7. Operation Brian

Chapter 7 Operation Brian Bradley woke up to more strange noises. He turned to look at his clock. It was gone. Then he remembered that Brian had it in his bed. Bradley heard car doors slamming. He heard people talking outside. It sounded like more than two people, and they were giggling. Who would be laughing outside in the dark? he wondered. Then Bradley heard a dog barking. It was a big bark from a big dog. What's Killer the dog doing outside in the middle of the night? Bradley

wondered. If Killer sleeps outdoors tonight, Brian's plan is doomed! That was Bradley's last thought before he went back to sleep. Suddenly he heard a soft ringing noise. Ten seconds later, something grabbed his arm. He lunged up and yelled, "AHHHH!" "Quiet—you'll wake Mom and Dad!" Brian whispered. "Come on. It's time for OB." "What's OB?" Nate asked from his sleeping bag. "Operation Brian!" Brian whispered. "Get up." "Is it midnight already?" Lucy asked. She crawled out of her sleeping bag. Yawning, she pushed her long blond hair out of her eyes. The kids tugged on their sneakers in the dark. "Brian, I heard their dog barking," Bradley whispered. "I think Killer is outside!" Brian looked at Bradley. "When did you hear him?" he asked. "He's not barking now." "A while ago," Bradley said. "When I was sleeping, but I woke up, I think." Brian grinned. "You were having one of your famous nightmares," he said. "You guys ready?

Come on!" With Brian leading, they tiptoed down the hall. They went past Brian and Bradley's parents' room, then the bathroom. They passed Josh's room. Bradley noticed light under his door. Why is Josh still awake? he wondered. They went down the stairs. Through the kitchen, where Brian grabbed another apple. Out the door. Operation Brian was working! The kids crept across the backyard. The moon was nearly full, lighting the way to the fence. Their sneakers made no sounds on the soft grass.

Bradley put his eye to the knothole. "Nothing moving," he reported. "Can you see Killer?" Brian asked. Bradley looked again. "Nope, just the big blue tarp," he said. "But he could be out there somewhere." "That's why I brought this," Brian said. He tossed the apple over the fence, then put his eye to the knothole. "No noise, no dog. So now you guys can boost me up, like they do in the Boy Scouts." "I'm not a Boy Scout," Lucy said. "I'm not even a Cub Scout," Nate added. "Josh taught me this," Brian said. He told Nate and Lucy to squat down. He showed them how to make a seat by crisscrossing their hands and arms. When they were ready, Brian put one foot on top of their joined hands. He balanced by holding on to Bradley's head. Nate and Lucy stood up, slowly lifting Brian. "You're heavy," Nate grunted. "You're pulling my hair!" Bradley said. Brian grabbed the top of the fence. "A little higher!" he said. Bradley shoved his brother's rear end.

"Okay, I'm up!" Brian said. "Go to the gate, and I'll let you in!" "Unless Killer eats you first!" Nate said. Brian grinned in the moonlight. "Killer is in the house dreaming doggy dreams," he said. Then he dropped out of sight into the neighbors' yard. Bradley, Nate, and Lucy raced toward the gate.

When they got there, Brian was shoving it open. "Come on in," he whispered. "And be quiet!" Single file, they followed Brian across the yard. In the moonlight, the tarp was a tall blue ghost. The green car sat in the driveway. Bradley thought it looked like a crouching dragon. Moonlight made the car's headlights gleam like eyes. Suddenly the house lit up. A light went on inside the tarp. The yard was filled with bright light, as if it were noon instead of midnight. Then the neighbors' back door opened. Killer came bounding out, barking like crazy. He charged across the yard, straight toward Bradley.