As the Phantom finished his warning to Principal Funkmeyer, the lights were abruptly restored within the auditorium, and there was a loud thwunk as the doors came unlocked. At once, it seemed all the hundreds of students began to talk with excitement, rising from their seats and quickly heading for the exits. The atmosphere was not quite one of chaos, but it was close.
“Please, remain calm, and proceed in an orderly fashion!” Principal Funkmeyer shouted, though his words were undoubtedly missed by many of the children, distracted as they were.
The teachers all pitched in, doing their best to maintain order as everybody hurriedly piled for the exits. Considering what they had just been through, the students were very well behaved, and though they were loud and talkative, there was no pushing or shoving.
In short order, the auditorium had been evacuated, and the entire student body was meandering through the hallways of the school. The teachers were ordering them to return to their classrooms, but the children were taking their time getting there, for they were over-stimulated and distracted by what had just occurred in the auditorium.
Maria and Sara slowly made their way through the hallway, walking side by side. They were surrounded by their fellow students, and they were pressed elbow to elbow. All around them, they heard their classmates chattering to each other with excitement, trying to figure out what had just happened. The sisters had their own theory.
“I’m convinced this must be the handiwork of Ebenezer and Jasper,” Sara said.
“I was thinking the same thing,” Maria agreed. “It’s like you said earlier… they’ve been missing for a few days, but that doesn’t mean anything. They were never found, so they could have easily been lying low for a little while... and then? Bam! They spring forward with yet another nefarious, harebrained scheme! Those boneheads are utterly relentless.”
“But what could the purpose of this ‘Phantom’ business be? What on earth could they be up to? Why bother with all the dramatics?” Sara asked, narrowing her eyes as she attempted to puzzle through the dilemma.
“Who knows? We’re dealing with first-rate doorknobs here. It’s probably pointless to try to apply logic to their plans. You saw how poorly their last plan went. And like you pointed out, Ebenezer loves his showmanship.”
“I suppose you’re right. But still...” Sara said. “Something’s just not right about this. I know we’re on the right track, but I just can’t quite add everything up yet.”
“Girls!” a deep voice called from behind them.
The sisters recognized the voice at once, for it was their father. They turned and saw him making his way toward them, doing his best to squeeze through the hordes of students in the hallways.
“Dad! What are you doing here?” Sara asked.
The girls embraced their father in a hug. Known in the community as Chief Fresco, he was the lawman of Hollow Oak. He was currently on duty, so he was dressed in his light brown police uniform, with a gold star affixed to one of the breast pockets of his shirt.
A heavy utility belt with all manner of doodads and gizmos was around his waist, and a wide brimmed hat sat atop his head. Chief Fresco was a tall man with a trim, athletic build, and he had an easygoing nature that endeared him to the people of the town he protected.
“Principal Funkmeyer called me as soon as you were released from the auditorium, and I zipped right over,” he explained. He held his daughters tightly. “Are you okay?”
“Yup... just... ease up a little, Dad, we can’t breathe!” Sara gasped.
“Oh, uh... sure, sorry about that,” Chief Fresco said sheepishly, releasing the girls from the embrace of his powerful arms. “I guess I’ve just been a little stressed out about your safety, ever since what happened at the museum.”
“We’re fine, Dad. It was just a maniac with some fireworks. He was a pretty decent magician, actually, I’ll give him that. But how did you get here so quickly? We just got out of the auditorium!” Maria exclaimed.
“Well, the truth is, I’ve made some minor adjustments to my patrols. When I’m driving around town, I always make sure to stay in the vicinity of the school, so I can get here super quick, if need be,” Chief Fresco explained.
The sisters exchanged an amused look with one another, and then burst into chuckles.
“Dad, you’re embarrassing us! You don’t need to make exceptions to your patrol routes just for the sake of staying close. Don’t you realize by now we can handle ourselves?” Sara asked.
“We’ve been through some pretty crazy stuff, and it barely even fazed us,” Maria pointed out.
“I know, I know, it’s just... I worry, I guess. After what happened at that museum...” Chief Fresco trailed off.
Though their father had come to the school to comfort them, the girls realized they were the ones who needed to be providing the consolation. Both of them once more hugged their dad, bringing a grin to his face.
“No need to worry about us, Dad,” Sara assured him. “But thanks for coming so fast. Are you going to catch the Phantom?”
“The who?”
“The ‘Phantom of the Auditorium’. That’s what this nutcase is calling himself,” Maria explained.
“You’re darned right, I’m going to catch him,” Chief Fresco said. His face grew stern, and his eyes became steely. “There’s no way I’m going to let anybody get away with a stunt like this. Not in my town, and not in my kids’ school.”
“Dad, listen. We think Jasper might be behind this,” Sara said.
“Jasper? That lout’s been missing since the museum collapsed on top of him. Do you really think he could be involved?” Chief Fresco asked.
“We don’t know for sure, but it sure seems like the kind of mischief he’s gotten up to lately,” Maria said.
Sara continued explaining, “And he’s very possessive of the school. He thinks of this place as his school, rather than belonging to the students. Nobody spends more time here than Jasper, and I’m sure he knows the place inside and out. If there actually was a way somebody could have been hiding ‘behind the walls and among the rafters’ - that’s the way the Phantom phrased it, anyway - it would have to be our local, lunatic janitor.”
“Hmm... I see,” Chief Fresco said, rubbing at his square jaw as he pondered his daughters’ words. “Well, whoever it is, they won’t escape the law. I’ll have this culprit in handcuffs by the end of the day, mark my words.”
“What’s the plan, Dad?” Maria asked.
“The plan is for the two of you to return to class, finish up the school day, and then head off to baseball practice, the same as usual,” Chief Fresco said.
“What? What kind of a plan is that? We’re talking about the plan for catching the Phantom,” Sara said.
“There’s a specter among the rafters, in need of apprehension, Dad!” Maria added.
“Leave that to me. You two are not to place yourselves in danger,” the chief said firmly.
Sara looked her father directly in the eyes and spoke with great intensity. “Dad… you need to listen to us, we can help you. You might need us.”
Chief Fresco put one hand on a shoulder of each of his daughters. “You don’t need to convince me of that, girls. I know you could help! But listen, this is my job. Your job is to just be kids - can you do that for me?” He smiled down at them. “It would mean a lot to your Dad.”
Sara and Maria exchanged a glance with one another, and they knew this was a debate they would not win, no matter the merit of their points. With immense reluctance, they nodded their heads, agreeing to their father’s request.
Chapter Seven
The Hunt Begins
The Green Beans, Volume 5: The Phantom of the Auditorium Page 6
