The Ice-cold Case Read Free Page A

“He thought you guys were in trouble.”
    â€œWe might have been in another few minutes,” Frank said.
    â€œMr. Kwan is freaked out. He made everyone come inside until the police got here,” Chet said.
    â€œBut we’re a half mile away from the Kwans’ house,” Joe pointed out.
    â€œYeah, I mentioned that, but he said, ‘Better safe than sorry,’ ” Chet reported.
    â€œWe’ll be back in a few minutes,” Frank said. “We just want to hang out awhile and see if we hear anything interesting.”
    â€œYou guys are on the case already?” Chet asked.
    â€œYeah, we’re just choosing sides,” Frank said.
    Chet looked confused. “What?”
    â€œIt’s a joke,” Joe said.
    â€œSure, whatever, Hardy,” Chet said, shaking his head as he skated back to the party.
    As the fishermen and the hockey players separated, Ray’s friends Vinnie and John skated over to Stu and Neil, nearly hitting them with their hockey sticks, though making it look unintentional. Frank and Joe stayed close enough to hear their exchange.
    â€œKeep an eye out for thin ice,” Stu said.
    â€œYou’re going to be sorry you messed with us,” Vinnie snarled. Vinnie and John turned on the ice neatly and raced away.
    â€œErnie’s grandsons sure have a way with people,” Frank said to Joe as they watched Neil and Stu go back to the bait shop.
    â€œMust be a family thing,” Joe said, remembering Ernie swinging his ax at Ray. “And that makes me think I’d rather not meet Vinnie’s and John’s families.”
    â€œYou want to go check out the Anderson house?” Frank suggested.
    â€œI didn’t get any lunch. I’d rather stop at the Kwans’ first and see if there’s any food left,” Joe said.
    Sarah, Iola, Callie, and the others were just coming back outside when Frank and Joe reached the far end of the lake. Mr. Kwan ran outside to get the last few burgers off the grill. They were little more than charcoal.
    â€œSorry, I got kind of sidetracked,” Mr. Kwan said as Frank and Joe reached the house. “Let me put fresh ones on for you.”
    â€œDon’t bother,” Frank said.
    â€œYeah,” Joe agreed. “Don’t worry about it. We both like them well done.”
    â€œThanks for calling the police,” Frank said as Mr. Kwan brought them the overcooked burgers.
    â€œAre you on the case?” Mr. Kwan asked.
    â€œJust doing some legwork,” Frank said.
    â€œWe’re going to make a quick stopover at the Anderson place,” Joe said as he wolfed down his burger. “Then I’m going down to the station to see how the questioning turns out.”
    After finishing their lunch and thanking the Kwans, Frank and Joe went around front to get their van. They saw Phil diligently working on the snow scene. He and Chet had made a snowwoman, and now Phil was trying to make a satellite dish out of snow, twigs, and ice behind the snow television.
    â€œHey, Phil, don’t forget there’s a party inside,” Joe said as he got in the van.
    â€œLife is not just a party. There must also besatellite television,” Phil said emphatically without looking up from his work.
    â€œWouldn’t it be easier just to give them cable?” Frank asked Joe as they pulled the van out of the Kwans’ driveway.
    â€œOh, I get it,” Joe replied with a blank face. “Cable instead of a satellite dish. You’re a real comedian, you know that, Frank?”
    Frank answered with a jab to his brother’s ribs.
    The Anderson house was a large A-frame with a wall of windows facing the lake. A few police officers were there, still looking for clues, Frank figured. He and Joe looked around and found their friend Officer Riley.
    â€œDo you have any leads yet?” Frank asked.
    â€œIf Ernie is telling the truth and not just venting his anger at the Nelsons,