“Daria
Morgendorffer, please report to the principal’s office,” Ms. Li announced
straight after Homeroom.
Daria
sighed. She knew that was going to happen.
“How
are you feeling?” Ms. Li asked when Daria had sat down.
“My
best friend has been kidnapped! How do you think I’m feeling?”
“Mrs.
Manson is ready to talk if you…”
“No!”
Daria said. She didn’t want to deal with that quack of a school counsellor.
“Are
you sure, Ms. Morgendorffer?”
“Of
course I’m sure, Ms. Li. The best way for me to keep from thinking about what
might be happening to Jane is for me to be in class doing schoolwork.”
“I
see that you have made up your mind on that.”
“Yes,’
Daria said as she took the hall pass off the principal’s desk.
At
the same time, as she went to her first class, Andrea looked for one of the
students she knew had at least one sibling at Lawndale State.
She
soon sighed one of them. “Tania!” she called out.
Tania
Ashworth turned upon hearing her name. “Yes, Andrea?”
“Your
brother is at Lawndale State, right?”
“He
is,” Tania answered. “What is this about?”
“Ninja
Talon and SpiderGirl asked me to help search for Jane.”
“And
how would my brother be able to help with that?”
“He
could give me access to one of the computer labs,” Andrea answered.
“I
see, you want to access camera footage,” Tania surmised.
“Yes,
I still have dial up at home.”
“I’ll
if I can contact him at lunch.”
“Then
that is what I’ll tell Ninja Talon later,” Andrea said as she left.
“Wait…”
Tania said as Andrea disappeared into the distance. ‘Does she know who Ninja
Talon is?’
She
thought about it more. ‘Quite likely, but I’ll keep it to myself. Besides, I
need to focus on the play tonight.’
Agent
Leung returned to the Lawndale Field Office, where he typed up his notes and
started writing on the whiteboard in the office. He started with the timeline.
“Quentin Beck. Arrived in Lawndale on Saturday, 17th February,
whereupon he goes to the Historia and is immediately hired by Quinn
Morgendorffer as the theater’s special effects person.” There wasn’t anything
suspicious there.
“Anything
on the four business partners?” One of his fellow agents asked.
“Daria
and Quinn Morgendorffer, sisters who have recently lost their father,” Leung
said as he put up recent photos of the two, reflecting their changes in
appearance. “Their mother, Helen, is associate in Vitale, et al.”
That
brought about a silence. Jim Vitale’s reputation was well known in the field
office.
“Daria
is Jane’s close friend,” Leung added. “Thus she has no motive.”
“And
the other two?” the other agent asked.
“Joseph
Green and Robert Allen, cousins who are also nephews of the Historia’s former
owner. All four are students at Lawndale High.”
“Could
Angela Li be a suspect?”
“Unlikely.
There is no impact on the school from the Historia opening. The Morgendorffers
grades appear to be unaffected by their involvement in the theater. Quinn won
the spelling bee, the day before the theater opened,” Leung said.
“And
the cousin’s grades?”
“Steady,”
Leung said as he turned back to the timeline. “Sunday, February 18th. The first
rehearsal for Tempest. And later, Kalina Ondrovick says it’s amateurish
on radio and Daria calls in to argue with her. That’s the first time the play
is mentioned on the radio. That’s the main connection. That the play was
mentioned on the radio.”
He
continued through the timeline up to Jane’s abduction.
“But
one thing is eluding me,” Leung said when he was finished. “And Peterson too.
Motive. What reason does Quentin Beck have to disrupt the play.”
“Jealousy?”
“Quinn
said that he was condescending of her age.”
“Which
is?” the other asked.
“She
turns 16 next week,” Leung said, and wrote her birthdate in late February of
1985 beneath her photo.
“And
Daria?”
“Seventeen
and half,” Leung added, writing her birthdate in late July of 1983 beneath her
picture. “The cousins are 16, born in late 1984.”
They
continued their brainstorming.
Between
classes, Quinn caught up with Anna and Ben. “We have to do the mentoring at the
Historia, rather than the Library,” she said.
“Any
reason?” Ben asked.
“I’ll
also be re-interviewing the previous applicants for the special effects
position.”
“Because
of what happened to Jane?” Anna asked.
“That’s
part of it,” Quinn answered.
“Because
Quentin Beck is responsible,” Anna surmised.
Quinn
nodded.
“We’ll
be there,” Anna said. “But what about Gerald? He won’t like it.”
“I
know,” Quinn said. “He’ll be difficult to convince.”
At
lunch, Tania went to one of the school’s payphones straight out of class. “I
hope his in his room,” Tania murmured as she put in a couple of quarters. She
then dialled the number.
“Yes?”
“Scott!
It’s Tania.”
“Why
are you calling me in the middle of the day? I have a class in twenty minutes.”
“Sorry
about that. I have a favour to ask of you.”
“I’m
already seeing the play.”
“That’s
good but that’s not what this is about.”
