As she said it, she arched an eyebrow at me, silently asking me.
Quickly, I shook my head no. “That’s right,” my mom said, “Goodbye.”
Hanging up the phone, she said, “The phones have been ringing off the hook with people wanting to know what happened to you and if you will do a interview.”
“Sorry about that mom. Thanks for handling them,” I said grateful that she understood my need not to talk to anyone else right now.
“That’s what we’re here for dear. You go on out and talk to Detective Cooper. The pizza should be here soon.”
“Thanks mom,” I said, stepping out onto the porch where Detective Cooper just finished talking to Kent.
“Thanks Kent,” he said shaking Kent’s hand.
Nodding, Kent turned to Jed and me, “I’m just going to step inside. Charlotte sent me a text saying they were almost here.”
“Ok,” I said sitting down across from the Detective who was seated at the patio table.
“Jed! Can you come inside for a minute?” My mom called out the door.
“Yes Ma’am,” Jed called back getting up. “I’ll be right back.”
Detective Cooper was very easy to talk to. It helped a lot that he already knew most of what was going on.
A few minutes later Jed came out carrying a tray of ice water and several slices of pizza. Handing me a glass of water, he offered a glass and plate of pizza to Detective Cooper.
“Thanks, don’t mind if I do. I haven’t had time to eat my dinner yet and that smells good.”
“Thanks Jed,” I said smiling.
“I just carried it out here. Your mom did all the work.”
“I know, but you carried it so well,” I teased.
Chuckling, Jed reached for a huge piece of pizza and took a big bite.
“Miss. Barton, please if you wouldn’t mind, I would like you to walk me through the time you woke up and what you overheard the men talking about again. I want to make absolutely sure that I have everything.”
It took probably thirty minutes to go over and over my story until Detective Cooper was satisfied. We had heard Charlotte and Ollie pull up about twenty minutes ago, and I was anxious to get back inside.
“That should do it. Thank you for your time,” he said getting up. “Please don’t hesitate to call me if you should remember anything else.
“I won’t. Thank you detective,” I said standing up.
“Can I have a word with you, Greyson?” Detective Cooper asked Jed.
“Of course, Detective,” Jed said following the detective towards his car.
Once they were out of earshot. Jed said, “Tell the Lieutenant that I will be in later tonight to turn in my report and talk to him. He’s on until eleven right?
“Yeah, I’ll let him know,” Coop said getting into his car and rolling the window down. “That girl of yours got lucky. I’d try to keep her and her nice family as far away from this as you could.”
“Thanks for the advice. That’s why it’s going to be a while, before I get back to the station. I’m going to go in there and try to talk some sense into them. The whole group of kids feel like its their mystery to solve. In a way, I guess it is.”
“I hear you. They just don’t know who their dealing with here. We don’t even know who we’re dealing with here.”
“I’ll let you know if I find anything else out,” Jed said, thumping the roof in goodbye as the detective started backing out of the driveway.
They both knew that kids, especially teenagers often knew a lot more than they let on, either intentionally, or unintentionally. They were usually a font of information.
Jed turned and headed back up the drive to the back patio where Nora was standing there watching as the Detective drove away.
“I was just going to head in to say hi to Charlotte and Ollie. Are you going to stay for a little bit?” I asked Jed hopefully, as he approached.
“Yeah, I’ll stay for a little bit,” Jed said holding open the door for me as we walked back into the house.
“Nora!” Charlotte exclaimed, jumping up from the couch and running over to give me a hug. “I am so glad you are alright. That was so scary. I’m so glad that awful man was caught.”
“Glad your ok,” Ollie said, coming over to stand by me. I could tell he wanted to hug me, but thought I might find it weird. So I took the initiative and gave him a little hug.
“I really am ok,” I said, taking a seat on the couch.
Charlotte and Ollie went back to their seats and Jed sat down next to me on the couch.
“I have a few things I would like to talk about first,” Jed said
We all looked at him expectantly; waiting to hear what he had to say.
