The Emerald Quest by Renee Pawlish Read Free Book Online

this?” He hit a button on the phone, turning on the speakerphone. Anthony and Juan Carlo came over. “Who is it?” Anthony mouthed at Noah. Noah shrugged.
    “Who is not important. We want the spyglass. Bring it to us and we’ll let your parents go unharmed.”
    Noah blanched. Sure enough, his parents had been abducted! He opened his mouth but no words came out.
    “We don’t have the entire spyglass,” Anthony said.
    There was a pause. “You are the Winters’ assistant. I’m sure you’re capable of finding all the pieces. We’ll call back in twenty-four hours, at noon tomorrow, with directions on where to leave the spyglass.”
    “We can’t possibly deliver it by then,” Anthony said.
    “Then the boy’s parents will meet an unfortunate accident,” the voice said.
    “That’s not enough time,” Noah cried.
    “I wouldn’t waste a minute, then.” Click. The dial tone echoed loudly in the kitchen.
    Noah slumped against the wall. “My parents…we have to help them.”
    “We can only do that by delivering the spyglass with the map,” Anthony said.
    “Then we have to find those glass end-pieces!” Noah nearly shouted.
    “Come, come.” Juan Carlo grabbed Noah’s shaking shoulders. “You must be strong. We will find the glass pieces with your help.”
    “You’re right,” Noah said, summoning up all the courage he could. “I learned a lot about treasure hunting from Mom and Dad. I know we can find them.”
    “I’ll call Chief Burton and tell him about the call,” Anthony said.
    “Where is Frank’s notebook?” Juan Carlo asked. “I’ll look through that and see if there is anything that will help us.”
    Anthony left and returned a minute later with the notebook. Then he called Chief Burton.
    Noah paced the kitchen while Anthony talked to Chief Burton. Juan Carlo sat at the table with the notebook.
    “He’s sending a detective over,” Anthony said when he hung up.
    They sat at the table as silent minutes ticked by. Noah rested his head on his arms, a helpless feeling washing over him. Were his parents okay?
    Anthony stared out the window. Juan Carlo flipped through Frank’s notes and sipped coffee.
    “What is this about a 4x4?” Juan Carlo asked a few minutes later.
    “A 4-wheel drive vehicle,” Anthony replied. “Like a truck or a Jeep.”
    Noah raised his head. “What did you say?”
    “He was asking about a truck,” Anthony said.
    Noah turned to Juan Carlo. “You said four by four.”
    “Sí,” Juan Carlo said.
    “That’s in Dad’s notes?” Noah continued.
    Juan Carlo pushed the notes to Noah. “Sí, right there.” He pointed.
    Frank had scribbled “4x4 – check” on the page.
    “What is it?” Anthony asked.
    “4x4 is the nickname Dad gave a cave that he explored a long time ago,” Noah said. “He said the cave entrance was so small, it’s four inches by four inches.” Anthony and Juan Carlo gazed at him with blank looks on their faces. “It was a joke. A 4x4 truck is big. Dad was joking that the entrance was just the opposite.”
    “Oh,” Juan Carlo said, still looking confused.
    Anthony grabbed the notes. “Where is the cave?”
    Noah shrugged. “I just heard Dad say ‘4x4’. I don’t know the real name for the place. I don’t think he wanted me to know, maybe because I can’t dive in underwater caves until I’m fifteen and can get certified. Dad said it’s a dangerous place to dive or snorkel because of the currents and the reefs. I don’t think too many people go there.”
    “A perfect place for Alfonso to have hidden something,” Juan Carlo said.
    “But where is it?” Anthony said with frustration.
    “I will bet that if we figure out where the ‘Island of the Barracudas’ is, we’ll find that ‘4x4’ cave,” Juan Carlo said.
    The doorbell rang, interrupting their conversation. Anthony left the room, returning a moment later with a tall, wiry man.
    “This is Detective Shaw,” Anthony said.
    Shaw put his hand to his forehead in an