by Matthew Cody
“Why would they do that?”
“I dunno. Maybe because they get a kick out of seeing what they’ve done.”
Mollie scanned the faces of tourists who were mouthing Hi, Mom at the television cameras and holding up rock-and-roll fingers.
“You think one of these losers did it?”
“No, not really,” said Daniel. “But keep your eyes open for anyone suspicious who doesn’t look like a sightseer. Maybe we’ll see Drake or one of his Nobles in the crowd.”
Mollie nodded and went back to studying the faces. After a few minutes of useless staring, Daniel was just about to suggest they leave for summer school when he heard a commotion nearby. A group of onlookers were complaining loudly as a long black limousine with darkened windows rolled past them, obscuring their view and forcing several to leap out of the way.
The car came to a stop and out stepped two of the largest men Daniel had ever seen. Though both were conservatively dressed in neat suits and ties, they didn’t look like any kind of businessmen. As they turned to scan the crowd, Daniel saw that one had a neck tattoo of a dragon that crept all the way up the back of his pale, shaved head. The other had dreadlocks tied into a tight ponytail, and he wore more rings in his ears, nose, and eyebrows than Daniel could count. Both men were so huge that their expensive suit coats looked ready to split against their broad chests.
They scanned the area for a few moments before walking to the back of the limo. Some of the tourists who’d nearly been run over stomped up to the limo, but when they caught sight of the two bruisers, they walked right on by.
The dreadlocked one kept an eye on the crowd as the man with the neck tattoo opened the back door of the car.
Out stepped a ghost. Daniel almost didn’t recognize him at first. Gone were the sagging patchwork sweaters and dusty glasses Daniel had grown accustomed to. He used to think the old man looked like a turtle when he was playing the part of the aged artist, but when he dropped that disguise, he reminded Daniel more of a snake. Now, as the man stepped out of the dark recesses of the limousine, Daniel was reminded of an old silent movie he’d once watched with his dad called Nosferatu. The villain of the film, a thin black-clad vampire, had given Daniel nightmares for years. But that blood-sucking monster was nothing compared to this old man.
Herman Plunkett wore a long black coat that reached almost to his ankles, and despite the late-summer heat, he was bundled up to his chin in a dark silk scarf. The glasses he wore on his shriveled, liver-spotted face were thinner than his old plastic bottle frames, and these new ones had shaded lenses to hide his small, mean eyes. Though he stood taller than he had when he’d been playing the role of harmless invalid, he leaned heavily on a sturdy cane that he hadn’t needed the last time Daniel had seen him.
Not that Daniel should have been surprised. He knew Herman well enough to realize that the oily villain would never stop popping up. The Shroud was gone forever, but Daniel had no illusions that that meant they were safe from Herman Plunkett. Daniel had destroyed Herman’s Witch Fire pendant, and with it all of the man’s Shroud powers. But he was still dangerous, and always would be.
What was surprising, however, was seeing Plunkett out in the open like this. For years he had stayed hidden, choosing to strike from the shadows. He’d never been one to flaunt his wealth or power.
The bitter scowl on Plunkett’s face as he eyed the crowd was matched only by the venom in Mollie’s voice as she spoke to Daniel. “What’s he doing here?” she said. “I thought he was locked up in the loony bin.”
“It looks like he got better,” said Daniel as he took a deep breath. He closed his eyes and forced himself to relax. He didn’t want to give Herman the satisfaction of catching him off guard when he finally spotted them standing there.
“Ah!” croaked the familiar voice, one that sounded like a strangled bark. “Daniel Corrigan and Mollie Lee. Fancy meeting you here.”
Plunkett was walking toward them, flanked by his two giant bodyguards. He was moving slower than usual, and really was leaning on that cane. From appearances he wouldn’t be able to get around without it. But with Herman, appearances were always deceiving.
Mollie grabbed Daniel’s hand and gave it a squeeze for reassurance. He didn’t let it go.
“I hadn’t expected to see you two here,” said Herman. “But I’m glad nonetheless.”
