Flight of the Hawk by Gary Paulsen Page B

anything.
    The old man stared back. Finally he broke the silence. “Well, let’s get to it, son. I know you have a lot of questions. We might as well get things out in the open.”
    “What’s the big secret up on the fourth floor?”
    His grandfather’s eyes opened wide. A chuckle escaped his lips. “Here such a short time and you’ve already found us out? Don’t worry, we’ll talk about that later.” He studied his grandson’s face. “You’ve got the Hawkes looks—and disposition from the sounds of things. Is there anything else you want to know?”
    “Yes, sir. Not that it makes any difference, but why haven’t I ever met you before? How come you never came around? Did you have some kind of problem with my dad?”
    “No. I loved your father very much.” Andy’s grandfather cocked his head to one side. “Never take things at face value, son. Always look for what others might miss.”
    Andy was confused. “I don’t understand.”
    The old man pulled on a cord and Henry appeared at the door. “You rang for me, sir?”
    “Yes, Henry, I did. I think we should let Andy in on our little secret. I’ve been keeping tabs on him through the years. My sources tell me he’s a smart boy, trustworthy and capable. And since he’s living here now we’d probably have a hard time hiding it from him anyway.”
    “Whatever you say, sir.”
    “Good.” Andrew Hawkes threw back the rug from his legs, straightened his back, and stepped out of the wheelchair. He was tall and distinguished-looking, and didn’t seem half as old as he had before. He winked at his grandson. “See what I mean, boy?”
    “Not exactly.” Andy frowned. “Why do you pretend to be weak and sick if you’re not?”
    “A necessary masquerade, my boy. For years a certain criminal element has been after my inventions. They will stop at nothing to get their hands on some of them. What these people haven’t figured out is that most of my inventions don’t come from my corporations and laboratories. They come from here.” He pointed at his head.
    Andy looked over his shoulder at Henry. “I thought you told me he wasn’t—”
    “What?” The older Hawkes laughed. “Crazy? That too is part of the charade. I had Henry start the rumor. If the world thinks I’m a little off my rocker, they won’t have a clue what’s really going on.”
    “What is really going on?” Andy asked, shaking his head to clear it.
    “Are there any servants lingering about, Henry?” Andy’s grandfather asked.
    “None, sir. The gardener and cleaning service come tomorrow. At present we are alone.”
    “Very good.” Andrew Hawkes rubbed his hands together. “Then let’s take Andy up and show him the backbone of Hawkes Laboratories.”

C HAPTER 4
    “What you are about to see could put you in great danger. You will have to be very careful from now on. If anyone suspects that you know what really lies at the heart of my success … well, let’s just say they wouldn’t think twice about hurting you.”
    Henry fumbled with a key and then opened the door. He stepped aside so that Andy and his grandfather could go in.
    “Wow. This room looks like it’s right out of a Frankenstein movie. It must cover the whole fourth floor.” Andy watched as a strange bluelight danced across an electric wire. He walked past some counters with beakers full of chemicals and stopped at a computer terminal. “Do you know how to work all this? It looks like the cockpit of a jet.”
    “Not only do I know how, I’ve instructed Henry. He’s been an able assistant, although it is a little hard on him to be the cook, butler, chauffeur, secretary
and
lab assistant. If I had someone I could trust who was interested in learning …”
    Andy scratched his chin thoughtfully. “I might be interested. But before I decide, tell me what kind of stuff you make up here.”
    “Why don’t you show him, Henry?” Andrew Hawkes sat on a stool and waited.
    Henry touched a button and the