The Ice-cold Case Read Free

went to talk to them. One was blond, about six feet tall, the other had dark hair and was a few inches shorter. Frank guessed they were in their twenties. The eyes of the whole crowd were on them as Ernie pointed Ray out to the two young men.
    â€œThey’re Ernie’s grandsons,” Riley said. “Ernie introduced us. The tall one is Stu and the other is Neil. They come up from Maryland a few times a year to help with the shop.”
    At that moment, Chief of Police Ezra Collig arrived, and Riley hurried across the ice to meet him halfway. When the two policemen reached the crowd, Riley silenced everyone with a sharp whistle.
    Collig addressed the gathered Bayport citizens. “Since you’re all here, I want to know if anyone can tell me anything about the robbery this morning at the Anderson place.”
    Frank and Joe looked over the crowd to see if anyone would respond.
    â€œI sure can,” Ernie called out.
    â€œDon’t get involved.” Stu tried to silence his grandfather.
    â€œWhat do you have for me, Ernie?” Collig asked.
    â€œI saw Ray Nelson snooping around there,” Ernie said.
    Ray heard this and exploded. “I warned you, old man. You’ll pay for this, I swear.” Ray was waving his hockey stick, and his face turned bright red.
    â€œNow, take it easy, Ray,” Collig said.
    Joe skated over to Ray.
    â€œTake it easy?” Ray shouted in disbelief. “That old jerk’s been out to get me and my dad for years. Are you going to listen to his lies?”
    â€œI’m going to hear what he has to say,” Collig said. “When was this, Ernie?”
    â€œAll week, every night just about. And it wasn’t the only place I saw him looking at, either,” Ernie added.
    â€œAre you willing to come down to the station and make a formal statement?” Collig asked.
    â€œSure I am. I’m not scared of these punks,” Ernie said.
    â€œWell, maybe you should be,” Ray said.
    â€œWhy don’t you arrest that bum,” Ernie asked Collig.
    Chief Collig rolled his eyes. “Ernie, it doesn’t work that way. We’ll get your statement and we’ll get Ray to answer some questions.” Collig waved an officer over. “Bring him in for questioning.”
    The officer made his way across the ice to Ray and his friends.
    Ray turned to Joe. “Do something, Hardy. You know I’m no thief.”
    â€œRay, they’re just going to ask you some questions,” Joe said.
    The officer took Ray by the arm.
    â€œC’mon, Joe. What about when I helped you find that kid who ran away, or when we caught Rob Dee stealing stuff from the gym lockers . . . ?”
    â€œRay, just don’t make any trouble. I’ll do what I can,” Joe said. He didn’t think of Ray as a close friend, but despite Ray’s tough attitude, he had helped out the Hardys on a few cases.
    The officer led Ray over to the police cars.
    â€œOkay, Ernie, you, too,” Collig said. “Do you need to close up shop before we go?”
    â€œNo, Stu and Neil can handle things,” Ernie said. He followed the chief across the ice.
    Frank, who was standing next to Stu and Neil, reached out his hand. “Frank Hardy. You’re Stu and Neil?”
    Stu shot Frank an angry glare.
    â€œHi. I’m Neil Tuttle.”
    Neil shook Frank’s hand, but Stu just kept glaring.
    â€œWhat was all that about seeing Ray checking out the places around here?” Frank asked.
    â€œIt’s none of your business,” Stu said coldly. He turned and walked away. Neil looked unsure for a moment but then followed his brother.
    Joe skated over to Frank. “Ray wants me to help him,” Joe said.
    â€œWhich side of this case are you working, Mr. Kwan’s or Ray’s?” Frank asked.
    Chet had just skated over from Sarah Kwan’s party. “Mr. Kwan was the one who called the police,” Chet said.