Danger Zone Read Free Page B

questions Frank said, "The place looks much better. Let's get started on the kitchen."
    Realizing that something was up, Joe led the others into the kitchen. Frank stayed behind and watched as Phil passed the coil along the wall behind the phone table . . . the couch . . . the armchair. . . .
    Suddenly the needle on the meter jumped, then settled back. Phil's eyes lit up. He began to say something, but Frank held out his hand, signaling him to be quiet.
    Phil slowly brought the coil back. When the needle jumped again Phil held it at the spot. He turned to Frank with a triumphant smile.
    Frank nodded, then immediately indicated Phil to follow him again. The two of them went into the kitchen, where Frank waved everyone outside. "Let's put the barbecue grill away, guys, okay?"
    "Barbe - " Chet began, but Frank grabbed him by the arm and pulled him out the back door.
    One by one, with mystified looks on their faces, they stepped out into the backyard. Frank led them to a secluded spot under an oak tree.
    "Okay, what's all the cloak-and-dagger stuff?" Chet demanded. "Don't tell me there's a bomb hidden inside or something."
    "Not a bomb, Chet," Frank replied. "A bug. Whoever this kidnapper is, he was listening to every word we said in the house!"

Chapter 4
    "You mean we were on 'Candid Microphone'?" Chet remarked. "If I'd known, I would have really said what was on my mind!"
    "I just hope we didn't let out anything important," Phil said.
    Joe shook his head. "What's there to hide? We don't know where Dad is. Maybe they'll believe us."
    "That's weird," Phil said.
    "What's weird?" Joe replied.
    "Your dad just left town without telling you where he was going?" Phil asked.
    " 'Southwestern Massachusetts' was all he said," Frank replied with a shrug. "That's the way it goes - sometimes he has to keep things secret."
    "I can't believe he wouldn't leave a number," Chet said.
    "My mom knows," Frank replied.
    "Doesn't do you and Joe a whole lot of good," Biff said. "It's not like you can call her and ask."
    Joe furrowed his brow. "No, but I do remember them talking about my dad's assignment a week or so ago. They were upstairs, and I was passing their room. I could hear them."
    All eyes focused on Joe. "What did they say?" Frank asked.
    "The usual stuff," Joe said, running the hazy events over in his mind. "Mom sounded a little annoyed. She asked if he had to go. Dad said unfortunately yes. Mom mentioned how much work there was to do around the house, Dad said he'd do most of it before he left. Mom asked if he'd call her once he got to ... " His voice trailed off.
    "To where, Joe?" Frank pressed.
    Joe put his hand to his forehead. "I wasn't really paying attention! I wanted to get back to my room. Now, let's see. What was the name of that town? Mar something."
    "Marbury," Phil suggested.
    "Marshalltown," Biff said.
    "Marmalade!" Chet blurted out.
    Biff rolled his eyes. "You marshmallow," he muttered.
    Frank ran into the house to get a New England map as the others continued to suggest names. Scurrying back outside, he opened to a list of towns at the bottom of the map.
    "Marfield," he called out, reading from the Massachusetts section of the list. "Marion, Marlborough, Marstons Mills - "
    "Wait!" Joe interrupted. "Marfield - that rings a bell. I think that was it. 'Fenton, will you call me as soon as you get to Marfield?' I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure that's what she said!"
    "That's as good a lead as any," Frank responded.
    "And Dad told her he couldn't call - he had to remain strictly incommunicado. That much I do remember clearly!"
    Frank looked levelly at Phil. "Joe and I are out of here. Can you destroy the bug? I don't care what you do to the wall."
    "You got it," Phil answered, running inside.
    "Great. The rest of you guys stick around, guard the house, make sure Aunt Gertrude is all right. We'll call from the road and give you a progress report."
    While he was speaking Frank looked from Phil to Biff to Chet. Only Chet's face