Harold’s voice. Penny saw Karen going to the plate, carrying her bat as if it were a toothpick. Karen stepped into the batter’s box, rubbed the toes of her sneakers into the dirt till she was comfortable in her stance, and faced the pitcher. Pam Colt stood on the mound, tall and erect, holding the softball in front of her with both hands. Then she whipped the ball underhand with her right, and it sailed in toward the plate in a fast, shallow arc.
Boom! Karen swung and met it solidly. The ball zoomed to deep left center field and over the fence for a home run, her third hit of the game.
“I knew she’d do it!” Harold exclaimed, his face beaming as he printed “HR” in the seventh-inning box opposite Karen’s name in the scorebook. “I knew it!”
Penny shot him a cold, questioning look. Mary Ann was sitting between them, but Penny had to say what was on her mind. She couldn’t resist it. “How did you know, Harold?” she asked softly.
He finished writing in the scorebook and glanced up at her. He was still beaming, still flushed with having guessed that Karen was going to hit a home run. “I don’t know. I guess I just felt it,” he said.
“Sure,” Penny replied, her voice low, almost inaudible.
“I beg your pardon?”
“Nothing,” Penny said, turning away from him. She could see him looking at her, and Mary Ann looking at her, and felt a chill ripple along her spine. Don’t give me that dumb, I-don’t-know-what-you’re-talking-about look, Harold, she wanted to tell him. You know very well what I’m talking about.
Sophie Kowalski singled over short, then got out on a double play as Jean ripped a fast one-bouncer down to second base. Edie walked and Faye came up. Silent, Penny waited for Harold to yell for her to belt one out of the lot, too. The thought had scarcely come to her mind when his voice boomed, “Out of the lot, Faye! Go after it, girl!”
Tense, Penny waited to see what Faye would do. Faye let the first pitch go by; it was too low. She let the next one go by; it was also too low.
“Make it be in there, Faye!” Coach Parker’s advice came from the third-base coaching box.
Two-and-nothing. Faye should let the next pitch go by, too, whether or not it was going to be a strike, Penny thought. If it was a strike, Faye would still have two chances left to hit. If it was a ball, the chances were better that the next pitch would be a ball and she’d draw a walk.
The pitch came in. It was a good one, and Faye swung at it. She walloped it hard into right center field and stopped on second base for a stand-up double. Edie held up at third.
“Way to go, Faye!” Harold cried, his face beaming again as he made the proper notation in the scorebook. Penny could not resist glancing in his direction to see the expression on his face.
“The winning run’s on second, Shari!” Harold yelled then. “Get a hit, Shari! A hit will do it!”
Shari stepped into the box, took three pitches, then slammed a waist-high pitch between the right and left center fielders for a stand-up double. The hit drove in Edie and Faye, ending the ball game, with the Hawks winning it, 12 to 11.
Penny found herself cheering with all the other members of the team and the Hawks’ fans, but her heart wasn’t in it. It wasn’t Shari who had hit that ball, she told herself. It wasn’t Faye who had hit hers, and it wasn’t Karen who had hit that home run. Something had taken over their bodies. And there was one person who knew what it was: Harold Dempsey!
NINE
“PENNY!”
Penny had left the dugout and was running to catch up with Melanie when she heard the voice. She stopped running, turned, and stared in surprise at the stout, slightly bowlegged boy sprinting toward her, the score-book clasped tightly against his side.
“Yes, Harold?” she asked as he came up beside her, puffing slightly.
That beaming face again! Was he mocking her?
“I’d like to ask you something,” he said.
“Oh?” She started to walk on, hoping to reach Melanie at the gate. At the same time, she didn’t want to be left alone with Harold. She had become frightened of him. She was sure now he was responsible for Karen’s, Shari’s, and Faye’s strange behavior and abnormal athletic abilities. She had questions to ask him, too, but she wasn’t prepared to spring them on him now.
She stared at him. “What is it you want to ask me, Harold?” she said, trying to keep her voice under control.
“Will . . . will you go to a movie with me this Saturday afternoon?” he asked in a soft, pleasant voice. “The one that starts at five P.M., because — ”
Penny’s hazel eyes widened as she heard his invitation. “You asked me once before, Harold, and I said I couldn’t go.”
