The Curse of the Ancient Emerald by Franklin W. Dixon Page B

sighed and stood up.
    â€œOkay, Mr. Brody. Thanks for your time.” He held a hand out for Kruger to shake.
    â€œUh, can I rely on your discretion? About my new identity, I mean. I just want to make a fresh start. To get my life back on track.”
    â€œYour secret’s safe with us.”
    I looked at Frank in surprise. That was news to me. But I didn’t say anything. I shook hands with Kruger, and we left his office.
    â€œWhat’s going on?” I asked Frank as we headed to the car.
    â€œI don’t know,” he said.
    â€œWait—you don’t actually believe him, do you?” I asked in disbelief.
    â€œI’m not sure,” said Frank slowly.
    â€œCome on, Frank! He was just covering. It has to be him.”
    â€œBut he seemed so . . . sincere.”
    â€œHe’d kinda have to be, Frank. He doesn’t want to go back to jail.”
    â€œBut don’t you think he seemed genuinely confused by the riddle? And he didn’t recognize us when we walked in. I’m sure of it.”
    â€œNo. I’m not buying it. He’s just a good actor, that’s all. Besides, who else could it be if not Kruger?”
    â€œI’ve been thinking about that,” said Frank. “Who stands to profit from the Phantom getting back to work?”
    â€œYou mean, besides that man over there,” I said, pointing at Kruger’s office.
    â€œYes,” said Frank, a slight edge to his voice. “Besides him.”
    I thought about it. “I give up.”
    â€œMaybe someone who’s writing a book about the Phantom? Who would see his book probably become a bestseller if the Phantom started up his old tricks again?”
    I turned to Frank in amazement. “You think it’s Trethaway?”
    Frank shrugged. “I saw something when we were climbing out his bathroom window. It didn’t click at the time, but looking back . . .”
    â€œWhat did you see?”
    â€œA pile of old magazines. Like, this high.” Frank held his hand above his head.
    â€œLots of people have piles of old magazines.”
    â€œSome of these were lying on the floor. Open.”
    â€œSo he reads magazines? Big deal.”
    â€œOr maybe he cuts them up. To make riddles.” He turned to face me. “Think about it. This could only benefit Trethaway. Any controversy will get him free publicity.”
    â€œI suppose. You think he’s smart enough to do that? Trethaway, I mean?”
    â€œWhat is it Dad always says? ‘If you judge anyone on appearances, you’re already five steps behind them.’ ”
    â€œThen that makes me, like, twenty steps behind,” I said. “Because I seriously don’t think Trethaway could have done this.”
    Frank and I climbed into the car. “Regardless, it’s an angle we need to look into,” he said as he pulled into the road. I glanced over my shoulder as we drove away. Kruger was standing by a repaired car, watching us leave.
    â€¢Â Â â€¢Â Â â€¢
    I saw it instantly as we drew up to our house. An envelope lying on the steps.
    I got out of the car and hurried over. It was the same style of envelope, the same writing. I picked it up and pulled out the sheet of paper as Frank joined me.
    Of
    18
    16
    By
    61
    12
    For
    750,000
    11 o’
    I blinked, then looked at Frank. “And now? Is this a riddle?”
    â€œMust be.”
    â€œAnd he expects us to crack this before tonight?”
    â€œLooks like it.” Frank sighed. “Call Chet and Amber. Ask them to meet us at the Meet Locker. I think we’ll need some help with this.”

CAUGHT IN THE ACT
9
FRANK
    C HET AND AMBER WERE ALREADY waiting at the Locker, Chet tucking into a burger and fries while Amber searched the Internet for clues.
    â€œAnything?” I asked, slipping into the booth next to her.
    She shifted over to give me room. “Not yet. There doesn’t seem to be any