Read Online Hot Wheels by William Arden - Free Book Online

the Piranhas are using gigs to cover their car stealing,” Jupiter finished. He took a glossy photograph from his pocket. “Here’s a photo of Tiburon I swiped from outside The Shack. Is that the guy who gave you the Mercedes to drive down to Rocky Beach?”
    Ty studied the photo. “I think so, Jupe, but I’m not sure, you know? I’d had a few beers that night. It was dark and smoky, and we were all watching the band. I didn’t look at him all that close, you know? But it sure looks a lot like him.”
    “Wasn’t he playing in the band?”
    “No.”
    “What club were you in?” Jupiter asked.
    “Something ‘Blue.’ Yeah. The Blue Lights!”
    “Not The Deuces?” Jupiter asked.
    “Tiburon’d be crazy to hire a guy where they were playing,” Pete said.
    “I’d know better if I could see him and hear him talk,” Ty said, staring at the photo.
    “That we can arrange,” Jupiter said. “We’ll meet at HQ tonight and talk over our plans.”
    Ty continued to watch the rearview mirror above Pete. “Someone’s tailing us, guys. Ever since we left the courthouse. Probably the cops keeping me under surveillance, but it could be the car thieves.”
    Three cars were behind them. A red Nissan and a Porsche, and between them a black American sedan.
    “Is it a Buick?” Jupiter asked quickly.
    “Not sure,” Ty said. “But it looks like a GM car of some sort.”
    Pete and Jupiter told him about the black Buick of Max the gunman. Ty watched the mirror.
    “Could be, but it could be detectives too.”
    “What do we do?” Pete asked.
    “We watch them,” Ty said.
    They reached the house and salvage yard. Ty and Aunt Mathilda went into the house. Pete and Jupe crossed to the yard. Pete stood behind the gatepost and watched the black car pass. It wasn’t a Buick.
    “It’s an Oldsmobile,” Pete said. “And it just turned at the next corner.”
    “Let’s reconnoiter,” Jupiter said.
    They ran across the salvage yard and climbed onto some packing crates so they could see over the high board fence. The black car was parked practically in front of them.
    As they peeked over the fence, the car moved off.
    “You think they saw us?”
    Jupiter nodded. “I think so.”
    They returned to HQ and called Ty to report.
    “Okay,” Ty said. “It’s probably the cops. Let’s wait until morning to make our next move.”
    Ty settled into the upstairs guest room. Pete worked on the Corvair until dark. Jupiter tinkered with some mini walkie-talkies in his workshop.
    They saw the black car twice. Once driving slowly past the yard. Once hidden again behind the salvage yard fence.
     

10
A Plot Hatched
    Ty stood at the window of HQ, as if he could see through the yard fence to the street. It was next morning, and he was worried about the black car.
    “It’s out there,” he said. “I can feel it.”
    “Who?” Pete said. “The police or the crooks?”
    “It could be either,” Jupiter said at his desk.
    “Jupe’s right,” Ty agreed. “The question is, who are they tailing? You — probably means the guys you suspect. Me — probably means the police.”
    Jupiter nodded. “Torres and Tiburon wouldn’t have known when or even if you were going to get out. And I’d think they’d want to stay far away from you in case you could recognize Tiburon.”
    “Let’s split up and see which car they tail,” Pete suggested.
    Jupiter nodded. “I wanted to do some research, and someone should watch the Freeway Garage to see if Tiburon or the Piranhas show up. Bob’s probably working again today. So Pete can watch the garage while Ty and I take a pickup and do my research.”
    “And we can buy you a car,” Ty said.
    Jupiter nodded eagerly. “If they follow you, Pete, don’t go near the garage until you lose them.”
    They went to Uncle Titus for permission to use one of the salvage-yard pickups. Ty and Jupe got into the truck, and Pete got into his battered Fiero. Jupe slumped down so only Ty could be seen in the