The Pacific Conspiracy (12 page)

***

Two days later they were back in Bayport, and things were pretty much back to normal.

Callie Shaw, Frank's girlfriend, was babysitting a neighbor's son for a week while his parents went on a second honeymoon.

She had brought Eddie over to Frank and Joe's house for that afternoon because the kid really liked Joe.

Right then Eddie was pouring baking soda out onto the dining room table. He called it a science experiment.

"Hey, take it easy with that stuff," Joe said. "You'll ruin the table."

"It's an experiment, Joe," Eddie said. "It's really cool. Just watch."

The doorbell rang.

"Hold on a minute, Eddie," Joe said. He went to open the door. Vanessa Bender was standing there.

"Glad to see me?" she said.

"You bet," Joe replied. He turned to Frank and Callie. "What do you say we hit the mall? I'm dying for a pizza."

"Sounds good to me," Vanessa said.

"Wait, Joe." Eddie had some vinegar out now. "Watch this."

He poured the vinegar onto the baking soda. The entire mess erupted right there, all over Mrs. Hardy's table and floor.

"Boom!" Eddie cried out. "See? Just like a volcano!"

Joe's face went white.

"What do you think?" Eddie asked, beaming up at him.

Joe shook his head. "I think whoever came up with that experiment has a sick sense of humor."

Vanessa and Callie looked at him strangely.

"You're too sensitive, brother," Frank said.

"Maybe," Joe said. "But let's get out of here before Eddie starts on his next little experiment."

Frank laughed.

The End.

Frank and Joe's next case:

Joe's girlfriend, Vanessa Bender, has introduced the Hardys to an old family friend, Brett Cooper. Brett is the pilot and designer of Brett's Beauty, the high-powered piston-engine prop plane set to compete in the upcoming Bayport Unlimited Air Races. But while he's aiming to break the world speed record, someone else has targeted him for terror!

The key to the case is the mystery of Brett Cooper himself - his hidden past, his hidden enemies. For Frank and Joe, the investigation quickly turns into a crash course in danger as they fly blind into a web of blackmail, sabotage, and murder. They're about to learn that in a world of daredevil pilots and death-defying stunts, the risks can be sky-high . . . in Danger Unlimited, Case #79 in The Hardy Boys Casefiles®.