The Super Spies and the Pied Piper (21 page)

Sarah's heart raced at the thought of getting inside the building.
I'm sure a skinny kid lik
e me would be able to sneak in
and out of D
ad's office. Easy Peasy. Especially if there's a bunch of kids in the building.
A chill of anticipation danced down her spine and her fingers tingled.
This could be just what we need
. “When will you know what company we're going to?”

“I'll have to make some calls but I should know in a day or two.” Mr. Rowlings smiled.

Sarah grinned back, realizing he was impressed with her interest
. If he only knew.
Ideas flooded her mind.
Now that we have a way inside… h
ow do we get into D
ad's office and get the flash drive?

Mr. Rowlings began his lecture, but Sarah tuned him out, intent on finding solutions to all their problems. Before she knew it, the hour was up and she was on her way to lunch.

She rushed through the halls, intent on finding Jackie. When she spotted her on the way to the cafeteria, Sarah picked up her pace. “Jack.”

Jackie whirled around, startled. “You scared me.” She put her hand to her chest as if she were stopping her heart from bursting through. “I looked for you after school yesterday.”

Sarah nodded. “I know. I've got so much to tell you.”

“What?” Jackie asked, her eyes widened and darkened with the intensity of the moment. She grabbed Sarah's arm. “Tell me. Tell me now or I'll just die.”

Sarah rolled her eyes. “You are such a drama queen.”

“So, what's your point?” Jackie asked and then giggled.

Sarah laughed. “I don't have one. I'll tell you everything at lunch.”

The girls made it to the cafeteria where they immediately stepped into the
à la carte
line.

“I don't want to waste my time in the hot lunch line. It's goulash today.” Sarah wrinkled her nose.

“No doubt.” Jackie glanced around the cafeteria. “So tell me all your news.”

“Let's wait for Alex. That way I only have to tell it once.”

Jackie groaned. “The anticipation is killing me.”

“Drama Quee-een,” Sarah replied in a high pitched tone.

“I'm not going to dignify that remark with a response.”

Sarah ignored her and searched for Alex. When she saw him, she waved. His eyes lit up when he spotted her and Sarah decided she liked that. It warmed her insides.

“Hey,” he greeted when he stepped in line.

“Hi.”

“Hi,” Jackie said and then gazed at Sarah with wide eyes. “
Now
, tell us your news.”

She took a deep breath and told them about the new developments in the case. Speaking in a low urgent voice, she told them everything. She felt like she was in a great hurry, like there was no time to waste.

“Mr. Rowlings is planning a field trip and I suggested we go to Piper Drugs for the trip.” Sarah finished.

“Girlfriend, you're not serious?”

“I am.”

“Totally?”

“Totally.” Sarah grinned at her friend.

“That gets us in the building, but you've got the same problem Scoop has. How are you going to get in his office?”

“I haven't figured that out yet. But I figure I can use my sneaking around skills and get into the office quicker than Scoop can.”

“I wonder if I could go with you on your field trip.” Jackie furrowed her brow and tugged on a curl.

“I'd like to go too,” Alex added. He looked at Sarah, his eyes clouded with concern. He bit his lip as if he wanted to say something else, but chose not to.

Sarah gave him a perplexed look. “I don't know. But it would be awesome if you guys could. Maybe your Moms could write the principal a note.”

Jackie snickered. “Maybe. Mom would be so excited I actually wanted to participate in something scholarly she'd sign anything.”

The Super Spies grew silent as they stepped forward in line. After they all had selected a pizza and a soda, Sarah searched the cafeteria for a table. Spotting one, she motioned with her head. “Guys, over here.” She stepped forward as anticipation sent tingles through her body.
We finally have a direction. We can take action
. She spied Scott and Lacey walking in and waved at them. They waved back, and Sarah pointed at the table where she was about to sit.

When Scott and Lacey joined them, Sarah put down her pizza and stared at her sister. “Guess what!”

“What?” Lacey asked.

“I think I found a way to get into Dad's company.”

“How?”

“My business class is going on a field trip and I suggested we go to Piper Drugs. Mr. Rowlings is going to set it up… hopefully.” Sarah crossed her fingers.