“I think that this is getting too dangerous. I think we should consider letting the police handle it from now on,” he said looking at each of us, especially Kent.
We sat back, silent. I don’t think any of us expected him to suggest that.
“But Martin is finally caught,” Charlotte said. “Aren’t we out of danger? For the most part?”
“Yes and no,” Jed said, standing up to pace. “He seemed to have a thing out for Nora and me, so that threat was eliminated. But now we have the rest of the secret Order and its members. Have you filled them in on it Kent?”
At Kent’s nod, Jed continued. “Specifically the one who ordered the hits on the boys. Which we can assume was the Director. If not, then someone in the Elite Five.”
“This is our case,” Ollie protested. “We have made more progress than the police have,” he said, looking pointedly at Jed.
Jed looked down trying to hide a grin. “You’re right Oll, this group has done an excellent job.”
“Then I propose we vote. Those in favor of finishing this, raise your hand. Those scared of a bunch of people in black robes…I don’t know… just sit there or something,” Ollie said loudly, starting to get worked up about it.
Ollie raised his hand, and then I followed. I wanted to get these people. I was sick and tired of them running our lives. Looking around at the rest, I was relieved when Charlotte hesitantly raised her hand.
Kent, seeing the rest of us agree, raised his hand too. That left Jed who was shaking his head no.
I placed my hand on his as he paced by. He looked down at me and must have read the silent question in my expression because he turned around to face everyone and reluctantly said, “It’s against my better judgment, but I’m in.”
“Yes!” Ollie said pumping his fist in the air.
“Then let’s get down to business,” Jed said pulling up a chair from the dining room table and flipping it around to sit in it backwards. “We know that one of the Elite Five is probably Chris Norton from school. But, we need to prove it. Maybe he will talk if we can catch him buying papers from other students. He must be the student representative.”
“Gabby is going to be shocked. Imagine her boyfriend mixed up in all this. Do you think he’ll go to jail?” I asked everyone.
Kent and Ollie both turned to Jed, waiting for his answer.
“He’s buying term papers and re-selling them, that’s all we know for sure. That in itself isn’t illegal. As it stands, there are many factors that would have to be considered, before a charge was brought up against him,” Jed said.
“I say we set him up to buy one of our papers, probably one of yours Ollie. Do you think you could call your friend who has done it before and have him hook you up?” I asked Ollie.
“That’s a good idea. I’m curious as to where he would get the money to by one. How much does one of them go for anyway?” Jed said.
“My friend said he got a hundred bucks for a regular book report,” Ollie offered.
“Ok, not bad,” Jed said.
“Should I call my friend now?” Ollie asked, pulling out his phone.
“Sure, give it a try,” Jed said. “We might as well get started. We have to meet with the Mayor tomorrow night. I can’t wait to see what he has to say for himself.”<
br />
“Do you think he’s the Director?” I asked, while Ollie was on the phone.
Shaking his head Kent said,” No, the Director was small. Not as small as you Nora, but maybe more like Ollie’s size. I know the Mayor is bigger than that.”
“So where do you think the Mayor fits? One of the Elite Five?”
“Possibly,” Kent said. “One thing I did notice though, one of the Elite Five who walked by me smelled like cinnamon. I remember thinking that it seemed funny at the time.”
“That is weird,” Charlotte said. “Who smells like cinnamon? Not a common cologne fragrance.”
“Are you sure?” Jed asked seriously.
“I’m sure. I may not know the smell of any other spices, but that one I do,” Kent said.
“Thanks,” Jed nodded to Kent; as Ollie came back in the room with a smile on his face.
“We’re in luck. I don’t even have to pretend to sell one. My friend is meeting with the buyer tonight. He said I could come along. I figure you guys can hide or something.”
“Good work Ollie,” Jed said. “Where is the meeting taking place?”
“At the movie theater,” he said.
“Perfect. Who’s up for a movie?” Jed joked.
We all raised our hands.
