Crime in the Cards Read online

  Finally, though, Felix turned down a street where Frank couldn’t cut ahead of him.

  “Don’t worry,” Joe said from the backseat. “Thatstreet heads through the woods near Waterfront Park. There aren’t any turn-offs for a while. If you double back quickly, we can get behind him again.”

  “Right,” Frank said. He pulled a U turn and traced back to where Felix had turned. “Do you see him?” he asked as they pulled on to the road through the woods.

  “Not yet,” Joe said, taking the front passenger seat once more and buckling in.

  “I’d hate to lose Felix after all this,” Frank said.

  Joe nodded. He scanned the darkened scenery outside. Skeletal trees with only a few brown leaves clinging to their branches flashed by the windows. Joe saw footpaths, but nothing large enough for a car to take.

  Frank kept his eyes fixed on the road ahead, seeking the sedan’s taillights. After a few more minutes he accepted defeat. “I’m afraid we’ve lost him.”

  Joe was about to agree with Frank, when he spotted something. “That deserted parking lot on the left,” he said. “I think I saw a sedan sitting in there.”

  “I’ll pull over up ahead,” Frank said. “Get the binoculars out and we’ll check.”

  Joe went to the rear of the van and dug out the binoculars and two flashlights after Frank pulled over. They locked up the van and sprinted back to the parking lot entrance. A short driveway through the trees led to a large paved area adjoining a playground.

  “That’s Felix’s car, all right,” Joe said, squinting into the darkness.

  “Keep to the trees,” Frank whispered. “We don’t want him seeing us.”

  Joe nodded and the two of them cut into the woods by the side of the road. When they reached the edge of the playground they spotted two figures standing by a swing set on the far side of the clearing.

  Joe put the binoculars to his eyes. “That’s Felix,” he said. “But I can’t tell who’s with him—the person is wearing a hat and a heavy coat.”

  “Let’s get closer,” Frank whispered.

  The two of them skirted the woods, trying to remain hidden. It was tricky maneuvering through the undergrowth in the foggy darkness, but the Hardys managed it without making much noise.

  Drawing closer, the Hardys saw the two card boxes on a picnic table between the figures. Felix handed some cards to the other person; the person in the hat then gave Felix money. The Hardys couldn’t make out any more details through the darkness.

  Just then the card dealer tucked his boxes under his arm and headed back toward his sedan. Felix’s customer jogged toward the woods on the far side of the swing set.

  “You follow Felix,” Joe whispered. “I’ll tail the other one.”

  “Check,” Frank said. He cut through the woods, angling himself for the card dealer’s car. Joe ran quietly in the opposite direction.

  Frank reached the sedan at about the same timeFelix did. He walked up just as the card dealer was opening the door.

  “Mr. Felix . . .” Frank said.

  Felix nearly jumped out of his skin. “It’s Frank Hardy,” Frank said. “I was wondering what you’re doing out here.”

  “I—I could ask you the same thing,” Felix stammered. He mopped his forehead with a handkerchief he retrieved from his pocket. “Were you following me?” he asked angrily.

  “Why did you close up shop just after we left?” Frank asked. “Your sign said you were supposed to be open for another two hours.”

  “I had some business to conduct,” Felix replied.

  “In a park, at night?” Frank said skeptically.

  “Look,” Felix said stiffly, “I don’t owe you any explanation.”

  “Well, with so many Creature Cards being stolen lately,” Frank said, “maybe you’d rather explain all this to the police.”

  Felix rubbed his head. “I’m sorry if I’ve been rude,” he said, quickly back-pedaling. “But you frightened me. I thought I was alone here—aside from my client.”

  “So you came here to sell cards?” Frank said. “Why?”

  “This close to a tournament, some players don’t want to be seen in the shop,” Felix said. “They’re afraid that competitors will find out what they’ve bought. Knowledge of a player’s deck can tip the balance in a Creature Cards game. For some of my bettercustomers, I’ll make a personal delivery if the cards are valuable enough.”

  “So, who’s this client?”

  Mr. Felix’s face grew stern. “I won’t tell you that,” he said. “This client is paying for confidentiality. You can take me to the police station if you want, but I won’t answer that question. It would hurt my business if I broke faith.”

