055 Beyond the Law by Franklin W. Dixon

Author:Franklin W. Dixon [Dixon, Franklin W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: hbfiles new, hbfiles
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

"IT'S MY OWN STUPID FAULT." Collig's expression was grim as he peered through the windshield. "I was busy yakking instead of thinking."

He growled low in his throat as the van joined the tail end of the line of cars waiting to pass through. "The force has a standard plan for setting up roadblocks. Know who picked this place? Me. I figured right beyond the crest of this hill was perfect — fugitives wouldn't see the roadblock until it was too late."

"Right—just as the cops would see us now if we tried to turn around. It would be like waving a big red flag saying, 'Come and chase us!' " Joe glanced at his brother. "We've got a problem. What do we do?"

"We're in plain view of everyone," Collig said unhappily. "Even if I bail out, the boys will see me—and they'll know which vehicle I left."

"That's true." In his mind's eye Frank just saw his father's P.I. license fly away.

"I don't suppose we could just ram our way through," Joe suggested.

"Right. No one would notice that." Frank gave his brother an annoyed look.

"I say, just hang tough." Collig left the seat he'd been in, moving to the shadows in the rear of the van.

If the cops open the back door, we've had it, Frank thought, but he didn't have much choice. They'd reached the barricade.

The police officer who approached them had a vaguely familiar face. Frank must have seen him around town. Certainly he recognized Frank. A big grin spread over the patrolman's round face. "Well, well, if it isn't the famous Hardy brothers! Making your trip to Millerton, I presume, as announced on the media."

Frank's insides froze. What if Parker Lawrence had decided to stop them? What if he'd issued orders to have them picked up? The van might well have become Chief Collig's limousine to jail!

Wild thoughts of escape flashed through Frank's mind. Then he realized that the officer was laughing. "You guys did a nice job of making Lawrence look like a twit. It was all over the morning news. Keep up the good work in Millerton. Pass on!"

The officer waved them through. "See you on TV!"

Both Hardys breathed deep sighs of relief. The general dislike for Parker Lawrence in the Bayport force had rescued them! They continued down the interstate.

Behind them they heard dry laughter as Chief Collig returned to his seat. "Well, we lucked out on that," he said.

"Let's hope our luck holds," Frank responded. "I'm too young to die of a heart attack."

"There shouldn't be any more roadblocks. That was the farthest location I ever planned." He paused for a second, then said casually, "You didn't happen to get the badge number of the officer who let you through?"

"Why?" Joe asked. "Do you want to thank him?"

"No," Collig replied. "If — when I get this mess cleared up, I intend to chew that cop out for letting me escape."

The ride to Millerton took a couple of hours. At first Collig was quiet, having been jolted out of his talkative mood by the near-miss at the roadblock.

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