Amos's Killer Concert Caper Read Online Free PDF Page A

good thing when they see it. If this were to catch on, I’d be rich. Then my dad could retire, and I could hire a maid, install a swimming pool, pay someone to take my sister away—”
    Dunc handed him his clothes. “Get dressed. We don’t have a lot of time.”

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    Amos let the big metal door slam shut behind him.
    â€œShhh!” Dunc glared at him. “We don’t want anybody to know we’re in here.”
    â€œI thought you said no one would be up at this hour.”
    â€œFirst rule of surveillance—you can never be too careful.”
    â€œWhere did you learn that? The Handy Home School of Spying?”
    â€œCute. Stay behind me, and try to be quiet.”
    Dunc inched his way along the walltoward the office. Amos followed, even though he was sure the whole thing was a waste of time.
    â€œWait.” Dunc held up his hand. “I’ll see if the coast is clear.”
    Amos rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”
    Dunc moved to the door. He motioned for Amos to come closer.
    â€œAre we through playing secret agent yet?”
    Dunc clapped his hand over Amos’s mouth. A voice was coming from inside the office. Someone was talking on the phone.
    â€œYes, is this the Grenfield Insurance Agency?”
    The boys sat on their heels and waited.
    â€œHello, Mr. Grenfield. This is Mange Roper. Listen, I was just calling to double-check the terms on that policy I have with you on the Road Kill band.… I wanted to make sure that if the concert is canceled for any reason, I’ll still be able to collect the insurance money.…”
    Dunc’s eyes widened. He pointed to thebalcony. The boys tiptoed away from the office and then blasted up the balcony steps and out the door.
    Amos stopped to catch his breath, but Dunc kept going. “Hey, wait for me.”
    Dunc didn’t slow down. He jumped on his bike and took off. He was already in his room making plans when Amos staggered in.
    â€œWhere’s the fire?” Amos plopped on Dunc’s bed. “The way you’re acting, you’d think it was a matter of life and death.”
    â€œIt might be, Amos. Didn’t you hear Mange on the phone? He collects insurance money every time the band can’t go on. There’s probably no telling what he might do to keep them from appearing tonight.”
    â€œSo go tell Roy. He’ll call the police, and they’ll put Mange away. Simple.”
    â€œI can’t just go tell Roy a thing like this. He’s known Mange a long time. He’ll want proof.”
    â€œIf he waits for much more proof, he may wind up in the hospital.”
    â€œThere’s only one thing to do.” Dunc stood up. “We have to keep an eye on the band until after the concert.”
    â€œYou mean
you
have to keep an eye on them. I have a date, remember?”
    â€œBut Amos—”
    Amos held up his hand. “It won’t work. Nothing you can say will convince me. Thanks to you, my bedroom is being ransacked by total strangers. I’ve done my duty for the day. I’m not giving up a date with Melissa for anything.”
    â€œNot even if they call you up onstage?”
    Amos shook his head. “Not even for that.”
    â€œMaybe we don’t have to watch them all day. Maybe we can stop Mange if we just go down there a little early and hang around. He won’t try anything with witnesses.”
    â€œHow early is early?”
    â€œNot too early.”
    â€œDunc.”
    â€œA few hours. You can take your flowers and tux with you. It’ll be fine. You wanted to get there before Melissa. What’s a fewhours? This way at least you’ll be on time.”
    â€œI’d have to get ready for my date in a public bathroom.”
    â€œI’ll stick an ‘out of order’ sign on the door. It’ll be fine. Trust me.”
    â€œYou had to say that. ‘Trust me.’ You had to say that, didn’t