by Lisa Orchard
Everyone scrambled for seats and Sarah found herself next to Alex and Jackie. She smiled and opened her menu. “I’m not really hungry. I think I’ll just get hot chocolate.”
Alex grinned and winked at her. “Me too.”
“Cool beans. I’m going to get hot chocolate too.” Jackie closed her menu and fiddled with her curls.
“Okay, Scoop. What’s the plan?” Sarah asked, putting her elbows on the table and placing her face in her palms. She stared at him expectantly.
He laughed. “I’ve got an interview all set up in my mind.” He put his hand in his shirt pocket and pulled out a pen. “And this little doo-hickey is going to take pictures for me and record the conversation.”
“Awesome,” Sarah said with a grin. “I can’t wait to find out what the connection is between the Robinsons and my parents.”
The waitress arrived and took everyone’s order then scurried away to fill it. Some of her frizzy dark hair had escaped her bun and trailed behind her like a windsock blowing in the wind. Sarah caught the sight and giggled.
They made small talk until their beverages arrived. Sarah took a tentative sip, hoping the hot chocolate wouldn’t scald her tongue. She swallowed and the drink warmed her body from the inside out. She sighed and took another swallow.
“So what are you kids going to do while I’m conducting my interview?” Scoop asked, wiping his mouth with a napkin.
“You mean… we can’t go with you?” Lacey asked.
“No, we can’t.” Sarah shook her head. “That freak went into that house. He might live there for all we know. He’d recognize us right away.”
“That’s right,” Jackie piped up. “We’ll have to do something else while Scoop’s up there.”
“I thought we could look around town and chat people up. You know… see if they’ve seen Mom and Dad or know anything about the Robinson family.”
“Good idea,” Alex said and winked at Sarah.
Sarah smiled and enjoyed the familiar tingling sensation traveling through her system. “I thought we’d start off at the drugstore again. You know… talk to Dottie or her son.”
“Awesome idea.” Jackie set her cup down on the table. “This is totally epic hot chocolate by the way.”
Sarah nodded. “It is.” She focused on the retired reporter. “What kind of questions are you going to ask Mr. Robinson?”
“You leave that to me, little lady.” Scoop grinned “I’m an old hat at interviewing people.” He glanced at his watch. “Why don’t I mosey on up the hill and see if I can get in the door. I’ll meet you kids back here in about an hour.”
“Sounds good,” Sarah answered. A tremor of apprehension traveled through her and she shuddered. “You have my cell phone number just in case anything happens, right?”
“Yes I do,” Scoop said with a chuckle. “Don’t worry. Everything is going to be all right.” He stood up and made his way to the register and paid for his coffee, and then sauntered out the door.
Sarah watched him go and then glanced around the table. “Are we ready to head to the drugstore?”
With an exaggerated slurp, Alex took the last swallow of his hot chocolate. “Yep. Let’s go.”
Everyone stood and ambled over to the register and paid for their drinks. Sarah took the lead and strolled out into the bright morning light. She squinted as she looked up the street and watched Scoop’s car move slowly up the hill. It crested the summit and then disappeared out of sight.
Jackie grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the drugstore. “Let’s get this show on the road.”
Sarah laughed and allowed Jackie to lead her. “All right, let’s go.”
They made their way to the store and waltzed inside. Sarah pulled the picture out of her pocket. She took a few seconds and tried to smooth some of the creases beginning to develop from handling it too much.
Studying the photo, Sarah swallowed, fighting the lump that rose in her throat. It had been taken when the family had been on vacation. It was the year they had gone hiking in the Rocky Mountains. In the photograph, the sun was setting and the last rays were shining on her parents’ faces. After pushing his favorite red ball cap high on his forehead, her father had wrapped his arm around her mother’s shoulders in a casual way. Sarah knew her parents were relaxed with each other from the way they fit together in the picture, like an old pair of favorite pajamas. Wrinkled and worn, but very comfortable. Tears filled her eyes and she brushed them away, blinking to keep her emotions under control.
“Hello?” Dottie called out from the recesses of the back room.
