Free Shadows at Predator Reef by Franklin W. Dixon

suspects list.
    â€œJoe?” she said, sounding just as surprised to see me. “What are you doing here?”
    â€œHey Aly, we were, uh . . .” I fumbled for the right thing to say. I had a feeling this could get real awkward real quick. Mr. V stepped in to save me.
    â€œThe Hardy boys and I were just discussing the investigation into Captain Hook’s disappearance,” Mr. V said.
    Aly gave me a look I couldn’t quite read. To the paranoid detective in me, it seemed like a hostile one. It also occurred to me that if she’d had something to do withreleasing the shark into Predator Reef, she might be surprised to see me alive.
    I’d have to save that particular disturbing thought for later, though. Jonathan had just walked back into the room carrying a phone.
    â€œCall for you, sir,” he said to Mr. V.
    â€œTake a message if you could, Jonathan. I’m in the midst of some pressing matters.”
    â€œThey say it’s urgent, sir,” Jonathan said, holding out the phone to his employer.
    Mr. V looked annoyed. “Who is it?”
    â€œThey wouldn’t say, sir. They said they’d only speak to you.” He lowered his voice. “It’s about the turtle.”
    Mr. V took the phone and lifted it to his ear.
    â€œYes,” he demanded. A moment later his expression turned to one of horror. He lowered the phone.
    â€œThey say to have the reward money ready in one hour or we’ll never see Captain Hook alive again.”

PROOF OF LIFE
12
FRANK
    T HIS WAS IT. THE RANSOM call.
    All this time, we had wondered about the motivation for the crime. As is so often the case, the crook was after money. It gave us hope that Captain Hook wasn’t bound for some witch doctor’s pot. At least not yet.
    As an international businessman, Mr. V seemed to know his way around a negotiation. The first thing he did when he got back on the phone was to demand “proof of life”; that’s what it’s called when the kidnapper provides some kind of proof that the victim is still alive before a ransom is paid.
    The kidnapper hung up, and a minute later Mr. V received a photo text on his cell phone. It was dark and out of focus, but there was no question it was Captain Hook.She was partially submerged in a tiny tank that looked like a hot tub on wheels. It was heartbreaking to see her like that.
    Mr. V turned to his niece. “I’m sorry, darling, but we’ll have to catch up later. Right now I need to speak to Frank and Joe alone.”
    Aly had something else in mind.
    â€œNo way, Uncle Brad. I have as much right to know what’s going on with Captain Hook as they do.”
    â€œI’m sorry, I can’t let you get mixed up in the middle of a kidnapping investigation,” Mr. V said. “It’s too dangerous.”
    â€œDangerous?!” she said, laughing him off. “You need to have a better reason than that, Uncle Brad. In case you forgot, I’m a master diver. I think I can handle dangerous.”
    â€œI didn’t mean to insinuate that you can’t, darling, it’s just—” Mr. V started, but Aly wasn’t having any of it.
    â€œJust what? That you trust them to help more than your own niece?” Aly waved her hand dismissively in our direction. Getting shut out by her uncle just as there was a break in the case had her pretty heated.
    â€œAly, dear, it’s not—” Mr. V tried to protest, but Aly cut him off again.
    â€œI’m just as qualified to deal with danger as they are. I go swimming with sharks every day.” She shot Joe a look before adding, “And I’ve never almost been eaten by one.”
    It looked like Mr. V picking us to stay over Aly had turned Joe into the competition. I could tell he felt burned. It didn’t help that Aly could have been the one to plan theepisode that almost turned my brother into shark food. Joe didn’t say anything,