“Isn't that the coolest beans?” Jackie asked. She squeezed Sarah's arm and flashed her grin.

“I guess. But it's not definite, right?” Lacey gave her sister a worried look.

Sarah stifled a groan. “No… not yet.”

Lacey took a deep breath. “Good, because it sounds dangerous and I think we should let Scoop do his thing.”

Sarah bit her lip. “How dangerous can it be?” She gestured with her hands, holding them up with her palms toward the ceiling. “I mean I'll be with a bunch of students and a teacher. “Nothing's going to go wrong.”

“I don't know, Sarah.” Lacey shook her head.

The sisters grew silent while the group finished their lunch.

“It's not a bad idea, Sarah,” Alex said. He gave her a quick wink and then faced Lacey. “It's probably the safest bet… I mean she'll be with the whole class.”

Lacey sighed. “What's your plan?”

Sarah shrugged. “I don't know. I haven't figured it all out yet.”

“You have to have a plan.”

“No kidding.” Sarah rolled her eyes and sighed.

Picking up her empty plate and cup, Sarah squelched her irritation with her sister. She knew Lacey was just worried about her, but she had this habit of always pointing out the obvious and it got on Sarah's nerves. She sighed and gazed at the menu. “I'm going to throw this away, I'll be right back.”

Her sister nodded but didn't say anything.

Sarah returned and sat down. “I think my idea will work.” She eyed her friend, waiting to hear her opinion.

Jackie gave her a wide grin. “I do too. We'll just have to come up with a fool proof plan. That's all. We're smart…we can do it.”

“I agree.”

“Have you ever been to your dad's office?”

Sarah shrugged. “A couple of times. But I can't remember where it is or anything like that.”

“Do you remember what floor it's on?” Jackie asked.

Sarah glanced at the clock. “Holy cow! Lunch is almost over, guys.”

“Yeah. Everyone was in the
à la carte
' line today, so it took longer than normal to get our food.” Alex stood and picked up his refuse from the table.

“I've got to call Scoop and tell him my plan.”

“Wait a minute,” Lacey protested. “You don't have a plan yet.”

Sarah groaned. “No… not yet, but I've got an idea. Maybe Scoop can help us put it together.” She stood. “I'll go call him. Maybe we can meet him at Hinkle's. I'm sure he'll want to help us. Meet me after school in front… by the parking lot.”

“Okay.” Lacey brushed her hair back and stood.

“Cool beans,” Jackie said with a grin. “Hold on and I'll walk with you.”

“I'll catch you later, Sarah.” Alex winked at her.

Sarah smiled at him. “I'll see you.”

Jackie stood, grabbed her tray, and then nudged Sarah into motion. “Come on. Quit giving Alex that googley-eyed expression. You'll scare him off.”

“Shut up.”

Jackie snickered. “Sarah's in love…Sarah's in love…” she chanted under her breath so only Sarah could hear.

Sarah pursed her lips to keep the smile from breaking out on her face. “I said… shut up.”

Jackie laughed and put her arm around her friend, giving her a hug. “Don't be embarrassed. It happens to everyone.”

Sarah giggled and gave her friend a good natured shove. “Get out of here.”

“Nope. You're stuck with me. That's just the way it is. You'll have to accept your fate.”

Sarah gave Jackie her best horrified expression and then pretended to vomit. “Oh… the horror of it all.”

The girls cracked up laughing as they made their way to Sarah's locker.

Glancing at the clock again, Sarah quickened her pace. “Come on. We've got to call Scoop.”

When Sarah reached her locker, she fumbled inside for her phone. Pulling it out, she glanced at the clock a second time before punching in Scoop's number. He answered on the first ring.

“Hello?”

“Scoop?”

“Yep. It's me.” He laughed. “Were you expecting someone else?”

Sarah giggled. “No. Of course not. Can you meet us at Hinkle's around one thirty? I think I've got a plan.”

“A plan for what?”

Sarah sighed. “A plan to get into Dad's office.”

“Oh…gotcha. Sure, I'll meet you kids at Hinkle's at one-thirty.”

“Awesome! See you then.”

