The Super Spies and the Pied Piper by Lisa Orchard Read Free Book Online

picture.”
    â€œAre you serious?” Alex asked.
    Sarah twisted her mouth into a grim line. “Absolutely. That man knows something about our parents and I’m going to find out what it is.” She stepped forward and stared at the Stalker as he walked away. “Let’s go.”

Chapter Four

    Sarah crept along the back of the shops never taking her eyes off the mysterious man who walked a football field ahead of her. The Stalker strode with long, purposeful strides, like he had a destination in mind. He didn’t look back, but Sarah decided to play it safe and kept her distance.
    The rest of the Super Spies trailed her as she followed the man. He moved to Main Street and led them from town to a residential area. The incline turned steep as the Stalker proceeded up a hill.
    â€œWhere are we going?” Jackie whispered in Sarah’s ear.
    Sarah shook her head. “I’m not sure.”
    â€œI hope we don’t get lost.”
    â€œWe won’t. This town is so small we’ll be able to find our way.”
    Jackie fell silent as they continued their journey. Questions swirled through Sarah’s brain. What does this man have to do with my parents ? How does he know them ? She wracked her brain thinking back through the years. Was he a colleague of my dad’s? The Stalker didn’t look familiar. Frustrated, Sarah bit her lip and then tasted blood. Taking a deep breath, she willed herself to relax.
    The man disappeared as he crested the hill, and Sarah picked up her pace. The rest of the Super Spies trudged behind her. She heard their heavy breathing as they tried to keep up. When they reached the top of the hill, the spooky house Sarah had seen on the computer loomed into view.
    The street dead-ended with an abrupt halt at a tall wrought iron gate hung between heavy stone columns that rose, tall and stiff, like those British sentries that stood guard outside the Windsor Castle. A black, spiky fence stretched along the property line in both directions, like giant arms holding the grounds in a smothering embrace. A small grove of ancient oak tress held court beyond the fence, and the house hid in their shadow, uninviting, it’s mossy green paint peeling in places.
    Tall, thin windows with ornate dressings resting above them seemed to peer down at the street below. The dressings had been painted a darker green than the house and they reminded Sarah of bushy eyebrows furrowed together, creating a sinister glare. The cracked sidewalk leading up to the structure reached out like a snake’s tongue searching for a tasty morsel. Sarah cringed as the image invaded her brain and a cold shudder tiptoed along her spine.
    At a movement in the yard, Sarah ducked behind a tree and the rest of the teens were right behind her. T he Stalker ! He cast a quick glance over his shoulder and then climbed the stairs leading to the porch. With one last look around, he opened the door and disappeared inside.
    â€œHoly cow,” Lacey whispered, grasping Scott’s arm and huddling against him. “What in the world is going on?”
    Sarah shook her head. “I don’t know, but that guy followed us because we showed Mom and Dad’s picture around town.” She furrowed her brow. “Does he look familiar to you, Lace?”
    Lacey shuddered. “No. Not at all.”
    â€œIsn’t that the house we saw on the computer?” Jackie brushed her curls out of her eyes.
    â€œYeah, it is,” Sarah furrowed her brow.
    â€œHe must be the owner,” Scott said.
    â€œWhy do you think that?” Lacey asked.
    â€œBecause, he walked in without even knocking.” Scott gestured toward the house.
    â€œWe have to find out more about that guy and see what the connection is between him and my parents.” Sarah walked out from behind the tree and motioned for the others to follow her. “Come on, it’s been about an hour. Let’s go talk to the drugstore