CHAPTER 88

PANCAKE WAITED OUTSIDE THE Learning Resource Center for Hudson and Maggie. The plan was to meet after sixth period and take a roundabout way to lunch —together.

It also gave him a chance to scope out the activity at the office. And there was plenty. Police. Mrs. Jackson. The assistant principal. All of them packed in the glassed-off conference room in the office complex. Some guys in suits that Pancake had never seen before. Probably lawyers or school district honchos.

“Where’s Hudson?” Maggie said.

Pancake jumped. He hadn’t even seen her walk up. He scanned down B Hall. “Not sure.”

The LRC doors opened. Giovanna stepped out and froze. They locked eyes, and for an instant Pancake just stared. She looked different —and she’d clearly been crying.

Maggie took a step toward her. “Jo?”

Giovanna stepped back —her face a mix of disbelief and panic. “Why did you come? I told you not to come.”

“Why? What’s going to happen?”

Giovanna shook her head real slow, like she couldn’t believe Maggie was there. “Just stay away from me,” she whispered. “Far away.” Giovanna turned and ran.

“Jo!” Maggie started after her, but Pancake grabbed her arm.

“Hold on there, Magpie. This could be a trap.”

Giovanna disappeared around a corner.

Maggie wrestled her arm free. “Something is seriously wrong with her.”

“You’re just figuring that out?”

“She was wearing shoes —exactly like mine. What does that mean?”

Pancake shrugged. “She really likes your sense of style?”

“I’m serious.”

He glanced back at the office. No change there. “Okay, how’s this for a theory? Giovanna figured the video clips would come out —nailing the litter and the pack. She wore the shoes to try to show she was on your side all along.”

“Ridiculous.” Maggie shook her head.

“And that’s why she didn’t want you to come to school,” Pancake said. “She didn’t want you telling the principal how nasty she’s been to you.”

Maggie kept staring down B Hall like she expected Giovanna to come back around the corner. “I don’t think that was it at all. I think she was sending me another message.”

Honestly, sometimes Pancake couldn’t figure Maggie out. “She’s your enemy. Why do you care?”

She shook her head. “I’m not sure she is my enemy. Maybe she never was.”

Pancake put his palm on her forehead. “Do you have a fever? You’re delirious.”

Hudson trotted their way. Finally, another guy to help him balance Maggie out.

“If she’s not your enemy —and she has all these cryptic messages for you —why didn’t she just talk to you?” Pancake asked.

“Maybe she can’t,” Maggie said. “Maybe she thinks it’s too late.”