Tears of a Dragon Read Online Free PDF Page B

was.
    Professor Hamilton strode forward, leaving Bonnie behind. “Excuse me! Miss Foley! I was summoned by your father to pick you up.”
    Shelly pulled her head back, staring at the professor suspiciously. “Who are you?”
    He dipped his head in a quick bow. “I am Charles Hamilton, your father’s professor and mentor from Oxford and your brother’s homeschool teacher. Surely they have mentioned me to you.”
    “Of course he’s talked about the Prof,” she replied, her brow furrowing, “but I’ve never seen a picture, so I don’t—”
    “Perhaps I can explain, Mr. Hamilton.” The young man placed a hand behind the professor’s shoulder. “I’m Christopher Hawkins with Freestate Limousine Services. Shelly’s father called and asked us to pick her up. He was concerned that you wouldn’t be able to find her, so he made a reservation for her just in case.” He flashed his smile again. “Sounds like a good father to me.”
    “Carl is a devoted father, to be sure.” The professor’s voice grew just a bit more aggressive. “But we have found her, so your services will not be necessary.”
    Christopher stepped back. “Of course. As you wish.”
    “Wait a minute,” Shelly said, grabbing the placard. “Does my father have to pay for the limo anyway?” Her gaze seemed locked on the company logo at the bottom of the sign, a black stretch limousine with a long-legged woman stepping into the back.
    Christopher folded his hands behind him. “Not the full fare for a ride to West Virginia, but there is a cancellation fee.”
    Shelly pointed the placard at the professor. “What are you driving?”
    Professor Hamilton shifted from one foot to the other. “A, er, a Chevrolet station wagon.”
    Shelly nodded toward Bonnie. “With the blind girl?”
    The professor stepped back and pulled Bonnie alongside him. “No. I will be with at least three other men, and she wishes to fly with her friends in a Cessna, so you have the option to go with her. Mrs. Bannister is an excellent pilot, and—”
    Shelly leaned back, waving her hand. “Oh, no! I’m not flying again in this storm. We bounced around like a pinball, and that was in a jumbo jet.”
    Christopher took the sign and folded it slowly, keeping his eyes on his hands. “My limousine has a DVD player, snacks and drinks, and a guaranteed smooth ride.”
    Bonnie wrinkled her nose. Smooth was right. Too smooth.
    The professor unclipped his cell phone. “I’ll see what your father wants you to do.”
    “What he wants me to do?” Shelly said, scowling. With her voice rising, several passersby turned their heads. “Look, I can make this decision myself. If Dad wants me to pay him back for the ride, I will, but I’m not flying, and I’ll take a limo over a station wagon crowded with a bunch of men I don’t know, anytime.” She curled her arm. “Lead the way, Christopher.”
    Christopher flashed his brilliant smile again, took Shelly’s arm, and led her away.
    Bonnie grabbed the professor’s sweater and jerked hard. “Call her dad! Quick!”
    “Again, I concur.” He pressed a speed dial button and held the cell phone to his ear, waiting for an answer.
    Bonnie chewed on her lip. It was taking too long. She tried to follow the pair with her eyes, but they disappeared into the crowd. The creep was getting away.
    The professor’s brow lifted. “Carl. It’s Charles. Did you send a limo service for your daughter? . . . You didn’t? Hold on!” He pressed the phone into Bonnie’s hand. “Talk to him!” The professor dashed down the airport corridor, running faster than she imagined he could, dodging people with amazing agility. Just a few seconds later, he returned, his hands raised in frustration as he stood on tiptoes scanning the heads in the crowd.
    Bonnie lifted the phone, her hands trembling. “Uh, Mr. Foley. Bonnie again. I think we have bad news . . .”
    Billy threw the book onto the ledge with Hambone and splashed toward Walter. He jerked