“Ok, here’s the plan,” Jed said.
The movie theater was surprisingly full for a Thursday night. I recognized several people from school. Getting impatient, I looked over to where Kent and Charlotte were holding hands standing in line for the concession stand. They looked like every other teenage couple here on a date. Scanning the room, I searched again for Ollie and his friend. So far they hadn’t gotten here.
Jed and I were seated on a bench along the wall by the doors. Jed’s arm was around my shoulders and he kept leaning in close burying his face in my neck. “Relax,” he whispered.
“Jed,” I said excitedly. “There they are!”
He casually lifted his head and found Ollie and his friend coming through the main doors. “Ok, keep your eye out for Norton.”
I glanced over to where Kent and Charlotte were standing, sharing their popcorn and large pop that they had bought. Kent nodded, so that I knew he had seen Ollie.
I glanced at the clock. It was eight o’clock on the dot. As we watched Ollie and his friend walked over to the corner by the door on the opposite side from Jed and I. His friend discreetly set a manila envelope under the bench and then they walked away. The pick-up was scheduled for exactly eight. Chris should be here any minute, and then he would leave the money and take the envelope. A minute later Ollie’s friend would come back and get the money. His friend said that the person who leaves the money is always very quick and wears a hooded sweatshirt, so he has never seen who it is.
We kept our eyes trained on the envelope. I could sense Kent and Charlotte discreetly moving closer to the bench, while pretending there were so involved with each other, that they didn’t have any idea what was going on around them.
It was almost like clockwork. A guy dressed in black jeans and a dark hooded sweatshirt came through the doors and headed directly for the bench. Immediately, I glanced at the shoes. Yep. Same shoes Chris was wearing the other day, and the ones Kent saw at the meeting.
Kent made eye contact with Jed, who nodded as the suspect leaned down and grabbed the envelope and left one of his own. Standing up, we started walking over there, just as Charlotte let out a huge laugh and stumbled, dumping pop all over the his black sweatshirt.
Gasping, he exclaimed, “Hey! Watch it!”
“Chris?” I asked from behind him. I had been close enough to hear his voice. It was Chris. I acted surprised to see him.
“What are you doing here?” I asked. “Can I help you get cleaned up?”
Seeing that we all knew him, he reluctantly pushed his hood back and looked down at his wet clothes.
“Here, let me take that,” I said, grabbing the envelope out of his hands and blotting it with some napkins I had stuffed in my pocket for just this occasion.
“No!” he said reaching for it.
“That’s ok, I got it,” I told him hanging on for dear life.
“I am so sorry!” Charlotte gushed. “Can we get you a different sweatshirt? You have another in the car, don’t you Kent?”
“Of course,” Kent said, “It’s the least we can do. Come on.”
Kent slapped a hand on Chris’s back, steering him towards the door. Jed and I followed as we pushed a protesting Chris through the doors. As soon as we got outside, Jed’s friend Mike was there, waiting. At Jed’s nod, Mike came forward and said to Chris, “Hey buddy! I’ve been looking all over for you!” Then, leaning in close to Chris, said quietly, “If you don’t want to make a scene, you’ll come with me quietly. This is regarding your involvement with The Order.”
Chris paled, and looked over his shoulder at us as we acted like we didn’t know Mike. Nodding, Chris said to us, “I’ll just leave now with my friend. See you guys in class.”
“Bye, Chris,” I called out, as we headed back through the doors. I still had the envelope, and Jed went over to the bench and grabbed the other one. Unfortunately for Ollie’s friend, these were going to the police as evidence.
“Good work everyone,” Jed said as we all walked back to our cars. “I need to get going, but I’ll see you all tomorrow.” Pulling me toward him, he turned to Kent and said, “Now would be a good time to look away, Barton.”
I watched as Charlotte, catching Jed’s meaning, reached a hand up to Kent’s face and turned his head away from us. Then she leaned up and kissed a protesting Kent.
