME CALLIE didn't protest when Frank suggested she needed protection.
    "I may be independent—but I'm not stupid," she said. "With a killer shadowing me, I'll take any help I can get, from man, woman, or child." She grinned. "Even from Joe."
    "Too bad, Callie, you're out of luck," said Joe. "Lisa needs protection, too."
    Lisa flashed him a warm smile. "Thanks, Joe. I didn't want to ask. But I will feel safer with you around."
    "I guess I'll have to settle for what's left," Callie said, smiling at Frank. "Think you can handle it?" she asked.
    "No sweat." Frank grinned back.
    Then he grew serious. "Now that we've got that settled, there's still one little problem." He paused and shook his head. "Without the black book, and without knowing anything about who the killer is, what do we do now?"
    "I know what I'm going to do," said Lisa. "Just what I planned — investigate possible city government corruption." She smiled. "A murder makes the story that much more juicy."
    "It also makes it that much more dangerous," said Joe. "I'm sticking close to you."
    "As close as you want." Lisa grinned.
    "Maybe that's the best way," said Frank to himself.
    "The best way to do what?" asked Callie. She could practically hear the wheels spinning in Frank's head.
    "Maybe investigating possible corruption is the best way to get a lead on the killer." Frank nodded thoughtfully. "If anybody was up to no good and Morrison got wind of it, they'd want to get rid of him. It's worth checking out."
    "Then the sooner I get started, the better," said Lisa. She turned to Callie. "Maybe you can help me take the first step."
    "Of course," said Callie. "What can I do?"
    "You said a friend of yoars, Liz, works for the local newspaper," said Lisa. "I'd like to check their back-issue file."
    "What are you looking for?" asked Frank. He was gaining more and more respect for Lisa. I'll trust Joe's instincts next time, he told himself.
    "Civic corruption means money," Lisa said. "Money that the city pays out to get work done. I want to check the contracts the city awarded over the past year or so. Maybe I can spot something that looks suspicious. Then I can go check those companies."
    Callie was already on her feet. "I'll call Liz right now."
    A few minutes later she was back. "Liz is glad to help," Callie reported. "We can meet her at the newspaper in ten minutes."
    "Let's go," said Joe. "The van's