“We don’t have anything to say to you,” said Daniel. Bantering with the old man was pointless and sometimes dangerous.
Plunkett sighed heavily and peered down at them over the rims of his dark glasses. “I understand,” he said slowly. Then, to Daniel’s surprise, he turned and began hobbling away.
“Daniel was just saying how criminals like to visit the scene of the crime,” said Mollie. “So fancy meeting you here too.” Daniel gave her hand a warning squeeze. Didn’t he just tell Herman they had nothing to say?
Plunkett stopped. “So you think this is my handiwork, then? That I’ve taken up vandalizing schools?”
“I wouldn’t put anything past you,” she said, and pulled her hand away from Daniel’s. He should’ve known not to try to quiet Mollie.
“And what about you, Daniel?” said Plunkett. “What do you think?”
Daniel thought for a minute. “Not your style,” he said.
Plunkett nodded.
“And you couldn’t have,” added Daniel. “You don’t have the power anymore.”
“Yes, you saw to that,” said Plunkett quickly.
He took a halting step toward them, and nearly lost his footing. The man with the neck tattoo offered him a steadying hand.
“Thank you, Lawrence,” he said.
Lawrence? The thug with the dragon crawling up his neck was named Lawrence?
“Would you believe me,” said Plunkett, “if I told you that I really am glad to see you? That I’ve been both looking forward to this day and, to be perfectly frank, dreading it a little too.”
“Would I believe you?” asked Daniel. “If I had any idea what you were talking about, no. I wouldn’t believe you.”
“Understandable,” said Herman. “But still, I want you to know that my months at Mountain View, that time alone with my thoughts and … regrets, have changed me. For the better, I hope.”
“He’s weirding me out,” whispered Mollie, but Daniel shushed her.
“I’m an old man, kids,” said Plunkett. “And without the power of the Witch Fire pendant, I am finally looking at the inevitable—I will die soon. This cold, hard truth makes a man evaluate his life, the things he’s done.… I told you once, Daniel, that all I ever wanted was to keep this town safe. But I, ah, may have lost sight of that somewhere along the way.”
“Wait a minute,” said Mollie. “Are you actually trying to apologize?”
“Would you believe it?” asked Herman. “Could you believe it? Could you find it in your hearts to at least accept the possibility that I’ve seen how wrong I’ve been all these years? That an old man’s dying wish might at last be forgiveness?”
Mollie glanced at Daniel, confused, but Daniel kept his eyes on Herman. He couldn’t say for sure, but from here it looked like those glassy eyes of his were wet with tears behind his shades. He was the picture of a broken old man, his walking stick quivering beneath the weight of his regret.
“Could I believe it?” asked Daniel, and now he summoned up his courage and took a step closer, ignoring Mollie’s whispered warning not to. “No, Herman,” he said. “I couldn’t believe it. See, I did learn one thing from you—the difference between the truth and a lie.”
Plunkett’s pleading expression, the eyes brimming with tears—in a nanosecond they were gone, replaced by a sneering smile. “Well, at least our time together wasn’t a totally wasted effort,” said Herman as the mask of sadness slipped away from his face and his expression turned menacing. He shook off Lawrence’s hand and took another step toward Daniel, but Daniel didn’t retreat. The two old enemies were finally face to face, all pretense aband
oned.
“The truth is,” said Plunkett, softly enough to ensure only the three of them could hear, “I’d have Lawrence here tie the two of you up and drown you in the river like a sack of puppies before apologizing. I wasted everything on you, Daniel. I was foolish enough to think you’d see the truth of this place, the danger these children posed, but instead you’ve given us this.”
Herman pulled back and swept his arm out toward the ruined school.
“Are you saying that’s my fault?” asked Daniel, incredulous.
“Boy, this is just the beginning,” said Herman, his voice rising again. “All that power in such young hands. Now unchecked, uncontrolled. A danger to us all!”
“You’re lying,” said Daniel. “Just more lies.”
“Not this time,” said Herman. “I thought you said you’d learned to tell the difference.”
Plunkett turned his back on the two of them. “Come on, Lawrence. Let’s go survey the damage. No doubt the school will come calling for someone to pick up the bill.”