“Hello,” Sarah answered. She took a deep breath and exhaled deeply. The old woman appeared as if by magic and Sarah smiled. “Hi, there. We were wondering if we could ask you some more questions.”
The rest of the teens crowded around her as the old woman stepped closer.
“Sure, I’ll be happy to answer more questions for you.”
The chime above the door tinkled and the Super Spies turned toward the sound. Sarah’s heart leapt against her rib cage and drummed a ferocious beat. Her breath caught in her throat and her mouth flooded with saliva. The Stalker walked through the door and stood face to face with the Super Spies.
Chapter Eight
Sarah gulped, watching him. Looming in the entryway, he stared at the Super Spies and did a double take; a combination of recognition, surprise, and anger flashed in his dark eyes. His expression turned sour and he clenched his hands into fists. “What are you kids doing here?”
Sarah shivered at his surly tone and clasped her trembling hands behind her back. She stepped closer to Alex and drew a shaky breath.
“Burton? Do you know these kids?” Dottie asked, pulling her cardigan tighter around her.
“Ah… ah… not really, I ran into them yesterday. They’re a bunch of troublemakers.”
His gravelly voice seemed more pronounced and it grated on Sarah’s nerves. She was about to speak when Alex chimed in.
“Yeah… you ran into us yesterday… with your truck.”
“What?’ asked Dottie. She looked from the Stalker back to Alex, clearly confused.
“I did no such thing.” He scoffed and brushed past the teens. “Dottie, I need to pick up those prescriptions for Mr. Robinson.” He grabbed her arm and led her toward the back of the store where the pharmacy was located.
“Ah… absolutely, Burton. How is little Mikey doing?” Dottie shot a confused look over her shoulder and then allowed herself to be led away.
The Stalker murmured a reply Sarah didn’t hear. Her heart thundered in her chest and the blood thrummed in her ears making it hard to hear anything.
“Let’s get out of here,” Lacey whined and grabbed Sarah’s arm.
“Yep. Let’s book,” Jackie agreed.
“Okay.” Sarah glanced out the window. “Let’s head over to the book store across the street.” She spun on her heel and made a beeline for the door. The rest of the Super Spies trailed behind her.
Once outside, they hustled across the road and made it to the bookstore to find it locked.
“Major bummer. It doesn’t open until ten.” Sarah glanced up and down the street looking for a safe haven, her thumb found its way into her mouth and she chewed the nail with abandon.
Jackie yanked on her arm causing her thumb to exit her mouth with a pop. “Let’s head to the Breakfast Nook.”
“Good idea,” Sarah said, casting a nervous look toward the drugstore. Her heart continued its ferocious beat against her ribs. The Stalker was just coming out of the store, carrying a white paper bag. “Let’s go!”
They dropped all pretenses and ran toward the café.
“Follow me, guys!” Sarah yelled as she ran past the tiny diner and rushed around the corner.
“I thought we were going to the diner…” Lacey wheezed.
“We don’t want that freak to follow us in there,” Sarah said, peeking around the corner. He was hot on their trail. “He’s following us again. Wha
t is his problem?”
“You got me.” Jackie brushed her curls out of her eyes.
“What are we going to do?” Lacey whined, twisting the hem of her T-shirt in her hands.
Sarah glanced around, her stomach clenching tighter. “We’ve got to hide somewhere.”
“He’s coming closer,” Alex announced in a hoarse whisper.
“We’ve got to hurry,” Scott said in a voice filled with urgency.
Sarah’s eyes darted frantically; sweat broke out under her arms even though a chill hung in the air. Her gaze fell on a dumpster sticking out from behind the corner of a restaurant at the end of the street.
“Come on! I found a place we can hide.” Sarah pointed and then sprinted toward the trash container. The others followed her lead and she heard their gasps as they ran.
Turning the corner, Sarah lifted the top of the container. The horrid smell of rotting garbage assaulted her and she gagged.
“I’m not climbing in there,” Lacey protested, giving her a dirty look. “It stinks and it’s full of germs.”
“Do you have a better suggestion?” Sarah snapped.
