The Candy Shop War, Vol. 2: Arcade Catastrophe Read Online Free PDF

hurriedly clarified. “But kids like Lindy are pretty impossible to find. It’s just weird to like her so much when she used to be a dangerous, magical old lady. She could have killed us! Part of me is always nervous she’s going to turn psychotic.”
    “Considering who she used to be, that is probably a healthy concern.”
    Pigeon rubbed Diego’s head, then scratched behind his neck. “I’m glad I have you to talk with.”
    “I’m not called man’s best friend for nothing,” Diego replied. “That feels wonderful. Can you scratch a little lower? Mmmm, that’s the spot.”
    “What should I do about the meeting tomorrow?”
    “With the magical cops?”
    Pigeon nodded.
    “You’re already involved,” Diego said. “You might as well go learn the specifics.”
    “I was afraid you might say that.”

Chapter Three
    The Battiato Brothers
     

    Schwendiman’s All-You-Can-Eat Buffet stood in the parking lot of a strip mall near a pet shop, a frozen yogurt franchise, and a grocery store. Nate, Trevor, Summer, and Pigeon stashed their bikes before walking around to the front. Nate found the Battiato twins waiting just beyond the door, dressed in suits, their expressions neutral.
    One of the brothers consulted a heavy wristwatch. “Right on time. If anything, thirty seconds early.”
    “Ziggy appreciates punctuality,” Victor said.
    Ziggy straightened his suit coat. “It’s considerate.”
    “We’re all here,” Victor told the hostess, a young brunette with some purple in her hair.
    The restaurant was fairly busy. Diners milled about, selecting food from counters protected by sneeze guards. Much of the food was kept warm in steam trays. The waitress guided the Battiatos to a padded booth that curved two-thirds of the way around a table. It looked just the right size for a party of six.
    Knowing he would head to the buffet later, Nate had eaten a small breakfast. The sight of all the food had his stomach rumbling.
    Ziggy motioned for the kids to scoot in. Victor sat at one end of the curved bench, Ziggy at the other.
    “Have you eaten here before?” the hostess asked.
    “Not this particular establishment,” Victor said. “But believe me, we know the drill.”
    “Fair enough,” she said. “Enjoy your meal.”
    Food first?” Ziggy asked generally.
    “Sure,” Trevor seconded.
    “I could eat,” Nate said.
    Victor and Ziggy stood up in unison. Ziggy rolled his head in a slow circle, making his neck pop. Victor noisily cracked his knuckles, surveying the restaurant stoically.
    Ziggy nodded at Victor. “It’s showtime.”
    Nate bit his lip to stifle a laugh.
    Nate and the others followed Victor and Ziggy over to the food counters. Pigeon collected a chilled plate and began putting lettuce onto it.
    “What are you doing?” Nate asked him.
    “I’ve come here before,” Pigeon said. “I guess salad first is a habit.”
    “No parents today,” Nate reminded his friend. “You can get anything.”
    Shrugging, Pigeon added croutons and some ranch dressing, then grabbed a roll and a couple of squares of butter. “I don’t mind salad. I’ll get other stuff later.”
    Nate filled his first plate with fries and tater tots, putting plenty of ketchup and ranch on the side. He had to look around for a moment to find the forks and napkins. Then he returned to the table.
    Ziggy stood beside the table, his pair of plates heaped with hot wings, thinly sliced prime rib, and lamb skewers. He chuckled as Nate slid down the bench next to Pigeon. “Rookie mistake.”
    “What?” Nate asked, glancing over at the husky man.
    “You’re loading up on fries,” Ziggy said. “Your friend has salad and bread. That’s all filler. Like soda. You have to save room for the good stuff.”
    Victor approached the table, his plates heavy with meat. He stood aside so Pigeon could enter the booth next to Summer. Once the four kids were seated, Ziggy and Victor took their places at the ends.
    Ziggy stared across at Victor’s