Motocross Madness Read Online Free PDF Page B

quickly brought the smoke under control. Apparently, the blaze hadn’t been as bad as it had looked. Some old rags in a broom closet near the back hallway had caught fire, and other things stored in the closet had fueled the smoke.
    â€œIt was a lot more smoke than fire,” Chief Hebert reported to the partygoers. “Still, I’m glad you all got out safely.”
    The police showed up and took statements. Many people complained that they’d lost wallets and other valuables.
    â€œThat’s not unusual in this kind of confusion,” Con Riley, one of the attending officers, said. “Chances are, the missing pieces will turn up once the room is cleaned and straightened out.” Still, he dutifully wrote down every lost item in his notebook.
    Pops Fernandez looked worried. He’d been talking almost nonstop to the TV and other media crews since the rescue workers had arrived. “This is terrible,” he whispered to his children, who were resting curbside near the Hardys and Jamal.
    â€œAt least no one was hurt,” Corri said.
    â€œShe’s right,” Paco replied. “And the publicity from the fire may even help promote the race.”
    Mr. Fernandez glared at his son. “What a terrible thing to say. The media are going to eat us alive.”
    â€œThe fire wasn’t your fault,” Joe interjected. “The newspeople are bound to see that.”
    â€œMaybe,” Mr. Fernandez agreed. He looked apprehensively back at the now-empty building. “Fortunately, it looks like the SD5 wasn’t damaged. That’s the last thing we need on top of everything else.”
    Sensing that the Fernandezes wanted to be alone, the Hardys and Jamal headed back to their cars.
    The brothers said good-bye to Jamal in the parking lot, then returned to their house. Their parents and Aunt Gertrude were already asleep.
    As they headed up to bed, Frank whispered to Joe, “What a day. Corrine nearly got killed by a runaway cycle. Then there was the office burglary. And finally, the fire at the party.” He paused for a minute. “Think it may be more than coincidence?”
    Joe nodded. “Yeah. Let’s not forget the wallets and other things that went missing during the confusion. A fire is a pretty handy distraction for a pickpocket.”
    â€œRight,” said Frank. “Good thing the SD5 was too big to smuggle out of the club under someone’s coat.”
    â€œWe’ll really have to keep our eyes peeled duringthis race,” Joe commented. “Otherwise, Corri may never get that rehab she needs.”
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    Early the next morning, the brothers headed out to the Fernandez dirt track. They’d been assigned a “garage” space—which was more like a medium-sized storage locker in a big, metal building near the race track. Once there, they took some time to tune up their bikes.
    â€œWe should take these out more often,” Joe said. “I really like riding. Remember that time we rode down Bay Road to that house by the cliffs?”
    â€œThat was an adventure,” Frank agreed. “Seems like ages ago.”
    â€œI know,” Joe said. “Sometimes I feel like we’ve been solving mysteries for the better part of a century. Let’s hope we don’t have to do much detecting during the races, though. We’ll need to concentrate to have any chance of winning.”
    â€œWe’re lucky that contestants are limited to 125 cc engines,” Frank said. “Otherwise, the more experienced racers would completely outclass us.” He finished tightening a spark plug.
    The roar of a motorcycle engine caught their attention as Jamal rode up. “I don’t know whether you guys are early birds or late risers,” he said.
    â€œHow come?” Joe asked.
    â€œWell, you got here before I did,” Jamal said, “so you’re early. On the other