Darkness Falls Read Free Page B

sit. Fortunately, Ebersol had recovered from his shock, except for a bandage on one hand. “I’m bored already, and I can’t even write!” Joe heard him complain. “Get me
The New York Times,
Michele.”
    When he turned and saw Frank and Joe, Ebersol transformed his grumpy expression into his familiar, brilliant smile. “It won’t be long now, boys!” he said.
    â€œExcuse me, I need to get by to get to the magazine rack,” Michele said to Joe, who had stepped into first class. Joe noticed that she seemed tired and stressed.
    â€œHi, remember me?” Joe said. She glanced up at him and gave a little laugh.
    â€œSorry,” she said with a sigh. “I’m not very together today. Jim’s hand was bothering him last night and neither of us got any sleep.”
    The Hardys left to find their seats in coach.Across the aisle from them, Everett MacLaughlin was gazing out the window, a serious expression on his face.
    â€œHey, there,” Joe said, sliding into his seat.
    The graduate assistant reacted as if he was startled. “Oh. Hi,” he said. Quickly, he picked up a scientific journal on his lap and began reading.
    The plane stopped in San Francisco, then landed in Honolulu, where the group changed planes for their flight to Kona Airport on the island of Hawaii—Big Island, as the locals called it. By the time they landed, the summer sun was setting over the ocean in an orange and pink blaze of glory.
    As they got off the plane, Joe took a deep breath. Even at the airport, the evening breeze carried the scent of orchids.
    â€œIt’s weird going back in time, isn’t it?” Frank said, resetting his wristwatch. “Just think, in Hawaii they see the evening news in the morning.”
    Dr. Ebersol called Frank and Joe over to him. “Michèle and I have to meet with some of the foundation’s sponsors at the beach house we’ve rented,” he told them. “Please help Everett unload the equipment. Then he’ll take you to your hotel. I’ll see you up at the observatory tomorrow morning, and we’ll set up shop.”
    â€œYou got it,” Frank said cheerfully.
    The Hardys and MacLaughlin stowed the gear in a rented van. Frank and Joe decided to rent a car of their own, in case there was time for exploring the island. They followed MacLaughlin’s blue van in a shiny red convertible, past lava fields that looked like moonscapes in the growing twilight and on to the resort town of Kailua.
    Their hotel was a budget one on the noisy main drag. Joe’s eyes widened when he got a load of the surfboards for rent in the shop next door. “Let’s make time for those before we leave here,” he said to Frank, who nodded his agreement.
    After unpacking, the boys knocked on MacLaughlin’s door. “Join us for dinner?” Frank asked.
    â€œI can’t,” the assistant answered nervously. “I’m going over the data, preparing for tomorrow.”
    â€œOkay,” Frank said. “Maybe next time, then.”
    â€œDoes that guy ever take a break?” Joe asked as they headed for the nearest restaurant.
    Frank shook his head. “Maybe
he
should try surfing!”
    Seated at a sidewalk café with a perfect view of the beach, Frank told the waiter, “We’ll have two Hawaiian burgers with pineapple rings.”
    â€œRight,” Joe agreed, shutting his menu. “I’ll try anything once.”
    The waiter had just left when the Hardys were approached by a dark-haired man Frank guessed to be in his thirties. “You’re the Hardys, aren’t you?” he asked. “I’m Tim Wheeler of
Astronomy Today.
I was at the award ceremony last night. Congratulations.”
    Joe and Frank were surprised. “You’re the one who asked Dr. Ebersol about being a publicity hound,” Joe said, his eyes narrowing.
    â€œGuilty,” Wheeler admitted