“YOU COULD LOCK the Gasman in a padded cell with some dental floss and a bowl of Jell-O, and he'd find a way to make something to explode.”

“When did they start coming after you?”“Was it—was it after the oil- slick Hummer crash?” the Gasman asked Iggy tentatively.My eyes widened. Oil-slick Hummer crash?Iggy rubbed his chin, thinking.“Or maybe it was more---after the bomb,” the Gasman said in a low voice, looking down.“I think it was the bomb,” Iggy agreed. “That definitely seemed to tick them off.”“Bomb?” I asked incredulously.”

“What?" I said, suspicion starting to rise in me. "When did they start coming after you?""Was it— was it after the oil-slick Hummer crash?" the Gasman asked Iggy tentatively. My eyes widened. Oil-slick Hummer crash?Iggy rubbed his chin, thinking. "Or maybe it was more— after the bomb," the Gasman said in a low voice, looking down. "I think it was the bomb," Iggy agreed. "That definitely seemed to tick them off.”

“Flying monkeys?" the Gasman called out a guess. "Like in the Wizard of Oz?"It dawned on me then. "No," I said tersely "Worse. Flying Erasers.”

“Witihin seconds the headhunter had lost control of his car and it squealed, sliding sideways right into several other cars.Cool!' said the Gasman.”

“And Max, I've put some scraps in a bowl for your dog," Mom said. "It's on the floor, by the back door." The flock and I went still. Uh-oh, I thought. Total stomped up to me, his glare accusing. "A bowl on the floor!" he seethed. "Why don't you just chain me to a stake in the yard and throw me a bone!”

“Glaring at the Gasman, ter Borcht said, “Your time is coming to an end, youpathetic failure of an experiment. Vhat you say now is how you vill beremembered.”Gazzy’s blue eyes flashed. “Then you can remember me telling you to kissmy-”“Enough!” ter Borcht said.”