He nodded, his head bobbing as if it were hooked onto a spring. “I know. And you said you were going to be busy that Saturday afternoon. I thought — ”
“I’m sorry, Harold,” she interrupted. “I mean . . . I don’t know. I’ll have to see if my mom and dad have anything planned. Okay?”
She had to get out of it somehow. And she didn’t want him to think that she suspected him of any villainy. Not now. She felt she would be in danger now.
She flashed him a weak smile. “I’m sorry,” she said again, and started to run toward the exit, when another voice suddenly called out to her. “Penny! Wait a second!”
She looked over her shoulder to her right and saw that it was Jonny Keech. Jonny! Her heart skipped a beat. She almost failed to see that Karen was with him. His head was bare, and his blond hair was tossing about like corn tassels in the wind. There was a humorous glint in his blue eyes as he and Karen came forward, and Penny wondered if it was because they had seen her talking with Harold.
“What? Walking home alone?” Jonny asked, cracking a smile that flashed brilliant white teeth and deep dimples in his cheeks.
Penny shrugged. “I was going to walk home with Melanie,” she said, glancing toward the gate where Melanie was waiting for her. “But — “ She paused and looked at him, smiling shyly, because she didn’t know what to say to him in front of Karen.
Suddenly Karen broke away in a run, her hair flying in the wind as she headed toward the exit and shouted over her shoulder, “See you at home, Jonny!”
“Okay!” Jonny yelled back to her, waving, then looked back at Penny, his eyes bluer than ever as Penny gazed into them. She could hardly believe that he had called to her, that he was now standing only inches away from her. He was slightly taller than she, and was wearing a white t-shirt that showed off his tanned arms. “Some game,” he said.
“Sure was,” she agreed.
They started toward the gate, walking slowly. Suddenly Penny remembered Harold, and she looked back and saw him disappearing behind the backstop screen where there was another exit.
She turned and caught Jonny looking at her. Amusement sparkled in his blue eyes. “Saw Harold talking to you. Interesting guy, isn’t he?”
She smiled. “He sure is.”
“What did he want? No, never mind,” he added quickly. “It’s not any of my business.”
“Oh, that’s okay,” Penny said, willing to tell him. “He just asked me if I’d go to a movie with him this Saturday afternoon, and I said I couldn’t.”
“Oh?” He laughed. “He took Karen a couple of weeks ago, you know.”
“Yes, I know,” Penny replied. “And Faye last Saturday afternoon.”
“Oh?” Jonny’s eyebrows arched. “He sure gets around, doesn’t he?”
“I guess he does.” Penny wanted to elaborate, to say more about Harold, but felt that it would be unwise to tell Jonny what she suspected. So far she had no proof that Harold was responsible for the girls’ — Shari’s, Karen’s, and Faye’s — superstar qualities in the infield and at the plate. Once she was sure of it, she’d mention it to Jonny. Till then she would remain silent about it.
Unless he brought it up first.
“Maybe we can go sometime,” he suggested.
She stared at him, surprised, and felt her cheeks turnin
g hot. “Maybe,” she said. Her heart pounded. Was she having a dream? “I’d like that,” she added.
They arrived at the gate, and Penny saw that Melanie had started to walk on ahead, as if she didn’t want to intrude in their private conversation.
“I think Melanie’s waiting for you,” Jonny observed, his blue eyes flashing at her again. “I’ll see you, then . . . soon. Okay?”
“Okay,” she said, trying hard to hide her excitement. She didn’t want him to know how really pleased she was that he had called to her and walked with her even this far.
“Bye,” he said, and ran off, saying hi to Melanie as he swept past her down the sidewalk, his blond hair bobbing with each smooth, graceful stride.
“Well, what was all that about?” Melanie asked as Penny reached her side. “And don’t tell me ‘nothin’,’ because that look in your eyes says it was ‘somethin’.’ “
Penny smiled. “Believe it or not, it was practically nothing. But” — she sighed — “there’s hope.”
“What did that twerp Harold want?” Melanie asked as they walked along.
“He invited me to go with him to a movie this Saturday afternoon. How about that?”
“Great!” Melanie’s eyes widened, interested. “You said you’d go, didn’t you?”
