The Curse of the Ancient Emerald by Franklin W. Dixon Read Free Book Online Page B

saying.”
    Bull’s-eye, I thought. Before I could say anything, Joe asked where the bathroom was.
    Trethaway nodded at an open door that led into a hallway. “Out there, turn left, second door on your right.”
    After Joe had disappeared, I asked, “Mr. Trethaway, would you be willing to give us Kruger’s contact details? It’s really important for our piece.”
    Trethaway shook his head. “He’s served his time. He wants to start a new life.”
    â€œIf he wants to be left alone, how did you convince him to be featured in your book?”
    â€œLet’s just say a favor for a favor.”
    I thought about this for a second, studying Trethaway’s face. “Let me guess,” I said. “You supplied Kruger with a false identity, and he agreed to help you with your book?”
    Trethaway shrugged. “You said it, not me.”
    I wondered how much to tell Trethaway. Should I inform him that the Phantom was active again? But why was Trethaway so convinced Kruger just wanted to be left alone? And why would Kruger agree to have a book written about him if he was returning to a life of crime? It didn’t make sense.
    Joe returned from the bathroom and inclined his head slightly, indicating that we should go.
    I stood up. “Well, thank you for your time, Mr. Trethaway. We appreciate it.”
    â€œThat’s it?” said Trethaway in surprise. “You’re not going to be able to write much of a feature with what you’ve asked me.”
    â€œNo.” I searched around for an excuse. “Not yet, I mean. We’ll file a preliminary story at the Bayport Bugle , and when you’ve finished the first draft, let us know so we can write a more complete piece.”
    â€œI suppose that makes sense.”
    â€œWhen do you think you’ll finish?” asked Joe.
    â€œAnother week or so.”
    â€œSo soon?” I asked, surprised.
    â€œBeen working on it for a year already.”
    I nodded. “We’ll talk later then.”
    â€œWhat do you think?” I asked Joe once we were in the car.
    â€œI think we wait for him to leave and sneak in through the bathroom window I left unlocked. Then I think we take a look at his e-mails,” he said.
    I blinked, then smiled. “I think I like that plan.”
    We had to wait a couple of hours before Trethaway left his house. We slid down in our seats as he headed off along the street. Then we slipped around the back of his house. We climbed through the window Joe had left open and hurried through to the living room.
    I headed straight for the laptop and opened Trethaway’s e-mail program. I scrolled through his in-box, making sure not to read anything that didn’t seem related to Kruger. I had no desire to pry into the man’s personal life. I already felt uncomfortable doing this; I had to remind myself that Kruger had threatened our family and friends and was going to commit another robbery that very night.
    There were a number of e-mails addressed to someone called Stephen Brody. A quick scan of the messages proved that this was who we were looking for: the Phantom. But as I read further, I got a sense that “Brody” was incredibly reluctant about the whole thing. He frequently asked Trethaway to be let out of the “deal” he had entered into, and each time Trethaway did his best to convince Kruger/Brody that this was a good idea. That it would help him to get his story out. Trethaway mentioned movie rights, TV spin-offs, the works.
    â€œCheck his sent folder,” suggested Joe.
    I switched folders and typed in the e-mail address Trethaway was using to communicate with Kruger/Brody, memorizing it as I did so. The search brought up a list of ninety-eight e-mails.
    I scrolled back to the first one. If I was hoping for a convenient address and telephone number, I was disappointed. Which made sense. They would have created the fake identity before they