Then Lawrence with the neck tattoo helped Plunkett make his way toward the crime scene, while his dreadlocked partner cleared the way of onlookers, roughly and without so much as an excuse me.
Chapter Nine
A Super Crime Spree
“ ‘A Super Crime Spree,’ ” said Eric, reading from today’s edition of the Noble Herald. “ ‘Deputy Gordon Lewis, new of the Noble’s Green Sheriff’s Department, came out of the popular local eatery Sam’s Diner on Saturday evening to find his patrol car missing. “I have to admit it was pretty embarrassing calling in a missing vehicle report on my own cruiser,” said Deputy Lewis. “But it wasn’t half as embarrassing as where we found it!’ ”
“ ‘It wasn’t until seven hours later that the missing patrol car was found by Mrs. Ruth Rogers, of Briarwood. “I was out walking our Pomeranian Chow-Chow when I heard this ginormous splash from the backyard. Chow-Chow starts barking like mad and by the time I peek around the side of the house, all I can see are the flashing lights of that police car as it sinks into the Johnstons’ pool. They are out of town like they always are in the summer, but I just know they will be heartbroken when they hear the news. They loved that pool, and Lord only knows what kind of shape it’ll be in when they finally manage to get that car out. Wedged tight, I hear.” ’ ”
Eric looked up and shook his head. “This is what you wanted us to read? It’s crazy.”
“Just keep going,” said Daniel. “Skip to the bottom.”
“ ‘In an effort to combat the recent rash of criminal activity,’ ” Eric continued, “ ‘the City Council has voted in a new mandatory curfew for minors within the town limits. All minors are expected to be indoors or in the company of an adult by seven p.m. on weekdays and seven-thirty on weekends.’ ”
This time Mollie interrupted him. “Of course, they just assume minors are behind it all.”
“You think they’re wrong?” asked Daniel.
“No,” admitted Mollie begrudgingly. “We all know who’s behind it.”
“Then let him keep reading. Get to the part about the academy.”
“Let’s see, here we go.… ‘Mandy Starr, spokesperson for the Noble Academy for the Gifted, said that the school is responding to these latest incidents by making an effort to increase enrollment. “It’s our belief that the best way to combat super-crime is a Super-education,” said Ms. Starr. “The academy’s expertly designed courses in ethics and civics are the best way to address the needs of our town’s special youth population. And thanks to a generous donation from Plunkett Industries, we’re happy to announce that all academy students will now be able to attend tuition-free while also earning an additional monthly stipend to assist their special needs and those of their families. All eligible families are encouraged to take advantage of our school’s uniquely structured education model. Enrollment is ongoing, so it’s never too late to apply.” ’ ”
Eric tossed the paper aside. “Long-winded, don’t you think?”
“ ‘Uniquely structured education model’?” said Michael. “What’s that mean?”
“It means,” answered Rohan, “they want to keep us out of trouble, and the school is willing to pay our families off with money to do so.”
“All right,” said Eric. “So those are the facts. At this point, I suppose we can officially call this meeting to order. First up on the agenda—now that Noble’s Green has gone from the Safest Town on Earth to Crime Alley—what the heck are we going to do about it?”
Since the tree fort was still being rebuilt, Daniel’s bedroom seemed as good a place as any to have this meeting. It wasn’t the same, cramming a group of super-kids into his room where his mom or Georgie could interrupt them at any minute. Daniel had never really recognized the true value of secret bases until now—they were little-brother–proof.
Something else had changed besides the location, and nothing demonstrated this more than who’d actually shown up for the meeting. Eric and Rohan were here, of course. Mollie and Michael. But Simon, whom no one had seen all summer, had refused the summons, and so had Louisa and Rose. Rose, only seven, wouldn’t come without her sister, and Louisa had sent Mollie a message saying she had the flu. But Daniel thought he knew better. He’d been avoiding Louisa and now she was returning the favor. How had things gotten so complicated between them when they hadn’t even talked in months?
