Egypt's Fire by Tom Phillips

Author:Tom Phillips [Phillips, Tom]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Childrens, New, Humour, Mystery, Adventure
ISBN: 9781645951070
Amazon: B09FWWBNM8
Goodreads: 59736454
Publisher: Pixel + Ink
Published: 2022-05-03T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

The time John learned the first rule of being a criminal.

DINNER AT PATTY’S PANCAKE PARLOR was not much different from lunch or breakfast. In fact, if it hadn’t been dark outside, John would have sworn they’d just left the restaurant.

“Welcome to Patty’s Pancake Parlor,” a singsong voice called from across the space, as a short woman with bug-like eyes and cotton-candy hair waved at them.

“Patty!” Toadius waved back. “I thought you were on vacation.”

“I was. Just got home. Bruno took me to the most romantic place on earth.”

Pickles squealed. “Paris?”

“Better than that, my dear,” Patty said, throwing her hands in the air.

“Venice?” John guessed.

“No. I hate water,” Patty replied as she glided over to them. John realized the old lady was on roller skates.

“Lanark County?” Toadius offered as he tossed his hat on a coatrack before hugging the pancake parlor proprietor. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and her feet dangled in the air, roller skates and all.

“Yes! You are the world’s greatest detective.”

“Well, Lanark County is the maple syrup capital of the world,” the inspector replied, grinning. “And I see Bruno is wearing a new shirt.”

John noticed an old man with a large white mustache sitting at the counter. Sure enough, he had on a white T-shirt with a graphic of a giant maple leaf high-fiving a waffle.

“How goes it, Bruno?” Toadius called.

“Life’s like an elevator.” Bruno tipped his hat. “It has its ups and downs….”

“But it’s always moving somewhere.” Toadius chuckled.

“You kids sit down and let ol’ Patty treat you to some real flapjacks,” the old woman instructed as she skated toward a swinging door, which John imagined was the entrance to the kitchen.

Toadius motioned for Pickles to go first. She smiled politely and took a seat while John slid into the booth on the other side.

Pickles batted her eyes at Toadius. “So, what’s the plan, Gumshoe?”

“Can we trust Shim-Sham?” John asked.

“Trust,” Toadius echoed thoughtfully. “How does one define trust?”

John folded his arms on the table. “Trust. Noun. Belief that someone or something is reliable, good, honest, effective.”

“If that’s the case, then no,” Toadius replied as he handed a menu to Pickles.

“No! Then why did you pay him?” At this point, John was beginning to wonder if his temporary guardian could be relied on to make good choices.

“So he would introduce us to the fence, of course.”

“But can we trust him to get the meeting?” Pickles asked.

“Yes.” Toadius gave a sharp nod.

“Then can we trust him not to betray us?” Pickles smiled.

“I hope not.” Toadius picked up a menu. “I’m counting on the fact he will betray us.”

John frowned. “We should be the ones setting the trap, Toadius, not the ones walking into it.”

“We are setting the trap.” Toadius paused. “I didn’t tell you the plan, did I?”

“No, you didn’t,” Pickles replied, arching an eyebrow.

“Oh, it’s very brilliant. It was all the good doctor’s idea.”

“What doctor?” John asked.

“What doctor?” Toadius sputtered. “Funny and humble. Good show, my boy.”

“I’m not a doctor.” Did Toadius listen to a single thing he said?

Toadius motioned the others to lean in closer.

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