Lacey glanced up and down the street, twisting her shirt in her hands. “No.”
“We’ve got to hurry, he’s coming!” urged Alex.
Lacey began dancing from one foot to the other. “Hurry, Sarah! He’s coming.”
“I’m not real crazy about climbing inside the dumpster either,” Scott said.
“Let’s go.” Sarah pulled her sister forward. “Maybe one of the other stores is open by now.”
“Where do you think you kids are going?” The Stalker asked, grabbing Alex’s arm and pulled him closer.
“Let go of me, you freak!” Alex shouted and struggled against the Stalker’s iron grip.
The man laughed. “Make all the noise you want. No one can hear you.”
Sarah searched up and down the street. Adrenaline surged through her system like a bolt of lightning. Her body grew rigid as she prepared for flight. Without thinking, she ran straight at the Stalker and kicked him in the stomach so hard she bounced back and fell to the ground.
The Stalker let go of Alex, doubled over, and coughed uncontrollably.
Sarah regained her footing. “Run!”
She grabbed Lacey’s arm and pulled her forward. They broke into a sprint and the rest of the Super Spies were right behind them. Pounding feet on the pavement was the only thing Sarah heard above her ragged breathing. Sweat trickled down the side of her face and her heart beat at such a rapid rate she was sure it would break through her chest at any moment.
Turning the corner, she glanced back. The Stalker had gotten to his feet, but from his jerky movements she could tell he hadn’t recovered from his coughing fit. Where do we go? She asked in a silent scream. She came to the corner and stopped. The Super Spies were again in front of the drugstore.
“Let’s go back in here,” Sarah gasped.
“Don’t you think this is the first place he’ll look?” Alex asked.
Sarah took a deep breath, trying to slow her breathing. “Probably, but maybe Dottie can hide us in the back.”
Lacey grabbed her arm. “What if she turns us over to him?”
Sarah groaned. “It’s a possibility but we’re out of options.”
“We really don’t have any other choice,” Alex said.
“Come on. Let’s go before he sees us go in there.” Scott grabbed Lacey’s arm and tugged her toward the door.
Sarah followed them. Alex trailed behind her and Jackie took up the rear.
The chime above the entryway let out a frantic tinkle as they smashed the door against the wall. Breathing hard, Sarah pushed Scott and Lacey forward as Dottie came out from behind the back counter.
“Can I help you…?”
“Quick! You’ve got to hide us! That man is following us!” Sarah yelled.
Dottie’s gray brows knitted together and she pulled her sweater tighter as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Who’s following you?”
Sarah was relieved by her angry tone. She knew instinctively Dottie would help them. “That man… he was just in here and picked up a prescription.”
“You mean Burton?”
“Yeah! Him. Hide us quick!” Sarah tugged on Dottie’s arm and gave her a beseeching look.
It must have been the fear in Sarah’s eyes, because the old woman grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the back of the store. “Okay, you can hide in our storeroom. Come quickly.”
They trailed Dottie to the back of the store. She stopped in front of a curtain and pulled it aside. “In here.”
They rushed forward and found themselves in a storeroom with labeled boxes arranged neatly against the walls and on the shelves. Sarah gazed at the boxes and noticed a familiar label. “Piper Drugs.”
The sound of the chime sent her scurrying toward the curtain. She stood concealed behind it and strained to hear the voices in the store.
“Why Burton, you’re back so soon. Did you forget something?” Dottie asked.
“No… I’m looking for those kids. Have you seen them?”
“Why, no I haven’t. Why are you looking for them?”
“I think they hit my truck and took off. You see it was parked right on Main Street and I came out of the hardware store yesterday and they were peeling out down the street.” He paused, and Sarah imagined he took a deep breath. “Any way, I didn’t think anything of it until I saw the damage to my truck.”
“Oh, I can’t believe those kids would do that,” Dottie replied. “They were looking for their parents yesterday.”
Sarah winced. The hope that Dottie wouldn’t give the Stalker any information dashed to the ground like a shattered glass.
“Their parents? They’re looking for their parents?” he raised his voice and was clearly agitated.
