Dunc's Undercover Christmas Read Online Free PDF

worry.”
    They led him through the mall toward Halversons. The little kids went wild when they spotted him. One little girl grabbed hisleg and wouldn’t let go. He tried to shake her off. She hung on tight.
    Amos bent down and whispered something to her. She let go and ran off screaming for her mother.
    â€œWhat did you say to her?” Dunc asked.
    â€œI told her that Santa lets me eat all the bad little kids for breakfast. And her name was next on the list.”
    Dunc tried not to smile. “She’ll probably have nightmares.”
    â€œGood.”
    â€œOkay, Amos. Here’s the store.” Dunc straightened an antler. “You find a good spot where you can watch the Santa. T.J. and I will keep an eye out for the van.”
    Amos moved in near the Santa. It was Jim Sikes from the Lundini Agency. Amos found a spot on the far side of the platform and sat down. The reindeer head was heavy, so he decided to lie down. When the kids finished with Santa, they paraded by Amos and petted him.
    Amos was almost asleep when he heard a familiar voice. His eyes flew open.
    Melissa.
    She and one of her friends were baby-sitting the little boy who was talking to Santa. Melissa was standing near the platform waiting. Then it happened.…
    Melissa reached out her hand.
    And petted him.
    Amos knew it was true love. He got up on all fours to talk to her—but one of his antlers got caught in her hair. Every time he moved, he yanked her hair.
    Melissa’s friend finally managed to get them untangled. Melissa turned and walked away without a backward glance. The kid they were baby-sitting gave him a good hard kick in the ribs. And Melissa’s friend bent his antler for good measure.
    Amos sat up and watched them go. Dunc moved up behind him and whispered, “What was that all about?”
    Amos let out a sigh. “She touched me, Dunc. Did you see it? I told you we had a relationship.”
    â€œShe didn’t know it was you. You have a reindeer suit on—remember?”
    Amos sighed again. “She left me some of her hair.” He took a piece off his antler and held it up. “See?”
    Dunc shook his head. “Listen, Amos. Now is not the time for you to get crazy on me. T.J.’s spotted the van. Something could break loose any minute. If that Sikes guy makes a move, you stay right with him. Got it?”
    â€œSure.”
    â€œAmos?”
    â€œI’m sure.”

Dunc knew something was about to happen. He hoped he had everything covered. T.J. was watching the outside door. Amos was watching Sikes. He had alerted Mall Security and the store manager. All he could do now was wait.
    Amos was sitting on the edge of the platform playing with a piece of Melissa’s hair. He looked up. Jim Sikes was taking a break. Sikes put a sign in his chair, telling the kids Santa would be right back.
    Sikes had taken breaks before. But this one was different. This time he took his bag with him. Amos quickly wiggled out of his costume and followed.
    Dunc saw Amos and Sikes leave the platform and was about to follow them when he noticed two other Santas coming in from the mall entrance. Each one was carrying a bag identical to Sikes’s.
    So that’s how they did it, Dunc thought. No wonder no one had been able to identify them.
    The new Santas made sure everyone in the store saw them. They even talked to a few people to be certain.
    Sikes, on the other hand, was making a quick round of the store. He shoved anything that was loose into his black bag. Amos watched him scoop in rings, watches, clothes, and china.
    When Sikes was through, he set his bag down on the floor. One of the new Santas casually walked by and traded bags with him.
    T.J. and Amos raced over to Dunc. “What do we do now?”
    â€œWe have to keep all three of those Santas in the store until the police get here. Amos, you take Sikes. Do whatever you have to, but don’t let him leave.”
    Sikes had gone