The Emerald Quest Read Online Free PDF Page B

happened?”
    “I don’t know,” Anthony replied. “But when we get back in the house, we’re going to do everything we can to find your parents.”
    ***
    It was well past midnight by the time Noah and Anthony returned home. The house was still in disarray, only now, spots of powder marked the door handles and window frames where the police had dusted for fingerprints. Noah glanced around at the mess.
    “What do we do?” he asked.
    Anthony ran a hand through his curly hair. “We need to call Juan Carlo. He might know who else is after that emerald.”
    “They might hurt my parents to get information about the emerald.” Noah shuddered to think what that might mean.
    “Yes. But don’t worry, your parents are smart. They won’t get hurt.”
    They went into Frank’s office. Pictures of Riley, Frank, and Noah diving were on the floor, the glass broken. Books were strewn about. The computer was on, showing the log-on screen.
    “I kept telling Frank not to give me his password,” Anthony said as he sat down and logged into the computer. “But now I’m glad he did.”
    Anthony found Juan Carlo’s phone number. “I’ll put it on speaker,” he said as he dialed the number.
    The sound of a phone ringing filled the room.
    “Hello?” a sleepy voice said.
    “Juan Carlo? It’s Anthony Napolitano.”
    “Hola, my friend.” Juan Carlo spoke in a deep, accented voice. “How are you and the Winters? It is very late. Is something wrong?”
    Anthony glanced at Noah. “Something happened to Riley and Frank.” Anthony explained all that had transpired. Juan Carlo didn’t say a word until Anthony finished.
    “This is very bad,” Juan Carlo said. “Noah, I am sure your parents are fine. They are strong people.”
    “Yes, sir,” Noah replied, trying to sound confident.
    “I will fly down there immediately,” Juan Carlo said. “We must find Riley and Frank as soon as possible.”
    “The police put out an APB,” Anthony said.
    “Ah, that is good,” Juan Carlo said. “But not enough. I will make arrangements as soon as I hang up. I will be there early in the morning. Then we will resolve this.”
    “Thanks,” Anthony said, and hung up.
    Noah started straightening the office.
    “Why don’t you go to bed,” Anthony suggested. “We can deal with this in the morning.”
    “I’m not tired,” Noah said.
    Anthony shrugged. Then he bolted out of his chair. “The Explorer ! Did those men try to get to the boat?”
    “That’s where the brass pieces of spyglass are?”
    Anthony nodded. “Frank took the spyglass tubes with him this morning. He locked them in the safe on the Explorer while we dove the wreck.”
    “Unless Mom and Dad went back to the boat while we went to dinner, the spyglass should still be there,” Noah said.
    They ran out of the house and to the truck.
    “We need to get those spyglass pieces,” Anthony said as he started the engine.
    On a small island like Key West, it only took a couple of minutes to drive to the harbor.
    “You better stay here,” Anthony said as he parked the SUV. “Phil’s not a nice guy and he’ll wonder why a kid is out after midnight.” Phil Harris, the night watchman, was a cranky old man who adhered to the rules no matter what.
    Noah nodded, secretly wishing he could go with Anthony. He scrunched low in his seat so Phil couldn’t see him, but left the window down and watched as Anthony ran up to the harbor office. Noah saw Phil come to the door.
    “Anthony, what are you doing here?” Noah heard Phil’s booming voice.
    “Sorry to bother you, but I need to get into the Explorer .”
    Phil eyed Anthony. “Harbor’s not open.”
    “It’s an emergency,” Anthony pleaded.
    Phil shook his head. “Nope. I’ve had other riffraff coming around here, and now you. I’ve had to do extra patrols on the wharf because of that. Now go on.”
    As he came back to the truck, Anthony’s mouth was twisted into an angry scowl. “Sounds like those men already tried