Free Bonfire Masquerade by Franklin W. Dixon

Turned out that Daniel’s warehouse was on the list of properties that the New Orleans Police Department had given to Frank and Joe as part of this gang’s crime wave. They told us all about Lenni, and the Krewe de Crude, and the rest of their adventures.
    I started to tell them about our investigations, when Joe suddenly snapped to attention and blurted out, “Oh my God!”
    â€œWhat?” I said. We all tensed up. What had Joe realized? What important clue had we all missed?
    â€œDid you see this on the menu? Tater tachos? They’re like … nachos, but with Tater Tots. That’s brilliant. This is the best city on Earth.”
    We all agreed that that was amazing, and ordered five of them. Then it was back to detective work.
    â€œIt doesn’t sound like any of your gang would have been at Daniel’s party,” I said, when I’d finished recounting our experiences.
    â€œNo,” Frank agreed. “But I wonder … Joe, what was it Sybil said about the stolen stuff?”
    â€œThat none of it was showing up on the black market.”
    â€œRight. If the gang was selling the stuff to someone directly, they wouldn’t need a pawnshop or a fence.”
    â€œBut that person would need to be pretty well off,” said George.
    â€œLike Aaron!” I said. Even after the rescue, I still didn’t trust him 100 percent.
    â€œOr Nicole,” added Bess.
    â€œOr Andrew,” said Joe. “I mean, he certainly seemed rich.”
    â€œTrue, but he doesn’t have any connection with Daniel.”
    â€œThat we know of,” Frank said. “Maybe it’s time we did some more research on his phone. Even if he won’t give us any more information, maybe it will.”
    â€œI’ve got some experience with bringing dead machines back to life,” said George. “Want me to take a crack at it?”
    â€œSure,” Frank said. “Why don’t we go down to police headquarters tomorrow? We gave it back to their evidence room for safekeeping.”
    â€œWhile you guys are on that,” added Joe, “Nancy and I can look into this Nicole Leveaux character, since she seems to be the one we know the least about.”
    â€œSounds good,” said Bess. “And I can do some more research on Aaron.”
    I turned and gave her a look.
    â€œHe asked me out again while we were at the party.”
    â€œYou’ll be our mole,” I said. “Find out everything you can about him.”
    â€œOn it,” said Bess.
    Right then, the tachos arrived.
    â€œWow,” I said. “These are definitely the best things I have ever eaten.”
    â€œEspecially after that space food at the party,” George chimed in.
    Detective work ceased while we devoured the food, which took all of about ten seconds.
    Once the food was gone, we talked for a little while longer, but soon the excitement of the last few days started to catch up with all of us, and we were yawning into the remains of the tachos. We decided to meet up in the morning at the Hardys’ hotel room and then go from there.
    We showed up on the boys’ doorstep bright and early the next morning. Frank answered almost as soon as we knocked.
    â€œNice digs!” said George, as she snagged a muffin off the complimentary tray that was sitting outside their room.
    â€œYou guys are fancy,” I said, as I took in the room.
    â€œIt’s all ATAC,” said Frank.
    â€œBLAARGH TREAACKLE ACK,” said Joe into his pillow.
    â€œI believe he said ‘good morning,’” Frank translated for him. “Joe’s not a morning person.”
    The four of us “encouraged” him to get up by throwing pillows at him. Once he was out of the shower, we worked up a plan.
    â€œI never talked to Nicole at the party, but she may remember me, so I’ll need a disguise,” I explained. “Why don’t we pretend to be visiting for Mardi Gras,