The Super Spies and the Pied Piper (9 page)

Sarah stood in front of the library with her sister, shivering in the cold morning air. The darkness intimidated her, even though the edges of the horizon were beginning to lighten. Her stomach fluttered, this was the first time she'd skipped school in her life and she was nervous. Taking a deep breath, she exhaled slowly and looked around. Her gaze rested on the old building that housed the public library.

The old relic stood against the dark sky as if warding off evil spirits. It gave Sarah the impression of an ancient wizard, weak with age, but still able to produce magic. Its crumbling exterior had been patched in a few places, but it did little to improve the library's appearance. Its windows were dark and seemed like distrustful eyes, watching the girls warily as they waited for the others.

The rumbling of a motor caught Sarah's attention and she spun toward the sound.
Alex
. Her heart leapt at the thought of him and her stomach fluttered again as his car drove into view.

He pulled into a parking space and killed the engine. The silence that overtook the night seemed odd after the noise of his motor. Stepping out of his car, he gave Sarah an impish smile and her insides melted like butter on a hot stove.

“Hi,” he said with a wave.

“Hi,” Sarah said with a shy smile.

“Is Scott with you?” Lacey asked.

“I'm here, Lace.” Scott opened his door and stepped out of the car.

Lacey walked toward him and gave him a quick squeeze before turning and asking, “So who's driving?”

“I don't know. We didn't talk about that last night.” Sarah shrugged.

“Girlfriend!” Jackie called from across the street.

“Hey.” Sarah lifted her hand and gave her the Peace sign.

“We're all here except for Scoop,” Jackie said when she caught up to everyone.

“There he is.” Lacey pointed at a four door sedan approaching from the east. It rounded the corner and pulled into a parking space next to Alex.

“ Hello there, Super Spies,” Scoop greeted after rolling down his window. “Do you all want to pile in here and ride with me?”

“That's a great idea,” Alex said, running his hand through his thick hair. His cowlick defied his efforts and bounced back into its original position. “That freak knows what my car looks like.”

“Good point.” Sarah gave him a wide smile.

The Super Spies all managed to pile into Scoop's beige car. Although they were crammed together, Sarah didn't complain, she'd do whatever it took to find her parents. And sitting next to Alex wasn't so bad either. She stared out the window as they left town and questions swirled through her mind like tiny tornadoes.
Will I see Mom and D
ad today
? Will Scoop
get inside
the Robinson
house
?
And if he does
,
what will he
find
? Her stomach clenched as these thoughts spun out of control. Taking a deep breath, Sarah swallowed and willed her brain to focus on something else. “Scoop, do you know the questions you're going to ask?”

“Yes, I do.” He caught Sarah's eye in the rearview mirror. “I've got them all up here.” He tapped his temple with his index finger.

“Good.” She sighed and glanced out the window; she fidgeted, becoming increasingly aware of Alex sitting next to her. The smell of his musky cologne filled her nostrils and made her weak in the knees.
I'm so glad I'm sitting down right now.
Taking another deep breath, Sarah gagged as the smell overwhelmed her. Coughing to relieve her throat, Sarah's eyes watered and she felt dizzy.
I think he's got too much on. How am I going to make it all the way to Alden without throw
ing up?

“Man, who's wearing all the aftershave?” Jackie complained as she rolled down her window.

Sarah glanced at Alex, pressing her lips together to keep her laughter at bay. A twinge of sympathy squeezed her heart when she saw his red face. He stared down at his hands, not meeting anyone's gaze.

“I kind of like it.” Sarah glared at Jackie. “It's musky.”

“Uh… huh.” Jackie made a cross eyed face and stuck her finger down her throat pretending to gag.

“Tsk… shut up.” Sarah rolled her eyes. “And close the window. It's freezing in here.”

“I'm going to leave it open a crack,” Jackie said, rolling the window back up.

Sarah reached over and squeezed Alex's hand. He squeezed back and the warmth of his fingers in hers sent quivers through her body. She tried to pull free from his grasp, but Alex held tight and wouldn't let go. Sarah beamed and nestled against him, liking the feeling of his solidity against her.

