The Super Spies and the Pied Piper (29 page)
Read The Super Spies and the Pied Piper Online
Authors: Lisa Orchard
Sarah frowned. “They think it's the head of security for Piper Drugs.”
“Seriously?” Jackie leaned forward and stared at Sarah.
“Yeah. His name is Martin Savage and Dad said we need to get the flash drive now more than ever.” She glanced at Scoop. “Mom and Dad want you to go with me as a chaperone on the field trip. Will you?”
“Absolutely.”
“I'll just tell them you're my grandpa.”
“Sounds like an excellent plan.” Scoop shifted in his seat and started the car. He hit the gas and then glanced through the back window. His expression went from casual interest to horror.
Sarah frowned and looked out the back window just before Scoop crashed into a black sedan.
The screeching of metal against metal set Sarah's nerves on edge. The impact of the two vehicles threw her against the back of the front seat. When Sarah hit the seat the breath left her body with a heavy whoosh.
Frazzled, Sarah righted herself, and then checked to make sure no one was injured. Afterwards, she peeked out the window to get a look at the other driver.
Scoop cursed under his breath, put his car in park, and turned it off.
Then he stepped from the vehicle.
Sarah held her breath as the other driver walked into view. He appeared uninjured and she exhaled. She watched as the two men spoke. She assumed they were discussing the damage from the accident, the way they were gesturing toward the vehicles as they spoke. There didn't seem to be any animosity between the two men as they continued their conversation. They separated and Scoop returned to the vehicle and the other man returned to his. When Scoop climbed back into the car, he sighed for a moment and scratched his head.
“What's going on?” Scott asked.
“We've got to exchange insurance information,” Scoop said. He ran his hand through his thinning hair. “Lacey, can you reach in the glove compartment and get my proof of insurance please? And there's also a pen and a notebook in there too. I'll need that as well.”
Lacey retrieved the requested items from the glove compartment. “Here.” She handed them to the retired reporter.
“Thanks.” Scoop winked at her before he exited the vehicle.
Sarah followed him with her eyes as he walked to the back of his car. The man from the second vehicle was already there. The paper he held in his hand was batted about by the wind while he waited for Scoop.
Scoop leaned down and wrote his information down in the notebook, then tore off the page. He handed it to the second driver just as the second driver handed him the sheet of paper in his hand.
Sarah watched the exchange with a disinterested eye until she saw the ring on the second man's hand. It was a big black stone in a silver setting. It looked to Sarah like a high school class ring or maybe a college ring, but it was too far away and she couldn't tell for sure. Her heart took up a frantic pace and her palms grew sweaty. She swallowed, though there was no saliva in her mouth.
She gnawed on her bottom lip, while she watched the exchange between the two men. Turning she caught her sister's eye and with a slight movement of her head she motioned toward the men.
Lacey gave her a puzzled look and then looked out the back window. Her eyes widened. She returned her focus to her sister and pointed at her ring finger on her left hand.
Sarah gave her sister an almost imperceptible nod.
“I don't believe it,” Lacey whispered. She pressed her lips into a grim line.
“I don't either,” Sarah muttered. She continued to face her sister. “Tell me what's going on. I don't want this guy to see me.”
“Not much. They're just talking right now.” Lacey fidgeted with her hair and then started twirling it around her finger. “Okay⦠now they're shaking hands.” She leaned forward and continued her scrutiny. “Now⦠Scoop's coming back to the car and the other guy's going back to his car.”
“What's he look like?”
“He's tall with dark, wavy hair.” Lacey leaned forward and craned her neck. “He's got some sort of scar on his right cheek⦠that's about all I could see.” She glanced at Sarah and shrugged.
“That's okay.” Sarah studied her for a moment and then gave her a nod of approval. “You actually did well.”
Lacey beamed. “I did, didn't I?”
Sarah gave her a wink. “Yep. You did.”
Scoop climbed in the car and started the engine. He didn't say a word, but waited for Martin Savage to drive away before he backed out. Shifting the gears, he puttered through the alley until he reached Main Street.
“Scoop, do you
know
who that was?” Sarah asked, no longer able to keep quiet.
Scoop glanced at her and gave her a wry smile. “No. I don't. But I have the feeling you're about to tell me.”
“Yep. That was the head of security for Piper Drugs. He's the one who took Dottie.”
“Are you sure?” Scoop gave her a doubtful look.
“Yep. I'm sure. Check the information he gave you. He did give you his name didn't he?”
Scoop took one hand off the wheel and reached into his pocket. “Yes, he did.” He pulled out the paper the other driver had given him and glanced at it. “You're right, little Miss Detective. His name is Martin Savage.” He stuffed the paper back into his pocket and glanced at Sarah again. “So you think he's the one who took Dottie?”
