Finders Keepers Read Online Free PDF Page A

cutie.”
    This had turned into an awkward moment, for sure. Normally I barely noticed awkward moments—my parents were always explaining them to me afterward—but this made me want to crawl out of my skin. I had to stop this before poor Alex melted into the floor. I cleared my throat and said, “This is Alex Clark, Neil’s son. They moved here to take over the restaurant.”
    Nan’s face went white-red even faster than Alex’s, but Sheriff Duncan just cocked his head. “You don’t say.”
    â€œI do say. They moved here from Arizona.”
    Sheriff Duncan studied Alex from head to toe. Finally he said, “Welcome to Hayward, Alex Clark.”
    Nan stammered. “So … Alex Clark. Neil’s son.” Then she thought a moment. “You’re Neil’s son ? Goodness, he got a late start. I already have two grandsons your age.”
    â€œOh.” Alex rocked on his feet a bit.
    â€œWell, you better be on your way, Christa,” Nan said. “And Alex, tell your dad I said hello. Seems like I’m always open, so tell him to stop by, okay?”
    â€œBy all means,” Sheriff Duncan said. “I’m always open, too. Tell him to stop by.”

 
    THE CANOE AND THE BASEMENT
    DISCOVERING TREASURE IN A SHIPWRECK
    The Adventure: Searching for Buck Punch’s family fortune
    The Place: Whitefish Island, Pacific Ocean (Mr. Edmund Clark’s sunken canoe, Whitefish Lake)
    The Characters: Chase Truegood (me) and Buck Punch (Alex)
    The Wardrobe/Props: Scuba suits (swim suits with life jackets), oxygen tanks (thermoses held in place with a belt), Exploration Collectron tools (coffee mugs, forks, spoons, salad tongs), swim goggles (swim goggles), and rope (rope)
    Chase Truegood and Buck Punch have survived many adventures, but searching for Captain Capone’s lost treasure might be their last.
    A year before, infamous pirate Captain Capone stole Buck’s family fortune and kidnapped Chase’s sister Jade. Capone’s ship disappeared in the fog and shark-filled waters by Whitefish Island. The ship has never been found. Until now. By treasure hunters Chase Truegood and Buck Punch.
    Buck, with the survivor rope around his wrist, jumped into the thrashing waves from the dock of their explorer ship. Chase tightened her goggles and pressed her face into the water to watch for deadly sharks. When Chase felt a tug, she pulled the rope with all her might until Buck popped from the water.
    He coughed up seawater and said, “It’s definitely Captain Capone’s ship. Says so right on the side. Good thing my goggles have lights.” Buck emptied rocks from the Exploration Collectron mug next to Chase.
    Chase inspected Buck’s samples with the Exploration Collectron spoon. “This stone is from the necklace Jade was wearing when she was kidnapped. Do you think she survived the shipwreck?”
    â€œDepends. Was she a good swimmer?”
    â€œA long time ago, she was the fastest,” Chase said. “Then she got slow and turned afraid and retired.”
    Buck nodded. “The sharks are thick down there. Maybe they ate her.” He straightened his goggles. “I’m going back down to look for my family’s fortune.”
    â€œI better go, too, Buck. It’s almost feeding time for the sharks. Two people oughta be down there.”
    â€œYou stay here. I don’t need back-up.”
    â€œI’ll be the front-up. You be the back-up.”
    â€œChase, I’m the faster swimmer. I’ll be the front-up.”
    Chase wondered if Buck’s concussion from his earlier dive was making him crazy. Everyone knew she’d won the international swimming race three years in a row. Despite his very best try, Buck came in last place.
    â€œWe’ll dive together!” Chase said. “We can’t take chances. We need that money in case Captain Capone is holding my sister hostage and wants a