Darkness Falls Read Free Page A

taking the photographs, Doctor?” he shouted.
    â€œI’ve chosen the Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii for my experiment,” Ebersol replied. “It’s extremely fortunate that the eclipse will take place over one of the greatest astronomicalresearch facilities in the world. And the mountain’s elevation—over thirteen thousand feet, above half of the earth’s atmosphere—reduces interference from dust and water vapor. If there are no more questions, I want to thank you all for coming, and wish us luck.”
    Ebersol waved to the crowd, then turned back to the row of chairs behind him. Before the applause could begin, a voice shouted out from the back of the auditorium.
    â€œDr. Ebersol! Tim Wheeler of
Astronomy Today.
Just one quick question. Which is more important to you, Doctor—finding this destroyed planet, or getting your next book onto the best-seller lists?”
    Frank watched as Ebersol’s back stiffened. Clenching his fists, the Great Explainer made his way back to the metal podium to answer the impudent question. He grabbed the microphone in one hand.
    As he did so, there was a sudden sizzling sound, and a shower of sparks flew out from the mike. Ebersol screamed in agony, and several others in the audience screamed, too.
    Frank couldn’t believe it—Dr. Ebersol was being electrocuted right in front of their eyes!

Chapter 2

    F RANK SPRANG toward the podium, but Joe was quicker. Knowing that if he touched Ebersol with his feet on the ground, he, too, would be electrocuted, Joe leaped high with both feet, kicking Ebersol free of the mike. The two toppled to the floor.
    There was pandemonium in the hall as the group on stage crowded around. Frank checked Ebersol’s pulse. “Get an ambulance!” Frank shouted. Then, as Joe got up, he asked, “Are you okay?”
    â€œI think so,” Joe said, rubbing his back.
    Frank bent down and loosened Ebersol’s tie; the great man’s eyes opened. “Are you all right, sir?” he asked. Ebersol nodded, but Frank couldtell he was woozy. Just then Michele knelt by her husband’s side. “Jim, darling,” she whispered.
    Frank stepped back to make room for her and gestured for Joe to come with him. The two brothers went straight to the podium to check the wiring visually. “Don’t touch anything,” Frank warned. “We’ll have to make sure the circuit breaker is off first.”
    P.J. came up to them. “You can touch it,” she said. “I just shut it off.” She bent over to check out the mike, too.
    â€œWho turned on the mike?” Frank asked as Joe traced, the wiring.
    â€œIt was all set up when we arrived,” said the woman. “The university keeps it ready.”
    â€œHmmm,” Joe said, holding a wire in his hands. “Here’s the problem. This wire’s been stripped down.” He showed them the spot where the insulation had been worn away.
    â€œDo you think it was cut deliberately?” Frank asked, examining it.
    Joe frowned. “If it
was
deliberate, somebody took great care to make it look natural.”
    â€œBut why would anyone want to electrocute Dr. Ebersol?” P.J. asked. “Accidents do happen, after all.”
    â€œI hope you’re right,” said Joe. “All the same, Frank, we’d better keep an eye on Ebersol from now on.”
    *   *   *
    The next afternoon Joe and Frank boarded the plane to Hawaii. “No matter how many times I’ve flown, I still get excited,” Joe admitted as he and Frank showed their passes to the crew.
    â€œ
You’re
excited,” Frank said, smiling. “Did you see how keyed up Mom was when she said goodbye? I think she’s already planning the celebration party she’ll throw when we get back.”
    Before they turned to the right into coach, they saw Dr. Ebersol and his wife, standing in first class, getting ready to