Skin and Bones Read Free Page A

Frank asked.
    â€œSure,” Cody answered. “Dad knows about them, but we both thought they were standard breaking and entering, like I said. That was before the other stuff happened. I haven’t told him about the intercepted shipments or the computer hacking. I want to be able to handle it myself.”
    â€œWe’d be glad to help,” Frank offered.
    â€œI was hoping you’d say that,” Cody said. “Your being here is great timing.”
    â€œHey, three heads are better than one,” Joe said, grabbing another slice of pizza. As he took a bite, he heard a noise outside.
    He sat up, his ears straining. “Shhh,” he cautioned the others. “I heard something.”
    The three sat still. Then Joe heard it again, an odd grating, like metal rubbing against metal. He put a hand up, gesturing to the others to stay put. Carefully, he inched his chair back and walked to the kitchen window. It was very dark outside.
    Joe quickly made his way down the stairs to the first floor and into Cody’s office. His ears tuned to all outside noises, he quietly unlocked a door at the side of Cody’s office. The door opened onto a narrow passageway between Cody’s building and the one next door.
    There was a wooded lot behind Cody’s building—a dark area of trees and large bushes. Joe stood still, listening. This time he heard something from above. Stepping away from the house, he looked up. Someone was moving on Cody’s roof.
    Joe watched the shadowy form darting back and forth. He strained to see who it was, but it was too dark. He sprinted down the narrow passage to Cody’s fire escape at the rear of the building. He lowered thebottom ladder inch by inch, trying to keep the metal from scraping.
    At last it was down and he was able to scale the ladder. He climbed up until he could see over the edge of the roof. Through the darkness, he could make out the back of someone kneeling in the shadow of the chimney at the far end of the roof.
    Joe felt all his muscles tighten as he boosted himself up onto the roof. Crouching, he crept toward the kneeling figure. He held his breath as he moved nearer.
    â€œJoe! What are you doing up there?”
    When he heard Cody’s voice from below, Joe felt as if his heart had stopped beating. He was distracted for just a second, but that was one second too long. In a single fluid movement, the person beside the chimney stood up, wheeled around, and kicked.
    Pain washed over Joe as the kick landed in his stomach. Unable to catch his breath, he crumpled to the roof.

3 An Enemy Is Loose!
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    Joe gasped for air, each breath causing a new ripple of pain through his body. He shook his head and pushed himself to his feet. I’ve got to stop that guy, he told himself.
    As Joe sprinted to the end of the roof, he called out to Frank to stop his attacker. He was too late. The person had already scrambled down the fire escape and disappeared into the bushy woods behind the house.
    Joe walked to the chimney and checked out the area where the person had been kneeling. He found nothing but a small mirror, which he put in his pocket, and climbed down the fire escape to join Frank and Cody. They agreed the mirror wasn’t much of a clue.
    The three went up to Cody’s apartment and into the kitchen. “I’m feeling a little woozy,” Cody said, pouring a glass of soda.
    â€œIt’s time to get you to the doctor,” Frank said. “No more arguments.”
    â€œWe’ll see,” Cody said noncommittally. “Joe, can you give me a description of the guy who kicked you?”
    â€œWell, I keep saying ‘the guy,’ but you know, it could have been a woman, I guess,” Joe answered. “I didn’t get much of a look at the person—dark pants and sweater, hair under a knit cap. I never saw the face at all. You might be able to get a toe print from my stomach, though,” he added with a