  “Why didn’t you go to the client’s house?” Frank asked.

  “My client didn’t want to chance it,” Felix said. “This park is remote enough that no one should have found us.” He frowned at Frank, as if disappointed that his careful scheme had failed. “Well,” he continued, “I have other things to do. So, unless you’re taking me to the police station, I’m going to leave.”

  “I’ll keep the police informed,” Frank said, “but you don’t need to see them right this minute.”

  Felix placed the card boxes on the passenger seat and slipped in beside them. Frank watched Felix’s taillights disappear into the fog. Then he walked back across the park to where he’d last seen Joe.

  A few minutes later the younger Hardy came jogging out of the woods on the far side of the playground.

  “Did you catch him?” Frank asked.

  Joe shook his head while he caught his breath. “No such luck,” he said. “There’s another parking lot on the far side of the trees. By the time I gotthere, I didn’t see anyone. I did hear an engine driving away, though. It sounded like an ATV or a motorcycle.”

  Frank rubbed his chin. “Hmm. A lot of people use ATVs and dirt bikes in this park during good weather,” he said. “With this warm snap, the sound you heard might not have anything to do with the case.”

  Joe shrugged. “Hard to tell. I’m wiped out. Let’s call it a day.”

  Frank nodded and the two returned to their van. On the way home, Frank filled Joe in on what Felix had told him.

  The next morning the weather was still unseasonably warm. When the Hardys pulled into the student lot at school, they saw several groups of kids sitting on the hoods of their cars, playing Creature Cards.

  Daphne stood in one corner of the lot talking to Pete Kaufmann. She looked a bit forlorn; Pete a bit smug. The two chatted animatedly. Tim Lester approached them but turned away at some jibe from Pete that the Hardys couldn’t hear. Tim joined another group of players nearby.

  Gerry Wise roamed between the gaming groups, watching, and occasionally selling cards to some of the younger players.

  The Hardys spotted Chet, Iola, and Callie hanging out on the far side of the lot.

  “How’d you make out?” Callie called to the brothers as they approached. She smiled and the morningsun made her blond hair sparkle like gold. Frank gave her a quick hug.

  “Learned a little; wasted a lot of time,” Joe replied.

  “Mr. Felix made a late delivery to one of his customers,” Frank said, “but he wouldn’t tell us who that customer was.”

  Chet nodded. “I’ve heard that he makes deliveries, but I’ve never spent enough money to earn the service myself.”

  “How’d it go with you?” Joe asked Iola.

  Joe’s girlfriend rolled her eyes. “I spent a thrilling evening cataloging all things hideous with my brother,” she said. She smiled to show that she didn’t really mind the job.

  “At least I know what cards I need now,” Chet said. “I came up with a good idea to help find my stolen deck, too.”

  Sam Kestenberg’s voice drifted in from nearby, “What’s your plan, Morton?” he asked as he walked over to the group. “You gonna cry until someone gives you your cards back?” Kestenberg laughed and adjusted the collar of his leather jacket.
/>   Chet balled his hands into fists, but Joe stepped in front of his friend.

  “I don’t recall inviting you to join our conversation, Kestenberg,” the younger Hardy said.

  Kestenberg sneered. “I don’t recall needing your permission, Hardy. You guys need to getreallives. All this card stuff is making you soft.”

  “Keep it up and you’ll find out how soft we are,” Joe said.

  “Did you want something, Kestenberg,” Frank asked, “or are you just spending your morning bothering people?”

  “It’s a free country,” Kestenberg replied.

  “Come on,” Joe suggested. “Let’s go inside. All of a sudden, the air out here stinks.” He turned and walked toward the school. Chet, Iola, and the others followed.

  As they passed Kestenberg, the ex-football player stuck out his foot.

  Joe tripped and landed heavily against a nearby car. The car’s alarm went on, and one of the card players came running from the other side of the lot to turn it off.

  Joe spun on Kestenberg. “That’s all I’m going to take from you,” the younger Hardy growled.

