The Great Bike Rescue by Hazel Hutchins Read Free Book Online Page A

complicated. But it might work. Even if only a small percentage of the bikes actually came up at auction, if you could get them cheap enough…
    But Sammy hadn’t actually stolen The Flame. And he’d done such a great job fixing it up that Riley and I had even started thinking we might go back there some time!
    My brain was so busy wrestling with the possibilities that I didn’t realize how close we were to home until I saw the swimming pool. Luckily, that also gave me an excuse.
    â€œCan you drop me here?” I asked. “I need to check what we’re doing in class next week. I’ll walk home.”
    As soon as Dad reached the house, I knew, he’d head to the kitchen to make a fresh pot of coffee. He’d need to get into that cupboard, which meant he’d have to open Riley’s lock. It would be best if I wasn’t anywhere around.

Chapter Nine
    â€œThe perfect sisters think Steve and his gang are the thieves. They have an entire theory about it. You should ask them. They’ll tell you all about it—in stereo.”
    It was Monday, and Riley had stopped at my place on his way home. I’d already told him about the unclaimed-property warehouse.
    â€œWere the perfect sisters at soccer?” I asked.
    â€œNo, they were at the lake where we camped on the weekend. Except their families were staying in cabins, not tents. Matching cabins, side by side. And they have matching bathing suits. And matching flip-flops. And matching parents.”
    â€œNo, they don’t!” I said.
    â€œAlmost,” said Riley.
    â€œWhy do they think it’s Steve?” I asked. “Did they see something suspicious?”
    â€œSuperstitious?” asked Riley. “How do I know if they’re superstitious?”
    I was crouched beneath the downstairs TV stand. I guess my voice was kind of muffled.
    â€œSuspicious,” I repeated. “Did they see something suspicious?”
    â€œNope. They just know he’s a bully and picks on kids younger than him. Kids like us.”
    â€œExcept it’s not just kids’ bikes that have been stolen,” I said. “Adults have been reporting stolen bikes too. I met one of them. He hangs out on Battersby Street sometimes. Wears a black T-shirt and—”
    â€œThe guy with the biceps? And the tattoos?” asked Riley.
    â€œYup. His bike was stolen. A month ago.”
    â€œThat guy is scary,” said Riley. “He’s so scary I was scared to point him out to you. Even Steve wouldn’t mess with someone like that.”
    â€œExcept maybe Steve steals kids’ bikes. And someone else is stealing the other bikes.”
    â€œNah. My brother has been keeping an eye on Steve. He says Steve is more into skateboards than bikes. The skateboards are probably stolen, but…”
    â€œUrrrg,” I said, shifting around to get a better angle.
    â€œWhat are you doing under there?” asked Riley.
    I took a deep breath. Talk about frustrating.
    â€œI’m trying to figure something out,” I said.
    â€œOkay. Figuring things out is good. Even under a TV,” said Riley. “Anyway, Emily Grimshaw doesn’t think it’s Steve either. She thinks—”
    â€œWhen did…?” Wham ! I’d lifted my head too quickly and clonked it on the top of the stand. I crawled out from underneath, half dazed, to take a breather.
    â€œWhen did I see Emily?” asked Riley.
    I nodded.
    â€œJust now. Right before I got to your place,” he answered.
    I frowned.
    â€œShe was lurking around here the other day too,” I said. “She’s probably going to start stealing again. I hope you locked up the The Flame.”
    â€œActually, I brought it right inside. But not because of Emily. Your dad said I may as well bring it in and that would save me the trouble of locking it. What’s with your dad today anyway?” asked Riley. “He’s in a really good