Night of the Dragons. Michael Anthony Steele

Чтение книги онлайн.

      CHAPTER 2

      “Can you stall him, Nicky?” Larry asked his son.

      “I’ll try,” Nick replied.

      “Thanks,” said his dad before sprinting away from the door. “Okay, everyone,” Larry shouted. “We have a code red! I repeat … we have a code red!” He began ushering all of the exhibits out of the main hall. “Sorry to cut the night short but you know the drill, folks.”

      Ahkmenrah helped Larry guide the animals and historical figures up the stairs and into the various adjoining halls and corridors. After most of them were gone, Nick turned his attention back to McPhee. The museum director marched up the marble front steps, digging through his pants pocket. He pulled out a ring of keys and began thumbing through them.

      Nick glanced back to see Rexy taking his rightful place on a wide display stand at the front of the hall. The T-Rex skeleton struck a pose that had him facing the front doors with his mouth wide, as if in midroar. The skeleton nodded his head ever so slightly in Nick’s direction and then took his original pose. Nick thought that if the dinosaur still had eyes, it would have just winked at him.

      Nick turned back as McPhee reached the door. “Hi, Dr. McPhee,” Nick shouted through the glass. “I’ll get it.” He reached for the latch on the door.

      McPhee sighed and dropped his key ring back into his pocket. He watched as Nick struggled with the door lock. Of course, Nick wasn’t really struggling. He only pretended so he could give his dad more time to get everyone back into their places.

      “I think it’s stuck,” Nick said, and he faked putting more pressure on the latch.

      The director rolled his eyes and shoved a hand back into his pants pocket. He pulled out the keys and thumbed through them. “Here, let me,” he said with a British accent.

      He shoved the key into the lock and Nick felt the latch begin to turn. He added more pressure, keeping it still.

      “You need to let go now,” said McPhee.

      “I’m trying to help,” said Nick. “I think it needs oil or something.”

      “Well, then turn it left,” McPhee instructed.

      Nick applied more pressure against the turning latch. He could still hear animals moving around upstairs.

      “My left or your left?” Nick asked, hoping to stall the man a little bit longer.

      McPhee’s brow furrowed. “Your left, of course. Why would I tell you to turn it to my left?”

      “So, is that counterclockwise?” asked Nick. He still fought the turning latch with his hand.

      “Right,” McPhee agreed. He used both hands to turn the key.

      “My counterclockwise or your counterclockwise?” asked Nick. He just needed to stall a few more seconds.

      “Son, if this is some kind of joke, it isn’t very funny,” said McPhee.

      Nick didn’t hear any more sounds behind him so he slowly relaxed his grip on the latch, letting the door unlock. When McPhee pushed through the door, Nick was a little out of breath. He didn’t have to pretend that part.

      “Where is your father?” asked the director.

      “Right here,” replied Larry Daley as he moved down the stairs. “I thought I heard a noise so I had to” he twirled a finger in the air behind him “inspect the … uh … perimeter.”

      “Well your son played a childish prank on …” McPhee began.

      Larry interrupted the director. “Nicky, did you help Dr. McPhee with that rusty lock the way I asked?”

      “Yeah, uh … it was really bad this time,” Nick replied.

      “I was going to write a note to maintenance before I left,” said Larry. “Let them know all about it.”

      The museum director looked from Larry to Nick and then back to Larry. “Right …” he said, eyeing them suspiciously. “Well, anyway, the noise you heard probably came from the loading dock. I’m expecting a delivery.” He marched across the main hall. Larry and Nick followed.

      Nick bit his lip as he saw a long sharp object poking out from behind a kiosk. It was Rexy’s fossilized rib bone. The bone was mostly hidden, but McPhee was headed right for it. The way the man was moving, he would probably trip over it.

      “Dr. McPhee,” called Nick.

      The director stopped and turned. “Yes?”

      Nick thought for a moment, then fell to a crouch. “I just have to tie my shoe first.” He quickly untied one of his sneakers and began retying it.

      McPhee stared at him for a moment, mouth open. Then the director moved closer. “Thank you so much for making that announcement, Master Daley,” McPhee said sarcastically. “I don’t know about your father but I was anxiously awaiting the word that you would be adjusting your footwear for the long journey over to the loading dock. A journey, I should point out, that you don’t have to make. In fact, you should remember that I’m only allowing you to be here at night out of the goodness of my heart. And that heart can change, Master Daley, if I find out that you’re making fun of me or putting me on in any way. Do I make myself clear?”

      “Yes, sir,” Nick replied.

      As Dr. McPhee lectured, Nick had made eye contact with his father and then glanced down at the large rib bone. Larry picked up the bone and untied the string around it. He hid it behind his back before the director turned around.

      McPhee shook his head. “I see the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” He marched past Larry, toward the back of the museum.

      Larry tossed the bone to Nick and then ran to catch up with McPhee. Once they were out of sight, Nick ran up to Rexy. The skeleton wagged its long bony tail.

      “Forget something?” Nick asked the bony T-Rex.

      Rexy lowered his head and wagged his tail faster. Nick held out the bone and Rexy snatched it up with his mouth. He bobbed СКАЧАТЬ