  Kestenberg waved Joe forward with a hand and smiled. “Bring it on, Blondie,” he said.

  6 Bayport's Most

  Wanted

  A crowd quickly gathered around Sam Kestenberg and Joe; everyone stopped playing Creature Cards and came to watch.Frank seemed about to step in, but Joe warned him back. “Keep out of this, Frank,” he said. “This is between Kestenberg and me.”

  “Good,” Kestenberg said. “I’ve been aching to get a piece of you since I quit the football team. I couldn’t punch you out then because we were teammates, but now . . .”

  “Frank, do something!” Iola cried.

  “Kestenberg has it coming,” Frank said coolly. “Don’t worry. Joe can take care of himself.”

  “I don’t like Joe fighting my fights,” Chet grumbled. “Just keep out of it,” Callie said. “I don’t think this was about you, anyway.”

  Joe stepped forward, ready for action.

  “Stop right there!” a loud voice called.

  Everyone in the lot turned to see Mr. McCool, the printing teacher, walking toward them from the faculty parking lot. His mouth was set in a thin line, and his brows were knitted together just below his shaved head. He looked like a pro wrestler heading for the ring.

  Kestenberg straightened up and Joe stepped away from him. The rest of the crowd started to disperse, but McCool said, “Freeze. Every one of you. Nobody leaves until I’m done here.”

  “We were just—” Kestenberg began.

  “I know what you were doing,” Mr. McCool said. “And you’re lucky I don’t drag both of you to Mr. Chambers’s office. Be glad that I just work here part-time. I’m not on the clock, yet, so I’ve got a little flexibility in dealing with this situation.”

  McCool scanned the group, resting his steel gray eyes on each student in turn. “These are school grounds,” McCool said, “for those of you who need to be reminded. Among other things, that means there will be no brawling in this lot.And,”he continued, “Creature Cards are bannedhereas well as in the school building itself.”

  A collective gasp went up from the gathered kids. Gerry Wise went pale, and Daphne Soesbee edged toward the back of the crowd. Pete Kaufmann folded his arms across his chest. Sweat beaded on Tim Lester’s forehead.

  “I could confiscate every card in this lot,” McCool said, his voice as cold as ice.

  “Mr. McCool,” Tim said, his voice almost squeaking, “we didn’t mean to do anything wrong.”

  “I figured that,” McCool said, “which is why I’m cutting you all a break.” He folded his arms across his brawny chest. “I’m going to go into the building to punch in. When I come out again, I don’t want to see any sign of those cards on school grounds. You understand?”

  The gathered students nodded their heads. Kestenberg snickered.

  “Kestenberg,” McCool said, fixing his steely gaze on the ex-football player, “you come with me.”

  “That’s not fair!” Kestenberg said.

  “You think it would be more fair if I took you to the principal’s office?” McCool asked. “Move it!” The teacher turned and left; Kestenberg reluctantly trailed after him.

  “Boy,” Chet said quietly, “Mr. McCool should have been a gym teacher.”

  “Well, I don’t see any reason to hang out here,” Callie-said. “Let’s go inside.”

  “Just a second,” Frank interrupted. “I want to ask Gerry Wise a few questions before we go in.”

  Frank scanned the lot. The card players were standing around, staring suspiciously at one another. Some tucked their cards into their backpacks, others put them in their cars. A few just stuffed decks into their pockets. Clearly, no one wanted anyone else toknow where his cards were hidden. Frank saw no sign of Gerry, though.

  “Boy, he sure vanished fast,” Chet said.

  “Probably he had the most cards to lose,” Frank noted. “I don’t see Daphne, Tim, or Pete hanging around, either.”

  “Don’t worry about it, Frank,” Joe said. “We’ll catch up to them later.” The five friends walked toward the front entrance.

  “Hey, Chet, I almost forgot . . .” Callie said. “What was your plan for getting your cards back?”

  “Iola and I made some Wanted posters last night,” Chet said. “I’m offering a cash reward for anyone who turns in my deck—no questions asked.”

  “How much?” Joe asked.

  “One hundred and fifty dollars,” Chet said. “They’re worth more than that, but I’m hoping that whoever took them would rather have the money than the hassle of trying to fence them.”