Jed took advantage of Kent’s distraction and grabbed me around the waist and kissed me. Not a little goodbye kiss, but a deep knee- shaking kiss. Man could he kiss! I sure was glad Charlotte was keeping Kent distracted, because I did not want this to end. I owed her one. Although from the view I had right before Jed leaned in, I’d say we were even.
Chapter 24
“I know, sir,” Jed said to Lieutenant Davis later that night. “I tried to get them to forget about investigating and just let the police handle it. They all voted to keep at it. I figured, it was better me with them than against them.”
“These are dangerous people,” Lieutenant Davis said.
“Yes, sir,” Jed said respectfully. “I will do everything in my power to keep everyone out of danger.”
“See that you do,” Lieutenant Davis said. “Have you broken it off with Miss Barton yet?”
“Um… actually no sir,” Jed said. “I know the policy, sir. But I would like a few days to wrap up the case. If that doesn’t happen, then I will break things off until this case is closed. Can I have your permission, sir?”
Trying to hide a grin, Lieutenant Davis said, “She’s got spunk, I’ll give you that. You have my permission to hold off for a few days. But don’t think I won’t be writing you up for it.”
“No sir,” Jed said.
“Good. Now about the two suspects you have managed to bring in. Vecelli has provided us with invaluable information. He doesn’t know much, but what he does, he has been more than happy to share, hoping for a reduced sentence. Mr. Norton however is still deciding if it would be better for him to answer all our questions about The Order. He is convinced that they will kill him if he talks. Even his parents don’t know anything about it.”
“He’s right though. According to Kent Barton, anyone who talks about The Order will be dealt with the Order's way. Kent has risked a lot by going undercover and talking to us about it.”
“We will provide him protection, should the need arise,” Lieutenant Davis promised.
“There is one other thing that I would like to discuss with you,” Jed told him. “Kent says that one of the members in the Elite Five smelled like cinnamon. This could be trouble, sir.”
“I was afraid of that. Let’s keep that just between you and me for a little while longer. I hate to think that we might be wrong. Before we do anything, let’s get som
e more facts.”
“Yes, sir,” Jed said.
Looking at his watch, Lieutenant Davis said, “Get home. My shift is almost over. We’ll touch base again on Saturday. I hope things start falling into place. Sheriff Miller gave you until Monday. Let’s hope I don’t have to start all over with someone else.”
Nodding, Jed said, “Good night sir.”
Time to get home. It had been a long day. It was hard to believe that it had been only today, that Martin and his friends attacked him in the cafeteria. His ripped clothes were a stark reminder of all that could have happened and very nearly did. Heading home, Jed’s head was filled with thoughts of Nora. Despite all his efforts to resist her, she was becoming part of Jed’s heart. He couldn’t picture his life without her in it. Shaking his head, he decided that an early ride in the morning on Saber was just what he needed to clear his head. If only it would be morning soon.
As we pulled up to school the next morning, I was so relieved to see Jed, Charlotte, Gabby and Ollie waiting for us next to Jed’s truck. Which was parked way out at the end of the parking lot away from other cars. He must have left his motorcycle at home today. I was not looking forward to walking into school after what happened yesterday. Our phones had not stopped ringing last night. If it wasn’t a newspaper or news station, trying to get a story, it was someone from school calling to get the ‘scoop’. Even people I didn’t really know.
Turning to Kent I asked, “Why are they waiting out in the parking lot for us?”
“Jed thought it would be better to have you surrounded by friends, when you walked into school. Sort of like body guards fielding the nosy people.”
My heart felt warm at the kind gesture. That was just what I needed. It would be nice to have my friends around me, walking me in.
As Kent parked next to Jed’s truck, Jed walked around the front of the car and pulled open my door. Grabbing my bag from the floor of the car, he held out his hand to help me out of the car. Giving him a look that made it clear he was going overboard, I took his hand. He really was sweet to want to make this as easy as he could for me. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings.
Undercover Justice Page 25
