Marshall grinned as he slurped up the last spoonful. “Your wedding?”
“You know what I mean,” KC said. She began pacing back and forth. “We still don’t know which one is the spy. We have to catch him or her with the goods.”
Marshall put his bowl and spoon in the sink. “What goods?”
“The money, Marshall. Maybe we can catch Arnold or the vice president taking money from Darla.”
“KC, we can’t follow Arnold. He drives a fast motorcycle, and we don’t even know where he lives.”
“Okay, but we can spy on the vice president,” KC said.
Marshall grinned. “Spying on a spy? I like that.”
“Will you get dressed and help?” KC asked. “I don’t want Mom to cancel her wedding.”
Marshall closed one eye and stared at KC out of the other. “Okay. But promise me we’ll go to the park after they’re married.” He stuck out his pinkie.
KC put out her pinkie. “Promise!” she said. They shook pinkies, and Marshall went to change.
They rushed to the White House and hurried toward the president’s private rooms. A marine stood guard at the door, but it wasn’t Arnold.
The guard clicked his heels together when he saw KC and Marshall. “Good morning,” he said. “Can I help you?”
“Hi,” KC said, surprised to see this short marine instead of tall Arnold. “Have you seen the vice president?”
“No, miss. I just relieved Arnold, and I haven’t seen anyone yet but you two.” The guard held the door open for them.
In the kitchen, Yvonne was cleaning up. “Good morning. I have a note for you,” she told KC. She pulled a folded piece of paper from her uniform pocket.
KC read it out loud to Marshall. Honey—Zachary and I need some time alone to talk about the wedding. We may be back late. Love, Mom.
“I left your lunch in the fridge,” Yvonne said. “And there’s a bowl of fruit on the table.”
“Thanks, Yvonne,” KC said. “Did they say where they were going?”
“No, miss,” Yvonne said. “But I know they took a private car.” She hesitated. “They looked pretty unhappy, miss!”
“Um, have you seen the vice president yet this morning?” KC asked.
“No, miss,” Yvonne said. She left KC and Marshall in the sunny kitchen. George slipped into the room behind the maid’s heels.
As soon as Yvonne was gone, KC grabbed Marshall by the arm. “Now’s our chance!” she hissed.
“For what?” he sighed.
“Now’s our chance to snoop!” KC said.
“You’ve been snooping your whole life!” Marshall said. “What’s so different today?” He reached for a banana.
“We don’t have time to eat,” KC said. “If the vice president isn’t here yet, we can check out her office!”
“For what?” Marshall said again, dropping the banana.
“I don’t know, but if she’s selling information to Darla Darling, we might see some evidence,” KC said.
The kids walked down the hall toward the vice president’s office. A large statue of a Native American family stood next to her door, which was partly open.
KC stuck her nose around the corner and nearly fainted. The vice president was standing with her back to the door, talking on a cell phone.
KC grabbed Marshall, and they both hid behind the statue.
Just then the vice president came through the door. She walked toward the Oval Office, still talking into her phone.
“I know that,” Mary Kincaid was saying. “But this has to be kept secret….”
When she was a few yards away, KC whispered, “Let’s try to find out who she’s talking to!”
Tiptoeing, they followed the vice president. She passed the Oval Office, still quietly speaking into her phone.
Then she stopped and started to turn around.
Panicking, KC looked for someplace to hide. The closest doorway led to the Oval Office. She knew it would be empty, because the president had left with her mom.
KC poked Marshall, and they both scooted into the Oval Office. There was a big desk, a few chairs, and a long sofa. A tall plant stood in front of the window.
“This is spooking me out,” Marshall whispered. “There has to be a federal law about breaking into the presidents office.”
“We didn’t break in, Marsh,” KC said. “Besides, next week, I’ll be living in this place.”
“Yeah, if we’re both not living in jail!” Marshall said.
Suddenly Marshall grabbed KC’s hand and yanked her down behind the president’s desk.
KC started to protest, but Marshall’s hand was across her mouth. She looked at him, trying to figure out what was going on. Marshall’s eyes were as big as pancakes.
Then KC understood. She heard footsteps whisper across the carpet. She saw a shadow fall on the wall behind her.
Someone else was checking out the Oval Office!
