Silently, Cooper crept to the back gate with his bike. He peered through the cedar slats toward the front yard. A bright Halloween moon gave him a clear view, but that also meant he’d be easy to spot. The guy could be in any of the shadows along the house and Cooper would never see him.
He lifted the latch and opened the door just a crack. A gust of wind swirled a gang of leaves out from the darkness. Cooper raised his hands, ready to fight. Nothing came at him. He stared into the shadows.
This was nuts. Either he had to get back in the house and lock the door, or get on his bike and ride. He had no protection here. Whoever was out front would likely circle to the backyard. Cooper would be trapped. He could hear Fudge barking inside. Even she wouldn’t be able to help now.
Okay. Okay. Let’s do this. Cooper heaved open the heavy wooden gate. The hinges moaned as he swung a leg over his bike and stood on the pedals. Every muscle strained as he pumped to get up speed. Cutting across the lawn, he kept wide of the shadows along the house and raced straight for the street.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw something move. He glanced over his shoulder. Someone ran right for him.
Legs churning, he picked up speed.
“Stop!”
Lunk’s voice. But Cooper wasn’t about to stop now. And certainly not for him. Where was Lunk’s dad? He pedaled harder.
The wind howled in his ears, drowning out everything but the sounds of his own prayers looping through his head. Please, God. Please, God. Please, God.
He banked the corner off Fremont and onto School Drive, staying in the middle of the street. He didn’t dare look back. As much as Lunk claimed to care about Frank, his loyalty to his dad was greater.
If Lunk’s dad was with him, they’d give chase by car. Cooper cut right onto Campbell Drive, jumped the curb and flew through Kimball Hill Park. They’d expect he’d be heading to the police and try to head him off—but that’s where they’d figure wrong. Instead of taking the footbridge, Cooper flew out of the park and through the parking lot toward Kirchoff Road. The same route he’d taken home just a week before. There was no time to take the tunnel.
The hard drive pressed against his leg with every turn of the pedals, and the rhythm kept him cranking like a machine. Pain stabbed his side but he still didn’t let up his pace.
He saw the OPEN sign switch off at Frank ‘n Stein’s. Perfect. Checking for cars, he whipped across Kirchoff. Frank’s set of keys were in his pocket. He’d use them if he had to.
Cooper saw Mr. Stein shuffle into the kitchen. “Mr. Stein!” Skidding to a stop, he dumped his bike by the front door.
“Mr. Stein!” Cooper stood panting on cement legs and banged on the glass door.
Stein turned and smiled. He pointed to his watch and shrugged.
“Let me in. Please.” He glanced over his shoulder. “I’m being chased.”
The smile slid off Mr. Stein’s face and he rushed to the front door, fumbling with keys as he went.
Cooper heard the bolt slide and he yanked the door open.
“Cooper?”
“Lock it!” Cooper pulled the door closed behind him.
Stein locked the door and scanned the lot as he did. “Who’s chasing you?”
Cooper held up one hand, trying to catch his breath. “I’ll explain. But I need to hide.”
“Behind the counter.” He pointed. “Hurry.”
Scooting through the opening, Cooper ducked behind the counter. He was back. Hiding behind the very same counter but on the other side this time. The side Frank had been on.
Mr. Stein squeezed through the counter and stood, back to the kitchen, but still looking out the front windows. “So what happened? You break a window or something?” He grinned.
Cooper shook his head. “Somebody was at my house—trying to get in, I think.” He could see the confusion on Mr. Stein’s face.
“So you came here?”
“My parents are out. And I had to talk to you, and then someone was sneaking around the house.”
Mr. Stein still looked confused. Cooper took a deep breath. Time to break the Code, for the second time.
“It’s, ah, about the robbery.”
Stein’s jaw opened slightly and his eyes bored into Cooper.
“I saw everything. And they’re on to me.”
“You?” Stein took a step back. “Exactly what did you see?”
“I didn’t hurt Frank. Honest. There were three men.”
Mr. Stein eyed him. Like he was trying to decide if Cooper was telling the truth.
“Look, they came to my home. They’re going to kill me. And Frank, too, unless we can stop them.”
“Frank?”
“He knew who was behind it. I could tell by something he said. And now he’s coming out of his coma.”
“What?”
Cooper nodded. “Look, we have to do something before they find me, or hurt Frank.”
Mr. Stein reached under the counter by the register and pulled out a handgun. He jammed it in the back of his pants’ waistband.
Cooper stared. “Is that real?”
“Sure is. And loaded.” Mr. Stein wiped his palm on his apron like the gun left some invisible film on his hand. “I borrowed this after the robbery. Nobody is ever going to rob us again. Don’t worry. I’m not going to let anybody get at you or hurt Frank.”
Cooper felt himself relax. He was safe now. He’d done the right thing.
Someone banged against the front windows, making both of them jump.
“Mr. Stein,” Lunk’s voice called from outside. “I know MacKinnon’s in there. Don’t trust him. He’s playing some kind of game. He was here the night of the robbery. I’m sure of it.”
Mr. Stein hesitated.
“He’s hiding something, Mr. Stein. Let me in or I’m going to the police.”
The co-owner moved toward the opening.
“Don’t do it,” Cooper pleaded. Lunk would never go to the police. He’d be turning in his own dad. “He’s lying.” It seemed strange, him accusing someone else of being a liar. “I-I think he may be involved in the robbery.”
“Neil Lunquist?”
Hiding was pointless now. Cooper stood. Lunk was at the door, his face pressed up to the glass between cupped hands. What was Lunk up to? This had to be a trick to get Stein to open the door. Maybe his dad was hiding around the corner.
“Open up. Please.” Lunk shrunk away from the door and raised his hands as if to show he came in peace.
Cooper shook his head. “I don’t like this.”
Mr. Stein patted his belt. “I can handle him. But I need to get down to the bottom of this.” He scooted through the opening in the counter.
If Mr. Stein knew about Lunk’s dad, he wouldn’t go near that door. Cooper had to say something. Stop him.
Mr. Stein slid the key into the lock and turned the latch.
“Wait, you don’t understand,” Cooper practically shouted.
Stein cracked open the door but held it there. He gave Cooper an over-the-shoulder “this better be good” look.
“I think his dad was one of the robbers—and that Lunk told him about the safe.”
Lunk yanked the door open and glared at him. “I never did anything to hurt Frank Mustacci.” He shook a finger at Cooper. “And neither did my dad.” He pushed past Mr. Stein and charged Cooper.