Anger washed over Sarah and she twisted her mouth into a grimace. “Yep. We have to help her.”
“We will.” He pressed his lips together in a tight line and gripped the steering wheel so tight his knuckles turned white. “What were your parents going to do about it?”
“I think they're waiting to hear from the kidnappers.”
“Are they going to call the police?”
“I don't know.”
“Why don't you call your dad and find out,” Scoop suggested.
Sarah didn't answer but pulled her phone out of her pocket and punched in her father's number.
“Hello?” He answered on the first ring. His voice sounded tense and Sarah knew he was worried.
“Dad?”
“Yes⦠Sarah.” His voice lost its edge when he said her name.
“Are you going to call the police?”
“Hank did â probably about a half hour ago. He's upstairs right now talking to them.”
“Is he going to mention you guys and everything?”
Her father sighed and Sarah imagined him rubbing his face as if he were tired. “Most likely⦠I don't see how he couldn't.”
“What's going to happen now?”
“I don't know, honey. We'll have to wait and see what the police say.”
“Call me when you have some news.”
“I will honey.”
Sarah disconnected the call and stared out the window. Scoop had made it through town and was now merging onto the highway.
“Well?” he asked.
“The police are there now, talking to Hank.” She didn't turn away from the window and stared out at the landscape as it rushed past. Images of Dottie invaded her mind, her slight build and thin frame. It would have been so easy for the muscular Martin Savage to get her into his vehicle. Anger swirled through her body and she gritted her teeth.
Where could he have taken her and be back at in the alley for the accident?
This question sent a shiver of dread through Sarah's body.
Is she still alive
?
And if she is
,
will we get the flash drive in time to save her
?
Scoop dropped the Cole girls off in front of their home. Sarah took a deep breath and exhaled. Glancing at the warm glow of the porch light, she let the weariness invade her body. She shifted her shoulders and craned her neck, releasing the last bit of tension. “Come on, Lace. Let's go.” She grabbed her sister's arm and pulled her toward the porch. The girls trudged their way up the stairs and opened the door.
Once inside, they searched for their Aunt and found her in the kitchen, cooking dinner. Sarah smelled Aunt June's famous chicken pot pie and looked through the window in the oven door to make sure.
“Chicken pot pie! One of my favorites,” Sarah exclaimed. Her stomach rumbled.
Aunt June gave her a warm smile and asked how their day went. Sarah and Lacey exchanged a look before Sarah filled her in on their afternoon.
“Oh girls, this is starting to sound dangerous,” she said.
“I know.” Sarah bit her lip. “I'm really worried about Dottie.”
“I don't know if you should go on the field trip with your class.” Aunt June frowned and the worry line appeared in her brow. “This is way out of your league, Sarah.”
Sarah took a deep breath. “You know what? You're right. This
is
out of my league.
A
nd
dangerous. That's why Scoop is going to be there with me. I'm signing him up as a chaperone.”
Aunt June opened her mouth to protest, but before she could get a word out Sarah was already speaking.
“He's already agreed to do it.”
Aunt June sighed. “Did you discuss this with your parents?”
Sarah nodded. “Yes. In fact, it was Mom's idea to ask Scoop.”
“It's true,” Lacey said with a quick nod.
Her aunt moved to the table and sank down in one of the chairs. “I'm glad your uncle isn't here to hear this.”
Sarah sat down and motioned for Lacey to do the same.
After Lacey had taken a chair, Sarah said, “I am too. How is Uncle Walt's physical therapy going?”
Aunt June gave Sarah an appraising look. “I know you're trying to change the subject, Sarah.”
She shrugged. “So what if I am. I still want to know how he's doing.”
Lacey snorted and looked away.
Sarah kicked at her under the table, but Lacey knew it was coming and moved her legs out of the way. “Psyche.”
Sarah made a face at her sister and both girls cracked up. Aunt June laughed too. They laughed until tears streamed down their cheeks and Sarah's stomach hurt. After drying her eyes on her shirt sleeve, she stood and got herself a drink of water. Turning, she asked, “Does anyone else want one?”
Lacey stood. “I do, but I can get it myself.”
“What? Don't you trust me?” Sarah snickered and tried to fake an innocent expression. She took another drink of her water.
“No. Not really.”
The girls cracked up again, but Sarah had to stop when she almost choked on her mouthful of water.
“Settle down, you two,” Aunt June said, before she stood and checked on their dinner. “It's almost done. Why don't you two set the table and then we'll eat.”
Sarah and Lacey went about the task of getting the table ready, while Aunt June tossed a salad. As Sarah placed plates on the table she glanced at Uncle Walt's spot. She missed him and wished he could be here to share the evening meal.
