Typhoon Island (13 page)

“Tejeda wasn’t really aiming to ruin tourism,” Frank replied. “His true goal was to drive down real estate prices, while solidifying his political position as ’friend of the poor.’”

“It was a good plan,” Joe said. “They cause crime in Nuevo Esteban and then take credit for cleaning it up. By the time tourism rebounded, Tejeda would have owned the best properties on this side of the island—and he would have bought them for a song.”

“Just like he bought the underground tour business and those other properties over the years,” Angela said.

“Owning the bootlegger tour business gave him access to the tunnels he and his gang needed to pull off their crimes,” Frank said. “They could move between the city and the coast with no one seeing them. It also gave them a place to stash money and stolen goods, like the speedboat. When the storm blew in, Tejeda saw an opportunity to put their ’urban renewal’ plan into high gear. They could dynamite the tunnels under key areas and then blame the storm for the collapse of the old tunnels and the damage to the city.”

“Then they could swoop in and pick up the pieces,” Iola said.

“The disaster would have killed the real estate
market in a way that would have taken months, or maybe years, to accomplish otherwise,” Joe said. “Then Tejeda could step in—both financially and politically—and be the town’s savior.”

“Having Luis in the town repair office, and Jose in the tourist rental business, made the sabotage that much easier,” Frank said.

“Then, it was Jose and the handyman who hijacked Beth Becker’s speedboat,” Callie said.

Frank and Joe nodded. “And Jose who sabotaged our plane,” Frank added.

“Working against his own brother!” Angela said, shocked.

“Pablo Ruiz wasn’t involved at all,” Joe said. “He was just a patsy.”

“Okay, I get all that,” Iola said. “And I understand why Escobar was constantly showing up—he was an agent working the case. But what about Lucas McGill?”

“We think The Gringo was probably trying to find out who was behind the scheme—either to stop the trouble or, more likely, to get a cut,” Joe said. “That’s why he kept popping up like a bad penny. But who knows for sure.”

“That’s The Gringo’s luck,” Angela said. “Other people get caught, and he gets away scot-free.” She threw up her hands in exasperation.

“Oh, I’m sure that he’ll slip up one day,” Joe said.

“Someone will catch him,” Frank replied.

“Well, I hope it’s not you two who put him behind bars,” Iola said, winking playfully at Joe.

Callie looked at Frank. “Or if it is,” she added, “I hope it’s not during our next vacation!”

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

First Aladdin Paperbacks edition August 2003
Copyright © 2003 by Simon & Schuster, Inc.

ALADDIN PAPERBACKS
An imprint of Simon & Schuster
Children’s Publishing Division
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All rights reserved, including the right of
reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

The text of this book was set in New Caledonia.

THE HARDY BOYS MYSTERY STORIES is a trademark of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

THE HARDY BOYS and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Library of Congress Control Number 2002115457

ISBN-13: 978-0-689-85884-0
ISBN-10: 0-689-85884-1

ISBN-13: 978-1-4424-7234-1 (ebook)