The Sword Maker's Seal by Trevor Schmidt Read Free Book Online Page B

behind him. “You know, where they have the wall of TV screens we have to watch. I can’t believe I got a job where I watch TV!”
    â€œSo, were you watching the screens for intruders or anything suspicious? Or were you watching a TV show?”
    â€œWell, I did see a heist take place if that’s what you’re asking.”
    â€œYou did?”
    â€œYeah, Brad Pitt is one of my favorite actors. You know some people say I look like him?” He checked his compact mirror, and satisfied with what he saw, turned back to the twins and continued, “Yeah, Ocean’s 11 is my favorite movie.”
    â€œYou were watching Ocean’s 11?”
    â€œNo, I mean…well, yeah kind of. But I was watching the other TVs too, and nothing happened. It was weird. I got to work the next day and the cops were all asking questions and stuff. I told them I didn’t see anything, but they checked the tapes anyway. They didn’t find anything either.”
    â€œDo you talk to anyone while you’re in the back room?” Mason asked.
    â€œSometimes. I have a radio that I use to talk to the entrance guard, the same one that walks around the museum on rounds.”
    â€œDoes anyone come back and see you? Friends, coworkers?”
    â€œNow that you mention it, it was my birthday that day and the curator came in with Tanya and that Kenji guy. They brought a cake!” he said ecstatically
    Madison and Mason exchanged glances.
    â€œWell, thanks a lot, um, what was your name?” Mason asked.
    â€œOh yeah, I’m Jackson Roy, but people around here just call me Jack.”
    â€œRoy?” Madison asked swiftly. “As in related to curator Roy?”
    â€œYeah! Wow, you two are sharp! He’s just uncle Frank to me,” Jack said, smiling profusely.
    Three guesses how he landed that job, Madison thought.
    The twins said goodbye and began walking away. Jack remembered something and called for them to come back.
    â€œHey guys! If you want to see the sword exhibit again it’s going back to Japan this Friday so you better hurry!”
    Madison and Mason thanked Jack for his help and made their way back to the MAX station, waiting only a few minutes for the correct blue line to come. The sun was just beginning to set and the streets were becoming less safe with each minute that passed. They breathed a sigh of relief when the train slowed to a stop.
    â€œThis is getting bigger and bigger Madison,” Mason said as they boarded the MAX.
    â€œWe know that the only people that could have switched the tape were Curator Roy, Tanya, or Kenji.”
    â€œI’m still leaning towards Tanya,” Mason mused. “She had motive, the hairspray, the know-how, AND she’s a real witch.”
    â€œWe shouldn’t rule out anybody just yet,” Madison reasoned. “We should talk to Ezra as soon as we can. He’ll want to know about this.”
    â€œAgreed,” Mason replied.
    The rain had let up and the sun was trying to mount an escape from the charcoal clouds. The MAX was now full of businessmen and women riding back to the suburbs; no sign of the much more intimidating early afternoon crowd. While the ride was less frightening, there was no place to sit and the twins were crushed into the side of the railcar holding onto a dangling rubber handle for dear life. However, the information they had gleaned was well worth the arduous journey.

8
    Mrs. Thorne was finishing a load of laundry when she remembered Ezra’s recent actions, prompting her to drop her basket of clothes on her bare foot. She swore loudly. Her son had been late multiple times for dinner, never told her where he was going, and when he did tell her, she could never be sure he was telling the truth. What was she going to do with him? She remembered that Ezra said at dinner last week that he checked out a book about Japan. Was that a lie too? He would have to have checked out the book around