The Desert Thieves Read Free

in the morning, boss?”
    â€œYou guessed right,” Grish said with a touch of sarcasm. “First thing. Be on time.”
    â€œNo problem,” Kidwell said. He started his truck, turned sharply across the roadway, and then headed out in the correct direction along the one-way road.
    â€œWhat was that all about, Grish?” Frank asked. “He’s not the most talkative guy in the world, is he?”
    Grish opened his door and motioned for the Hardys to get in. “You’re right,” he said. “Kidwell doesn’t say much. But I’ve given him and the other maintenance people explicit instructions that if they discuss the investigation, they’ll be put on administrative leave.”
    â€œYou mean they’ll be fired?” Joe asked, as Grish turned the car around and headed back toward the campground.
    â€œMore like they’ll be suspended for a while without pay,” Grish said.
    â€œI don’t understand,” Frank said. “You said you don’t want a lot of talk about the investigation to spook the thieves. And you suspect that Kidwell is one of the thieves. But he knows about the investigation?”
    â€œThat’s right,” Grish said. “I can’t hide the fact that an investigation is under way. All my workers know about it, and so do some of the long-term residents of the campground. As for the details of the investigation, though, that’s another matter.”
    â€œHow long has Kidwell been working for you?” Frank asked.
    â€œAbout two months,” Grish said. “He knows a lot about the ecosystem here. He’s quiet and seems to be a very thorough worker. I thought he was going to be perfect for the job.”
    â€œWhat makes you think he’s involved with the cactus thefts?” Fenton asked.
    Grish seemed annoyed as he said, “Time, partly. The thefts started just a few days after Kidwell was hired. And don’t forget he has the background and skills to be able to dig up large plants without hurting them. Also, he discovered most of the vandalized sites, including the one we saw today, even when he had a work assignment in a different section of the park.”
    â€œWhy would that make him a suspect?” Frank asked. “If he was involved in the crimes, wouldn’t he want someone else to discover them?”
    â€œHe’s trying to look innocent,” Grish said. “But I’m not buying it. I’m hoping to catch him and his accomplices in the act, but I haven’t been able to figure out whom he’s working with yet.”
    â€œWhat makes you think he has accomplices?” Joe asked.
    â€œBecause the specimens he’s taken are large,” Grish answered. “Removing them requires heavy equipment, and I doubt that one person could do it alone.”
    â€œWho’s handling the investigation?” Fenton asked.
    â€œI’m supposed to be working in conjunction with the state investigators in Phoenix,” Grish said. “But so far they’ve been swamped with other cases and haven’t been able to make a trip out here.”
    â€œSo who is helping you?” Joe asked.
    â€œI’ve been pretty much on my own,” Grish said, braking to avoid hitting a jackrabbit. “I check the sites myself as soon as we find them. I take photographs, make measurements, keep records, that sort of thing. Gather evidence.”
    â€œHave you checked on Kidwell’s background to see if he has a record?” Frank asked.
    â€œI didn’t think of that,” Grish said.
    â€œI’m sure all this interferes with your other duties,” Fenton said.
    â€œYes, it does,” Grish said with a nod. “But it’s part of my job.”
    â€œWhat about the tourists?” Frank asked. “Don’t people notice the holes in the ground and the damage from the trucks running over the plants?”
    â€œSometimes,” Grish said. “If