Dirk Daring, Secret Agent by Helaine Becker

Author:Helaine Becker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JUV051000, JUV013080, JUV039060
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Published: 2014-08-31T16:00:00+00:00

The enemy agent was in his cell. Engaged, no doubt, in the mindless rituals of those in solitary confinement.

Scratching.

Picking.

I did not begrudge my ancient foe these small, physical pleasures. For his last few precious moments of “before” were quickly drawing to an end. The hour had now arrived for me to conduct the interview, as we in the spy trade euphemistically call it. To force his confession of his dark deeds.

The poor fool was as yet unaware of the persuasive powers I would be bringing to my task. The psychological “rack.” The emotional “thumb screws.” For in the art of mental torture, I was highly skilled. I was the Inquisitor. Torquemada. Saw.

Once I was finished with him, it would always be “after.” After he had crumbled, unable to withstand my impeccable technique. After he had begged for mercy on his knees…

How I looked forward to this—to cracking him like a hazelnut between my remorseless fingers. Wringing the truth from him like dirty water from a string mop. Making him sing.

There would be no mercy, of course. Not from Dirk Daring, Secret Agent. For the tables had turned. The balance shifted.

And now I, Dirk Daring, had the upper hand.

I burst into his room. Closed his bedroom door behind me. Let a glimmer of a smile dance devilishly across my lips.

“To what do I owe this unexpected visit, little bro?”

“I thought we’d play a little game of Truth or Dare tonight.”

He laughed. “Sorry, kiddo. I got studying to do. Maybe next time.”

I stepped closer to him.

“Au contraire, mon frère. I think we’ll play now.”

Waldo gave me an amused look. One that said, “I’ll humor the little twerp.” He put down his pen.

“Fine. What’s your dare then?”

I shook my head. “No—we’re playing truth this time. For the first time. So let’s have it.”

His brows knit. The corners of his mouth curled down. “If you’ve got something to say to me, say it. Otherwise, I’ve got work to do.”

“I know about the math tests, bro.”

His face grew still.

“I know you bought them. And that Lucinda has been blackmailing you. I know she told you to keep me away from Travis.”

Waldo’s eyes were hard and cold for a moment, but then he looked away. “Okay. You got me.”

“So it is true…”

“It was only that once—I swear! And it was totally unnecessary too. I didn’t even need those stupid old exams—I knew the stuff cold. It was just that…with Dad on my case about my marks…well, I felt a little insurance was in order. So in a moment of weakness…”

His eyes landed back on mine. “You won’t tell, will you, bro?” I noted his new, pleading tone with pleasure.

I mocked him. Played with him the way a cat torments a mouse. “Who, me? Reveal a secret? Whoa ho ho, oh no…not when it’s as good as gold to me. And this is solid gold, my friend. Solid, mathematical gold.”

My eyes narrowed. “You know what I want, of course.”

“Aw, come on. You’re not going to blackmail me too, are you? We’re brothers.

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