The creaking of the wooden floor told Sarah the Stalker was pacing. The sound sent Sarah’s nerves into overdrive. She clutched the curtain in a tight fist and then let go quickly when she realized the movement of the curtain might be seen.
“I’m not sure what the story is but they showed me a picture and said their parents had disappeared.”
The sound of the bell interrupted the conversation and Dottie acknowledged the new customer. “Hi Joe, how are you?”
“Good,” a smooth, male voice replied. “I’m just here to pick up my prescription.”
“Absolutely, come on back… Burton, I’ll chat with you later,” Dottie said.
“Sure,” the Stalker responded in his gravelly voice.
Sarah held her breath until she heard the chime above the door. Letting it out slowly, she leaned against the shelves and closed her eyes.
Alex nudged her. “He’s gone.”
Sarah nodded and exhaled a deep breath She stood up straight and tugged on the hem of her pink shirt. Brushing her hair out of her eyes, she stepped forward and peeked out from behind the curtain. “I wonder what his problem is.”
Alex shook his head. “I don’t know, but he’s telling lies about us.”
“I know.” Sarah pressed her lips into a grim line. Looking around the storage area, she took in all the Piper Drug boxes lining the shelves.
”Didn’t your dad work for Piper Drugs?” Jackie asked.
“He sure did.” Sarah scratched her cheek. “I wonder if he’ll still have a job when we find him.”
Jackie shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Sarah stood by the curtain and listened to Dottie as she waited on her customer. “She’s almost finished.”
“Good. Then we can ask her some questions,” Jackie said.
“You got that right.” Sarah bit her lip and squeezed her arm.
The sound of the chime above the door got Sarah moving. She pushed the curtain aside and was momentarily blinded by the light in the store. Hesitating for only a minute, Sarah stepped out and blinked rapidly. The rest of the Super Spies were right behind her.
”What is going on between
you and Burton? He seems very upset with you kids,” Dottie said when Sarah walked into her range of vision.
“Who is he?” Sarah asked.
Dottie ignored her. “Did you kids really hit his truck and take off?”
Sarah stifled an impatient sigh. “No. He rammed us from behind. He followed us out of town and then rammed our car.”
“That’s exactly what happened.” Alex spoke in an irritated tone.
Dottie bit her lip. “My lands… what is going on?” She pulled her cardigan around her, and then reached into her pocket and pulled out a tissue. She worried it between her fingers when she wasn’t wiping her nose with it.
“We don’t know,” Sarah snapped. “We thought maybe you could tell us.”
Taken aback by her tone, Dottie took a step toward the front of the store. “How should I know anything? I’ve only been in town a week.”
“Sorry,” Sarah said, as a stab of guilt pierced her gut. “I just don’t know what his problem is and he started following us yesterday and then rammed our car.”
“That’s all right, sweetheart.” Dottie patted her bun. “It’s just seems out of character for Burton. He’s always been so friendly.”
“Do you have any idea why he would follow us?” Sarah asked.
Dottie shook her head. “No, I don’t. But let me ask Hank. He lives here and knows Burton very well.”
“That would be great,” Sarah said.
Dottie glanced at her watch. “He should be down in about an hour. Why don’t you kids come back then?”
“Sounds like a great idea.” Jackie grabbed Sarah’s arm, propelling her toward the front of the store.
Sarah called over her shoulder. “We’ll be back in an hour.”
The rest of the Super Spies followed Sarah and Jackie to the door. They huddled together for a moment before going outside.
Jackie looked at her watch. “It’s time to meet Scoop back at the café.”
“Good, I can’t wait to see if he found out anything.” Sarah pushed open the door and walked out into the sunlight.
Blinking against the sun’s glare, Sarah squinted down the street. She breathed a sigh of relief when she didn’t spot the Stalker and her body instantly relaxed. Questions swarmed through her brain. What was his problem? Why did he freak out when Dottie told him we were looking for our parents? What is his connection with my parents? When she couldn’t come up with any answers, the questions flew through her brain faster, making her dizzy. Stumbling on the sidewalk, Sarah let out a squeak of alarm.
