Free Street Spies by Franklin W. Dixon

bomb, and then hung around to watch the fireworks."
    There was a long pause at the table. Finally Fenton Hardy frowned. "If what you say about Tiffany is true," he said, "then she's in as much danger as you."
    Joe took a deep breath. His father was right. "I've got to warn her!" he said, pushing away his cheeseburger.
    "Is that a good idea?" Frank asked.
    "Good idea or not, I'm doing it, anyway," Joe said. He got up, went to a pay phone and, referring to the piece of paper Tiffany had given him, punched the number. The phone at the other end was picked up on the second ring.
    "Hello!" Tiffany's voice was shrill, almost out of control.
    "Listen, Tiffany, it's Joe." Joe hoped his voice sounded reassuring. "I think we can help."
    "Oh, Joe." Tiffany drew in a shuddery breath. "Where are you? I need you—now!"
    "What's wrong?"
    "That person — the one who phoned earlier— called again. He ordered me to go upstairs to a vacant office and pick up a package. Lightfoot's supposed to come for it."
    Joe took a deep breath. Things were happening fast. "Did you get the package?"
    "I got it." Tiffany sniffed. It sounded as if she was trying not to cry. "But it wasn't sealed, and I... I opened it. It's on my desk right now."
    "Good girl!" Joe exclaimed. "What's in it?"
    "It looks like a radio, with a lot of knobs and dials and things." She paused. "What'll I do?"
    "Wrap it back up," Joe said calmly. "When Lightfoot shows up, give it to him. He'll never get wherever he's going. We'll cut him off."
    "We?" Tiffany asked. "We, who?"
    "My brother, my father, and I," Joe said. "I don't have time to explain the whole thing right now, but we're working for your father."
    "You're working for my father? You lousy — "
    "It's okay, Tiffany." Joe tried to calm her. "Trust me." He grimaced and held the receiver away from his ear for ten seconds. When her anger died down he spoke again, more seriously. "Listen, as soon as Lightfoot leaves, give me a call." He gave her the number of the van's mobile phone, said goodbye, and rushed back to the table.
    "Come on you guys," he said excitedly. "The spy just passed Tiffany a radio unit of some kind. She's supposed to give it to Lightfoot. We've got to intercept him. If we catch him red-handed, maybe we can get him to spill what he knows!"
    "Hold on a minute, son," Mr. Hardy said. "You're not leaving here without a better plan. You know how tough it is to tail a bike with a van in traffic."
    "Dad's right," Frank said. "Why don't I take my bike and go after him?"
    "Okay," Joe said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out one of the two transmitters he had left. "Take this," he said, tossing it to Frank. "I'll track the two of you in the van."
    Mr. Hardy stood up. "Mr. Chilton has to be briefed. It's not going to be easy. I'll be at the hotel — keep in touch."
    Minutes later Joe was in the van. He switched on the radio, then the computer screen. At that second the mobile phone buzzed.
    Joe picked it up. "Tiffany?"
    "Yes, Joe. Lightfoot just left with the package."
    Joe eyed the green monitor. There was Lightfoot's blip, in front of World-Wide. It started to move, heading north. He checked Frank's blip. He was heading south.
    "Good girl, Tiff," Joe said. "We'll get him!" He hung up and pulled out onto the street.
    "Joe, do you have anything yet?" It was Frank's voice on the radio "Yeah. Tiffany just called. Lightfoot's got the package. His blip's headed north. He's up to Fifty-third now. Maybe you can head him off." He pulled over to the side of the street into a vacant parking place. "I'll hold position here until we see which side of Central Park he takes."
    As Joe stared at the screen, he saw Lightfoot's marker moving steadily north. Two blocks later, Lightfoot's marker turned west.
    Joe picked up the mike. "Frank, turn north."
    "Roger. North it is."
    Joe started the van, made a quick left, checked the screen again, and grinned.
    Lightfoot was caught right between the two brothers.
    Frank scanned the