Monday morning, the noise in the auditorium rose to such a crescendo I couldn’t hear myself think. We were in lockdown, and the police dogs had been brought in. Last time this happened, everyone knew about it an hour before the dogs arrived. Somebody had tipped the users, and the evidence had been flushed. Probably the same story this time. According to the Kilodan, the dealers had insiders with the police. Which explained why nobody seemed worried. Basically all the students were just thrilled at the chance to get out of regular classes to attend the special assembly. I had been as well, until I saw Mason climb the balcony stairs with the Red Team in tow. He was as cocky as ever. The Mason I had pizza with Friday evening was nowhere to be seen. Which I unfortunately expected.
Over the weekend, after I debriefed Andy about my date with Mason (I use that term in the loosest possible sense, because it was totally not a date, it was a critical mission), he had given me maps of the school. Ductwork and hidden corridors that only the Psi Fighters knew about crisscrossed the building like a labyrinth. Most of them were big enough to crawl through. It had never dawned on me before, but a whole other world existed inside the walls and ceilings.
Secret passageways appealed to my overactive curiosity gene. But the dust and gaggle of spiders I’d likely encounter in said secret passageways seriously pegged my yuckometer. All the same, I’d soon be sneaking through them. Surveillance had become my new priority. Friday didn’t turn up anything useful, and I still needed to find out everything I could about Mason: where he hung out, who he was with, what he was up to. Fortunately, this was easy during assembly. He hung out in the balcony, with the Red Team, up to no good.
“StuDENTS,” Mrs. Bagley’s voice crackled over the microphone. “Last week, I brought in the police to help improve conditions at your school. Then tragedy struck, and we lost a great man. I believe that few of you realize what this means. I believe that fewer of you care. I pray one day you will understand, because you are all in terrible danger. Today, the Greensburg Police have sent us Police Chief Munificent’s successor. He has a message for you. A message of hope. So without further ado, I give you Police Chief Dalrymple.” She backed away from the microphone, clapping her hands. No one else clapped. So I did. Seeing the old Mason back had left me a tad crabby, and I wasn’t in the mood for rudeness.
Some guy in full dress uniform crossed the stage to the microphone, marching like he was in a military procession. His shoulders and chest were covered in medals and badges, and he shook hands with Mrs. Bagley before facing the podium. He removed his hat, exposing a very high hairline and spiky orange hair.
“Chicken,” Kathryn said, making me smile a little.
“Thank you for the kind applause from the two of you who bothered to welcome me. My name is Maximilian Dalrymple, and I have come to deliver a very important message. But first, a moment of silence.” He placed his hat over his heart, and bowed his head.
After an uncomfortable yet surprisingly silent thirty seconds, he looked up while he put his hat back on. “I’d like to say a few words about Police Chief Amos Munificent. He started a program in this school that I intend to finish. Some of you knew him. He was a kind man, loyal to the city of Greensburg in a way that few men are capable of. There are rumors that he was soft, though, and let things get out of hand in our fair city. I am here, first and foremost, to squelch those rumors. Chief Munificent worked diligently, and did all his capabilities allowed him to do, to stop the drugs and violence we find ourselves forced to endure. If there was any failing, it was not one of effort. Chief Munificent, indeed all of us, find ourselves faced with an enemy who is bigger than any one of us.”
“What is he talking about?” Kathryn whispered.
“No idea,” I lied.
“Give me a Whopper with cheese, Ronald,” Mason shouted, and laughter filled the auditorium.
Yep, back to normal. My irritationometer clicked up a notch. Any points Mason may have gained Friday night had just gone poof.
Police Chief Dalrymple smiled and leaned close to the microphone. “Your simple-minded insults only prove my point, Mr. Draudimon,” he said in a deep voice. The auditorium grew silent. “You don’t even know your fast food facts, while I know everything about you, so be on your guard.”
“I like this guy,” I whispered.
“My next words are for the predators in this school,” the chief said quietly. “If you continue on the path you are traveling, you will fall into the trap of drugs, crime, and death. I can’t help you if you choose to be so stupid. However, I will not let you drag even one member of this fine student body down with you. You know who you are. And so, by the way, do I.”