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"This rally at the mall is a big thing for Walker's campaign. There'll be lots of media
coverage, and lots of his supporters will be there. But-it will also be the perfect event for
a terrorist. I'm certain that Al-Rousasa is aiming for it.
"Look at how many supplies have disappeared from the mall recently," Frank went on as
he showed Butler the list in his notebook. "I think the bombing of our car was just
preparation for what will happen on Saturday."
Butler still didn't move. "And what do you expect me to do?"
"Search the mall," Joe put in eagerly. "We can still move before the terrorist does."
"Let me get this straight," Butler said, pacing
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in front of them. "You think this guy blew up your girlfriend so he could get in a little
practice on killing Philip Walker? That's how he's going to spend his Saturday?
"Now," he went on, "what I should do is get every cop in town to turn the mall upside
down before the big rally. I've got just one question. Do you think this terrorist might
escape on a UFO?
Butler whirled to face the Hardys, his expression becoming angry for a moment,
then grimacing, then going mask like again. "How stupid do; you think I am?" Butler
shouted. "I knew you'd I come up with some sort of cock-and-bull story to beat the
rap on getting that girl killed. But this one wins the prize!"
"Inspector," Frank said, "we're telling you the truth.
"Oh, sure," Butler said. "You have any proof of this little fairy tale? Somebody to back
you up? Evidence? Something a little better than a list in your notebook?"
"We-- " Frank stopped. He couldn't reveal anything that had happened in London. He
and Joe had made a promise to Sir Nigel. And there was no way the Gray Man could
speak for them. "You could call-" Again he stopped. He could just imagine Butler's
response to being told about British Intelligence.
"Well, you could talk to our father," Joe finally said.
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"Oh, great. Are you sure Daddy will put in a good word for his darling boys? And
where do I get in touch with the great Fenton Hardy? I've been trying to talk to him for
days."
Joe bowed his head We-uh-don't know." "That's really great, Sherlock." Butler turned
his back on them. "Get out of here before I throw you out."
Once again, Frank and Joe found themselves storming out of Butler's office.
"Come on," said Frank, leading the way down a corridor. "We've got to go over this
clown's head." But when they reached Chief Collig's office, the lights were out.
"Hey!" said a voice behind them. Jerry, the desk cop, came hurrying forward. "What
do you two think you're doing?"
"We need to see Chief Collig," Joe said. "Well, you'll see him tomorrow," the policeman
replied. "He's left for the day."
"Great," Joe muttered as Jerry marched them outside.
Frank rushed over to the green Nova. "Callie," he asked, "did you see Chief Collig
leave?"
"Yup," she replied. "Just a couple of minutes ago."
"Think you can catch up with him?" Frank asked as he and Joe climbed in.
"Let's find out." Callie hit the gas and pulled smoothly away from the curve.
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The chief's route home took him away from downtown Bayport, along the Shore Road.
As soon as they were out of traffic, Callie started speeding up. Far ahead, they saw a pair
of tail lights-taillights that grew rapidly nearer.
"It's a cop car," Callie said.
"It has to be the chief's," Joe agreed. "Flash your lights at him," said Frank. "We've
got to get his attention."
"The way we're speeding, I think we've got his attention," Callie said. Still, she flicked
her headlight control.
The blinker on top of the police car began to revolve as it headed to the side of the
road. "All right, pull over," said a voice over the car's loudspeaker.
When Frank and Joe got out of the car, they found the chief's chauffeur standing in the
beams of Callie's headlights, his hand on his pistol butt. "Chief," Frank called out, "I've
got to talk with you.
"What the-" Chief Ezra Collig stepped out. "Frank and Joe Hardy! What do you think
you're doing, driving around like maniacs?"
"We had to catch up with you, Chief," Frank
said.
"It's important," Joe added.
"Have you found out something about Iola
Morton?" Collig asked.
"Yes. But it's even bigger," Frank said. He
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explained about the Assassins and about his suspicions that the Walker rally could come
under attack. "It would be a massacre," he finished. "We've got to search that mall."
Chief Collig's face was serious. "You won't like to hear this, boys," he said. "But I can
understand why Butler reacted the way he did. You don't have any evidence." He shook
his head helplessly. "You want me to put all my men on a time-consuming job just on
your say so."
"Chief-" said Joe.
"You've done a lot of good work, but you just don't know what you're asking this time."
Chief Collig started walking back to his car. "If you had anyone to back you up-your
father, for instance. . ."
"He probably won't arrive until Walker does, and then it will be too late," Frank said.
"You've got to okay that search."
"I can't do that unless you can give me something more solid to go on." The chief
climbed into his car. "Sorry, boys."
"We blew it!" Joe said as the chief's car roared off.
"I know, and I can hardly believe it." Joe had to strain to hear his brother's voice over
the noise of the departing engine.
"We've got to convince them. -But how?" Frank's murmuring was still almost inaudible
un
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