The Emerald Quest Read Online Free PDF Page A

taillight was broken. The right rear side was also smashed.
    Anthony’s eyes widened when he saw the damage. “Wow, what happened?” Riley explained about the SUV. “That’s not too bad, considering,” Anthony said. “I’m glad they didn’t hurt you.”
    “You can say that again,” Frank said. He put his arm around Noah.
     “Would you mind taking Noah to dinner, and maybe the arcade, while we go talk to Ben Burton?” Riley asked Anthony.
    “Sure,” Anthony grinned. “I’ll beat Noah at a game or two.”
    “In your dreams,” Noah laughed.
    “Take my car,” Frank said, handing Anthony the keys to an SUV similar to the one that hit the Honda. “I’ll ride with Riley.”
    “Come on,” Anthony tugged Noah’s arm. “We’ll go to Big John’s Pizza.”
    Big John’s was Noah’s favorite place to eat. “All right!” he said.
    “We’ll call when we’re finished at the station,” Frank yelled after them.
    Noah didn’t notice the worried look on his mother’s face as he and Anthony got in the SUV and drove off.
    ***
    A few hours later, Noah and Anthony had just completed an intense game of video boxing when Anthony pulled his cell phone from his pocket.
    “That’s strange,” he said. “Your dad hasn’t called yet.”
    “Maybe they’re still talking to Chief Burton,” Noah said, feeding another quarter into the game.
    Anthony dialed the phone. After a few moments, he hung up, his eyebrows scrunched up. “No answer.” He started to walk away.
    “Hey, wait.” Noah gestured at the video game. “One more game?”
    Anthony came back. “Okay.” But Noah could tell that Anthony was distracted. Noah beat him easily, which was usually not the case.
    “We should go now,” Anthony said.
    Noah followed Anthony out of Big John’s. They drove home in silence. When Anthony turned onto their street, he slowed before arriving at the house.
    “Are those men in the SUV back?” Noah asked.
    Anthony scanned the street, then the front of the house. The sun was low on the horizon and the house was bathed in deep shadows. No lights were on in the house.
    “I guess they’re not home yet,” Anthony said.
    Noah nodded. His heart fluttered. Anthony’s anxiety was rubbing off on him.
    Anthony parked in the driveway. They got out and slowly approached the front porch. Indy leaped out of the bushes. Noah and Anthony jumped.
    “It’s just the cat,” Anthony said, the tension broken. “Your parents must have gone for a bite to eat.” He took out his key and unlocked the door.
    “Indy,” Noah picked up the cat. “What are you doing out here?”
    Anthony opened the door and turned on the living room light.
    “Whoa…” Noah said, his voice trailing off. They both stared inside.
    The house had been ransacked.

 
     
    CHAPTER FOUR
     
    SPIKE MAN
     
     
    Noah gaped at books and papers, scattered everywhere. The cushions on the couch were ripped open, and stuffing was strewn about. All the contents of the bookshelves had been swept onto the floor. Noah set Indy down. The cat growled, then skittered upstairs, his tail puffed out.
    “Let’s see if Chief Burton’s home.” Anthony backed out of the house, dragging Noah with him.
    “Mom and Dad must be with Chief Burton.” Noah’s voice shook. “They must have come home, seen this and went to report it.”
    “Your parents are fine,” Anthony reassured Noah as they cut across Chief Burton’s lawn to his front door. Anthony rapped on the door. A moment later, Chief Burton appeared.
    “Hey Anthony, Noah,” Chief Burton smiled. He was an ex-football linebacker who had played for Florida State. Ben was tall and bulky, with big hands and a thick neck, but thin hair. “What can I do for you?”
    “Well, sir,” Anthony began.
    “Have you seen my parents?” Noah blurted out. “We haven’t seen them and someone broke into the house!”
    “What?” Chief Burton gazed at them for a second. “Hold on.” He dashed into his home office. Noah heard a