122-Carnival of Crime by Franklin W. Dixon

Author:Franklin W. Dixon [Dixon, Franklin W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-08-07T15:14:57+00:00

Chapter 9

The Mystery Driver

"I think he's gone," Frank said, sitting up and peering over the front of the swan. He debated whether to chase the guy, but decided that it was too late.

"I just figured out what that was — a Roman candle," he continued. "Plenty scary, but not very dangerous."

Althea pushed herself upright. "It sure scared me," she admitted.

Frank touched the tiny burn on his neck gingerly. "It's painful, too, if it hits you," he said.

"I never imagined — " Althea began. Then she stopped abruptly.

"What?" Frank asked.

"Nothing," she said. "This is all my fault, for deciding to come here."

"You know who attacked us, don't you?" Frank said slowly. "Or at least you have a very good idea."

"How could I? That's ridiculous," Althea replied.

Frank ran through the major suspects in his mind.

Ricky, Farkas, Ricky's two henchmen ... and then there was Althea's jealous admirer, Raoul. He might easily have been driven to extremes if he saw her and Frank entering the Tunnel of Love together. -

"You told me that your friend Raoul helps out wherever he can," he said. "Does he have anything to do with the nightly fireworks display?"

In the dim light of the tunnel, Althea eyed him closely, then said, "Yes. He's one of two crew members who set it up and set it off. But that doesn't mean — "

The swan boat was nearing the end of the ride. Frank said quickly, "Don't worry, I won't jump to conclusions. Now, you had something to tell me about Ricky. We don't have much time. What was it? What is this scheme of his?"

"Nothing," Althea said, shaking her head.

"What do you mean, nothing?" Frank protested. "You brought me here so you could tell me."

"I changed my mind," she said, as the swan glided out into the daylight. "Excuse me, I've got a business to run."

A frustrated Frank watched Althea climb out of the swan boat and hurry off in the direction of the Ferris wheel.

Frank sighed, then climbed out of the swan boat slowly. The case was becoming murkier by the moment. Someone had aimed that Roman candle at him and Althea in the Tunnel of Love. The obvious suspect was her jealous admirer, Raoul. He had means — access to the fireworks—as well as motive. But if Raoul were responsible, why would that make Althea decide not to talk to Frank about Ricky's schemes?

Frank hadn't recognized their attacker's face, distorted as it was by the stocking. But maybe Althea had — she knew everyone at Fairs to Go much better than he. Did she suspect, or even know for sure, that it was Ricky who had mounted the attack as a warning to her? Or if not Ricky, then one of his henchmen?

There was an easy way to check up on Raoul, at least. Chet was keeping an eye on him. Frank glanced at his watch, then turned in the direction of the bumper car concession, where Chet and Joe were supposed to meet him soon.

***

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