Read Online The Sword Maker's Seal by Trevor Schmidt - Free Book Online Page A

tube of lipstick.
    â€œWhat’s that?” Ezra asked.
    â€œIt’s pepper spray. Mom and Dad made me start carrying it. I thought it might come in handy if we catch the thief.”
    Mason grabbed at the bottle but Madison withdrew her hand.
    Mason frowned and said, “Mom and Dad never give me anything cool like that.”
    â€œYou don’t need it because I’m always around to protect you.”
    â€œWell I’m always with you! I mean…I could protect you!”
    â€œApparently Mom and Dad don’t think so.”
    Mason scoffed and stared silently out the window with his arms folded across his chest.
    Ezra smiled and retreated into his mind as he often did before a difficult exam, or before the whistle blew to signal the start of a race. The sun was hidden from view behind the tall downtown buildings. In between the buildings the telltale clouds crawled closer to the city; the signs that a storm was coming. After living in Portland for all of his fourteen years, if he knew anything, it was that the weather in Portland could change at a moment’s notice, and often did.
    Madison turned her eyes to Ezra, who was swaying with the movement of the train.
    â€œYou alright Ezra?”
    â€œI’m fine. I feel like we’re getting close to the answer.”

    They disembarked from the MAX and Madison and Mason began walking toward the museum. Ezra stood staring down the street in the other direction until the twins noticed he wasn’t behind them.
    â€œWhat is it?” Madison asked Ezra.
    â€œBefore we go to the museum I need to check something.”
    â€œCheck what?”
    â€œThere’s a key shop a few blocks that way,” Ezra said pointing.
    â€œDo you think that’s where the thief copied the key?”
    â€œI don’t know, but there’s only one way to find out.”
    The three of them hurried down the street to a small store, which was nearly hidden between two restaurants. The sign above the window read Lipschitz Locks, 24/6.
    â€œ24/6?” Mason asked.
    â€œHe must not work on the Sabbath.”
    Mason shrugged and entered the shop. The bell on the door jangled and a curly-haired man appeared behind the counter. Ezra looked around the shop slowly before approaching the counter. Countless keys hung from the walls as well as a plethora of sample locks. The shop was stuffy and old fashioned, and Ezra half felt the need to dust or vacuum—something to make the shop suitable for customers. He winced as he felt Mrs. Thorne’s influence rub off on him.
    Mason slid his hand along one of the dusty locks and almost sneezed when a cloud of particles entered his nostrils.
    Ezra put his hands on the countertop confidently and said, “I’m here to pick up a key.”
    â€œI’ve never seen you before. You didn’t order a key from me,” Mr. Lipschitz said with a raspy smoker’s voice.
    â€œWell not me personally, no. I’m here to pick it up for Tanya Brand. She’s my mom.”
    He checked his list of clients and looked up at Ezra with a sneer crossing over his wrinkled face.
    â€œI haven’t made a key for a Tanya Brand either. Why don’t you just run along now children?”
    Madison leaned over the counter attempting to read the names on his sheet. When Mr. Lipschitz noticed he closed the leather-bound ledger quickly and placed it behind him on a small table.
    â€œOh I get it,” Ezra said sarcastically. “He’s scared we’ll find out he’s copying keys designated as do not duplicate.”
    Madison played along, “Right. There can’t be too many key shops around here. If the police were to find out Mr. Lipschitz made an illegal copy of a key…”
    â€œHe could go to jail as an accessory,” Mason finished.
    Mr. Lipschitz looked uneasy. His wrinkles became deeper and darker as he bowed his head.
    â€œWhat do you want from me?”
    â€œJust give us a