Read Online Benjamin Franklinstein Meets the Fright Brothers by Matthew McElligott - Free Book Online Page B

autographed photo of Skip Weaver, weatherman. For some reason, he was in his underpants. Victor shook his head. In a place like the Midnite Diner, Scott’s dad would fit right in.
    â€œSo why are we here, anyway?” Scott asked. “And why so early?”
    â€œWe’re here to meet the voice from the electrophone,” said Victor. He scanned the room. “Keep your eyes peeled. It could be anyone, and he might be in disguise.”
    â€œBut how do you know?” Franklin asked. “You still haven’t explained how you deciphered the message.”
    â€œThere was no time. We had to get here right away.” Victor set the piece of paper with his notes on the table. “It finally hit me: this is all about the Wright brothers and airplanes. Each one of the cities on the list has an airport, and each airport has a three-letter code.”
    Franklin studied the page. “I see! Well done, Victor.”
    â€œI don’t get it,” said Scott.
    â€œPut the city codes in a row, one after the other,” Victor explained. “Like this: MID, NIT, EDI, NER, FIV, EAM. Then change the spaces: MIDNITE DINER FIVE AM.”
    â€œCool!”
    â€œWe’re still early,” said Franklin. “Shall we order some pancakes?”
    OTHER AIRPORT CODES OF NOTE

    Five o’clock, then five thirty came and went, with no contact from the mysterious voice. Franklin and Scott ordered more pancakes. Victor was too edgy to eat.
    â€œI wonder if we’re doing this wrong,” he said. “Maybe we’re supposed to get up and introduce ourselves.”
    â€œTo who?” asked Scott.
    Victor shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe the cook. We could tell him we’re here to meet someone.”
    â€œGood luck!” Scott laughed. “He doesn’t speak English, except for the stuff on the menu.”
    â€œDo you recognize anyone else?” asked Franklin.
    â€œNot really,” said Scott. “I’m not usually here this early. It’s a different crowd.”
    â€œMaybe we should just—”
    â€œShove over,” said a voice. “Act like you know me.”
    Victor looked up. Standing above him was a tall, thin girl about his age, dressed entirely in black. She wore a hooded sweatshirt and peered at them over a pair of dark sunglasses.
    â€œAre you deaf? I said move over.”
    Victor slid to his left, and the girl sat down next to him.
    â€œHe may be watching us, so we don’t have a lot of time. Dr. Franklin, it’s an honor to meet you. I’m Jaime Winters.”
    Franklin held out his hand. “The honor is mine, young lady. Are you, by chance, a Custodian?”
    â€œMy parents are . . . I mean, were,” said Jaime. “And it’s probably best if we don’t say that word too loudly. He might be listening.”
    â€œWho might be listening?” Scott asked.
    Jaime glared at him. “Who are you, exactly?”
    â€œMy name’s Scott.” He pointed at the picture above him. “That’s my dad.”
    â€œLook,” said Jaime, “I don’t think you boys understand what’s going on here, so I’ll try to make it as simple as possible. I have business with Dr. Franklin, and it’s not really kid stuff. Maybe it’s best if you just run along.”
    Victor bristled. “And how old are you ?”
    â€œI assure you, Miss Winters,” offered Franklin, “these gentlemen have my complete confidence.”
    Jaime looked at Victor and Scott with contempt. “As you wish, Dr. Franklin.”
    â€œPlease, call me Ben.”
    â€œAll right, Ben.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Something bad is going down, and we don’t have much time. The Modern Order of Prometheus is in trouble, and Custodians are disappearing. We suspect that a few of them, like your own Custodian, Mr. Mercer, may have been murdered.”
    â€œMr. Mercer was our downstairs