The Tell-Tale Con (34 page)

The driver stays shielded by the car, so I can't tell if it's a man or woman, young or old. And the car…well, it's dark, four-doors, I think. It's too far to make out even with my glasses on. Is Linzy meeting a secret boyfriend? Maybe she wanted to go out, and her mom said she couldn't. Maybe it's some hot actor from her show, which I totally need to start watching.

I can't hear a peep from either of them, but Linzy has both hands on her hips, her shoulders back. It doesn't look like a secret rendezvous. The driver starts to open the car door, and petite, little Linzy grabs for him. The driver pulls back then pushes Linzy. She staggers and shouts, "Hey."

Whoa. Not cool, especially if it's a secret boyfriend. I pull my phone from my pocket, ready to dial nine-one-one and the local teen abuse hotline, when the driver jumps back into the car, whips around the corner, and speeds off, out of sight. I would've loved to snap a picture, but it's way too dark to capture anything, and a flash would give me away.

I get ready to run back to Kinley, expecting Linzy to head toward us, but she turns and runs after the car. Is she serious? Is she crazy?

Without thinking, I take off and head toward them, stopping when I reach the spot they just occupied. I look up and down the block for either of them. I don't see the car, and if Linzy is on the sidewalk, I can't tell. I seriously need to get my glasses checked.

Well this was a total bust. I take a step, ready to admit defeat, as much as it pains me, and hear something flit across the pavement. I must've kicked something. I look but don't see anything. With my phone pointed down, I check out the area, inch by inch.

Up ahead I spot something tiny that reflects off the light. I pick it up and examine it in my palm. It's a silver star charm. The kind worn on a bracelet. Is it Linzy's, or was it dropped by someone at another time? Yesterday? Last week?

Suddenly the sound of a motor creeps closer, and I hold my breath. Panic settles in. It's crazy. It's probably some random car going home, but after spying on my neighbor, I worry I'll get caught, and I race back to my street.

When I reach the corner, someone jumps out from behind the oak tree.

I scream.

 

 

I SPY DEAD PEOPLE

 

 

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