Read Online The Castle on Deadman's Island by Curtis Parkinson - Free Book Online

He’d never met anyone from New York before, the ultimate big city in his mind. It seemed so far removed from Kingsport thatit might as well have been on another planet. Not only did it have the world’s tallest skyscraper, but also Broadway Radio City Music Hall and the Rockettes, the Yankees with Joe DiMaggio, and all those movies that open with shots of Manhattan traffic and horn-honking yellow cabs. New York.
    Now here was a New Yorker in person. Neil wanted to ask him if there really was a billboard on Broadway that blew smoke rings, but he didn’t want to seem like a rube. Who was this guy? he wondered. And why had Crescent come in a launch with him instead of in
Discovery?
Was he after her too?
    â€œThe only boats I’ve ever been in before are those pedal things in Central Park,” Daniel said, still clutching the sides tightly. “But they don’t rock around like this. My grandparents come up here every year-they’re nuts about fishing. Why, I don’t know. Sit in a boat all day and dangle a minnow overboard, hoping some fish will come along that’s dumb enough to grab it. They’re always after me to come with them, so this year I did. I really like them and all, but jeez, fishing!”
    Neil could see that Daniel liked talking – a lot more than he liked fishing.
    â€œHey” Daniel said. “I hear you guys are terrific gumshoes.”
    Neil wasn’t sure whether this was a compliment or an insult.
    â€œYou know – detectives, private eyes,” Daniel added. “Like in Raymond Chandler’s books.”
    The dinghy pulled up to the launch. They climbed aboard, and Crescent introduced Neil and Graham to Mr. and Mrs. Lonsberg and to Charlie, the guide. Now it was Charlie’s boat that was crowded. Neil and Graham sat on the floorboards in the stern with Crescent.
    â€œAll set?” Charlie said, poised to start the engine.
    â€œWait a moment, Charlie!” Mrs. Lonsberg said. “I’ve got a bite.” She jerked on her line and began reeling it in, the rod bending and dipping as the fish fought back gamely. It leaped once, flashing silver and dark green in the sun, then shook the hook loose and was gone. The line hung limp.
    â€œRats!” Mrs. Lonsberg said. “A nice big bass, too.”
    â€œNever mind, dear,” her husband said. “Charlie knows where to find lots more.”
    â€œWe’ll just mosey on over to the campground on Lovesick Island,” Charlie said. “Then you folks can relax while I fry up some of this fresh catch for lunch.” He held up a long string of perch and bass that had been dangling over the side.
    They landed at the public dock on the island beside Deadman’s. Charlie set up chairs for the Lonsbergs, got a fire going, then began cleaning fish at the water’s edge.
    â€œYou kids, feel free to explore,” Mrs. Lonsberg said. “Come back when you smell fish frying.”
    â€œSure, Gran,” Daniel said, and off they went.
    Neil and Graham were bursting with curiosity. “So what’s happening, Crescent?” Neil said, as soon as they were out of earshot.
    â€œYeah, we expected to see
Discovery
sail around the point,” Graham said. “Why are you in Charlie’s boat with the Lonsbergs? Are you keen on fishing?”
    Or keen on Daniel? Neil wondered.
    Crescent sighed. “Poor
Discovery.
She was stolen last night. The police think it was the German prisoners of war.”
    â€œGerman POWs!” Neil exclaimed. “From the fort?”
    Crescent nodded. “Two of them. They escaped yesterday. The police think they’ll try to cross to the United States. They probably took the sailboat because a motorboat would have been too noisy. I kept thinking of you guys waiting for me and I didn’t know what to do. Then the Lonsbergs – they’re in the cottage next door – came to my rescue. Came to your rescue, I should