“When do I get to join the Super Spies?” Alex whispered. His breath warmed her ear and sent a shiver down her spine.

“You're already in.”

“Good.” Alex squeezed her hand again.

Another bout of tingles went through her system and sent her heart racing. She stared out the window trying to calm it. Willing her brain to focus on anything but the boy sitting next to her, Sarah thought about her parents even though it was difficult.
What is the connection between my parents and the Robinson family? Are they behind their disappearance?
No answers came to her and the warmth Alex's hand had created was slowly dissipating.

Peering out the window, she caught sight of the billboard she had seen the day before. She read it again and thought of her father.
Piper Drugs, the drug company that takes care of you like you were family.

“Another forty five minutes to go,” Jackie announced.

“How do you know?” Lacey asked from the front seat.

“There's that billboard.” Jackie pointed out her window. “I saw it yesterday when Alex said we had forty five minutes to go.”

Sarah settled back against her seat. Adrenaline raced through her veins and she clenched her teeth.
Just a little bit longer
. She sighed. Waiting wasn't her strong suit and the car ride was taking too long.

She stared out the window to pass the time while Alex dozed next to her. When he breathed in she heard the faint whistle of air as it passed through his nostrils. A faint smile touched her lips.
Everything about him
is
so cute
!

“Hey,” Jackie whispered loud enough for Sarah to hear.

She faced her friend and gave her a puzzled look. “What?”

“Have you come up with a connection between your parents and the Robinson family?”

Sarah frowned. “No, I've wracked my brain and haven't come up with anything.”

Jackie sighed. “We'll find it. Don't worry.”

Sarah shrugged and then focused on the landscape rushing by. Morning had arrived and the sun shone down upon the Earth. It reflected off the dew in the long grasses growing alongside the road. The moisture glittered like diamonds as the vehicle sped past reminding Sarah of a fairy tale she had read when she was younger…

Sarah woke with a start when she felt the vehicle slow. Looking out the window, she spotted the “Welcome to Alden” sign and her stomach tightened. She dropped Alex's hand and stretched. Her hand was sweaty so she wiped it on her jeans.

“We're finally here,” Jackie said. She yawned and then shifted in her seat so she could look out the window.

Scoop parked the car on Main Street and the group piled out and stretched. While working out the kinks in her body, Sarah gazed up and down the street. It was deserted. “Are the stores open yet?”

“I don't know.” Alex shrugged.

“I'll check the drugstore,” Lacey said and scampered across the street.

Sarah watched her go, and studied the drugstore with a critical eye. The lights shone through the windows. She could tell even though the building was old it had been well maintained. No peeling paint or hanging gutters were evident.

Lacey returned within seconds. “The drugstore is open. They open right at nine o'clock.”

“Looks like the diner is open.” Alex pointed down the street.

“Why don't we go in there and put together a plan,” Sarah suggested. She shivered even though the sun was out. “What's it called… The Breakfast Nook.”

“That's a good idea,” Scoop said.

The group hurried toward the cafe. Sarah was anxious to get inside and her stomach rumbled. Once they entered, she glanced around the bright diner. It was a small place with only one large room. A huge chalkboard hung on the back wall, displaying the menu. In front of it stood a display case, showcasing some of the menu items; sitting on top of it at the far end was a large cash register.

The walls were painted a bright white and the tables sported sunny yellow table cloths. Vases with fake flowers sat on the tables clustered there with the salt and pepper shakers along with a ketchup bottle.

Jackie leaned over and whispered to Sarah, “Reminds me of Hinkle's.”

Sarah grinned. “Yeah, me too.”

A woman who was slightly older than Aunt June limped into view. She greeted them and then pulled some menus out from beneath the hostess stand. Returning to her full height, she motioned for everyone to follow her.

A few wisps of her gray hair escaped the bun that held the rest of her hair hostage at the nape of her neck. Her yellow hostess top must have been too tight at the neck because she tugged at it repeatedly as she shuffled toward a table. She motioned for them to take their seats with a weary hand and sighed. “Your waitress will be with you shortly.” She turned around slowly and limped out of sight.

