Read Online The Trimoni Twins and the Shrunken Treasure by Pam Smallcomb - Free Book Online Page B

windshield.
    â€œHe’s mad,” Beezel said.
    The tiny man shook his fist and cursed at them from the driver’s seat.
    â€œSuch language! Little man, there are young ladies present!” Uncle Hoogaboom scolded Slear. He turned to them. “Let’s get this over with. You’ll need to stand back.”
    They moved away from the little black car. Hector quickly surveyed the street. “The coast is clear.”
    Uncle Hoogaboom pointed. Zuuft. A full-sized car was parked in front of them.
    â€œYou’ve had a slight car accident,” Uncle Hoogaboom said to Slear as he leaned inside the driver’s window. “Are you all right?”
    â€œThat was no accident, pal,” Slear yelled in his face, causing Uncle Hoogaboom to stand up and take a step back. “You … you
shrank
me!
And
this car!” Slear shot a look at Mimi. “And that kid changed a dog into a rock!”
    â€œIt was a clam,” corrected Mimi.
    Beezel elbowed her. “Shh!”
    â€œWhatever it was,” Slear said, “it was
real
honestto-goodness-presto-chango
magic!”
He spotted Wiliken standing behind Hector. “And you’re in on it, aren’t you, star boy?”
    â€œPlease stop calling me that,” Wiliken said through clenched teeth.
    Slear ignored him. “Finally! I’ve hit the jackpot! Ka-ching!” He let out a war whoop. “I’m going to have plenty to say about this, you can bet your life!” Slear grinned at them.
    â€œHe
looks
as happy as a clam,” Hector muttered.
    â€œMimi, you’d better get your watch,” Beezel said. She whispered to Uncle Hoogaboom, “Mimi’s a great hypnotist.”
    â€œThat must come in very handy,” Uncle Hoogaboom said thoughtfully.
    Mimi reached inside her sleeve to get Grandpa Trimoni’s watch. She waved it at Slear. “You are getting sleepy,” she said.
    â€œOh no I’m
not
,” Slear said. “You’re not taking this story from me, sister!” He grabbed a camera from a bag on the seat next to him.
    â€œMimi, it’s not working,” Beezel said nervously.
    â€œSome people are more difficult to convince than others,” Uncle Hoogaboom said. “I’ll zuuft him again. We’ll take him home until we can think ofsomething.” He sighed as he lifted his arm to point at Slear.
    â€œOh no you don’t!” Slear thrust a camera out the car window and pointed the camera’s flash at Uncle Hoogaboom’s face. “Take that, old man!” The light strobed on and off several times.
    Uncle Hoogaboom dropped his hand and staggered backward into Hector and Wiliken.
    â€œAnd now you two!” Slear quickly turned his flashing camera on the startled twins.
    â€œKa-poof him, Beezel! I can’t see a thing! He’s blinded me!” wailed Mimi.
    â€œI can’t see either!” All Beezel could see was a bright white light pulsing on and off. The light had driven the five magic words temporarily out of her head. The only thought in her head now was to turn off that darn light. Beezel heard a car engine start and the squeal of tires as the black car pulled away from them.
    Beezel heard Slear yell, “This is way bigger than you, Riebeeck! When I break this story, it’s gonna be huge!”
    After a few minutes, they could all see properly again.
    â€œThis is terrible,” Beezel said. “Slear knows aboutthe magic of the Shrinking Coin
and
the Changing Coin!”
    â€œI’m so sorry,” said Wiliken. “If it weren’t for me, Slear wouldn’t even be here.”
    â€œOh, I wouldn’t worry too much about that,” Uncle Hoogaboom said. “It’s just his word against ours. He really can’t prove anything without our cooperation now, can he?”
    â€œWell, no.” Beezel knew he was right, but still, she had a tennis ball of worry in the pit of her stomach. But Uncle