108-Fear on Wheels by Franklin W. Dixon

Author:Franklin W. Dixon [Dixon, Franklin W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-08-07T15:13:40+00:00

Chapter 9

Blown Cover

"Do you think Keith's a member of the Skulls?" Joe whispered to Frank.

"That tattoo has to mean something," Frank replied. "And if what we're thinking is true, it would explain a lot of what's been happening. Come on, we'd better keep these guys apart."

As they moved closer, Joe saw a grin on Bruce's face as he said, "Sorry, fella. I tripped."

Breathing hard, Keith wadded up the oil-soaked T-shirt and flung it in his rival's face. "Sorry, buddy," he said. "It slipped out of my hand."

Several mechanics formed a circle around the two. It seemed to Joe that they were more interested in watching a fight than in stopping one.

Bruce dropped the T-shirt on the cement floor and wiped his face. Then, with no warning, he sprang at Keith, hands outstretched, reaching for his throat.

Keith dodged to the left and brought up his right arm. The elbow caught Bruce under the chin. He staggered backward, clutching his throat. As Keith started to lunge, Joe jumped in front of him. Two men in mechanics' overalls were holding Bruce.

"What's going on here?" Grant pushed his way through the onlookers. Standing with hands on hips, he glared first at Keith, then at Bruce. "I've had all of this feuding that I'm going to take," he said in an angry voice.

Keith sidestepped Joe and pointed at Bruce. "He - " he began.

"I don't care who did what," Grant said, interrupting him. "Any more fights and I'm docking both of you. Got it?" He looked around the little circle. "And what about the rest of you? Don't you have anything to do but stand around? We have a big show tonight, remember?"

Slowly the crowd began to break up, until only Joe, Frank, and the two rivals were left.

Grant turned back to Bruce and Keith. "You're both a mess," he said. "Go get cleaned up. And this is the last time I'll say it - no more fights!"

Bruce and Keith stalked away toward the door. Grant watched them go, then turned back to Joe and Frank. "Would you believe that those guys were best friends when they joined the show a few months ago?" he said. "I guess when their own outfit went under, it put a lot of strain on them."

"What happened?" Joe asked.

"With their show? The usual story. Not enough money socked away to carry them through a dry spell. There's still room for small outfits, but only if they have some money behind them. Bruce and Keith didn't."

"I wonder how they feel about working for someone else instead of themselves," Frank said.

"Hmmph," Grant replied. "If they've got any sense, they're glad to have somebody else take care of the business end. I wish I did."

"Speaking of money," Frank said, "tonight's supposed to be the deadline for the payoff. If we have to go through with it, will you be able to have the money ready?"

"A quarter of a million bucks?" Grant said, rolling his eyes. "In cash?" He glanced around, then lowered his voice to add, "Yeah, I've already got it.

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