Free The Secret of Skull Island by Zack Norris

wish I’d never taken a job with that guy. The money’s good, but he’s always in our faces. I’ve got to admit, it’s a sweet deal, though. We carry the stuff right through the tunnel, load it on the boat, and go out to sea.”
    Cody was trying to remain calm, but he was having a hard time. Moments before, he had inhaled some dust. Now a sneeze threatened. It was getting closer by the second.
    Otis watched as his brother’s face turned from pink to red. He bit his lip. Whatever Cody was trying to do, he prayed he could do it.
    Cody squeezed his eyes shut and gritted his teeth. The sneeze kept building. He began moving his arm ever so slowly. His muscles were so tense that they ached. Finally he was able to press a finger firmly under his nose. He stopped the sneeze just as it surged from inside.
    Both twins would have sighed with relief had they dared. But they couldn’t risk being heard. What happened next nearly made them gasp in surprise.
    Steve Cordell sat down on the bed, making the springs creak. The twins each prayed that he wasn’t planning on taking a nap.
    But he was only changing his shoes. He kicked off the scuffed sneakers and grabbed a pair of sandals.
    â€œListen, little brother,” he said. “You always worried too much even when we were kids. You used to drive yourself nuts worrying if you’d pass a test or make the team or get caught stealing change from Mom’s purse. Everything always turned out okay. This will, too. We’ll figure everything out. It’ll be fine. Once this big job is finished, we’ll be on easy street.”
    The twins felt a jolt when they heard the word “brother.” Cordell and Keller, or whatever their real names were, were brothers! Keller wasn’t who he claimed to be, either. Now it was easy to understand why they were concealing their identities. That’s what criminals did.
    â€œI want to get everything done right away. This isn’t like stealing nickels and dimes,” Keller replied. “This is big money … or big trouble. The kind of trouble that really hurts and doesn’t go away. The kind of trouble you can’t talk your way out of. The kind of trouble that—”
    â€œKnock it off!” Cordell yelled. Then it sounded like he punched his palm with his fist. “Keep it up and you’ll get me worrying, too.” He let out a long sigh. “Look, when you worry too much, you make mistakes. That’s no good. Just keep your mind on business. Remember, you’re Sam Keller, and do your job. We’ll figure out what to do about the inn later. Just focus.”
    Cordell heaved himself off the bed. “Come on, bro’. Let’s go down to the beach, lie on the sand, play some cards, relax.”
    â€œOkay, maybe that’s what I need,” Keller said slowly. Then he spit out his next sentence. “But I sure would like to be rid of those three smart-aleck kids.”
    Cody felt the skin on the back of his neck tighten. A shiver ran up Otis’s spine. This guy sounded like he was losing it.
    â€œNow you’re worried about a couple of kids? What am I going to do with you? Come on, let’s go make like we’re guests soaking up the sun.”
    At last, the two men left. When the door closed behind them, Cody and Otis went limp. They waited several minutes before dragging themselves out from under the bed and struggling to their feet. “That was too close,” said Otis as he mopped his forehead with the edge of his shirt. “I’m sweating so much I’m surprised they couldn’t smell me.”
    â€œTell me about it,” Cody agreed. He sat down where Cordell had been moments before. “Well, now we know they’re up to more than selling pirated DVDs for sure. But we have no idea what it is.”
    â€œI wish I could remember where I saw that guy who calls himself Cordell before.” Otis bit his lip. “Too