Shadows at Predator Reef by Franklin W. Dixon

cornered by an armed assailant is to keep them talking to buy yourself time.
    â€œYou’re not going to get away with this,” I said, hoping I sounded more confident than I felt.
    â€œSure I am,” he said. “Who’s going to stop me? A couple of kids and an unconscious butler?”
    He gave Jonathan’s body a kick in the side. “I never liked you anyway, by the way.”
    â€œYou want to come over here and try that on someone who can kick back?” Joe challenged.
    Ron laughed. “Thanks for the offer, kid, but I’ll pass. Why fight fair when you’re the one holding the gun?”
    I was disliking Ron Burris more and more by the minute.
    â€œI have to say, though, I’m impressed,” he said. “You made it a lot farther than I thought you would.”
    â€œDon’t count us out yet,” I told him.
    â€œTough talk, but I’m the one holding the gun, and . . .” Burris looked down at his watch. “Everything is right on schedule. In a few minutes, the turtle will be setting sail, and there’s not a thing you can do about it.”
    â€œWhere are you taking her?”
    â€œTo a land far away where rich people pay ridiculous sums of money for specimens as rare and interesting as our Captain Hook.”
    â€œYou can’t put her on a cargo ship! She may never survive the journey!” I said, but it only got worse.
    â€œUnfortunately, you’re right, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take. My profit margin will take a big hit if she doesn’t make it alive, but I can still make a nice score selling what’s left of her to a traditional medicine trader, so it wouldn’t be a total loss.”
    This was one of our worst fears: Captain Hook chopped up into parts.
    â€œHow can you even think about doing that? She’s a living, breathing animal!” I shouted.
    â€œShe’s also a very valuable commodity. Bradley might be happy throwing away millions and playing zookeeper, but I signed up for this job to make money, not lose it,” Burris said, his tone growing harsher when he started talking aboutMr. V. “We’re supposed to be running a business, not a charity, and not a personal piggy bank to fund the boss’s childish hobbies. While the great Bradley Valledor is running around building his own private Sea World, our corporate profits are taking a beating. That means my bonuses are down along with the value of my stock options.”
    Burris gestured with the flare gun while he spoke.
    â€œWhich wouldn’t be as bad if he treated me with some respect. I’m supposed to be a partner by now, not some underpaid, glorified gofer.”
    â€œAw, poor you,” Joe said. “It’s still better than you deserve.”
    â€œNot so poor anymore,” Ron shot back. “I’ve been looking for a chance to branch out on my own, and if Bradley isn’t going to pay me what I’m worth, then I’ll just have to get a little entrepreneurial.”
    â€œWhat you’re doing isn’t entrepreneurial, it’s criminal,” I said.
    Burris shrugged. “You say turtle, I say turtle soup. With the money I get for this, I can kick my job to the curb and start my own PR firm. I saw an opportunity and I took it. It’s just good business.”
    â€œIt’s good businessmen like you who are destroying our planet,” I said.
    â€œNot my problem, but hey, if it makes you feel better, I’ll make a donation to the World Wildlife Fund in your name.”
    â€œYou’re a real class act,” Joe muttered.
    â€œI’m also about to be CEO of my own company,” Burris retorted. “It’s a trade-off I can live with.”
    â€œYou’re a disgrace to everything Mr. V believes in. I can’t believe he would have been foolish enough to trust you with his plans,” I said to Burris.
    â€œTrust me? I’m surprised he hasn’t