“What’s wrong?” I say.
Stranko doesn’t answer, doesn’t even tell me to leave again because he’s fully focused on the pictures Ellie’s uploaded onto our fake Chaos Club site. They’ve been there since this morning, but the program Wheeler pirated for Ellie only sent the mass email and text to the staff and student body two minutes ago.
“Dammit!”
Stranko pounds the desk so hard, he’s lucky his hand doesn’t go all the way through. I remain frozen, so the camera catches everything. Stranko’s eyes strain like they might come out of his head. It’s frighteningly awesome.
“Dammit! Dammit! Dammit!”
I practically hit the ceiling at the outburst.
“What are you still doing here?” he shouts. “Get the hell out!”
I leave so fast there’s a vapor trail.
In each office I pass, guidance counselors, secretaries, and even the school psychologist are staring at their computers. In the classrooms, I walk by kids who have their phones out, not even trying to hide their laughter.
I’m happy for Ellie. Her idea was brilliant, and I’m sure some part of her wishes everyone knew that she’s the one who’s pulled this off. Because even though she’s in every picture, no one can tell it’s her. Why? Because she’s wearing the Zippy the Golden Eagle mascot costume she stole during the homecoming game.
Among the pictures we took:
1. Zippy spray-painting a naked woman on the side of a vacant building downtown.
2. Zippy with an ax poised over a neighborhood dog’s neck.
3. Zippy pretending to take a leak on the school sign.
4. Zippy hunched over, ready to snort a long line of white power through his massive beak.
5. Zippy passed out on the football field surrounded by beer cans and condoms.
6. And the final image—Zippy standing on a bucket with a noose around his neck.
Oh, and prominently displayed in each picture on Zippy’s feathery chest? A Chaos Club card.
? ? ?
After school, I head in the direction of Ellie’s homeroom and spot her in the hall coming my way, unable to hold back her excitement.
“Did you get it? Please tell me you got it.”
I tap the phone in my pocket.
Ellie throws her arms around me and kisses my cheek hard in the middle of the crowded hall. The tent I pitch could house a circus.
“Can I see it?” she says, referring, unfortunately, to the video.
“Let’s wait until we get to your car. Too many people around.”
“Come on then!”
Ellie pulls at my hand, dragging me toward the exit. Her excitement is contagious, and soon, I’m rushing through the halls with her. We’re closing in on the front lobby by the main office, when coming toward us is the last person in the world I want to see: Stranko. I slow a little, thinking maybe we should duck into a classroom, but Ellie’s tugs at my arm.
“Relax,” she says. “Act natural.”
I grip Ellie’s hand tight as Stranko approaches. We don’t need to worry though. Stranko goes right past us like we’re not there. He’s on a mission, and from the tight set of his jaw, it’s one to seek and destroy. And I know Stranko’s target because he was muttering the name under his breath as he passed.
“We have to follow him,” I say.
“Why? Do you think he found out who did the doors?”
“I’m not sure, but we can’t let him get away.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s about to bust Wheeler.”
Chapter 16
Being right sucks.
Ellie and I watch from behind a locker as Stranko goes into Mr. Fleiger’s room and escorts a stone-faced Wheeler to his office with Mr. Fleiger following.
“What do you think he did?” Ellie says.
The possibilities:
a. Wheeler got caught planning a prank.
b. Wheeler got caught pulling a prank.
c. Wheeler got caught cheating.
d. Wheeler got caught with Stranko’s phone.
e. All of the above.
Everyone knows when you don’t know the answer you’re supposed to choose C, but in this case, I fear it’s D.
“We need to let the others know,” I say. “If this is all about to go to hell, they need to be prepared, maybe even leave the country.”
Heist Rule #18: Protect your crew.
Ellie sends a text to Adleta and Malone, and we take up surveillance in the lobby, sitting on a ratty couch across from the receptionist’s desk. While we wait, Mrs. Wheeler comes through the front doors and heads straight for Stranko’s office. It’s not two minutes before Adleta and Malone show up, walking and talking together as they approach. No chance this scene would have happened a year ago. Funny how that happens.
“Anything yet?” Adleta asks.
“They’re still in there,” I say. “Wheeler’s mom just showed up.”
“But we don’t know why?” Malone says.
“No, but it can’t be good.”
We all stare pointlessly at the office for a few seconds, as if the answer will suddenly appear on the glass.