He'll be home soon
.
Aunt June brought the salad and pot pie to the table and the three of them sat down and started eating.
“So, you never did answer my question. How is Uncle Walt doing?” Sarah asked.
Some of the tension seemed to leave her aunt's body as she spoke of Uncle Walt's progress. The worry line had not returned after their bout of laughter and Sarah relaxed even more. She didn't like to see her aunt all keyed up and anxious.
After their meal, the girls cleaned the kitchen while Aunt June went into the office to do some paperwork.
“I don't know if we can wait for the field trip to get Dad's flash drive,” Sarah said. She stifled a groan and began loading the dishwasher.
Lacey put the leftover pot pie in the fridge. Then she spun to face her sister. “I know but I don't see how we can get in any sooner than that.”
Sarah sighed. “I know.”
“It's not like you can break in. I mean the place has security and everything.”
“True.”
Lacey put her hand on Sarah's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Don't even think about it.”
“Think about what?” Sarah gave her sister a wide eyed look.
“You know what I'm talking about⦠don't even think about it. There's no way we could break in there.”
“I really wasn't thinking about it⦠but if there was a way⦠I would do it.”
“I knew you were thinking about it.” Lacey glared at her sister. “There's no way, Sarah. No way.”
“But there is a way⦔ Sarah beamed at her sister.
“There's no way⦔ Lacey shook her head and her eyes narrowed into angry slits.
“Right. There's no way.” Sarah held her hands up, pretending to surrender.
“I don't believe you've caved so easily, Sarah. I know you're up to something.”
“No⦠really you're right.” Sarah tried her best to give her an innocent smile.
“Hmmm⦔ Lacey gave her an appraising look. “I'm going to go call Scott.”
“Good idea. Tell him I said hi.”
“Okay.” Lacey made her way toward the bedroom, but turned and gazed at Sarah over her shoulder. “Remember⦠there's no way.”
“Right.” Sarah motioned for her sister to move along. Lacey seemed satisfied because she turned on her heel and hurried down the stairs toward their bedroom.
Sighing, Sarah finished loading the dishwasher and filled the dispenser with detergent. She started it without paying attention to what she was doing. Thoughts of breaking into Piper Drugs filled her mind.
Dashing into the living room, she searched for her backpack. It was right where she had dropped it earlier. After pulling out her cell phone, Sarah took a deep breath and punched in Jackie's number.
She studied the living room as she waited for her friend to answer. The walls wore a sea green coat of paint matching the shag carpet. The furniture consisted of an overstuffed beige couch and matching chair with a pink floral pattern, end tables stood at each side of the couch and beside the overstuffed chair. A rocker sat in the corner. The room had a tall ceiling and sported a big picture window in the front of the house. During the summer, the sun would pour through the window and light the room with what she considered a magic glow. Sarah loved to spend time reading in the living room during the hot season. She'd open the back windows and feel the cool breeze on her skin. It contrasted with the heat from the sun.
“Girlfriend,” Jackie answered, interrupting Sarah's thoughts.
Sarah grinned. “Hi.”
“What's on your mind?”
“I don't think I can wait until the field trip to get Dad's flash drive.”
“That doesn't surprise me one bit.” Jackie giggled.
“I'm thinking about breaking in.”
“Sarah, you could go to jail for that.”
“I know.” Sarah sighed. “But what if Dottie can't wait until the field trip?”
“Has your dad called you with any information?”
Sarah sat down on the couch. “No. I'm just really worried about Dottie. What if they're like trying to get information out of her and they're torturing her or something.” Sarah' s voice cracked. She bit her lip and took a deep breath.
“You've got a good point,” Jackie responded.
Sarah could tell she had her friend's attention and she wasn't going to let up now. “They could be beating her up⦠you know.”
Sarah heard Jackie's sharp intake of breath before she spoke. “You're right, Sarah. We can't wait until the field trip, but what can we do?”
Sarah's body flooded with adrenaline. “We're going to break into Piper Drugs.”
“Girlfriend, are you
crazy
?”
“No.”
“Then you're on your way. There's no way we can break into the building.”
Sarah bit her lip. “I know it seems impossible, but with Scoop's help we just may be able to do it.”
“Before we do anything, call your dad and find out if they have any news. Then call me back.”
“Okay.”
Sarah disconnected the call and then punched in her father's number. He answered on the first ring.
“Dad?”
“Yeah, Sarah. Are you all right?”
“Yes I am. Any news about Dottie?” Sarah winced as she waited for the answer.
“I'm afraid not. Hank hasn't heard a word and the police haven't turned up anything. They did organize a search party, but I don't think they're going to find anything.”