“No. I hedged, then I said I couldn’t.”
“What? Dummy! Why not? He’s paying for it, isn’t he? The inviter always pays.”
“Yes, but I gave him some crazy excuse, something about Mom and Dad probably having plans for Saturday afternoon.”
“You’re crazy, Penny Farrell,” Melanie snapped. “You know that? Wish he had asked me. I wouldn’t have hedged. I would’ve said, ‘Sure, buster. What time you picking me up?’ “ Penny laughed. “You said you wanted to talk to me after the game,” Melanie went on. “What do you want to talk about?”
Penny’s eyes fixed on hers. “The girls — Shari, Karen, and Faye.”
“What about them?”
“What about them?” Penny’s eyes widened. “Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed how weird they’ve been acting! They’re like superathletes! And cold and emotionless as sticks!”
Melanie frowned. “Come to think of it, yes. I noticed how well they were playing. And now that you mention their attitude . . .” She stared at Penny. “That is strange, isn’t it?”
“Sure it is,” Penny said. “And what is equally strange is that Harold Dempsey took all three of those girls to movies the last three Saturdays!”
“Hmm. But that could be a coincidence, couldn’t it, Penny?” said Melanie, her forehead knitted.
“It could be. But think. What positions do those girls play?”
Melanie thought. Then her eyes widened again. “They’re all infielders!” she exclaimed. “And now he’s invited you — also an infielder — to a movie!”
“Right. Don’t you think it sounds like a plan to you? A weird sort of plan?”
Melanie nodded. “It sure does. But how could he be responsible for what’s happened to the girls? That sounds pretty far-fetched, doesn’t it?”
“Sure it does. But so did the airplane when the Wright Brothers told somebody about it,” said Penny. “And, don’t forget, Harold’s a computer whiz. Who knows what he can do?”
“Yeah,” said Melanie, her mind seemingly miles away.
“Know what?” Penny went on, thinking deeply. “I’m going to find out more about that little scorekeeper friend of ours. I’m going to take your suggestion and accept his invitation. But it’s not the movie I’m interested in. It’s what happens afterward.”
Melanie smiled broadly. “Right! And if you find out anything, let me know! Will you?”
“Of course, I will.”
Melanie grabbed Penny’s hands in both of hers. “This sounds like real detective work, Penny!” she said excitedly. “Can I be your sidekick?”
“No,” said Penny seriously. “I’ve got to do this myself, Mel, and make sure he doesn’t get suspicious.” She heaved a sigh of relief, flung her arms around her friend, and exclaimed, “Oh, I feel so relieved! I had to talk to someone, Mel, and I couldn’t think of anyone better than you! You’re a peach!”
“Thanks,” Melanie said evenly. “But I hope that neither of us turns out to be a fruitcake.”
Penny laughed.
That evening she telephoned Harold and got him on the first ring. He was probably home alone, she thought, or had a phone right next to his computer.
“Harold Dempsey speaking.”
“Hi, Harold. This is Penny.”
“Oh! Hi, Penny! Well, this is sure a surprise.”
Penny smiled. “Yes, I suppose it is,” she said. “Anyway, that invitation you offered me today? About going to a movie?”
“Oh, I’m so sorry, Penny.” Harold’s deep, drawling voice sounded sincere. “But I’ve already asked Gloria to go with me.”
Penny’s throat went dry. Gloria? Gloria Johnson? “Oh.” She tried not to sound too disappointed.
“Look! Maybe I can cancel it. I can tell her — ”
“No. Don’t do that,” Penny cut in. “You take Gloria. It’s . . . okay.”
“Maybe next week?” Harold asked hopefully.
“Maybe,” said Penny, her voice barely audible. “So long, Harold.”
She hung up, staring at the floor, her nerves strung tight as violin strings. Gloria was an outfielder. Harold’s taking her to a movie was breaking the pattern. All the other girls who had “changed” were infielders. But he was willing to break his date with Gloria and take me, Penny thought. And I’m an infielder.
Was Gloria going to be one of his victims even though she was an outfielder? Or would Harold wait now till next week, to see if Penny would go to a movie with him or not?
Penny closed her eyes tightly and shuddered.
