Jake Ransom and the Howling Sphinx Read Online Free PDF Page A

here?”
    After all that had happened, Jake almost caved in and told the truth. But suspicions still jangled through him. He did not fully trust Morgan. Could all of this have been a clever ruse? A fallback plan if the thieves failed to find the watch? It seemed odd that Morgan should show up here so suddenly. For that matter, what was the head of security for Bledsworth Sundries and Industries even doing in North Hampshire, Connecticut?
    Jake remembered something his father had once told him:
all you have to do to keep a secret is to do nothing at all
. Of course, his father had been talking about the silence necessary to protect an archaeological dig site. Still, Jake took that advice now.
    He said nothing.
    Morgan shook his head. “Then you’re right. It makesno sense. Lucky I was keeping tabs on your family.”
    â€œWhat?” Jake gulped out, shocked and surprised. “Why?”
    â€œBecause Bledsworth Sundries and Industries cleans up its own messes.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œI fear the event we sponsored at the British Museum last April and the publicity generated by your appearance may have stirred up unwanted attention aimed your way. Since you returned home, we’ve been keeping tabs. Then, two days ago, my local sources picked up chatter of a possible burglary attempt. I came out to investigate.”
    Jake wasn’t entirely buying it. “So that was you back in town, wasn’t it?” He couldn’t keep an accusatory tone out of his voice.
    Morgan’s face tightened with what looked like shame. “I’m afraid so. And I’m afraid that incident with the automobile was also my fault.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Jake asked.
    â€œI only meant to steal your bike.”
    â€œSteal my bike? What are you talking about?”
    â€œI was trying to protect you, to delay your return home and keep you out of harm’s way.” Morgan’s expression turned sheepish and pained. “But when I got downtown, I found someone spying on you. I recognized one of the burglary team. I tried to grab him. But he released the parking brake on his sedan and darted out the far door.I went after him, only realizing too late where the sedan was heading. I gave up pursuit and chased after the car, but it had gained too much speed. I couldn’t catch up.”
    Jake pictured the car smashing through the window. “You almost got me killed.”
    Morgan held up a hand. “A miscalculation. The corporation will cover any damages.”
    A miscalculation?
    Jake stood there, stunned, unable to speak.
    He was saved from responding by the sound of a heavy engine. They all turned toward the front door. Gravel crunched, and a small yellow school bus lumbered into view.
    Morgan stepped to the door, his hand resting on his holstered pistol.
    The bus swung around the circular drive and stopped. The door cranked open, and a tall, lithe figure in a cheerleading outfit stepped out. It was Jake’s older sister, Kady. She swung her length of blond hair like a mane and cast a baleful glance back at the bus as she climbed the stone steps.
    Her eyes grew wide at the sight of the welcome party on the front stoop. Her gaze stuck on Morgan, then flashed to Jake.
    What’s he doing here?
she asked silently.
    Aunt Matilda pushed forward. “Thank goodness you’re okay.”
    Kady scrunched up her face. “As if riding in a school bus is ever
okay
. I’ve never been so humiliated.”
    â€œWhat happened?” Aunt Matilda asked. “I thought Randy was driving you home after cheer practice.”
    â€œHe couldn’t get his car started. The shop teacher thinks someone poured sugar in his gas tank.”
    All eyes turned to Morgan.
    He shrugged. “Kept her away, didn’t it?”
    Jake shook his head and headed back inside. He glared at Morgan. “Great. So you put a little sugar in Randy’s gas tank but almost ran me