Framed! by James Ponti Chapters 5-11

continuing for a long time or returning often

"Well, sir, I know that you have a chronically sore back," I said.

done in a private place or way : done secretly

"In two days he's helped us locate over sixty-five million dollars in stolen art and quite possibly uncovered a clandestine spying operation being run by the Chinese government."

capable of causing someone to believe or agree

"It's compelling."

to give money to make up for something

"I'm sure there's a way we can compensate you for your services."

to give professional advice to a person, organization, or company for a fee

"He consults with us and I've asked him to help."

to make (someone) lost or confused

The most disorienting part was the amazing aroma that filled the air.

to listen secretly to private conversation

I wished the monitors had sound so I could eavesdrop.

material presented to a court to help find the truth about something

"I'm pretty sure they'd want evidence of something... you know... criminal."

the quality or state of being true and constant in support of someone or something

There was Fidelity, featuring an eagle soaring over the Grand Canyon.

upset or nervous

"Well... sir," I replied, flustered.

to secretly enter or join (something, such as a group or an organization) in order to get information or do harm

"Imagine that you're a spy who wants to infiltrate the CIA."

not important

"TOAST considers small, seemingly insignificant details that when added together reveal hidden truths," I said.

total honesty and sincerity

Integrity, with George Washington taking the oath of office.

having one's interest, desire, or curiosity strongly aroused

Agent Rivers was intrigued by my story of the man in the European shoes.

very careful about doing something in an extremely accurate and exact way

I was amazed by how meticulously they worked.

very great or extreme

"That would be monumentally bad."

rendered incapable of movement or action

(Whether we were keeping cool or momentarily paralyzed by fear is open for debate.)

forgiveness for wrong or rude behavior

"So if you'll pardon me, I don't have time for any small talk."

to tell all about : NARRATE

"We're listening to a child recount insignificant information."

to go or move swiftly about, over, or through in search of something

Since the prime suspect left with nothing in his possession, everyone was scouring the building to see if the paintings had been hidden in the museum.

threatening evil, harm, or danger

Skylights normally gave the hallway a bright, sunny feel, but now there were sinister shadows and pockets of total darkness.

ideas or guesses about something that is not known

"Yes, but you're using it to make wild speculation," I said.

very strange or unusual : having the quality of a dream

Everything was surreal.

to make a formal statement of something sworn to be true

"We're not asking them to testify in court."