  Frank frowned. “I don’t know, Chet,” he said. “Sometimes rewards scare up a lot of false information.”

  “I’m not offering anything for information,” Chet said, “unless it leadsdirectlyto the return of the cards. And I didn’t put the amount on the poster, just some contact info. I figured if I put too much on the posters, Mr. Chambers might not let me them put up.”

  “Well, it’s a start anyway,” Joe said.

  “I guess it really couldn’t do any harm,” Frank added.

  “If nothing else, maybe the posters will shake something loose for you guys to work on,” Chet said.

  “There’s only one way to find out,” Frank replied. Chet went to the principal’s office to obtain permission to put up his posters. The Hardys, Iola, and Callie volunteered to help Chet put the flyers up.

  Even with Creature Cards banned, Bayport High was buzzing about the upcoming tournament. Frank and Joe chatted with some of the other players, and surreptitiously listened in on as many conversations as they could, but they didn’t find out anything new.

  Sam Kestenberg hassled the brothers whenever he saw them. The Hardys ignored Kestenberg’s comments about their hanging with “nerds” and “losers.” Eventually, Kestenberg found other people to bother.

  During lunch, the Hardys and their girlfriends met with Chet. He had permission to hang the posters at lunchtime, and seemed pleased with himself. In fact, he looked happier than he had since his cards were stolen.

  “I talked to Mr. Pane today and I think he feels guilty,” Chet said when the five of them were outside the cafeteria.

  “You can’t blame him for the theft,” Callie said. “How could he know someone would break into his desk?”

  “Idon’tblame him,” Chet countered. “But if he wants to feel guilty . . . well, maybe I can use that later when I’m late with an assignment.” He smiled.

  “We should split up,” Frank said. “Lunch period isn’t going to last forever.”

  The others nodded their agreement, but before they could split up, Pete wandered by on his way to the cafeteria.

  “Getting desperate, Morton?” he asked.

  “There’s plenty of time before the tournament next week,” Chet said defensively. “I’m just trying to cover all my bases.”

  “I guess that means
you’re not having much luck rebuilding your deck,” Pete said.

  “He’s hardly started!” Iola blurted out. Pete smiled smugly. “If I were you, Morton, I’d have rebuilt by now. There’s more than one way to get cards for a tournament.” He winked slyly and walked into the cafeteria.

  Daphne Soesbee, who had been waiting in line just inside the cafeteria doors, walked over to Chet. She seemed a lot cheerier than she had the last time they’d seen her. She scowled at Pete’s back. “Don’t let Pete bug you,” she told Chet. “He’s just trying to psych out the competition.”

  “Right now,” Chet said, an air of resignation in his voice, “I’m no competition to anyone.”

  “Have you looked for replacement cards on the Internet?” Daphne asked.

  Chet shook his head. “Not yet,” he said. “I wasthinking of doing that tonight, but I still haven’t found a really good local site.”

  “You might try the Black Knight’s site,” Daphne said. “I’ve heard that Pete gets a lot of his best cards there.”

  “What about you?” Frank asked, stepping in. “Is that how you’re rebuilding?”

  “Nah,” Daphne said. “I’ve got my own secrets. Good luck, Chet. You’re going to need it to be ready by Tuesday.”

  “Thanks, Daphne,” Chet said.

  She started to go back inside the cafeteria, then turned and called back, “Remember, Chet, go where you gotta go to win.”

  “That’s pretty ruthless,” Iola said quietly, once Daphne had gone.

  “I’m just glad she’s bounced back from her loss,” Chet said.

  “You said she was one of the best players in town,” Joe added. “Probably she’s rebuilt her deck enough to feel confident again.”

  Frank rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “In any case, we’d better get going on Chet’s posters,” he said.

  The others agreed and spent the rest of the lunch period plastering the halls with Chet’s flyers.

  At the end of the school day, the five of them met next to Chet’s locker.

  “Any news, Chet?” Callie asked.

  Chet shook his head. “Not yet,” he said. “I’m still hopeful, though.”

  “Did you catch up with Gerry?” Iola asked Frank and Joe.