Flight of the Hawk Read Online Free PDF

bigshot. What would he know about kidnapping, anyway?” He stormed out of the office, yelled something at one of his men, and headed down some stairs to the Firebird.
    “Hey, look up there, Smoke. It’s a giant … bird?” One of the painters had lifted his goggles and was pointing directly at Andy. The rest of the workers stopped what they were doing and stared.
    Andy pushed the button on his rocket harness and shot across the warehouse.

C HAPTER 14
    “That was a close one, Henry. They didn’t get a good look at me, though. I was too high. They thought I was a giant bird.”
    “Very good, sir. Can you still see the car?”
    “He just turned up Rockwood. Take a right at the next light. Now he’s pulling into a private drive with a bunch of oak trees in front.”
    “This is quite impossible, Master Hawkes. I know this house. It belongs to Clayton Town- send—Mr. Hawkes’s lawyer.”
    “Hmmm. That explains a lot of things. DidGrandfather ask Townsend to do the paper-work for all of his invention patents?”
    “Almost always, sir.”
    “Then that’s how he knew about the Fountain of Youth. Park the limo, Henry. I’m going in after him.”
    “Do be careful, sir. And … good luck.”
    “Thanks.” Andy swooped over the trees and landed near the swimming pool. He studied the large Spanish-style house, looking for an entrance where he wouldn’t be noticed.
    “Are you Big Bird?”
    Andy tripped on the end of his wing as he whirled around. A little girl about four years old with curly black hair was staring up at him.
    He relaxed. “No, I’m the Hawk, a brand-new superhero.”
    “Too bad. I was gonna ask you to come to my birthday party.”
    “Oh. Listen, do you know what’s in that room right up there?” Andy pointed to an open window on the top floor.
    “Yup. That’s my sister’s room. She’s silly. She likes boys. I gotta go now. My mom istaking me to buy a new dress for my party.” Without another word, the little girl skipped across the lawn and around the corner.
    Andy pushed the button on his harness and drifted up to the window. It was a girl’s room, all right. Everything was frilly and there were posters of rock groups and movie stars on the walls. He could hear running water coming from behind a closed door.
Good, she’s in the bathroom
, he thought.
    He put one leg through the window and turned off the booster. The door opened and a girl about his age stepped into the room wearing a towel. Her eyes widened and she opened her mouth to scream.
    “Don’t do that.” Andy hopped into the room on one foot and fell over his right wing. He rolled and landed on his feet. “I can explain everything.”
    The girl edged over to the window and looked down. “How did you get up here?” She took a cautious step toward him. “It’s a little early for trick-or-treating, don’t you think?”
    “Yes. I mean no. I’m not dressed for Halloween.”
    “Really? You could have fooled me. What are you, then? Another goon my stepfather has hired to make sure I don’t run off with the silver?”
    “You’re Clayton Townsend’s daughter?”
    “Stepdaughter. He’s my mother’s fifth husband—she keeps trying. Hey, you don’t sound like you’re very old under there.” The girl walked around him. “You were going to explain what you’re doing here, remember?”
    “Uh, maybe later. Right now I’ve got some business to take care of. See you.” Andy opened the bedroom door and peered out. A curved staircase wound its way to the bottom floor. He punched the button and floated down.
    The girl stood on the landing, watching. “That’s a neat trick,” she called down. “You’ll have to show me how you do it sometime. I’m free this weekend, if you want to fly by.” She disappeared into her room and shut the door.
    Andy could feel himself blush under his mask. He shrugged it off and began searching for Smoke and Townsend.
    Angry voices were coming from down the hall.
    “You’ve ruined