Strategic Moves Read Free Page A

side, slamming into Frank. Both of them lost their balance and fell to the ground.
    The younger man grabbed Petra and pulled her into the alley.
    "Hey!" Ziggy yelled, and burst into the alley. Frank and Joe jumped up and followed him.
    The alley was lighted by a lone light bulb, creating harsh shadows that fell on the walls and ground. A bright glint of steel drew Joe's attention to the younger man, who held Petra. Joe saw that one hand covered her mouth and the other held a switchblade to her throat. Ziggy lay on the ground at the feet of the older man - unmoving.
    Joe started toward the younger man.
    "Don't try it, mate," the older man growled, "or we'll kill the girl."

Chapter 3
    "What do you want?" Frank asked. "Money?" He reached behind him and began pulling his wallet out.
    The younger man holding Petra tightened his grip.
    "No funny business," the older man warned. "We don't want your stinking money, Yank."
    Joe's blue eyes closed to angry slits. He stared at the younger man. "You've got five seconds to let her go or lose that arm."
    The younger man glanced nervously at the older man.
    "Impertinent young pup," the older man spit out. "We don't care about the girl. We only want the boy."
    "What did you do to him?" Frank asked as he stood over his injured friend.
    The older man smacked the blackjack against his hand. "You figure it out." He nudged Ziggy's side with the toe of a grimy boot. "Get up!"
    Ziggy groaned and rolled over.
    When the younger man looked down at Ziggy, Joe took advantage of the distraction and lunged at him and Petra. With his left hand he gripped the man's knife hand like a vise and twisted the knife away from Petra's throat. Joe then placed a well-aimed right jab squarely in the man's face, his fist breezing past Petra.
    The man groaned and staggered back. Joe grabbed Petra and pulled her away from him.
    He turned back to the younger man, who held up the knife. Joe could tell by the panic in his eyes and the fear on his face that he didn't want to tangle with Joe. Joe swung his right leg forward and kicked the knife out of the man's hand. Without hesitation, the man spun around and ran down the alley.
    "Sammy!" the older man yelled. He turned and followed his partner through the alley, away from the Hardys.
    Frank, who was tending to Petra and Ziggy, started to chase the older man. But the man was near the end of the alley and soon disappeared down a side street.
    "Is everyone okay?" Frank asked the group.
    "Yes," Petra gasped. "Thank you.'
    Frank could tell by the short, raspy breaths Petra was taking that she was shaken up by the incident.
    "Why didn't you go after him?" Joe asked.
    "I thought I'd better make sure that Ziggy was okay," Frank answered.
    "Let's form a posse and hunt them down," Ziggy suggested.
    "They're long gone by now, cowboy," Frank replied. He smiled at the disappointed look on Ziggy's face. He had known Ziggy for only a short time, but the young Russian was already a friend. "Looks as if you and Joe are going to have twin tattoos."
    "What?" Ziggy asked.
    "The bruises from the blackjack," Joe explained, rubbing his own swollen chin.
    "Thanks for helping," Ziggy said. "We owe you one."
    "Wh - what did they want?" Petra asked, a tremble in her voice.
    "They wanted Ziggy," Frank said.
    "Why?" Tears had welled up in Petra's eyes, and Joe could tell that she was fighting to hold them back.
    "That's what we'd like to know," Joe said.
    "Shouldn't we call the police?" Petra asked.
    "Are you sure you want to do that?" Frank countered.
    "What do you mean?" Ziggy asked.
    "That older thug said he wanted Ziggy, not you, Petra," Frank said, glancing at Petra. "I interpret that to mean he wanted to kidnap Ziggy."
    "Kidnap Ziggy? Why?" Petra's voice was controlled, but Joe saw fear in her blue eyes.
    "That's what we want to find out," Frank said, his voice hard and serious. "But first, let's get out of this alley. There's a small fish-and- chips stand up the street."
    They left the alley,