The Case of the Vanishing Boy by Alexander Key Read Free Book Online

than anything else on earth, he wanted to be back in the pleasant safety of Heron Rhodes’ library. He closed his eyes, saw the blue-carpeted room with enticing clearness, and fervently wished himself there.
    Something seemed to whirl in his head. Then came a sharp sound, a sort of snap of air being displaced, and instantly the van’s wild motion ceased. The rough texture of the padding beneath him now had the softness of a thick Chinese carpet. Almost in fear Jan opened his eyes.
    He was back where he wanted to be. Heron Rhodes and Hecuba and Otis and Jackson Lane were staring at him in astonishment. Ginny alone was smiling.
    â€œI knew it!” she cried, clapping her hands. “I knew it!”
    Heron Rhodes said softly, “Great galloping Caesar’s ghost! No wonder they want him!”
    â€œOf course!” said Hecuba, with equal softness. “And there are certain groups on our planet who would pay anything to have him—if they could control him.”
    â€œYes,” Heron agreed. “You’ve put your finger directly on it.”
    Jackson Lane had heaved his short, square bulk from a chair while he gaped at Jan. His mouth worked soundlessly for a moment, then he blurted in his deep voice, “How—how in the name of heaven did you get here?”
    â€œHe teleported,” little Otis said loftily.
    â€œNonsense!” rumbled the lawyer. “I don’t believe in such things.”
    â€œSeeing should be believing, Jackson,” Heron Rhodes put in quietly.
    â€œI’ve seen you and Hecuba do a lot of things in the past fifty years I didn’t believe in,” Jackson Lane muttered. “Naturally I’ve kept my mouth shut, but I still remember those blackbirds you used to point your finger at when we were kids. You’d say ‘Pow!’ and they’d drop over dead.”
    â€œI’ve always been sorry about those birds,” the doctor admitted. “But it’s the eye that does it, not the finger. In the Middle Ages I’d have been burned—” He stopped abruptly, then said, “Jan, I destroyed the hypodermic, but I didn’t stop it. The only person who could have done that is you.”
    â€œMe?” Jan repeated. He was still in a state of semishock over what he had accomplished.
    â€œYes, you. Why, that fellow couldn’t move his hand! I was tempted to use my little weapon on him and his friend, but happily I didn’t. It has a devastating effect on humans unless one is very careful, and things were happening much too fast. Anyway, Ginny was right about you. You have two talents, which makes you a very special person. I might say three, the way you fought those rascals. You really put up a fight!”
    Chuckling, Heron came over and helped Jan to his feet. “Son, I can’t wait to hear what happened in the van. I want you to tell us—”
    â€œNot now,” Hecuba interrupted. “The poor boy hasn’t had a bite since last night, and here it is afternoon! I’ll tell the cook—”
    â€œNo!” Heron said quickly. “Just have her put snacks on the table for all of us, then send her home. Not a soul must know Jan is here. After we’ve eaten, we’ll have to hide him, or at least keep him out of sight when someone comes. I don’t want a word about him to get out to anyone—the help here, those on your staff, Jackson—except possibly Bill Zorn.…”
    â€œWhy Bill?” Jackson Lane asked, as Hecuba left the room.
    â€œBecause he’s already on the case. Hecuba and I had a hunch something like this would happen today, so I had Bill come before you got here, and wait across the road in his car. He was to follow that white van. I’m certain it didn’t come from Marysville.”
    Jan said, “Does Bill Zorn drive a small blue car?”
    â€œYes. Why?”
    â€œBecause somebody in a small blue car did follow the van, but those