X-plosion by Franklin W. Dixon

Author:Franklin W. Dixon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aladdin
Published: 2009-02-23T16:00:00+00:00

Thankfully, most of the night attractions in the park weren’t up and running yet, so we didn’t have to worry about any other “accidents” while the Blastoff was going on. Our only job tonight was to watch out for Cody and make sure the party went off without a hitch. Tyrone had issued us both backstage passes. As usual, he’d pulled out all the stops. Instead of the usual plastic badges or wristbands, these passes were giant golden keys on long necklaces. They were so heavy, I suspected they might be actual gold. “Subtle” was a concept Tyrone didn’t understand.

We flashed our keys to the security guards around the concert arena and were quickly ushered past the crowds milling outside, waiting for the event to begin. The backstage was packed wall-to-wall with celebrities, journalists, sound techs, and instruments.

“Frank! Joe!” A beautiful and slightly accented voice called out to us from behind a ring of reporters and cameras. A hand emerged from the circle, then an arm, and then suddenly Kijani, lead singer of the Royal We, came bursting out. She nearly tackled me with a hug. Within seconds, we were enveloped in press as well, with camera flashes going off everywhere.

“What are you two doing here?” Kijani asked. Her left hand was holding my hand and her right arm was around Frank’s shoulders. Suddenly the smile left her face. Kijani had been a target in a case we had worked on before, at a big concert just like this.

“Uh, well, we—I mean, that is…”

Frank’s kind of like Superman—and girls are his kryptonite. I leaped in to save him, before Kijani said anything about us and ATAC.

“Oh, you know—we love concerts. Like at Rockapazooma, remember?”

Rockapazooma was the big rock festival at which we had met Kijani. I hoped she got the hint—I didn’t want her to say anything or ask any more questions in front of all the reporters.

“Oh! Yes, I remember.” Kijani looked even more worried now. She must have assumed we were investigating another plot against her. I rushed to reassure her.

“Anyway, we’re just here taking care of our friend Cody Zane.”

Kijani’s eyes went wide, but the scared expression left her face. “If there is anything I can do,” she began, and trailed off. She knew the kind of criminals we took on. They were pretty dangerous folks, and not anyone people who weren’t ATAC trained should try to take on.

“Thanks,” Frank managed to squeak out.

Near the stage, someone yelled Kijani’s name.

“I must go do my sound check. Keep safe, both of you.” She squeezed my hand, then leaned in to give Frank a kiss on the cheek. Typical. Girls love the silent type.

Everything was in full swing, and it seemed like the concert was going to start any minute. I could hear the fans in the audience, chanting for Bret Johnston. Mr. Nice Guyz was headlining the show tonight. That would give us a chance to keep an eye on Bret as well as Cody. MNG’s fans were pretty crazy—girls had been showing up with giant signs and life-size cutouts of Bret all day.

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