VOCABULARY FROM THE BOOK HOOT Chapters 6-9

assertive  To act confidently and strongly  “You’re worried about bumping into that Matherson boy again. See, didn’t I tell you the apology letter was too assertive?” (p. 58)

surveillance  a watch kept over someone or something  “He is part of a special surveillance team investigating property crimes on the east side of town.” (p. 59)

perpetrator  a person who carries out or commits a wrong doing or crime  “Because I wanted to catch the perpetrators,” Officer Delinko replied. (p. 62)

jeopardy  a risk of harm, injury, danger, or even death  My whole career is in jeorpardy, Officer Delinko thought angrily. (p. 64)

altercation  an angry, noisy argument  Actually, two good things had come out of the altercation with Dana Matherson. (p. 66)

ominously  in a threatening way; an evil or harmful consequence  Rain slashed down in wind-driven sheets that stung his face, and lightning crashed ominously nearby. (p. 68)

homicide  the killing of one person by another person  His father had been a robbery detective in Cleveland, Ohio, and his older brother was a homicide detective in Fort Lauderdale. (p. 76)

fervent; fervidly  showing intense spirit or enthusiasm; in an enthusiastic way  A detective is what David Delinko fervidly wanted to be someday. (p. 77)

informant  a person who gives information  The policeman was asking him to be an informant: a snitch on his own classmates. (p. 82)

noncommittal  not making a choice; not having or giving an opinion on a topic  Roy nodded in a noncommittal way. (p. 83)

nonchalant  to act unconcerned, unexcited, indifferent, or uncaring  Nonchalantly he picked his comic book off the floor and placed it on his lap. (p. 96)

incentive  something like a reward that brings an action or more effort  One incentive to stay home was the weather. (p. 85)