Disaster for Hire Read Online Free PDF

block behind them. "You sure it's a tail?"
    "Been on us since we left the parking lot," Frank said. "It followed us clear across campus."
    "Tinted windows," said Joe. "You think someone doesn't want us to see who's inside?"
    They passed through the arched entryway of Farber, and Frank turned onto a narrow street heading away from the center of Seattle.
    Then he accelerated.
    Joe took a quick look. "Still tagging us."
    Frank sped along. After five blocks he said, "This ought to do it." He swung the car, tires screeching, onto a side street. Then Frank gunned the car along the quiet, dead-end block.
    "They're keeping up with us."
    Frank hit the brakes. With a tremendous wail, the car jerked to a stop.
    Joe had opened the door and jumped to the street before the car stopped swaying.
    The driver of the sports car hadn't expected the sudden stop, and hit the brakes too late. Wheels squealing, the car went into a wild fishtail, sideswiping the Hardys' car, sliding across the street, and climbing the opposite curb. The engine coughed, then died.
    Joe ran to the stalled-out auto and tore open the driver's side door. "Come out with your hands high," he said, bluffing. "I've got you covered."
    "Oh, really? With what—a water pistol?"
    Joe blinked. "Huh?"
    A slim girl of about nineteen stepped out, brushing long blond hair back from a pretty heart-shaped face. She wore jeans and a dark blue cableknit sweater.
    Joe glanced into the car. There was no one else inside.
    "No trouble guessing which one you are," the girl said.
    "Which one - what?"
    "I've heard that one Hardy is the brains and the other one is the brawn," she replied. "So far you haven't shown any trace of brains."
    Joe's face tightened. "Well, I'm the Hardy who wants to know why you're following us."
    "We're both interested in that." Frank now stood in front of the girl's car.
    "What's going on out there?" A door to a house opened, framing a man in light. "Anybody hurt?"
    "Brake failure," called Joe. "We're fine."
    "Want the cops?"
    "No need, we're all friends," answered Frank.
    "I hope you didn't land in my wife's petunias."
    "Missed by a mile," Joe called, noticing he was standing in a flower bed.
    "Okay, if you don't need me, I'll go back inside," said the man. "It's right in the middle of the late show."
    "Thanks a lot, sir."
    Frank turned to the blond young woman. "So, you know who we are, but we don't know you."
    "Suppose we keep it that way," she said.
    "That gentleman offered to call the police," Frank reminded her. "Maybe it's not a bad idea."
    The girl glared at him. "You're the ones who should worry about the cops, not me."
    "Joe, go up and see if we can use that guy's phone to call the local law."
    "Okay, don't bully me. I'm Jenny Fawcette."
    Joe asked, "President Fawcette's daughter?"
    "Now, that's a clever deduction," said Jenny.
    "Suppose," suggested Frank, "we all agree that you're great at wise remarks and get down to business."
    The girl took a deep breath. "I guess you're right," she said. "Okay, I — I'm interested in this case."
    "What case would that be?" asked Frank.
    "Professor Bookman's murder."
    "Why were you following us?"
    "I've been trying to make up my mind," she said, "whether I can trust you."
    Frank straightened up, staring more closely at Jenny. "You're the girl from the island."
    Jenny nodded. "I've been keeping an eye on you ever since your plane landed in Seattle."
    Joe frowned at her. "Why'd you set our boat adrift and leave us marooned out there, Jenny?"
    When she shook her head, her blond hair brushed her shoulders. "I didn't do that," she said.
    "But you were deciding if you can trust us — why?" Joe asked with growing impatience.
    "There are things I want to talk to you about," she answered.
    "Such as?"
    She hesitated, then looked the boys straight in the face. "For one thing, I think I know where your father is."

Chapter 6
    THE PIZZERIA WAS loud and cheerful as they stepped in. "I'll pay you for my tow," said Jenny, sitting across