Read Online The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers Book 2: A King's Ransom by Jude Watson - Free Book Online Page B

forty. Natalie was humming to herself as she moved. Ted was concentrating, perspiration on his forehead. And Phoenix was following Reagan easily.
    “Sixty. Good job, people. Done for the day.”
    “Thank you,” Alistair breathed.
    “All right,” Reagan said. “Tomorrow we’ll tackle shoulders and arms. That means push-ups, people! And if you want to fit in some extra ab work after dinner, I’ll be cranking out some more crunches.”
    At the mention of dinner, Nellie’s stomach growled. “Please don’t mention food,” she said.
    Just then they heard the sound of the dumbwaiter shuddering down. Fiske went over and lifted the panel. “Cabbage and potatoes,” he said.
    Nellie shook her fist at the camera closest to her. “Hey, bozos!” she yelled. “Get a decent chef!”
    “Yelling doesn’t work, remember?” Fiske said mildly. He took out the casserole dish while Alistair set out paper plates. “The last time you complained about the food, we got bread and water.”
    “I know,” Nellie said. “I’m sorry. It’s just that … what I wouldn’t give for a
poulet rôti aux herbes
. With crispy
frites
. And I’d really like to see the look on the French waiter’s face when I ask for ketchup.”
    “I miss salad,” Natalie said.
    “Cookies,” Phoenix said.
    “Sushi,” Fiske said.
    “Bibimbap,” Alistair put in. “Or a chicken burrito with chipotle sauce.”
    “Grilled cheese sandwiches,” Ted murmured. “With pickles.”
    Everybody stared down at the cabbage and potatoes on their plates.
    Fiske picked up his fork. He took a bite. “Delicious.”
    They all exchanged glances. There was nothing to do but eat.
    Nellie chewed the overcooked potatoes and the limp cabbage. The casserole dish was scraped clean. Their kidnappers were not generous with portions.
    The casserole dish …
    Someone had made a mistake. Their first mistake.
    The casserole dish was made of ceramic. Usually they sent food in plastic containers.
    Nellie noted that Fiske’s gaze had followed hers. She saw the same idea light up his eyes. Their gazes met.
    Me,
Nellie silently asked Fiske …
or you
?
    Me.
It had to look like an accident. With her shoulder injury, it just might work.
    She dropped the plastic spoon onto her empty plate, then stood. She walked over to the garbage in the corner and tossed them into the container — no recycling for these kidnappers. Then she picked up the casserole dish and started toward the dumbwaiter to return it.
    “Ow!”
she suddenly cried, as though her shoulder had given her a terrible twinge. Her hand jerked, and she dropped the dish. She was sure to release it with force. It shattered, the pieces shooting across the floor. A huge shard skittered to a stop against Ted’s foot.
    “Sorry!” she called. She bent down and retrieved the pieces. Alistair got up to help, as well as Fiske, Phoenix, and Reagan. Only Natalie continued to eat.
    Ted casually put his foot on top of the shard.
    They dumped the broken pieces in the dumbwaiter, shut the panel, and returned to the table. One by one, they got up and threw away their plates. Phoenix cleared Ted’s, the way he always did.
    Ted’s foot remained on the shard.
    Things had changed. Now they had a weapon.

Munich, Germany
    “Dude,” Hamilton Holt said.
    “Dawg,” Jonah Wizard said. They knocked knuckles. “We’re on the case again, bro.”
    They had just touched down at Munich Airport in Jonah’s private jet. Jonah had already rented a car; it would be fastest to drive to Neuschwanstein Castle, especially at the speed he could hit on the autobahn. It took only minutes for Jonah and Hamilton to pass through customs, load their luggage, and swing into the red sports car.
    “We are officially on celebrity time,” Jonah said, adjusting the side mirror. “No lines for the Wizard.”
    Hamilton awkwardly folded himself into the passenger seat. “Couldn’t you get something bigger?” he asked as he banged his knee against the