But maybe that was the problem. They hadn’t talked, which was mostly Daniel’s fault.
“Well, unfortunately,” said Daniel, trying to focus on the problem at hand, “ever since the high school was attacked, the town has been scared out of its wits. All these weird burglaries and stuff are just making it worse. The Supers have gone from tourist attraction to public hazard.”
“I heard that there was a protest scheduled this week near town hall,” said Rohan. “And the mayor’s office has been flooded with calls and emails demanding he do something more. I guess sending everyone off to the academy is something more.”
“What?” asked Mollie. “You’re not defending them, are you?”
“No,” said Rohan, calmly adjusting his glasses.
“I think Rohan’s got a point,” said Michael. “It’s good to remember how we got here.”
“I know how we got here,” said Mollie. “Drake and his Nobles.”
“We just need to catch them in the act,” said Daniel. “Which has not been easy.”
“They must have some really super-speeders in their group,” said Mollie. “These crimes happen so fast and there are never any witnesses.”
“Maybe that Hunter kid can go invisible like Rose,” suggested Michael.
“Problem is, we don’t know what he can do,” said Daniel. “We don’t really have enough intel on any of them. They spend all their time at the academy—when they’re not tearing up the town, that is.”
“Rohan and I have been thinking about that,” said Eric. “And, well, no offense, but it looks kind of like you and Mollie have run out of leads.”
Mollie started to argue, but Daniel waved her down. Eric was right. Daniel and Mollie had a wall of suspects but absolutely no evidence to connect them to even a single crime.
“What do you guys suggest?” asked Daniel.
“Now, hear us out,” said Eric. “And don’t say it’s a stupid idea until you’ve had some time to think about it.”
“Eric and I are enrolling at the academy,” said Rohan.
“Wow,” said Mollie after a moment. “I won’t say that’s a stupid idea because stupid is not a strong enough word for it.”
“You see,” said Eric, ignoring Mollie, “the way we figure it, there’s no way to prove that these Nobles kids are behind the attacks unless we catch them doing something. But if we could get close enough, someone with super-hearing might eventually overhear them planning another attack. Or catch them bragging about one of the attacks that already happened. It’s like you said, Daniel, we don’t have enough intel.”
“And it’s not like we are going to stay. Once we get something on Drake and his friends, we’ll quit and come back to school with you guys,” said Rohan.
“Not if they stick you in some lab and brainwash you,” said Mollie.
“Oh, not that black-helicopter stuff again, Mol,” said Rohan. “Honestly …”
“You know what?” said Mollie. “Forget it. You obviously don’t have a brain to wash.”
“Will you two knock it off!” said Daniel, raising his voice and throwing up his hands. Sometimes having Rohan and Mollie in the same room was enough to make him wish he had just one superpower—the power to shut people up.
“I’ll admit it’s not a terrible plan,” said Daniel. “But even though I’m not as freaked out by it as Mollie is, something about that place simply doesn’t feel right. Look at their response to this crime wave—they use it as a recruitment tool. Creepy.”
“Why just the two of you?” asked Michael. “I could come too.”
“Spy work isn’t teamwork,” said Eric. “Two is already pushing it, but Rohan’s the perfect fit for this kind of mission, and I’ll be there to watch his back starting Monday.”
“Wait a minute,” said Daniel. “Starting Monday?”
“We already registered,” said Rohan. “We didn’t want to waste any more time.”
“Stupid,” said Mollie. “Beyond stupid.”
“I have to agree with Mollie on this one,” said Michael. “Why didn’t you guys tell us before you decided to do something this crazy?”
“Because we didn’t want you all trying to talk us out of it!” said Eric. “It’s a good plan, and if Daniel was the one to suggest it, you’d all be, like, Great idea! and Why didn’t we think of that?”
“He’s right,” said Daniel. “I don’t see any other choice.”
Mollie and Michael looked surprised, but the truth was that they couldn’t be more surprised that Daniel was agreeing with Eric than Daniel was. But this time his friend had a point. Some of Daniel’s plans in the past had been far crazier than this one, and yet no one had questioned him.