Terror at High Tide by Franklin W. Dixon Read Free Book Online

much—maybe because he seemed so phony, Joe thought.
    â€œDid you see Mr. Geovanis after that?” Frank asked.
    Ferrier sighed. “I had so much to think about last night—I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off. The truth is, I don’t remember seeing George after that incident, but I do remember seeing Harrison. He made a speech shortly after dessert.”
    â€œAnd what time was that?” Frank pressed.
    â€œYou guys!” Ferrier said, rolling his eyes in exasperation. “What is this—twenty questions?”
    â€œJonah,” Alicia said, her voice icier than Joe had ever heard it. “We’re just trying to figure out where Dad went. Don’t you want to help us?”
    Ferrier gave Alicia a look of surprise, then fixed her with a condescending stare. “You’re getting to be quite a tough young lady.” He sighed, then added, “Dessert was served at around nine, but I really don’t remember much else. As I said, I was extremely busy.”
    â€œDid Mr. Geovanis talk to anyone else in particular?” Frank asked. “Or don’t you remember?”
    â€œGeorge talked to everyone,” Jonah answered. “He’s a sociable guy, and many of his friends were there. But other than his talk with Harrisonin the hallway, I don’t think he had any special conversation with anyone.”
    â€œThanks, Mr. Ferrier,” Frank said. “Please let us know if you remember anything else.”
    â€œI certainly will.” Ferrier started to walk away. Then he turned around, his eyes gleaming with sudden interest. “You’ve asked me some questions,” he began, “and now it’s my turn to ask you a few. Did you hear what happened to the shipping museum last night?”
    â€œYou mean the break-in?” Alicia asked.
    â€œYou bet. I have a reporter there covering it as we speak. Who would do such a dreadful thing?” Ferrier’s glance darted from Alicia to Joe to Frank.
    â€œI also heard the balloon may be a hoax,” Ferrier went on. “The paper ran an article today quoting Roberto Scarlatti on the subject. I wonder how your father’s going to take all this?” His blue eyes studied Alicia curiously—a bit too curiously, Joe thought—as if the guy wanted the article to upset Alicia, too.
    Before Alicia had time to answer him, Callie showed up. “Hi, guys. Hello, Mr. Ferrier,” she said. To her friends, she added, “I’m doing a story about the Corn Mill for tomorrow’s paper. Do you want to come with me?”
    â€œSee you all around,” Ferrier said, clapping Joe on the back. “I’m late for lunch.” He ambled across the street to a row of parked cars.
    Joe followed him with his eyes. “No!” Joe said suddenly. “I can’t believe it.”
    Across the street Jonah Ferrier was climbing into a blue dune buggy with a red lobster insignia on the front—identical to the one that had run them off the road earlier!

7 Set for Sabotage
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    Joe grabbed Frank’s arm. “Jonah Ferrier was the nut who tried to push us off the road!” he said.
    â€œIt appears that way,” Frank said grimly as he watched Ferrier drive down Easy Street.
    â€œWhat are you guys talking about?” Callie asked.
    â€œWe’ll fill you in later,” Joe said. “We’ve got to follow that dune buggy. Alicia, will you let me drive? I think I saw where he went.”
    Alicia tossed Joe her keys, then she scrambled into the backseat of the Jeep beside Callie. “Hurry or we’ll lose him!” Frank said, strapping himself into the seat next to Joe. Joe pulled out of the parking space and headed down Easy Street.“He’s up there,” Frank said, “about to head up Oak Street.”
    Joe caught a glimpse of a bright blue vehicle wheeling to the left a couple blocks ahead. “Hang on!” he shouted as he