Catch Us If You Can (9780545539487)

by Mclean, Hope

  “Did you see that?” Jasmine asked Erin and Willow. “Lili’s grandmother just took her away.”

  “Oh no! Do you think she knows what we’re doing?” Erin asked nervously.

  “If she did, she would probably have come for all of us, right?” Willow asked, but she didn’t sound sure.

  Jasmine started to frantically pace back and forth. “There’s no way we can do this now. We should get out of here!”

  “We don’t have to,” Erin said. “I’ll take Lili’s place. I can make a really good commotion.”

  “Then who will watch Willow’s back?” Jasmine asked.

  “She doesn’t need anyone. She’s fast,” Erin replied.

  Both girls looked at Willow, who glanced at the necklace inside the display, calculating.

  “Should be easy,” Willow said. “Let’s stick to the plan.”

  Erin and Lili headed back to the Sarah Polk display. Lili had left her sketchbook on the bench, so Erin sat down and picked it up. Then she looked at Jasmine, alarmed.

  “What is it?” Jasmine hissed.

  “I forgot something,” Erin said. “I can’t draw.”

  “Then just pretend or something,” Jasmine urged. “Or maybe it’s a sign. Maybe we should just forget about the whole thing.”

  “No, no, I got this!” Erin said confidently. She picked up the pencil and began to move it around the paper. “Just give me a signal when the camera’s pointing away from Martha Washington.”

  “What kind of signal?” Jasmine asked.

  Erin looked thoughtful. “Um, how about a peace sign?” she asked, holding up two fingers.

  Jasmine nodded. “Okay. Peace sign.”

  Jasmine nervously paced back and forth, eyeing the video camera. The first time it swung away from the Martha dress, Jasmine almost made the peace sign, but then she noticed that the security guard was all the way down the hall, near Willow.

  I’ll just wait until he comes closer this way, she reasoned. Her palms were starting to sweat, and she rubbed her hands on her leggings. When they had first hatched this plan, she thought she had the easiest job. But now it seemed like the most important. If she didn’t time things just right, they could be in big trouble.

  Erin shot a questioning glance at her, but Jasmine just shook her head and kept pacing. The security guard was moving now, slowly making his way down the room. She looked up to see where the camera was, and … saw a woman with upswept hair wearing an elegant suit walking up the staircase to the third floor.

  Principal Frederickson? But it couldn’t be! They couldn’t go through with the plan! Not now! Panicked, Jasmine spun around to run and tell Erin, and tripped over the lace of her left boot.

  The fall seemed to happen in slow motion. She got that sick feeling in her stomach at the moment when she realized she couldn’t steady herself and was definitely going down. Her arms flailed wildly to find something to hold on to, but there was nothing. She fell facedown into the Sarah Polk dress!

  Whoo-ee! Whoo-ee! Whoo-ee! The shrill alarm pierced the air. Erin tossed the pencil and sketchbook to the floor and raced up to the display.

  “Help! Help! Help!” she yelled as loud as she could. “I think she’s hurt!”

  Everyone at the exhibit turned to look at the Sarah Polk display, and that’s when Willow made her move. When she was sure no one was looking, she quickly vaulted over the knee-high barrier in front of the Martha Washington display and grabbed the necklace off the pedestal. Then she leaped back out. Willow stood there for a second, not really believing that she held the ruby in her hand. She had done it!

  Then she felt a tap on her shoulder.

  “Hand it over,” a muffled voice said.

  Willow spun around to see the security guard with the bushy mustache in front of her. Her heart nearly jumped from her chest. She was caught!

  With a trembling hand, she placed the ruby into the man’s outstretched palm. A strange thought entered her mind.

  For an old man, his hands are very small and smooth.

  She looked back up at the guard’s face and he tipped his hat back, revealing an equally smooth forehead and two young brown eyes. He winked, and at that moment Willow recognized him.

  “Aaron Santiago!” she cried, stunned.

  The Rivals member quickly tucked the ruby necklace into his pocket, put another ruby necklace on the platform, and then hurried away.

  It took a few seconds for Willow to process what had happened. She had taken the necklace. Aaron had taken it from her. And now he was getting away.

  She raced down the exhibit, where she found two real security guards helping Jasmine get to her feet.

  “Are you sure you’re okay, young lady?” one of the men asked her. “We could take you to our first aid center.”

  “No, no, I’m fine,” Jasmine insisted. “My mom’s here. I’ll just go find her.”

  Erin caught Willow’s eye, and Willow motioned for them to hurry up. Erin grabbed Jasmine’s arm.

  “Yes, actually, her mom is probably looking for us,” Erin said, pulling Jasmine away. “Thanks, officers.”

  The security guards shrugged at each other and the girls walked off.

  “So, did you get it?” Erin hissed to Willow.

  “I did,” Willow replied. “But then Aaron Santiago got it. We have to go after him!”

  Willow took off running, and Jasmine and Erin exchanged puzzled glances before following her.