“What
is this about then?”
Tania
then began explaining what Andrea had asked her about.
“You
want me to allow this Andrea to use my account to try to find this Jane? Because
of SpiderGirl and Ninja Talon?”
“Yes,”
Tania said.
“I’ll
have to think about it,” Scott said.
“Let
me know before the play starts tonight.”
“I
shall, bye.”
In
the library, Andrea found Brittany hiding somewhere near the back. ‘She looks
100% the cheerleader she has been the past few years,’ she thought. ‘Apart from
that time in the Zon when she had her hair dyed dark.’ She shook her head. That
wasn’t what she wanted to think about. She saw that she was reading a book on
the history of Lawndale. “Brit?” she asked.
Brittany
looked up. “Hey, Andy,” she said with a slight smile.
She
almost ignored the nickname. Brittany was the only one who could get away with
calling her that. ‘Still is, it seems,’ Andrea thought. “I found Tania
Ashworth. She said she would talk to her brother.”
“Tania.
She’s in the play too,” Brittany acknowledged.
“I
had heard about that.”
“I’ll
let Spidey know, later.”
“Good,
I’ll be off,” Andrea said.
“You
don’t have to.”
“We’re
still too different.”
“I’m
in the play because I want to change,” Brittany said in a vulnerable tone.
“So,
you’re a cheerleader and an actor, as well as a vigilante, not the imaginative
girl you were.”
“I
guess so,” Brittany said with a twirl of a pigtail. “But small steps?”
“Yes,”
Andrea said with a slight smile as Brittany went back to reading her book.
Daria
and Sandi entered the cafeteria at the same time. “How are you after last
night?” Daria asked.
“I
just needed to rest,” Sandi answered. “I’m fine now. Mother says that when she
had overextended herself that way, it took overnight for her.”
“Does
she usually search for people like that?” Daria asked.
“Not
often. But she was active in Boston before I was born.”
“Meaning…”
“Exactly,”
Sandi confirmed.
‘That’s
something. I think Boston does have hero vigilantes occasionally. It happens
more often in New York.’
They
came to the usual table to find only Harry and Tania waiting.
“So,
any clue as to where Jane is?” Tania asked, hoping that she get some clue to
tell Andrea and Scott later.
“No
clue, but probably near the lake,” Daria answered. “Also, the FBI are now
involved in the investigation.”
“Not
surprising,” Sandi commented between bites.
“But
the play is going ahead?” Harry asked.
“Of
course,” Daria answered. “The show must go on. It’s what Jane would want, and
tonight is sold out.”
“That’s
good,” Tania said.
“Are
you ready?” Daria asked.
“I
am,” Tania said. “Last night was a bit scary, but I’m ready.”
“You’re
in the play?” Harry asked. “You haven’t said.”
“Yes,
I’m playing Ceres, one of the muses.” Tania answered.
“But
what if something happens again?” Harry asked.
“Not
only would Peterson be there, but the FBI agent as well,” Daria said. “Besides
the theater has been checked over many times.”
“So,
it won’t happen?” Harry asked.
“No,”
Sandi answered.
Quinn
joined Stacy, Tori and Tiffany for lunch. “What’s up, Tori?” she asked.
“I’m
fine,” Tori said. “But now the paper has mentioned the play.”
“They
did have to report that something happened last night,” Quinn pointed out.
“That’s
true, but what if Mom is targeted, even if it’s not her byline? Like, I know
that being a reporter can be dangerous, even a local one. But with everything
going on in Lawndale…” Tori said before shedding a tear.
“I’m
sure she’ll be safe,” Quinn said.
“Safer
than the critics and Jane?” Tori asked.
“Yes,”
Quinn said. She looked at Stacy, who was fretting as she usually did. She took
her hand. “It’s going to be fine.”
“But,
Jane? What if Mom’s in danger because she works there?”
“She
hasn’t mentioned the play on radio,” Quinn said. “And I’m sure Jane will be
found soon.”
“But
she has been mentioning it in the café,” Stacy said.
“By
SpiderGirl?” Tiffany asked.
Stacy
looked at Tiffany. “Maybe. Or maybe Ninja Talon or this Dafoanairi.”
“Probably
the fourth vigilante,” Quinn said. “Besides, I’m sure the vigilantes have been in
the Historia as their secret identities.”
“Weren’t
most of them there last night?” Tori asked.
“They
were, but it seems that things happened too fast,” Quinn said. “But they will
probably be prepared for tonight.”
“I hope
so,” Stacy said.
Kevin
looked around after he had got his lunch. Most of the students were as usual.
He had heard about what had happened the previous night and hoped that Jane
would be found soon. He looked around again and didn’t see who he wanted to
see. He knew that something was going to change soon, but Brit had been a
constant since they had started going out.
Mack
saw Kevin sit across from him. “Hey, Mack Daddy, do you know where Brit is?”
“I
don’t, and how many times I have I said not to call me that?”
“She’s
probably preparing for the play,” Robert said.