TEN
GLORIA HAD TO BE WARNED about Harold, Penny thought, the urgency of it making her more nervous than ever. If Gloria agreed to go to a movie with him, okay. If she agreed to go to a fast-food restaurant with him, okay. But she should go home immediately afterwards. If Harold invited her to his home after that, she had to refuse. That was it. Otherwise . . .
Her hands trembling, Penny picked up the phone book, found Gloria’s number, and dialed it. Mrs. Johnson answered.
“This is Penny Farrell,” said Penny, trying to keep from sounding worried. “May I speak to Gloria, please?”
“I’m sorry, Penny,” Mrs. Johnson replied in her pleasant, high-pitched voice. “But Gloria’s gone for the day. She’s going to spend today and most of tomorrow with her aunt in Fort Mill.”
“Oh?” Penny was so disappointed at the news she was speechless for a minute.
“Can I give her a message when she gets home?” Mrs. Johnson asked.
“No. No, thank you. It’s not important. Thank you, Mrs. Johnson. Goodbye.”
“Is anything wrong, dear?” Mrs. Johnson hastened to ask before Penny could hang up. Something in Penny’s tone must have hinted to her that something was bothering the girl.
“No.” Penny laughed. “Nothing’s wrong at all, Mrs. Johnson. Goodbye.”
She hung up the phone, and stared again at the floor. What was she going to do now?
A voice jarred her thoughts. “Penny. Is something wrong? You look as if the world’s problems have all been suddenly dumped onto your shoulders.”
Penny glanced up and saw her mother peering anxiously at her from the kitchen doorway. She had on a light jacket, as if she were ready to go out.
Penny forced a smile. Should she tell her mother about her suspicions? How could she, and make it sound convincing? She had told Melanie, but now that her plan to go to a movie with Harold had gone awry, she had to tell someone else. And soon.
Her mother came into the room, put a hand on Penny’s shoulder, and smiled. “I don’t have much time. I have to leave for a dentist’s appointment. But, if there’s something that’s bothering you . . .”
Penny looked
at her. “Mom, is it possible for somebody with a computer to . . . to learn something from it to be able to change the behavior of people, and turn them into . . . superathletes?”
Her mother’s brown eyes looked serious for a moment, then suddenly changed to amusement. “Oh, darling! Your imagination can certainly take off at times!” She put her hand on Penny’s shoulder and looked into her eyes. “A computer can do a lot of things, but change the behavior of people? Turn them into superathletes?” She shook her head. “It sounds impossible to me. That’s not something I’d ever worry about, honey.” She leaned forward, kissed Penny on the forehead, and smiled. “Well, I’ve got to run. Leave a note if you’re going anywhere, okay?”
“I will.”
Penny watched her mother leave, then sat there awhile, wishing she hadn’t said a word to her. Speaking to someone about her suspicions wouldn’t get her anywhere until she had some proof.
But there had to be someone who would listen. Someone who would believe . . .
Jonny! Why not? At least he would listen. He was intelligent, more intelligent than a lot of kids his age. And understanding. She had to tell him. And now. She couldn’t delay it any longer.
Her hands trembling, she picked up the phone book again, looked for Jonny’s number, found it, and dialed it. The line was busy. She waited a few minutes and tried again. Still busy.
Penny felt sure that she could trust Jonny and talk to him confidentially. She decided not to wait any longer for the phone to ring. She raced to the bathroom, ran the brush through her dark hair about a dozen times, checked her pink blouse and blue skirt in the full-length mirror, left a note for her mother, and left. She rode her bike, because the sooner she got to Jonny’s and told him about Harold, the quicker something could be done — if something could be done — to make him stop it. Correcting whatever he’d done to the girls was something else again. But that, too, had to be reckoned with. Maybe Jonny would know what to do.
It was still hot even though it was late in the afternoon, and by the time Penny had pumped her bike the four blocks to Meadow Street, where the Keeches lived, flecks of perspiration glistened on her forehead and above her mouth. She left the bike standing up on its kickstand next to the steps leading to the Keeches’ front porch, lifted up her hair in back to free it from sticking to her neck, and approached the front door. Her heart was pounding.
Supercharged Infield Page 4
