The Kid Who Stole Christmas by Linda Stevens Read Free Book Online Page B

X.”
    “That’s a new one,” someone said.
    “What government agents?” someone else wanted to know.
    Paul’s face was pale. “He kept talking about spies watching him. I told you there was something weird going on,” he exclaimed, looking accusingly at Shannon.
    “Oh, Lord!” she wailed. “Leo’s been kidnapped!”

Chapter Five
    “A re we there yet?”
    “No, kid,” the one called Irv replied. “Soon. Right, Agent Joey? We’ll be there soon, huh?” He sounded worried.
    The bald one muttered something under his breath. He was driving, and wasn’t at all happy about it. According to him, the roads were slicker than snot.
    Leo thought that sounded pretty slick. He was sitting in the back seat of their nifty, fully equipped luxury four-wheel drive, a can of soda in one hand and a double-fudge brownie in the other. From his position, he couldn’t even see the road, but that was okay, because there wasn’t much to see, anyway. It was pitch black outside, and snowing heavily.
    They were on their way to what Joey called a safe house, from which they could direct their campaign against the forces of evil who threatened the Arnie shipment. At first, Leo hadn’t been so sure about coming with them. But then, after swearing him to secrecy, Agent Joey and his brother Agent Irv had shown him their official badges and explained why it was necessary.
    Since Lyon’s was the rightful owner of the shipment, it was necessary for a member of the Lyon family to be with them, in case some important decision had to be made on the spot. But they thought the excitement would be too much for Pop, so Leo would have to come in his place.
    Leo was proud to be of help. Besides, they designated him Agent X, and gave him an official badge, too. They had also given him his favorite supper at the Taco Shack, the one Pop never let him order because it gave Leo gas. And there was a sackful of brownies for dessert. Not to mention the cooler at his side filled with his pick of sodas.
    If this was government work, Leo might have to change his mind about becoming an executive at Lyon’s. After they gave him a medal for saving the Arnie shipment, he could probably have his pick of jobs. Maybe even president of the United States.
    “Have you ever met the president, Agent Joey?”
    “Huh?” Joey took his eyes off the road momentarily, and saw to his horror that Leo was out of his safety belt. “Jeez! Put that belt back on, kid!”
    “It’s Agent X,” Irv reminded him solemnly, “you gotta use the code names, Agent Joey.”
    “I’ll give you a code name, you putz! Get that kid back into that belt!”
    Irv turned around in his seat and made sure Leo was buckled in. “There. Snug as a bug.”
    “Shannon always says that,” Leo remarked. “When she helps me with my coat, or something.” He looked at his cartoon-character watch and frowned. “I hope she found that note. She doesn’t like it when I worry her. Can I call her later?”
    “Everything’s fine, kid,” Joey said reassuringly. “It’s all been handled. No reason to get upset.” But he reached over and thumped Irv on the arm with the back of his hand. “Give Agent X a cookie.”
    Irv passed back what was left of the package to Leo. Most of the rest were presently stuffed in his mouth. He made a face, and Leo laughed so hard, soda came out his nose, which set Irv off, as well. Soon, they were both howling with laughter, much to Joey’s dismay.
    “Oh, man,” he muttered. “This is going to be some couple of days. Like baby-sitting two eight-year-olds.”
    He was so perturbed, he almost missed his exit, and then nearly slid into a ditch making too fast a turn. This chain of events sobered up his passengers some, but Irv still had the giggles. Joey whacked him on the arm again.
    “Just help me look for the driveway, will you?”
    “Sure thing, Agent Joey.”
    “That’s it!” Joey exclaimed. “I’m making a new rule. From now on, I’m just Joey, okay? Just