“Bye.”

Sarah disconnected the call. “We're on.”

“Cool beans.”

“I'll see you after class, Jack.”

“See you then.” Her friend took off down the hall.

Sarah watched her go and smiled. Jackie's hair bounced with the movement of her strides.
No truer friend can be found
. A stab of sadness invaded Sarah's spirit.
When this is all over are we going back to Walker
? Her eyes misted over at the thought. She wiped them quickly and made her way to gym class.

Sarah dressed quickly, and hustled into the gym. The class was still playing volleyball.

Mrs. Anderson blew her whistle, signaling that everyone should get into position and begin. Sarah found her team and stepped into her spot.
At least my brain will be occupied this hour and maybe it'll go by fast.
She took a deep breath and focused her attention on the game.

The gym teacher blew two short, shrill blasts on her whistle and Sarah almost cheered. Gym class was over. All she had to do was shower, dress, and meet everyone outside. She rushed inside to shower.

After her shower, Sarah donned her clothes and slammed her locker. She stopped in front of the mirror and studied her reflection. Her cheeks were still pink from the shower and her eyes were bright with anticipation. She brushed her hair away from her face and smoothed her sweater down over her hips.
Time to go
.

She hustled to her locker and bent down to fill her backpack. Sarah sighed.
Why am I taking things home? There's no way I'm
doing any homework tonight.

“Girlfriend,” Jackie greeted in the enthusiastic way she always did. She skidded to a halt right beside Sarah's locker, banging the door as it stopped her progression.

Startled, Sarah jumped. “Man, you scared me.”

“Good. I'm not losing my touch.” Jackie giggled.

“No, you are definitely not losing your touch.”

“Come on. Let's get going. I want to meet Scoop and get a plan together.” Jackie pulled on Sarah's sweater.

“Okay… okay… just give me a second.” Sarah crouched and finished loading her pack.

“Are you actually going to do homework tonight?”

“I doubt it… but I feel funny not bringing anything home.”

Jackie smirked. “Always the scholar, aren't you?”

“Absolutely,” Sarah replied with a sniff. “After all… without us scholarly types there would be no solved mysteries.”

“Hey… don't forget it was my fashion sense that saved us not once… but
twice
.”

Sarah rolled her eyes. “How could I forget? You remind me every twenty seconds.”

“You exaggerate.”

Sarah shook her head. “Hardly.”

Jackie giggled and pulled on Sarah's sweater again. “Come on…let's go.”

Sarah needed no further urging. She picked up her pack and slammed her locker door. Giving the lock a healthy spin, she took off down the hall after her friend.

Once outside, the girls surveyed the area, searching for their friends.

“Over there.” Sarah pointed.

Jackie looked where Sarah pointed. “Oh… okay. I see them.”

“Come on,” Sarah urged. She dashed off in the direction of the parking lot. Glancing over her shoulder, she laughed when she saw Jackie behind her struggling to stay upright on her high heels. They were sinking down into the muddy earth as Jackie took a step. “Those shoes will be the death of you. I swear.”

“Shut up.”

Sarah picked up her pace. The rest of the Super Spies were standing by Alex's car.

“Guys,” she called out.

Alex spun around and gave her a wave. He smiled his special smile and Sarah was sure it was just for her. “Hi.”

“Hi, Sarah,” Scott and Lacey said in unison.

Jackie came huffing up behind her and Sarah's gaze fell to the neon pink two inch heels with straps that were wrapped about Jackie's feet and ankles. Rolling her eyes, Sarah snickered. “Jack, get rid of those shoes. You don't always have to make a fashion statement.”

“Sarah,” Jackie put her hands on her hips and gave her friend a reproachful look as if she were a child needing discipline. “You never know when I might be discovered. These shoes match my rainbow skirt brilliantly.”

Sarah rolled her eyes. “Whatever.” Then she stopped and waited for her friend. “Do you actually believe you're going to be discovered in Hinkle's restaurant?”

“You never know.” Jackie sniffed and glided past her as if she were walking on a runway. Now that she was on the pavement, she moved faster.

Sarah snorted and hurried to catch up with her friend.