Everyone scrambled for seats and Sarah found herself next to Alex and Jackie. She smiled and opened her menu. “I'm not really hungry. I think I'll just get hot chocolate.”

Alex grinned and winked at her. “Me too.”

“Cool beans. I'm going to get hot chocolate too.” Jackie closed her menu and fiddled with her curls.

“Okay, Scoop. What's the plan?” Sarah asked, putting her elbows on the table and placing her face in her palms. She stared at him expectantly.

He laughed. “I've got an interview all set up in my mind.” He put his hand in his shirt pocket and pulled out a pen. “And this little doo-hickey is going to take pictures for me and record the conversation.”

“Awesome,” Sarah said with a grin. “I can't wait to find out what the connection is between the Robinsons and my parents.”

The waitress arrived and took everyone's order then scurried away to fill it. Some of her frizzy dark hair had escaped her bun and trailed behind her like a windsock blowing in the wind. Sarah caught the sight and giggled.

They made small talk until their beverages arrived. Sarah took a tentative sip, hoping the hot chocolate wouldn't scald her tongue. She swallowed and the drink warmed her body from the inside out. She sighed and took another swallow.

“So what are you kids going to do while I'm conducting my interview?” Scoop asked, wiping his mouth with a napkin.

“You mean… we can't go with you?” Lacey asked.

“No, we can't.” Sarah shook her head. “That freak went into that house. He might live there for all we know. He'd recognize us right away.”

“That's right,” Jackie piped up. “We'll have to do something else while Scoop's up there.”

“I thought we could look around town and chat people up. You know… see if they've seen Mom and Dad or know anything about the Robinson family.”

“Good idea,” Alex said and winked at Sarah.

Sarah smiled and enjoyed the familiar tingling sensation traveling through her system. “I thought we'd start off at the drugstore again. You know… talk to Dottie or her son.”

“Awesome idea.” Jackie set her cup down on the table. “This is totally epic hot chocolate by the way.”

Sarah nodded. “It is.” She focused on the retired reporter. “What kind of questions are you going to ask Mr. Robinson?”

“You leave that to me, little lady.” Scoop grinned “I'm an old hat at interviewing people.” He glanced at his watch. “Why don't I mosey on up the hill and see if I can get in the door. I'll meet you kids back here in about an hour.”

“Sounds good,” Sarah answered. A tremor of apprehension traveled through her and she shuddered. “You have my cell phone number just in case anything happens, right?”

“Yes I do,” Scoop said with a chuckle. “Don't worry. Everything is going to be all right.” He stood up and made his way to the register and paid for his coffee, and then sauntered out the door.

Sarah watched him go and then glanced around the table. “Are we ready to head to the drugstore?”

With an exaggerated slurp, Alex took the last swallow of his hot chocolate. “Yep. Let's go.”

Everyone stood and ambled over to the register and paid for their drinks. Sarah took the lead and strolled out into the bright morning light. She squinted as she looked up the street and watched Scoop's car move slowly up the hill. It crested the summit and then disappeared out of sight.

Jackie grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the drugstore. “Let's get this show on the road.”

Sarah laughed and allowed Jackie to lead her. “All right, let's go.”

They made their way to the store and waltzed inside. Sarah pulled the picture out of her pocket. She took a few seconds and tried to smooth some of the creases beginning to develop from handling it too much.

Studying the photo, Sarah swallowed, fighting the lump that rose in her throat. It had been taken when the family had been on vacation. It was the year they had gone hiking in the Rocky Mountains. In the photograph, the sun was setting and the last rays were shining on her parents' faces. After pushing his favorite red ball cap high on his forehead, her father had wrapped his arm around her mother's shoulders in a casual way. Sarah knew her parents were relaxed with each other from the way they fit together in the picture, like an old pair of favorite pajamas. Wrinkled and worn, but very comfortable. Tears filled her eyes and she brushed them away, blinking to keep her emotions under control.