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. And 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.”
“How’s Michael doing?” Sarah asked.
“He’s improving dramatically. I think I’ve found the antidote.” His voice seemed to lighten and Sarah imagined he was smiling, happy with his success.
“That’s great, Dad.” Sarah paused, and then took a deep breath. “By the way… do you still have your key to the company?”
“Yes, I do. I left all my company keys in my desk at home. Why?”
“Oh… I just thought it might be a good idea to have the keys… you know… just in case your office door is locked.”
“Ahh… I see good thinking. But I wouldn’t go sneaking into Piper Drugs if I were you, Sarah. You could get into big trouble if you get caught.”
“Oh don’t worry. I wasn’t planning on doing anything like that.” Sarah faked a laugh. “Tell Mom goodnight for me.”
“I will. And Sarah, don’t do anything dangerous. I want you to stick with our original plan.”
“Come on, Dad. I know. I’m not going to do anything.” Sarah sighed and disconnected the phone. Then she punched in Jackie’s number.
“Hey.” Jackie answered on the first ring. “Any news?”
“None.”
Jackie took a deep breath. The sound coming through the phone sounded like a hurricane. “What do you think that means?”
“I’m not sure.” Sarah shifted her weight and switched the phone to her other ear. “But there’s been no ransom demand.”
“True. But he must want something or he wouldn’t have taken her.”
“If it was Martin Savage who took her.” Sarah groaned as the enormity of the situation hit her. “It had to be him. Who else would take her?”
Jackie sighed. “I don’t know. But we’ve got to find that out before we go breaking into the building.”
Sarah bit her lip. She knew Jackie was right, but she also knew Jackie was on board with her plan. “Who else would have kidnapped her?”
“I don’t know. Did she have any enemies? Maybe she went through a messy divorce. We don’t know. We don’t know that much about Dottie.”
“It has to be Martin Savage who took her. He was just in the store asking about my parents, telling her they were criminals and all that stuff.” Sarah brushed her hair away from her face with an irritated hand. “We don’t have time for that kind of investigation.”
Jackie sighed. “You’re probably right.” She paused and Sarah could tell she was thinking.
“You know what?” Sarah said abruptly.
“What?
“I’m going to call Agent Gray.”
“Good idea. Let me know what he says.”
“I will. Bye.” Sarah disconnected the call and punched in the FBI man’s number.
He answered on the third ring and Sarah quickly explained the situation.
“I wish I could help you, Sarah. But the FBI doesn’t get involved in missing persons cases.”
“Why not?”
“Because they’re usually handled at the state level.”
“That’s a major bummer.” Sarah sighed and brushed her hair away from her face.
“Sorry,” Agent Gray said.
“Thanks anyway.” Sarah disconnected the call and then punched in her father’s number.
“Sarah?”
“Yeah, it’s me.”
“What’s up?”
”I was just wondering… is there anyone else who would want to hurt Dottie. I was talking to Jackie and she said—”
“Sarah, we got a call.”
Sarah’s mouth went dry like a vacuum had come along and sucked all the spit out of it. “What do they want?”
“They want me in exchange for Dottie.”
“When?” Sarah asked, choking on the word.
“I don’t know. They’re calling back with the details.”
“Dad, who told them where you were?”
“I don’t know, Sarah. But anyone in town could have seen me. What we really need to focus on is getting my flash drive.”
“Okay. I’m on it.” Sarah disconnected the call and called Jackie back.
“Jack?”
“Yeah.”
“They called. They want to exchange Dottie for Dad.”
“Holy crap,” Jackie exclaimed. She cursed and then took a deep breath. “What did the Fibbies say?”
“They don’t get involved in missing persons cases. It’s handled at the state level.”
Jackie exhaled a heavy sigh. “Looks like we have to break in.”
Sarah furrowed her brow. “Yes. It does. But first we have to get the keys from my dad’s desk in our house in Walker.”
“I suppose that means we’re going for a drive tomorrow.”
“Yep. I’m going to call Alex and see if he can take us.”
“Okay, where are we meeting?” Jackie asked.
“Let’s meet in front of the school first thing in the morning.”
“All right. I’m telling my mom I’m doing homework at your house.”
“Okay. I’ll tell Aunt June I’m doing homework at your house.”
Sarah disconnected the call and called Alex. She was nervous as she punched in the number and she wiped her sweaty palm on her jeans. She was almost relieved when she got his voicemail. She bit her lip and tapped her phone against her chin. Then she punched in Scoop’s number.
“Hello?” Scoop answered on the first ring.
“Scoop. It’s Sarah.”
“Hello, Super Spy, Sarah. How can I help you?”
Sarah took a deep breath and told him the whole story. When she was done, Scoop was silent. Sarah waited, realizing he was thinking about what to do.
“Sarah, I’ll meet you and Jackie tomorrow in front of the school. We’ll drive to Walker and pick up your father’s keys. When we’re there, we’ll make a plan to get your father’s flash drive.”
“Thanks Scoop. You’re awesome.”
“Yes. I know.” He chuckled, but without much enthusiasm. He took a deep breath. “Better get some sleep, Sarah. We’re meeting bright and early tomorrow.”
“Night, Scoop.”
“Night.”
Sarah disconnected the call and made her way to her bedroom. She stepped into the office, said goodnight to her aunt, and then continued her journey.
When she walked in, she found Lacey already ready for bed.
“Hey,” Lacey greeted.
“What’s new with Scott?”
Lacey shrugged. “Not much.” She moved to the vanity and started brushing her hair.
Sarah remained quiet. Feeling drained, she took a deep breath and undressed. Her thoughts focused on finding Dottie, and images of her locked away in some dungeon invaded her mind. She shivered as she pulled her pajamas on. What if we’re too late, even now? Then she remembered her father’s voice, his words echoed through her mind. They called. They want me in exchange for Dottie. So Dottie has to be all right. They need her for a bargaining chip. Her shoulders slumped as she thought about her family’s current situation.
Anger flared in her belly. Anger at Piper Drugs for their immoral and selfish actions. Clenching her hands, she stood and moved to the bathroom. She had to focus on something else. Entering, she flicked on the light and grabbed her toothbrush. With furious strokes, she brushed her teeth. Afterwards, she noticed her raw gums.
Sarah stared at her image in the mirror and sighed. A zit was beginning to form in the crease of her nose, next to her right nostril. Sighing, she reached into the drawer for the pimple cream. No wonder I’m getting a zit, with all this stress I’m under. Her thoughts returned to Dottie. A zit is nothing compared to what she’s going through. Renewed anger ignited in Sarah’s belly and burned through her system. Tomorrow we’re going to break into Piper Drugs and get Dad’s flash drive. Dottie will be home soon. Sarah clenched her hands into determined fists and walked into the bedroom.