Hide and Seek Read Online Free PDF

got caught.”
    “There’s your problem. You tend to believe me when I say such things.”
    “Spill it,” J. J. said. “That’s an order.”
    “And I had such a promising career.” Crispin reached for the controller and switched it on. “Get the window, Pete.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “You’re the one who gave me up, the least you can do is open the window.”
    Pete grumbled but did as asked as Crispin worked the controls. A few moments later a tiny helicopter zipped into the room and settled on the table. It was black, flat, and had four tiny fan-like propellers in the corners. Crispin used a nano-helicopter while on mission in eastern Siberia a few months before. That one he had dubbed Voyager . Being more technically inclined than creative, the surveillance man christened this device Voyager II, and it was one of his show-and-tell items during his demonstration.
    J. J. rubbed his eyes. “Did you record?”
    “Will I be in more trouble if I say yes?”
    “Answer the question, Crispin, or you’ll be riding on the wing when we fly home.”
    “Okay, Boss. Anything you say.” He paused long enough to gulp. “Yes.”
    “Let’s see it.”
    Crispin pointed to a flat-screen television mounted to the wall near the head of the table. “Give me a second and I can set it up so it shows on the big monitor. I mean, if that would be a good thing.”
    “Can you get ESPN?” Jose asked.
    “That would take more work but I could try—”
    “Back to the subject, Crispin.” J. J. tried to sound firm but struggled to keep a grin from erupting on his face.
    Several minutes passed as Crispin tried to get his controller to share its stored video. The team made the work more difficult with constant harassment. J. J. almost felt guilty for the man. Almost.
    Just as he finished, Nagano and Aliki walked in. All eyes went to them then settled on Aliki. They were used to having a big man on the team. Former assistant team leader Rich “Shaq” Harbison made football linemen look puny. Aliki was no smaller and maybe a dozen pounds heavier.
    “Have a seat, gentlemen. You’re just in time for a little entertainment.”
    “Ooh, I love a good movie,” Aliki said and took a chair at the end of the table. “What, no popcorn?”
    Nagano settled in near the open window. J. J. saw him eye the four-inch square device on the table. “Remote control toy?”
    “You’ll see,” J. J. said. He directed his attention to Crispin. “I’m growing old here.”
    “Yes, Boss. I mean, no Boss, you’re not getting older. What I mean is . . .”
    Pete roared with laughter. The two became friends on the last mission. Both were computer junkies. J. J. tried to follow one of their conversations once but could only hear, “Geek, geek, geek,” and “Nerd, nerd, nerd.”
    “Let me make introductions while our former team member tries to redeem himself.” J. J. made sure there was enough humor in his tone so Crispin wouldn’t faint.
    “Former?” said Crispin. “I am so misunderstood.”
    “Okay guys, listen up. Joining our team are Sergeant First Class Mike Nagano and Master Sergeant Aliki Urale. Both have extensive field experience and served on a number of spec ops missions in Afghanistan and Iraq and a few other places we won’t talk about here. Mike goes by ‘Weps’ in the field; Aliki’s nick is ‘Joker.’”
    Crispin perked up. “Jack Nicholson or Heath Ledger.” He looked at Aliki.
    “What?”
    “I mean Nicholson was a great Joker but Heath Ledger was brilliant and he was so ugly in that movie . . . not that you’re ugly. I’m not saying that. I just mean . . .”
    “Hey Crispin,” J. J. said, “at this point a smart man would shut up.”
    Mike answered for Aliki. “He didn’t get the nick from the movie. He’s called Joker because he likes bad jokes.”
    “Really?” Pete said. “Like what?”
    “Don’t ask,” Mike began.
    Aliki rose to the occasion: “A man walks into a bar. Thunk. Ouch.” He leaned back in