Blood Relations Read Online Free PDF Page B

good to be working with a pro. Now listen to my plan. If there are any weaknesses, maybe you can spot them, even suggest something better."
    "Sure," said Frank, and he and the others listened to Dunn outline his scheme.
    Dunn had already put part of it into operation. As soon as Rawley had called the boys, Dunn called Rawley at his office and, in approximately the same muffled voice that the kidnapper had used, told him that the ransom drop-off had been pushed back from midnight to two A. M. , and hung up. Then, using his contacts, he had had Raw-ley's phone cut off in case the kidnappers tried to reach him again.
    "That'll give us the time we need," said Dunn. "I'm about the same size as Rawley. Frank and Joe, you're about the same sizes as Greg and Mike. If we wear their clothes, at a distance we could pass for them."
    "But what happens when the kidnappers do get close enough to finger us?" asked Frank.
    "This happens," said Dunn, and pulled his .45 out of his briefcase. "I'll have it in here where the money's supposed to be. Rawley's a businessman and may even be on their side, so they'll never expect him to carry a gun. I should be able to get the drop on them. I hope the gun will loosen their tongues."
    Frank bit his lip and thought a moment. "Of course, if it fails, we might be putting Mrs. Raw-ley's life in extra danger."
    "Yeah, I know," said Dunn, his voice wavering for a second. "But that's something that Greg and Mike have to think about. They have to decide if it's worth the chance. One other thing to consider—they might have killed her already. It's up to you to call it, boys."
    He paused as Greg and Mike sucked in their breath together. Their eyes met, and then they looked back at Dunn. They each nodded once, giving him the okay.
    "Okay," Dunn said softly. "But we do have to face the facts. If she is still alive, I don't know if they'll release her under any circumstances. Kidnappers rarely do." He then turned to Frank and Joe. "I'd give you two guns too, but you don't have licenses. You understand how it is."
    "Right," said Frank. "We're okay without them."
    Joe slapped the heavy ring of keys in his jacket and, grinning, said, "We could always do our quick-draw routine again."
    Dunn remembered how the boys had disarmed him and sheepishly returned Joe's grin.
    Six hours later they were standing on the dark New York street: Joe clenching and unclenching his hands impatiently, and Frank pacing in a tight little circle.
    "We've been waiting here ten minutes," Joe said. "Think they'll show up?"
    "Don't panic," said Dunn. "We got here a few minutes early so we would see them approach. Frank, Joe, you look down the street to the right; I'll take the left."
    Frank and Joe nodded and did as told. And that was why no one saw the trouble before it came.
    Not from the right. Not from the left. But from behind them, out of a pitch-black alley.
    Too late Frank and Joe heard the thud and wheeled around to see Dunn crumpling to the sidewalk while a man in a black jogging suit and full black ski mask stood over him with a baseball bat in his hand. Beside him were two other men in masks; both had drawn guns, both were leveled at the Hardys.
    "Hands on top of your heads—now," said one of them, while the first man knelt down and checked Dunn.
    "He'll be okay," he decided. "I thought for a second I might have hit him too hard." Then he pulled out a miniature walkie-talkie from his pocket and spoke into it. "Got the kids. Let's go."
    Frank and Joe exchanged a quick glance, wondering if they should make a break for it.
    One of the men said, "Don't even think about it. One false move, and you're dead. Keep your hands on your heads, your eyes straight ahead, and your mouths shut."
    The other gunman added, "Don't worry about getting tired. You don't have long to wait."
    He was telling the truth. Less than two minutes later a long black car came around the corner and pulled up beside them. The driver wore a black ski mask too.
    "Now