Kidnapped: The Mountain Valley Series

By Jean Robinson Westcott

Rad Sergeant, his two best friends. Peter Logan and Max Frost, and Rad's little brother Ty, build a raft with plans of floating on the Oakdale Lake all summer as if it were the mighty Mississippi. However, tragedy strikes on the first floating trip: Ty disappears. "Presumed drowned," the authorities said, and everyone believes them-everyone except Rad and his strong-minded friends of Mountain Valley. They cannot accept that Ty drowned. They believe Ty was kidnapped and intend to find him. Rad and his friends begin a journey filled with doubt and impossible hopes as they search an island filled with snakes and alligators for Rad's little brother, Ty.

" the characters' feelings and their reactions to various predicaments are so pure and sincere one cannot help but continue turning the pages."

"This suspenseful, realistic detective story will delight readers of all ages for years to come."

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Aug 13, 2003
• ISBN: 9781469756332

Jean Robinson Westcott

Jean Robinson Westcott was born and raised in rural Arkansas, but moved to Tulsa, OK when she married her husband, Waymon Westcott. She became a cosmetologist and worked in that capacity until her three children were grown. It was then that she began to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming an author.

Book preview

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

To all the children that have been kidnapped

and to my grandson, Josh with love.

Chapter 1

School was out for the summer and life was wonderful for twelve-year-old Rad Sergeant and his two best friends, Peter Logan and Max Frost. They were meeting today at Rad’s ranch to make summer plans, and decide if they should have a name. They are not many, only three, but perhaps a name would set them apart.

That’s a handsome thoroughbred your dad’s riding in the corral this morning. Max said. What’s he doing, exercising him for his owner?

Yeah, the owner’s on vacation, Rad said, his eyes going from the barn to the two-story house Dad inherited from his parents. The house is older, but in good condition and a ranch was great for growing up.

Good grief! Peter said, and motioned toward the house. Tyler’s coming! Now remember, we are not backing down!

Rad watched his little brother skip across the yard, his blond hair waving in the breeze, with his German Shepard dog Destroyer at his heels. Tyler loped along with two bottles of grape pop in each hand that clanked in perfect rhythm with his skipping.

Tyler’s bright blue eyes sparkled as he passed the pop out. I know you already turned me down about hanging with you guys this summer, He said and shrugged. Summer is long and important, so I decided it’s worth another shot. Have you changed your minds?

Rad watched Tyler with questioning eyes.

Save your breath squirt, Peter said. The answer is still no.

Why?

You’re too young, that’s why!

You three are only twelve, Tyler said. I’m ten. Not that much difference if you ask me. I changed my name from Tyler to Ty, that should tell you something.

Yeah! You cut your name in half, Peter said. And, I don’t care if you are Rad’s kid brother! You are not hanging out with us! Get your own friends! We already have summer plans, and they do not include baby sittin’ you!

Rad did not like Peter’s attitude and decided to change the subject. How about calling ourselves, The Redhead, The Tall One, and The Brothers Look Alike?

The name describes our looks but it’s too long, Peter said.

I like it, Max said. Anyway, Peter you know our only summer plan is maybe build a raft. I suggest you pay close attention to the word, maybe. It’s the key since we don’t have enough money to buy the logs and lumber. Max glanced toward Ty. Look at that face. Did you ever see a more unhappy kid in your life? We should at least take a vote.

Ty gloated.

Rad’s stomach giggles were beginning. He knew they would soon begin crawling up his insides, as a weightless feather, scaling the windpipe, carotid, and larynx, before landing in the saliva glands. It’s because of Ty that Rad knew the structures of the body.

Science stuff is just that to Rad—stuff. Completely foreign to him, but Ty not only understood science, he has loved it all his life. Anything pertaining to physics, Ty enjoys. If he had not taken time from his own studies to help Rad memorize the roadwork of the body, he probably would not have passed sixth grade. Ty is smart, funny, and good-natured. What would it hurt if he hung around?

Then Ty did the thing that never failed to turn Rad into a laughing machine. He puckered his lips, screwed up his face, and went into a baby routine complete with voice.

Please with sugar on it. Baby will be good. Baby wants to play. Please…

Peter became furious. I’m not baby-sitting all summer! Little kids are nothing but trouble! Snot nose squirts!

Rad should have warned Peter when Ty wanted something this badly his determination knew no boundaries. Rad should have told Peter Ty’s charm could melt an iceberg, and that Ty has never given up on anything. Instead, Rad stood quietly and watched.

Ty glanced at Rad and shrugged as if saying, what can I lose? He went into a play act, where his upper lip turned inside out. His nose resembled a flathead catfish, and his high cheekbones and blue eyes slanted together. Then, he leaped up, grabbed Peter around the neck, extended his legs and leaned his head against Peter’s bony shoulder.

Peter’s mouth dropped open in shock. Even so, he clasped his arms together under Ty’s body and stood with his feet spread in a stance.

Max giggled.

Ty cuddled closer to Peter, but instead of continuing the baby talk, he changed into a deep frog voice; the voice that always amazed Rad at how long he could speak frog chatter without laughing.

Inside you really do like little kids, Ty said, tapping Peter’s chest gently. If you’ll vote for me to hang around, I’ll be your slave for a week. I’ll do everything you say, except wipe your butt. I will not do that. I’ll bring your food, wash your clothes and make your bed. Just don’t ask me to wipe your butt, ‘cause that would be a waste of your breath.

Rad could not hold back another moment; he laughed and kept laughing.

Max laughed his famous laugh that won him a special section in the school yearbook for unusual sounds.

Peter dropped Ty to the ground with a hard thud.

Ouch, that hurt! Ty said, and rubbed his bottom.

Don’t ever do that again! Peter shouted.

Sorry, Ty said.

I will not have a kid hanging around my neck all summer! Most of all, I do not want a slave! Mom’s ancestors were slaves, back in early times! Clear up to 1900, slavery times! Back then, people called black folks Niggers! I know, I’m only half black, but that don’t matter!

Doesn’t, Ty said.

Peter stared at Ty. What did you say? he asked.

You should have said doesn’t, instead of don’t, Ty said.

Whatever, Peter said, and Rad noticed the crinkles at the corners of Peter’s eyes were gone. Peter’s wrinkled forehead became smooth and shiny. Ty did it. Peter had weakened.

You are smart about science garbage, Peter said.

Peter, Rad said. If you’re gonna vote yes, then do it and be done with it. I’m not gonna stand here and let you torture him.

Peter’s a blockhead! Max said. He has no idea which way to vote!

I’m checking the kid’s credentials, Peter said and turned to face Ty. I should pitch a humongous fit. One big enough that Rad and Max would rather vote against you than put up with my nasti-ness. But, I’ll say uncle and let you in.

Ty glanced at Rad and Max. He whirled in front of Peter. You vote yes? You really vote yes! I’m in! I’m in!

That’s cool, Max said. "It’ll be handy having someone around with skills. Rad knows horses but not much else. I’m still trying to