“Oh
yeah, that’s tonight,” Kevin responded.
“But
I have seen her today. She is at school,” Mack said.
“But
where in the school?” Kevin asked.
“You
know where she will be,” Robert said.
“But
Mom and I won’t see the play until tomorrow,” Kevin said.
Quinn
caught up with Gerald after leaving the cafeteria. “Gerald!”
“Quinn?”
Gerald asked as he approached the cafeteria himself.
“We
need to do the mentoring at the Historia today,” Quinn said, and then explained
as she did to Anna and Ben.
“I
don’t think trying to mentor and do job interviews at the same time is a good
idea,” Gerald said.
“I
know, but I didn’t want to cancel, and besides the play is starting tonight.”
“Is
that a good idea?”
“There
will be police, and the FBI there, and maybe one or two of the vigilantes,”
Quinn said. “Besides, Jane wouldn’t want the play to not go ahead on her
account.”
“I
suppose. I’ll be there.”
“Great.
It’ll be in the bookshop.”
Quinn
caught up with Brittany between classes. “What did Andrea say?” she asked after
they ducked into a bathroom and made sure that the stalls were unoccupied.
“That
she will be able to do it with Tania’s brother,” Brittany answered.
“That
is, Tania Ashworth?”
“Yes.”
“Interesting.
But does she know when?” Quinn asked.
“Tania
hadn’t got back to her yet.”
“She’ll
probably get back to her this afternoon.”
“I’ll
try to find out before school finishes,” Brittany said.
“You’ll
know where I’ll be.”
Brittany
nodded and headed out.
As
school finished, Andrea caught up with Tania. “I told Ninja Talon that you
would call your brother,” she said.
“I
did,” Tania responded. “He said that he would get back to me before the play
starts tonight.”
“Got
it. I guess I’ll be waiting at the Historia, then.”
“That’s
probably a good idea.”
Daria
came to the Lexus to find not only Quinn, but also, Anna, Ben and Gerald
waiting. “Just as well there aren’t more people,” she said.
“True,”
Quinn said with a giggle.
“Let’s
just get there,” Gerald said.
“Don’t
worry, I’ll be driving safely,” Daria said as she opened the driver side door.
“You
should have seen her on the way to Freemont,” Quinn said.
Daria
sighed. “I never imagined that a crime I’ll be trying to solve would be Jane’s
abduction.”
“Same,”
Quinn said.
“Any
clues?” Anna asked as she got in after Ben.
“Other
than the stormwater system, none,” Daria answered as she turned on the engine.
“What
did Ms. Li want to talk about earlier?” Quinn asked.
“Offering
Mrs. Manson’s services,” Daria answered.
“And
you turned her down, of course,” Quinn said.
“Yes.
I don’t want a repeat of self-esteem class,” Daria said.
“Of
course.”
Brittany
and Andrea caught up in the parking lot after the Morgendorffers’ Lexus had
driven away. “So, what did Tania say?” Brittany asked.
“She’ll
get back to me before the play starts,” Andrea answered.
“I
guess I have to wait at the Historia too.”
“Or
you can come and go.”
“That’s
true, but I’d be patrolling close to it,” Brittany said.
Daria
and the others entered the Historia from the rear and saw Peterson in the lobby
when they got there.
“How
was school?” she asked.
“It
went well,” Quinn said.
“But
Jane’s absence was noted,” Daria aid.
“I
have heard from Leung. The local field office has started a search of the Creek
between the Jefferson Bridge and where it flows into the lake,” Peterson said.
“That’s
great, isn’t it?” Anna asked.
“It
is, Ms.”
“Coultard.”
“Coultard,”
Peterson repeated. “It is, as you put it, great. It means that something is
being done.”
“Thanks
for the information, Ms. Peterson,” Quinn said. “But we need to start our
session now. I have a busy afternoon ahead of me.”
“Of
course.”
Officer
Peterson waited until Quinn and the others had entered the bookstore. “I
wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to make your own search of the area, but if
you do be sure to keep out of the agents’ hair.”
Daria
sighed. “I wouldn’t, although the temptation is there. It would take me too
long. Dafoanairi is remaining downtown this afternoon. Besides, I need to
prepare for tonight. You know that I’m the director, as well as the
playwright.”
“Of
course.”
“Now,
write about your experience with Shakespeare’s works, or adaptations of it,”
Quinn said. “The first of the previous applicants should be here in five
minutes.”
“Including
The Tempest?” Anna asked.
“Of
course,” Quinn said with a giggle. “But the play doesn’t count.”
At
the same time, Brittany, Andrea and Tania arrived at the Historia separately.
Brittany went over to Daria. “How are you holding up?” she asked.
“Well
enough. Peterson told me that the FBI is searching downstream of the Jefferson
Bridge.”
“I
see,” Brittany said. “I’m sure that she will be found soon. If not tonight,
then, tomorrow.”
“We
can only hope,” Daria said with a slight smile.
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