  “That’s him, in the security guard uniform,” Willow said, pointing to Aaron as he ran down the stairs. “He’s probably headed for the exit that goes right out to the National Mall.”

  They bolted down the stairs after him, but Aaron had gotten a good head start. At the bottom of the stairs, they saw him bump into a girl with short blond hair before turning left toward the America on the Move exhibit.

  “That’s Isabel!” Jasmine realized. “Aaron must have given her the necklace!”

  By the time they reached the bottom of the stairs, Isabel was hurrying down the next staircase to the first floor. They saw Ryan waiting at the bottom for her, and she bumped into him before making a sharp right turn, the same way Aaron had.

  By now the girls had almost caught up. Ryan made his way across the crowded first floor, and Willow reached out to grab him just as he made it to the exit.

  “Girls! What are you doing?”

  Willow froze. Jasmine’s mom walked up to them with Lili at her side.

  “I found Lili in the museum store with her grandmother, and we were just going upstairs to find you, but then I saw you heading outside. You know better than to leave the museum without me,” she said, with a stern look at Jasmine.

  “We just needed some … air,” Erin explained. “We weren’t going anywhere.”

  Mrs. Johnson shook her head. “Honestly, I expected more from you girls. You’re in sixth grade now.”

  Next to Mrs. Johnson, Lili gave Erin a curious look: Did you get it? Erin shook her head slowly. Jasmine looked like she might cry, and Willow’s fists were curled tightly as she gazed out the exit onto Constitution Avenue. Ryan was nowhere in sight.

  The Rivals had won — again.

  On the car ride back to Hallytown, the girls frantically texted one another.

  What happened? typed Lili.

  We all need to talk. Library after dinner? Willow replied. The girls often met at the Hallytown Library to do homework together.

  In the driver’s seat, Mrs. Johnson shook her head. “Are you girls really texting one another when you could just be talking? Honestly, I don’t understand this generation sometimes.”

  “We’re just taking notes from the museum, Mom,” Jasmine said quickly. “Hey, is it okay if I go to the library tonight to do homework? We’re all meeting there.”

  “Of course. It’s nice to see how you girls support one another,” her mother answered.

  Willow, Lili, and Erin texted their parents and got permission. A few hours later, they met at a small table in the
Hallytown Library, the one hidden behind the reference section. Lili had brought Eli with her. After all his help, he was definitely an honorary Jewel team member now.

  “So, first of all, Lili, what happened with you and your grandmother?” Willow whispered as the friends huddled around the table.

  “She dragged me to the gift shop with her,” Lili said. “So, did you guys dump the plan?”

  Erin shook her head. “No, I took your place. I was waiting for a signal from Jasmine, but she tripped into the Sarah Polk display instead.”

  “It was an accident!” Jasmine insisted. “I saw Principal Frederickson on the stairs, I swear.”

  Willow shook her head. “Wait. Are you sure? Maybe you just thought it was her.”

  Jasmine sighed. “I … I think so. But I guess it doesn’t matter now. I messed up.”

  “You totally did not!” Erin told her. “You made a great commotion. It worked just like we planned. Willow was able to get the necklace.”

  “And then a security guard asked me to hand it over,” Willow said. “But it wasn’t really a security guard. It was Aaron Santiago from the Rivals! He put the reproduction back in the display and ran off, and as you guys know, I couldn’t catch him.”

  Erin almost jumped out of her seat at the news. “Aaron disguised as a security guard?” she asked, surprised. “I hate to admit it, but the Rivals have got it together. And we thought our plan was good.”

  “How could they do all this without help?” Lili asked. “I think Willow was right. Arthur Atkinson must be helping them.”

  Eli thoughtfully tapped a pen on the table. “Either way, those Rivals kids are pretty smart. You created a distraction for them, and they used it to get the necklace. And since they put back the reproduction, the museum has nothing to investigate. Nice.”

  Willow looked angry. “I can’t believe I handed it right over to them.”

  “I would have done the same thing,” Jasmine assured her. “He really did look like that security guard.”

  “So what now?” Lili asked. “We know they have the necklace. Can’t we try to get it back or something?”

  “Isabel’s probably sleeping with it under her pillow,” Erin said. “But there’s no way we can get the police to search the Rivals’ houses again. Not after last time.”

  “So we just give up?” Erin asked.

  “And don’t forget the formal apology,” Jasmine said glumly.

  Willow checked the time on her phone. “We’d better do some homework. There’s nothing else we can do now, anyway.”

  There was a sound of shuffling papers as the girls and Eli took books and binders out of their backpacks. Erin groaned and put a small stack of old books on the table.

  “I need to take these Martha Washington books back to the school library,” she said. “They’re heavy.”

  “But they look so delicate,” Lili said, picking up the first book on the stack. “Like they could crumble apart.”

  She started flipping through the book. “Did you actually read all this? It’s like a million words, and the type is so small!”

  “Well, not all of it,” Erin admitted. As she took the book back from her, a weathered piece of paper fluttered down and landed on the tabletop.

  “That looks old,” Jasmine remarked.

