Read Online Danger in the Extreme by Franklin W. Dixon - Free Book Online

jumper wasn’t Neal! He had on Neal’s helmet and pullover. But that person was too tall to be Neal.
    â€œYou!” Agent DuBelle shouted. “Take off that helmet now!”
    The imposter released his bindings, stepped off his board, and took off running.

8 The Invitation
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    The snowboarder wearing Neal’s number raced away from Frank, passing right in front of Agent DuBelle. She grabbed for his pullover but missed.
    â€œStop! Halt!” she yelled. Placing one hand on the top rail, she vaulted the barrier and gave chase.
    Frank looked up. Another snowboarder, unaware of all the commotion, had stepped out of the hut to jump. It wasn’t Neal, so Frank ran for the ladder at the back of the tower.
    Ken Ardis jumped a barrier and fell in behind Frank. They stopped at the base of the ladder.
    â€œIs he up there?” Ardis asked.
    Frank was about to start climbing when he noticed a slender figure walking casually around theother side of the tower. He recognized Sammy’s leather sponsor’s jacket.
    Frank fell into a sprint and shouted for the officials at the athletes’ entrance to stop the guy.
    He saw the figure slip through the gate. “Stop him!” he yelled. If the person made it into the crowd, they’d never find him.
    An official stepped in front of the guy. Frank came up, put his hand on the person’s shoulder, and spun him around.
    It was Neal.
    Ardis grabbed Neal under the arm roughly. “What is going on, young man?”
    Neal seemed bewildered, a little confused. “I—I was going for a walk, I guess.”
    â€œA walk!” Ardis marched Neal back to the bench behind the jump tower.
    Frank could feel the entire crowd watching them. He saw Neal’s face go red with embarrassment.
    When they got back to the athletes’ area, Agent DuBelle was already there with the imposter. It was Sammy Fear. She shoved him down on the bench.
    An official came up and quietly asked if everything was all right.
    â€œFine,” DuBelle said. “We apologize. Go ahead and restart the competition.”
    The official nodded and hustled away.
    DuBelle turned to Neal. “What kind of stunt was that?”
    Neal scratched his head. “I don’t know. I guess I was bummed about my jump. I just felt like taking off.”
    â€œNo, no,” Fear said, waving his hand in the air. “It was all my idea, man. I figured it’d be a hoot. I do a jump, Neal takes a walk, everybody gets a big laugh. He wasn’t going to go far, were you, Neal?”
    â€œUm. No, I don’t think so.”
    Frank waited for Ardis to explode, but the agent’s attitude suddenly changed. He took a step back and smiled. Then he let out a hearty laugh.
    â€œEither you’re very brave or very stupid,” he said to Fear, shaking his head. “That was a good way to get yourself shot.”
    â€œOr at least arrested,” DuBelle snapped. “In fact, I’ve got a mind to haul you in right now.”
    Agent Ardis rebuttoned his overcoat. “They were just having fun. I don’t think we should make too much out of it.”
    â€œSince when did you go soft?” DuBelle asked.
    Ardis smiled. “I don’t want Neal to think I’m a hard case all the time.”
    Neal stood there, watching the exchange in silence. He took off Sammy’s jacket and handed it back to him. “Can I have my pullover, man?”
    â€œSure thing,” Fear said. “Hey, little prez. You want to help me and Amanda go over our sky-surfing gig?”
    â€œUh, I don’t know,” Neal said, turning to Frank. “What are you gonna do now, Frank?”
    â€œI was going to go help my brother get his sled together.” Frank checked his watch. “The snocross finals are in less than an hour.”
    â€œCan I go with you?”
    Everyone, especially Frank, was surprised that Neal didn’t want to hang out with Sammy