Slam Dunk Sabotage by Franklin W. Dixon

Author:Franklin W. Dixon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aladdin

9 Framed

* * *

Joe Hardy usually felt pretty comfortable in Chief Collig’s office. After all, he and Frank had visited it often enough on past cases. But this time was different.

The chief sat behind his large mahogany desk and stared thoughtfully back at Joe and his brother. On a shelf hanging nearby, Joe noticed a faded black-and-white photograph of the chief and his Bayport Bombers basketball teammates from years ago.

“Chief, you know we had nothing to do with those phony ATM cards,” Joe said.

“Did you know our father is the chief investigator in that case?” Frank asked.

The chief let out a loud sigh of frustration. “Fenton filled me in,” he admitted. “But when we get tips, we’re supposed to follow up on them.”

He waved a hand. “I know you boys have nothing to do with that ATM scam. But we did find those phony cards in your van. That’s something that worries me—and your father, too. There’s a large gang involved in this case. Some of the people we’ve arrested are hardened criminals, violent ones. But there are other bad guys still on the loose, and I’ll bet they’re just as vicious. Until I find out to what extent you two are involved—”

“We don’t know to what extent we’re involved either, Chief,” Frank confessed. “Or why.”

“Honestly, Chief,” Joe added. “We weren’t even helping Dad with his case.”

Joe felt Chief Collig’s eyes flick from him to his brother. “I know you two boys mean well,” the chief said. “But one of these days this amateur detective stuff will get you in serious trouble. I don’t want that to be on my beat or my conscience. Am I getting through to you guys?”

Joe nodded. “Is that the end of this evening’s lecture?”

The chief sighed. “It may as well be. I’m just wasting my time.”

“Then we’re free to go?” Frank asked.

“You’re free to go,” Chief Collig grunted.

At the door, Joe turned and said, “Chief Collig? I have just one question.”

“What?” Chief Collig asked, frowning.

“Are we still pals?” Joe asked with an innocent smile.

“Get out of here!” Chief Collig bellowed, but an unwilling smile tugged at his lips.

The Hardys hurried back outside and climbed into the van. “Well, I know who’s at the top of my ‘Let’s Talk’ list,” Joe said as he cranked over the engine. “Todd Coates was hanging around the van earlier this evening. Maybe he saw someone planting the ATM cards.”

“Or maybe that’s why he was hanging around the van—to plant them himself,” Frank suggested. “And I just remembered something. I thought I saw something made of metal fall from his hand when he took off. If we went back to the parking lot, I’ll bet we’d find a piece of wire coat hanger with a hook in it. Low-tech, maybe, but with a little bit of practice, anyone can use it to unlock a car door—”

“Whoa!” Joe exclaimed. “Even if Todd could fiddle the door lock, where would he get a bunch of phony ATM cards? And more important, why would he plant them?”

“Try this on for size,” Frank said.

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