The Kidnappers Read Online Free PDF

catching the criminals.
    There was no way the cops would tell me anything even if they knew what was going on. But they didn’t know what I had seen.
    I was practically shaking, but there was only one thing I could think of to try. “The police would listen to an adult. I’m going to have to tell Father and hope he’ll call them for me.”
    That turned out to be a total bust, too.
    My father was working in his study. He was irritated because my mother kept asking for his opinion on things to do with the party, and he was definitely unhappy when I showed up.
    Sophie had gone with me, but he ignored her and glared at me.
    â€œJoel, how many times have I asked you not to bother me when I’m busy? I have to fax these papers off yet tonight, and I don’t have time to talk to you.”
    Sophie spoke while I was still working my throat, trying to make some convincing words come out.
    â€œIt’s important, Daddy. Joey saw something important, and the police need to know about it. But because he’s a kid, they think he’s playing practical jokes or something. Please listen to him.”
    â€œThe police?” Father’s voice was sharp. “What have you gotten mixed up in this time? When are you going to grow up enough to stop all this foolishness? You can’t expect me to go on forever talking you out of trouble. If this is school business, talk to Mr. Giacomo. I’ve already told him you’re old enough to take responsibility for your own actions.”
    â€œIt’s not about school,” I said desperately, ashamed that my voice had a tremor in it. “Not directly, anyway. I was . . . trying to keep out of Willie Groves’s way, and he followed me. But he hadn’t found me, and a car came up and somebody grabbed him and pulled him into the backseat. I didn’t see the license number, but I did see the car, and maybe that would help the police to find him. He dropped his books and stuff on the sidewalk. Maybe somebody found them. And his folks must know he’s missing by this time, only the maid says Mr. Groves isn’t taking any calls—”
    Father made a rude sound. “I shouldn’t wonder he doesn’t want to talk to smart-alecky kids.”
    â€œBut if Willie’s been kidnapped, he surely wants to know about any clues that were left behind, doesn’t he? And I was the only one who saw it happen!” I was pleading with him to believe me. “Maybe he’d talk to you, and you could tell him about the black New Yorker with the fancy emblem on the door. That’s not the greatest clue, not without a license number, but it’s something, isn’t it? It might help?”
    I braced for his refusal to get involved. For another lecture.
    â€œIf this is another one of your pranks, Joel—”
    â€œIt’s not! It really happened!” I said quickly.
    At the same time Sophie chimed in, “Please try, Daddy. Joey’s not making it up this time—”
    His gaze rested on my sister. “Did you see it? This kidnapping?”
    â€œNo,” she had to admit. “But I know he’s telling the truth. Please, Daddy. See if you can get Mr. Groves to talk to you. Even if he won’t admit Willie’s gone, if you tell him about the car and the man—”
    For the first time he eyed me without total rejection of what I was saying. “You could identify the man who took him?”
    â€œYes, I think so. If I saw him again.”
    He hesitated for only a few seconds. “What’s the Groveses’ number?”
    Relief swept over me in a wave that made me almost sick.
    But the relief was premature. Father, too, was told that Mr. Groves was not taking any phone calls this evening. “All right,” he said into the receiver. “When he’s available, please have him call Parnell Bishop.” He recited his phone number. “And tell him it’s urgent, if