174-Hide & Sneak by Franklin W. Dixon

Author:Franklin W. Dixon [Dixon, Franklin W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-08-07T15:15:16+00:00

Chapter 9

The Financier

Chet Morton ran for the rope ladder. "We've got to get out of here!" he cried, panic in his voice.

Joe took his friend by the arm. "If they haven't spotted us already, the cops are sure to see us any second."

He gave his pal a lopsided smile. "I'd rather explain what we were doing here than why we were running away. Besides, if we're lucky, this won't be our sunburned friend from yesterday."

But luck wasn't on their side. The first face to appear over the rope ladder was sunburned and peeling. Obviously the harbor patrolman had recognized the Sleuth. His expression grew more grim as he got closer.

"We had a report that the owner of this vessel wasn't responding to calls." The officer took Joe by the arm and began leading him toward the bow of the boat. "Can you tell us anything about that?"

Joe noticed that the cop's partner was questioning Chet, and taking him in the opposite direction—out of earshot. This was a typical police tactic, separating the suspects during questioning.

"Look, Officer" — Joe squinted to get a look at the nametag on the cop's blue windbreaker— "Nelson. We're working on a college film out here. Hoping to get a better view of the bay, we pulled up beside this yacht and called to the people on board. When we didn't get an answer, we figured we'd better check it out."

"You didn't go into the cabins? You didn't touch anything?" Officer Nelson demanded.

Joe could feel the color rising in his own face. He fought down his anger before he said something stupid.

"Uh, Charlie?" The other officer interrupted. "Better take a look here. I brought this kid to the stern, and he spotted something in the water."

Joe looked across the surface of the bay. What was that bobbing there? A head?

Officer Nelson grabbed the mike to his radio and began giving directions to the police launch.

In very little time the officers took off. The deck of the Jolly Roger gave Joe and the others a perfect vantage point to watch the ensuing rescue operation. As the launch returned and moved in toward the yacht, the head looked up, and a pair of frantically waving arms appeared. One of the crewmen, carrying a line, dived in. A moment later the harbor patrol had the body out of the water.

Soon after that the rescued man stood wrapped in a police issue blanket on the deck of the Jolly Roger. Frank and Sprock Kerwin were also brought aboard. Sprock was of course filming everything.

The man was probably average height, but looked shorter thanks to his stocky build. With his brown hair plastered to his head by water, it was easy to see that he was beginning to go bald. He had a small snub nose and a strong chin.

What struck Joe, though, were the man's blue eyes. They were piercing and sharp.

The man abruptly stuck out his damp hand to shake with Joe. "Pete Buckmaster," he said. "I understand I have to thank one of you young men for spotting me.

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