Amos and the Chameleon Caper Read Free Page A

“Save me, Dunc! She’s killing me!”
    “What are you talking about, Amos? Tiffany’s been knocking on your door for the last ten minutes. She finally asked me to come in here and get you. Why didn’t you answer her?”
    Amos let go and looked around the room. “There was this grandma with binocular eyes who was …”
    Dunc pulled the curtains open. “I warned you not to eat that whole gallon of ice cream on top of that footlong bologna and Swiss.” He moved to the telescope Tiffany had set up the night before and scanned the windows of the apartment across the courtyard.
    Amos rubbed his eyes and yawned. “Did you guys ever see anything last night?”
    “Both women were in the apartment. So we know the older lady is definitely staying there. What we don’t know is why they’re trying to keep it a secret.”
    Amos leaned back. “So, what do you and my cousin have planned today—another fun-filled morning of invading other people’s privacy?”
    “No, that’s why Tiffany was trying to wake you up. She has a surprise for you.”
    “Really?” Amos swung his legs over the side of the bed. “What is it?”
    “I’m not sure you’re gonna like it.”
    “Of course he is.” Tiffany pushed the door open and stuck her head through. “But if you don’t hurry, we’re going to be late.”
    “For what?”
    “I have karate class today, so I called and asked permission for you to come down and show us some moves. The instructor thought it was a great idea.”
    Amos lay back on the bed. “I don’t think I feel so good.” He looked to Dunc for help.
    Dunc shrugged. “How hard can it be?”
    “Try to hurry, Amos. The class will be waiting.” Tiffany pulled the door shut.
    “You were a big help.” Amos scowled. “Now what am I going to do?”
    Dunc focused the telescope. “The redhead is going out again. I wish you hadn’t got us mixed up in this martial arts junk. Now we can’t follow her.”
    “Would you quit worrying about other people? We have a problem here.”
    Dunc put the cap on the telescope. “I don’t know what you’re so worried about. You’ve seen hundreds of ninja movies. Just fake it and give them a good show. They won’t know the difference.”
    “You think?”
    Dunc nodded. “If you live through it, you’ll have them in the palm of your hand.”

“I think I’ve changed my mind.”
    Dunc peeked out through the dressing room door. “You can’t change your mind, Amos. There are people out there waiting for you.”
    “Let them wait. I look like I’m wearing my dad’s pajamas.”
    The instructor had loaned Amos his own extra
gi
—along with his black belt.
    “What am I supposed to do with this?” Amos held up the cloth belt. “It must be six feet long.”
    “You wrap it around your waist and tie it off somehow.”
    Amos wrapped … and wrapped … and wrapped. “Now what?” He had a couple of feet left over.
    “I don’t know, but you better do something quick. The instructor is coming this way.”
    Amos stuffed the end of the belt down the back of his pants and headed out the door.
    The instructor gave him a strange look. “Is there a problem?”
    “Well, actually—” Amos started.
    “No problem,” Dunc interrupted. “Amos here just needed some time to meditate. It’s the most important part of the program.”
    “Of course.” The instructor led the way to the front of the hall.
    When Amos stepped on the mat, the room exploded. Everyone jumped to their feet and bowed. Amos hesitated and then bowed back.
    A smile crawled across his face. He stepped off the mat and everyone sat down. Quickly he jumped back on themat. Everyone scrambled to their feet again and bowed.
    He would have tried it a third time, but Dunc grabbed his arm and pulled him to the floor.
    “Students, we are honored today by the presence of someone who has knowledge of the ancient art of …” The instructor looked at Amos.
    “Jim Gots Yu.”
    “Yes, well, I’d like you to give him