Shadows at Predator Reef Read Online Free PDF

time.
    There was something else about Bishop too. The guy was seriously tied into the international black market—and his treasure-hunting résumé included extensive experience as a shipwreck salvage diver, searching old, abandoned ships for loot. Was it a coincidence that he showed up right after someone had stolen a living treasure from a four-hundred-thousand-gallon tank?
    Frank and I kept our distance so Bishop wouldn’t notice he was being tailed. He made his way to the water taxi stop at the end of the pier, where one of the pontoon boats was getting ready to shove off. It was the only one in sight, so Frank and I were going to have to make a decision.
    â€œWe can’t tail him once he’s on the water,” Frank said, echoing my thoughts. “Do we give up and track him down later or let him know we’re onto him?”
    â€œI think our guest deserves a welcoming committee,” I said.
    We hopped aboard the water taxi just as it was about to take off. Bishop gave us a look like he recognized us but couldn’t quite place who we were. A second later his eyes narrowed.
    â€œOh, it’s you,” he said in his proper British accent.
    â€œHey, Dirk,” I said cheerily. “It’s good to see you, too. Welcome back to Bayport.”
    â€œIf it isn’t America’s own young Sherlock and Watson,” he said, though he didn’t make it sound like a compliment. “What an unpleasant surprise.”
    â€œWe’re surprised to see you, too, considering how things turned out the last time,” Frank said.
    â€œIt turns out your little town isn’t quite the worthless flotsam I had initially been led to believe,” Bishop sniffed. “Bayport, it seems, offers quite a few, uh, shall we say, rather interesting aquatic attractions. Although I find many of its human residents leave something to be desired.”
    There was little mystery as to whom Bishop was talking about.
    â€œThirty-five hundred miles is a long way to travel just to see some fish,” I said.
    â€œYour aquarium is quite impressive, I must say. Mr. Valledor has outdone himself with that exhibit of his. It’s close enough to the real thing to make even the most seasoned ocean enthusiast momentarily forget they’re inside an aquarium. A shame, though. I had rather hoped to see the famous Captain Hook for myself.”
    â€œWe bet you did,” Frank retorted.
    â€œI’m sorry, I don’t have the slightest idea what you mean,” Bishop said, looking annoyed.
    â€œIt’s kind of strange that every time you show up in Bayport, something valuable goes missing,” I said.
    â€œWhatever it is that you’re insinuating, I resent the accusation. I am a legitimate businessman, and it is a strictly legitimate interest that brings me back to your town, though I’m now beginning to regret that decision,” he said with a sneer in our direction. “Whatever may have become of your turtle, I hope they find her. I’ve spent quite a bit of time below the surface of our fair seas, and I’ve come to believe that the lives of our finned and flippered friends are often more precious than many of the human beings I’ve had the displeasure of meeting.”
    Before we could reply, he signaled for the water taxi driver to stop.
    â€œNow if you’ll excuse me,” he said as he stood up and brushed the wrinkles from his suit. “Cabbie, you can stop here. I usually find boat rides quite relaxing, but something on this one seems to have made me seasick. Good day.” He cleared his throat like he had a nasty glob of snot stuck there before adding, “Gentlemen.”
    â€œI don’t think that dude likes us too much,” I said to my brother.
    â€œWell, the feeling’s mutual,” Frank said.
    Bishop had obviously gotten off short of his final destination, so wherever he had intended to go would have to remain a mystery for