by Lisa Orchard
“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.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Sarah woke before the alarm and rushed for the shower. Thoughts of breaking into Piper Drugs invaded her brain and wouldn’t leave. How are we going to get into the company? How are we going to get into Dad’s office? What if the flash drive isn’t there? The last thought sent a chill through her body as she turned off the shower and toweled dry.
She rushed into the bedroom and selected a pair of jeans with a cream colored sweater, then thought better of it and exchanged the sweater for a navy blue one. Just in case I need to blend in.
Lacey stirred, and then sat up. “What time is it?”
“It’s six o’clock.”
Lacey scurried back under her covers and then poked her head out and gave Sarah a perplexed look. “What are you doing up so early?”
“I couldn’t sleep.”
“Oh.” Lacey watched her for a moment, and then scrambled under her covers. “Well, I can.”
“I’m going over to Jackie’s to have breakfast and do homework. Tell Aunt June for me will you?”
“Why are you doing that?” Lacey poked her head up again.
“With everything that’s been going on, I’m way behind.”
“Have fun,” Lacey said before burrowing under her covers.
Sarah waved and then left the room. She crept up the stairs and made her way to the kitchen where she fed Lilly. Then she tiptoed to the front door and found her jacket and backpack on the floor. After slipping on her jacket and grabbing her pack, Sarah crept toward the door. When she reached it, she stopped and listened. The last thing she wanted to do was explain to her aunt why she was leaving early. Aunt June had grown adept at figuring out when Sarah was lying and she didn’t want to have to lie to her now. No noise. Good.
When Sarah stepped out into the chilly morning air she realized she’d forgotten her phone. Bummer! Slipping back into the house, she scurried to the bedroom and retrieved it. The sound of the shower told Sarah Lacey was getting ready for the day. That means Aunt June will be up soon too.
She hurried up the stairs and out the front door, anxious to avoid her aunt’s questions. The cold air took Sarah’s breath away. Burrowing her hands into her pockets, she tucked her chin into her collar and began her journey.
When she was halfway there, she stopped and pulled out her phone. As she punched in Jackie’s number, Sarah hopped from one foot to the other in an attempt to keep warm.
“Hello?” Jackie finally answered in a sleepy voice.
“Jack, it’s me.”
“What time is it?” Jackie’s sleepy voice now had an irritated edge to it.
Sarah suppressed a giggle. “It’s time for you to get up. Let’s meet down at Hinkle’s and get breakfast before we meet Scoop.”
“What? Are you crazy? I could sleep for another… twenty minutes.”
Sarah cringed at Jackie’s tone. “So what? Come on… meet me.”
Jackie sighed heavily. “All right. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
Sarah smirked and disconnected the call. Picking up her pace, she wound her way through the streets
. It was dawn and the sky was taking on a gray hue, reminding Sarah of a foggy scene in a horror flick she had seen ages ago. The trees lining the sidewalk were leafless and seemed skeletal, bony apparitions reaching to the sky for relief from some unknown ailment. She shivered and drew her coat tighter around her.
When she reached Hinkle’s, she relaxed and hurried inside. The warmth of the restaurant chased the chill from her body and the smell of cooking food was a relief from the dank smell of cold, wet earth that had permeated the air outside.
Sarah stopped at the hostess station and waited to be seated. She imagined a cup of Hinkle’s signature hot chocolate and her stomach rumbled in agreement.
The hostess appeared and guided her to a booth. Sarah sat, and when the waitress came to give her a menu, she immediately ordered a cup of hot chocolate.
The thin, dark-haired server dashed away to get her drink and Sarah leaned back against the booth and took a deep breath. We have to get Dad’s flash drive today. Her stomach twisted at the thought and sent a wave of apprehension through her body. How are we going to do that? How are we going to get inside? Frustrated, when no answer came to her she grabbed a menu and perused it, growing impatient as she waited for her friend.
“Girlfriend,” Jackie greeted after she strolled up to the booth.
“It’s about time,” Sarah responded in an irritated voice.
Jackie laughed. Excuse me, grump. You know, you did wake me up.”
Sarah snickered. “I guess I did.” She sighed and brushed the hair out of her eyes. “Sorry. I’m just anxious about this whole thing.”
“I know.” Jackie reached across and patted Sarah’s arm. “No biggie.”
The waitress appeared with another menu. Jackie waved it away and said, “I already know what I want.”
“Okay. Go ahead.” The server pulled the order pad out of her apron pocket.
“I’ll have some hot chocolate and pancakes.”
The waitress spun toward Sarah. “How about you?”
“I’ll have a cinnamon roll.”
With a brisk nod, the server scurried away.
“That’s it? A cinnamon roll?” Jackie protested.
“Yep.”
“Tsk.” Jackie gave her a disgruntled look before she fluffed her curls. “So what’s the plan?”
