Terror at High Tide Read Online Free PDF Page A

something because of the museum break-in.”
    â€œIt’s true,” Joe observed. “Your dad’s disappearance and the wrecked museum seem as though they’ve got to be linked. Anyway, let’s just say the two events happening on the same night make for a weird coincidence.”
    Alicia nodded in agreement. “That’s what I thought, too. When I called the police, they said I could file a missing-persons report, but I’d have to wait twenty-four hours for him to be officially considered missing.”
    â€œDid you talk to Detective Crespi?” Frank asked.
    â€œYes,” Alicia said. “He was sympathetic and everything, but he said that my dad might havejust been out with friends and that I shouldn’t worry. He told me to make sure that my dad called him the minute he got home. He seemed more concerned that Dad wasn’t around to answer questions about the museum vandalism.”
    â€œAnd Crespi didn’t speculate that the two events might be linked?” Frank pressed.
    Alicia shook her head. “No. The vandalism was on his mind, not my dad.”
    â€œWell, his tune might change in another twenty-four hours,” Joe said grimly. “Though I hope Crespi is right—that your dad was just out with friends.”
    Alicia drew a deep breath, then let it out in a slow sigh. “That’s not Dad’s style—to party all night,” she said. “And even if he had been with friends, he’d call me to let me know he’d be home late.”
    Frank knew Alicia was right. He could understand Geovanis staying out late with friends, but it was odd that he hadn’t called by now. Something may have happened to him—either an accident, or a crime.
    â€œAnyway,” Alicia went on, “I barely slept all night, and by nine this morning when Dad still wasn’t home, I knew something was really wrong. I’m convinced he’s been kidnapped—and that Roberto Scarlatti’s the culprit!”
    â€œAlicia,” Frank said, “you can’t jump to conclusions like that. I agree your dad could be insome sort of trouble. But he may have been in a car accident or something. Have you checked the hospital?”
    â€œOf course,” Alicia replied, looking exasperated. “And he’s not there. Besides, the police would have told me that. Also, Jonah Ferrier told me that my red Jeep, which Dad had borrowed last night because his car was being fixed, is still sitting outside the Ferrier house.”
    Frank and Joe were silent for a moment while they thought about Alicia’s story. Finally Joe said, “Let’s say your dad was kidnapped. Maybe the guy kidnapped him first, then went into the museum to trash it. But why?”
    â€œ If it was the same person,” Frank pointed out. “We’re just guessing here—we have no evidence yet—”
    â€œBut I’d say my guess is a pretty educated one,” Joe cut in. “What are the odds that Geovanis would get kidnapped and the museum vandalized all in one night, by two different guys with different motives?”
    Frank shrugged. “I see what you mean.”
    â€œIt must be Roberto Scarlatti, then,” Alicia pressed. “He’s the only enemy my father has. Everyone else loves him.”
    Frank rubbed his chin thoughtfully. It may seem like Geovanis is a popular guy, he thought, but that doesn’t mean he has no other enemies.
    â€œYou guys will help me investigate, right?”Alicia pleaded. “You’re my only hope at this point.”
    â€œOf course we will,” Frank said, smiling. “And we should get going right away—to chase down Scarlatti and also talk to Jonah Ferrier.”
    â€œSo you agree with me about Scarlatti?” Alicia asked hopefully.
    â€œKind of,” Frank answered. “I agree that Scarlatti is jealous of your dad, and his behavior yesterday in the museum points to him as