Trouble in the Pipeline by Franklin W. Dixon Read Free Book Online Page A

looking for.
    "I don't think I have to tell you that," Joe told the man.
    "You're right," Sandy White said, standing in front of Joe's chair and staring down at him. "You were looking for someone named Scott, weren't you?"
    Joe glared at him. "Then why did you ask? What are all these wires for?"
    Sandy White dropped his papers on a table and slipped his hands into his pockets, leaning back against the table. "Why don't you tell me what you know about North Slope," he coaxed, examining the shine on his shoes.
    "I don't know anything," Joe said. "All I know is that Scott worked for Trans-Yukon. They say he doesn't work there now. Maybe he went to work for North Slope. All I'm doing is trying to find him."
    "Are you aware that North Slope does top-secret work for the government?"
    Joe rested his head against the chair back. "Really? Does that give you license to kidnap people and try to kill them?"
    White chuckled. "The powers of government can run pretty far. And I have big plans."
    "So what are you saying? That Scott's working for the government?" Joe kept staring at the older man, trying to get any clue from his reactions.
    "I didn't say that. As a matter of fact, I don't think I've ever heard of this Scott person."
    This guy was giving absolutely nothing away. Joe wished that Frank was around. He squirmed against his straps.
    "So you don't know anything about North Slope?" White continued.
    "Nothing, but I'm learning."
    "So you are," White said mildly. "You may learn a few more things shortly."
    "I think I know more than I want to already." Joe told him.
    "I wouldn't say that, if I were you," White said. "You asked what the wires were for."
    Joe looked down again. He saw now that the wires ran across the floor and into a hole in the wall. A tinted glass panel was framed into the wall at window height just above the hole.
    "I'm curious why you've been so persistent," White remarked. "You've had to overcome pretty tough obstacles so far."
    "I have to keep trying," Joe said flatly.
    "You don't represent any larger organization?"
    "Me? No. I told you—I'm only looking for my friend."
    "I see." White paused. "I'll tell you what I'm going to do. You know what a polygraph is, don't you?"
    Joe nodded. "Of course. It's a lie detector."
    "That's correct. The wires attached to you right now are hooked up to a polygraph machine in the next room. I'm going to turn it on, and then I'm going to ask you a few questions. Is that all right with you?"
    "I don't think I'm in a position to refuse," Joe said, but his words were aimed at Sandy White's back. The man hadn't even waited for an answer.
    White paused just inside the doorway and rotated his body to face Joe again. "Be back in a moment." He gave Joe another enigmatic smile. Joe wondered what kind of guy would stick someone in a torture chamber and then tell him to have a nice day.
    Joe's mind was racing. What was he going to do? He really didn't know anything. Maybe that makes it better. I'll just tell the truth, he decided.
    Who knows? Maybe I can even pick up some info from the questions they ask. I just wish Frank were around.
    The door opened, and White returned with the polygraph machine on a little cart.
    "Sorry to keep you waiting," he apologized. But his next words turned that politeness on its head. "Here are the ground rules. I ask the questions, you answer them. If you don't answer them, or if the machine shows you're not being truthful, I'll kill you. Is that clear?"
    Joe took a deep breath and nodded. White's true colors were finally revealed.
    "Fine. Shall we begin?"
    "My time is yours."
    "What's your name?"
    "Joe Hardy."
    White watched the machine as a mechanical arm swung a pen point over a rolling sheet of paper.
    "You didn't think I'd lie about my own name, did you?"
    White stared. "How old are you?"
    "Seventeen."
    "Where are you from?"
    "Bayport. It's a town — "
    "Do you have any brothers or sisters?" White cut in.
    "Yes. One brother."
    "What's his name?"
    "Frank