Read Online Skin and Bones by Franklin W. Dixon - Free Book Online Page A

more of an entertainment area. You know... theaters, music and comedy clubs, restaurants.”
    Jennifer piled costumes on to Frank’s outstretched arms. “I need to take care of some things,” she announced. “Here are the outfits for all of you. We’vegot a short dress rehearsal Thursday evening and a party for all the volunteers afterward. Will you and the others come early and help me set up?”
    â€œThat’d be fun,” Frank said. “See you then. Before I go, may I use your phone?”
    â€œSure,” Jennifer said. “There’s one in my office in the far corner.
    Frank sat behind Jennifer’s desk and checked the phone number for the mailing station Cody had mentioned. He dialed the number, and while he waited, he looked at the display of photographs on Jennifer’s wall. She’s a sports and fitness fanatic, he thought to himself. There were photos of Jennifer dressed in every conceivable sports uniform and receiving certificates and awards for every conceivable competition.
    The taped recording told him that the mail stations were closed until seven o’clock the next morning. The room with private mailboxes and lockers was open twenty-four hours.
    Joe was walking in as Frank was walking out. “Did you find anything?” Frank asked his brother as they got into Sergeant Chang’s van.
    â€œNo,” Joe said. “Nothing.”
    On the way back to Sergeant Chang’s, Frank and Joe continued to compare notes. “I know I waspushed off that cable car,” Frank said. “I can’t prove it—but I felt two strong hands on my back.”
    â€œIt can’t be just a coincidence that Mike Brando was nearby,” Joe pointed out.
    â€œI might not have been the target,” Frank said. “He could have been following Cody and meant to push him. Just when he started to shove, he could have been jostled, lost his balance, and I was the one in the street.”
    â€œHow about the guy on the windmill deck?” Frank asked. “We’re pretty sure it’s the same guy who was driving the green car, right?”
    â€œSeems likely,” Joe agreed. “The car was parked right there.”
    â€œCould it be the same guy who kicked you on the roof?”
    â€œI didn’t get much of an idea about the one on the roof,” Joe reminded him. “First he was crouching, then I was bent over, then he was gone. Actually, it’s pretty much the same thing with the guy on the windmill deck. His back was to me most of the time. Then when he turned around, I was distracted by the danger facing Deb.”
    Frank told Joe about calling the mailing station. “We should get on that,” he said. “That could lead to something.”
    â€œSo how does the club look?” Joe asked. “Is it going to be pretty scary?”
    â€œIt’s going to be cool. The kids should love it.” Frank told Joe about Jennifer’s plans for the neighborhood.
    â€œDoes Cody know about this?”
    â€œHe hasn’t mentioned anything to me,” Frank said.
    â€œIt doesn’t sound like his shop will fit the image she has in mind.”
    The house was empty when they arrived at Sergeant Chang’s. He had left them a note saying he wouldn’t be home until later and to help themselves to anything in the kitchen. He also mentioned that a package had been left for them.
    The bulky bundle lay on the table next to the note. It was wrapped in brown paper and tied with strong cord. There was no return name or address—just the delivery service stamp and the word Hardys typed on a small label taped to the brown paper.
    Frank cut the string and pulled back the paper. Inside lay a deep wooden box with a sliding lid. Carefully, Frank slid the top of the box to one end and lifted it out of the groove. Pale yellow tissue paper concealed a lumpy package. Cautiously, Frank peeled the tissue off a gruesome