  Erin carefully picked it up. “It is old,” she said, her eyes wide. “Guys, this is a letter from Martha Washington!”

  “No way!” Lili cried, looking over Erin’s shoulder.

  Willow, Eli, and Jasmine all moved closer to Erin to look at the letter.

  Dear Abigail,

  It is with great trepidation that I write to you about the four jewels in my possession. At present they are safe, but I believe there are those who know of their significance. The ruby, the diamond, the emerald, and the sapphire are unmatched in beauty, but together … I need not tell you what they mean. I have placed the ruby in a necklace and have found a trustworthy jeweler to set the remaining jewels as well. They shall be well hidden.

  Your friend,

  Martha

  “How can we be sure it’s from Martha Washington?” Willow asked.

  Erin flipped through the book. “See? This photo shows one of her other letters. The handwriting is the same. It’s got to be her! I’m totally getting a Martha Washington vibe.”

  “And who’s Abigail?” Lili asked.

  “Maybe Abigail Adams,” Erin guessed. “She was another first lady. She was married to John Adams. She and Martha might have been friends before independence — before George became the first president and John the first vice president?”

  “The ruby, the diamond, the emerald, and the sapphire,” Jasmine repeated.

  Lili giggled. “Those early first ladies had some serious bling going on!”

  “But it didn’t sound like Martha was talking about making a fashion statement,” Willow pointed out. “She said she was writing with ‘great trepidation.’ ‘Trepidation’ means ‘fear.’”

  “Uh, hello!” Erin rolled her eyes. “We know that. We’re on the quiz bowl team with you, remember? But what was she afraid of? Someone stealing the jewels? The British army?”

  “I guess if the British army stole them they could sell them and help fund the war,” Willow suggested.

  “But she was worried about them being found together,” Jasmine said, thoughtfully. “Wait a second. Do you think she means our ruby?”

  “I think so,” Willow said. “And if Martha was afraid of the jewels being found together, it makes sense that the ruby was part of something bigger, right? Something important?”

  Erin nodded. “It certainly sounds like it. So then, where are the other three jewels? And what happens when all four of them are together?”

  “I don’t know,” Willow said. “But I have a feeling that the Rivals might. I thought the ruby theft was just for money, but now I’m not sure.”

  Everyone was quiet for a moment, until Lili cried out dramatically, “So that means the Rivals will strike again!”

  “Unless they already have the other jewels,” Eli said. “But if they don’t, you could get them first.”

  Jasmine smiled. “I like that idea.”

  “Forget about the Rivals,” Erin said. “This could be the historical discovery of the century!”

  “And while we’re at it we can beat the Rivals at their own game — whatever that is, exactly,” Lili added.

  “Don’t forget,” Willow reminded them, “we’ve got to beat them in quiz bowl, too.”

  Erin frowned. “So let me get this straight. We not only have to become quiz bowl champs, but we’ve got to put a stop to a bunch of sixth-grade jewel thieves?” A grin slowly spread across her face. “Let’s show those Rivals they can’t push us around. We’ll wipe the floor with them. I’m in!”

  Willow smiled and held out her arm. Erin, Jasmine, and Lili each reached out and put a hand on top of hers.

  “Come on, Eli,” Erin said. “You’re part of this, too.”

  Eli shrugged and put his hand on top of the pile. Then they all gave a cheer in their best library whisper.

  “Goooooo Jewels!”

  The student art show crowds cleared out, and the Jewels stayed behind to help Mrs. Higashida and Mrs. Takahashi clean up. Erin pushed a broom around the refreshments room.

  “I think most of those crumbs are yours.” Willow laughed.

  Erin grinned. “Pretty likely.”

  “Thanks again, girls,” Mrs. Higashida said after they were done. “Ready to go? I’ll bring the van around to the front.”

  While Lili’s mom and grandmother walked to the parking lot, the girls put on their jackets. Lili’s, as always, stood out. This time it was a bright teal sweater coat with crocheted multicolored sleeves she had sewn on.

  As she slipped her hands into the pockets, Lili felt something odd.

  “What’s this?” she said as she pulled out a folded piece of yellow, lined notebook paper. Lili unfolded the paper and read it, then gas
ped.

  “What does it say?” Willow asked.

  Lili read the note out loud. “It says ‘Forget about the ruby. It’s the diamond you need to worry about now. Watch the Rivals in NYC. It’s up to you to keep the diamond safe and out of their hands.’”

  Jasmine’s green eyes narrowed. “It sounds like the Rivals are planning to strike again.”

  Willow nodded. “And this time, we’re going to stop them!”

  Copyright © 2013 by Pure West Productions, Inc., and Katherine Noll.

  All rights reserved. Published by Scholastic Inc. SCHOLASTIC,

  SCHOLASTIC PAPERBACKS, and associated logos are trademarks

  and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc.

  This edition first printing, June 2013

  Cover art by Tatevik Avakyan

  Cover design by Natalie C. Sousa

  ISBN: 978-0-545-53948-7

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