evidence and clues theyâd gathered. By the time theyâd finished, they all realized that each of the three had a different theory as to what was happeningâand a different suspect.
âFrom everything Iâve heard from the security experts, Iâd go with Bergerac,â Fenton concluded.
âWell, Iâm not convinced that Montie Roberts is completely innocent,â Frank said. He might not actually be sabotaging the tournament as some people think. But I canât erase the image of him with Coach SantâAnna in that locker room.â
âMy voteâs for Victoire,â Joe said. âIf CoachSantâAnna didnât write an M for âMontieâ as his clue, then it could be a double V for âVictoire.â That guy really clipped me in the Conciergerie. He wanted my backpack and that tape. The tape itself talks about the stadium and the spectators. Theyâre probably referring to messing with the stands.â
âWe know that a lot of them wear combat boots, too,â Frank said, nodding. âThat guard could have been one of them in a stolen security uniform.â
âWell, whichever one it is,â Fenton cautioned, âwe can at least agree that weâre playing with some pretty heavy hitters. Iâm counting on you two to watch your backs.â
âWeâll be very careful,â Frank assured his dad. âAnd you, too.â
By the time they finished their meal, it was close to ten oâclock. âIâve got a tour tomorrow morningâcanât tell you where,â Fenton said. âBut the driverâs picking me up at five, so Iâm hitting the sack. Remember to be careful.â With that, Fenton left the room.
âSo what next?â Joe asked his brother. âIâm too wired to go to bed now.â
âMe too,â Frank said. âWeâre off duty tomorrow from the tournament. So weâll have all day to chase clues. Tonight letâs see a little of Paris!â
âSounds good,â Joe said. âIâll call Jacques. Heâllknow some cool places to go. We can meet at the computer café by the bookstalls.â Joe gave Jacques a call, and the two boys got ready for their night out.
â¢Â  â¢Â  â¢
The Hardys arrived at the café first, so they ordered pizza and sodas. When Jacques came in, there was a flurry of recognition. Several customers waved and called to him. A couple in the corner stood and then fell to one knee with bowed heads, as if Jacques were royalty.
âSo youâre pretty famous here, huh?â Joe said to Jacques as he joined them at the table.
âIâve been known to hack around a little in the past,â Jacques said, chuckling. âI put myself through university by hiring out my computer skills. Now I just use the word processor.â He looked around quickly and leaned in to whisper to the teens. âThereâs something I havenât told you two yet.â
Jacques spoke in hushed tones. âIâm writing a book,â he confessed. âItâs a real thrillerâall about spies and saboteurs. Thatâs why Iâm so hooked on whatâs happening at Le Stade. And thatâs why I want to hang with you two. You can be models for my spies!â
âCool,â Joe said. He leaned back until his chair rested on the wall.
âSee, we can solve this case together, and then I can use parts of it for my book. You cut me in on everything, and Iâll trade my hacking skills. Anythingyou need to find on a computer, I can probably get for you. We can be a strong team.â
âOkay,â Frank said. âSounds good.â
The three toasted their partnership with sodas and downed the pizza. Then Jacques took them on a tour of some of his favorite hangouts. By the time the Hardys arrived back at the apartment, they were really feeling the effects of the long day.
The two Hardys were in their
Emma Knight
Robert T. Jeschonek
Linda Nagata
C. L. Scholey
Book 3
Mallory Monroe
Erika McGann
Andrea Smith
Jeff Corwin
Ella Barrick