Free The Secret of Skeleton Reef by Franklin W. Dixon

don’t forget,” Frank said after tasting the stew, “he was the one who didn’t want to look for Chrissy this morning. He said he didn’t want to waste valuable time, but that could have been a lie. This goat stew is delicious, by the way.”
    â€œHere’s a possible motive,” Jamal said, spreading coconut sauce over his grilled fish. “Chrissy was helping Montclare with his books last night. Maybe she found something questionable in his financial records, and Montclare needed to stop her from telling anybody.”
    â€œIt’s not impossible,” Joe said, slicing into his jerk chicken, a Caribbean favorite.
    â€œNext suspect,” Frank said, “is Peg Riley. She seems nice enough, but we definitely have a motive for her. She’s stealing relics from the Laughing Moon . Also, Chrissy is Peg’s roommate and could easily have found out about this. How’s the chicken, Joe?”
    â€œSpicy!” Joe gasped, fanning his mouth.
    â€œWould that alone prompt Peg to kill Chrissy?” Jamal asked.
    â€œIt might,” Frank answered. “Not only could Peg go to jail, but those items she’s stealing are valuable. She could be hoarding thousands of dollars’ worth of stuff. People have killed for much less.”
    â€œWhat about Rob and Davy?” Jamal said. “Do they go on the suspect list?”
    â€œThey sure do,” Frank said. “They asked Flask if they could join the crew if something happened to any of the crew members. Maybe they figured the Laughing Moon site was too well guarded for them to get a chance at raiding it. Maybe they saw joining the crew as the only way to get close enough to steal some pirate treasure.”
    â€œAnd they probably came after Frank and me,” Joe said, reaching for a plate of fried bananas, “because they thought we were part of the crew.”
    â€œSo what are you saying?” Jamal asked. “That they tried to kill Chrissy to create an opening on the salvage team? That sounds a bit extreme.”
    â€œYou should see these guys, Jamal,” Joe said with his mouth full. “They’re complete lunatics.”
    â€œAnyone else?” Frank asked.
    â€œHere’s something I just remembered,” Joe said. “Ted noticed the oxygen level was low on the Destiny’s refill tank today. He wondered if Isaac and Ishmael might be doing some night diving even though they’re not supposed to. Maybe they’re also stealing stuff from the Laughing Moon site, and Chrissy found out about it.”
    â€œIt’s a possibility,” Frank said. “I’m getting the impression a lot of secrets are lurking out on Skeleton Reef.”
    Dusk was deepening into night an hour later as Frank drove the Jeep up a steep hill on the southeastern part of the island. Thunder rumbled above. Over dinner it had been decided that Frank would pay an unexpected visit to Pierre Montclare’s house while Joe and Jamal walked to the bungalow where Peg Riley lived. The boys had gotten both addresses off the list Frank had stolen from the Destiny .
    Rain began to pour on the canvas top of the Jeep. As he turned on the windshield wipers, Frank wondered if the storm was similar to the one that had driven the Laughing Moon onto Skeleton Reef so many years ago. It was completely dark when he spotted a lonely house atop a hill. It had to be Montclare’s place.
    Frank parked in front of the house, a large and elegant structure, then darted through the rain forthe front door. He knocked loudly and waited, but there was no answer. Remembering people in the Caribbean did not always lock up, Frank turned the knob and found the door was open. He entered.
    The floors of the spacious living room were polished wood, and most of the furniture was wicker. Two fancy floor lamps were casting a halogen glow, suggesting someone was home. “Hello,” Frank called out. There was no answer.
    Across