The Super Spies and the Cat Lady Killer (19 page)

“I've already got one. We can use mine,” Scott replied.

“Do you think that's a good idea?” Sarah asked.

“Maybe not.” Scott sighed. “It can probably be traced because I've already used it once before.”

“Okay, we'll just create a new one while we're here. Let's do it.”” Sarah turned toward the stairs.

“Are you sure this is the only way to get a confession?” Lacey gulped.

“Absolutely.”

Sarah climbed the stairs to the library. She chewed on her thumbnail as she climbed, and the knot in her stomach twisted tighter.
This is it.
There was no turning back once they sent the e-mail. Looking back at the rest of the Super Spies, Sarah noticed Jackie pulling on her curls and Lacey fidgeting with the hem of her T-shirt.

“I don't know about this,” Lacey whimpered.

“You don't have to come with us.” Sarah put her arm around her sister.

“I know, but I don't want to miss anything, either.”

“Just take it one step at a time.” Sarah gave her a squeeze.

Pulling open the doors to the library, Sarah squared her shoulders and took a deep breath, before walking into the dimly lit entryway. The rest of the Super Spies walked behind her.

Giving Mrs. Parker a wave, Sarah walked past the librarian's desk. The familiar scent of old pages filled her nostrils. It was a dry musty smell, but it calmed Sarah's nerves.

“The computers are usually in the back,” she said.

“Only you would know that information,” Jackie giggled.

“Careful, you might learn something.”

“Not if I can help it.”

Sarah felt grateful for the easy banter she shared with her friend. She realized their jokes were their way of dealing with the stress of catching the crooked cop. Her pulse quickened as she walked to the computer area. The Super Spies were alone in the library, and the silence seemed deafening to Sarah.

“At least we don't have to wait in line,” Jackie said as the group stepped up to the computer.

“Scott, do you know Klonsky's e-mail address?” Sarah asked.

“I know my dad's. It's his name with HarrisburgPolice.gov after it. I'm guessing Klonsky's is the same.”

“Let's find out.” She motioned toward the chair in front of the computer. “Scott, do you want to send the message?”

“Sure.” Scott sat down at the computer and began typing. “Okay, I've got a new junk e-mail account all set up. Now let's see if Klonsky's e-mail address will work.” He typed the address. The rest of the Super Spies watched over his shoulder. Sarah held her breath.
Work, work ,work,
she prayed.

“Yes! It works!” Scott exclaimed

“How do you know?” Lacey asked as she pushed her way to Scott's side.

“Well, if it's a bad address the software will highlight it in red,” Scott answered with a shy smile.

“Okay, now type our message,” Sarah urged, rolling her eyes.

Scott typed the message and then stopped. “Do you want me to say who it's from?”

Sarah shook her head reading the message over his shoulder.

We saw you get rid of the knife that killed Mrs. Fedewa. You threw it in the creek and we found it. If you don't give us ten thousand dollars we'll go to the police. Meet us at the big willow tree by the creek at midnight tonight to make the exchange.

“No, we don't want him to know who's sending it,” Sarah said.

Scott pressed the SEND button. The message d
isappeared. No turning back now.
Sarah
sighed as her stomach fluttered again. “Okay, guys, let's go down to the creek and make up the rest of our plan.”

“I'm hungry,” Lacey said.

“Yeah, me too,” Jackie piped up.

Sarah groaned. “All right, let's eat at Hinkle's, and then head to the creek.”

After a quick lunch of Hinkle's famous cheeseburgers and fries, the Super Spies made their way to the willow tree.

When they reached the cul-de-sac, they dropped their bikes in the long grass and walked to their secret meeting place. Sarah noticed the sun had burned away the humidity of the day, leaving dry heat.

Walking under the willow branches felt cool, and Sarah took a deep breath, enjoying the shade. She relaxed and plopped down on the ground. The others followed her lead.

“Okay, guys,” Sarah began. “I've been thinking on the way over here… and when we meet Klonsky, I don't think we should all come out.”

“Yeah,” Lacey agreed.

Sarah saw relief wash over her face. “I think it should be just me and Jackie.”

“Yeah, Lacey and I can hide and tape everything. Where should we hide?” Scott asked.

Jackie glanced around. “Why don't you hide behind the willow tree branches?”

“How about up in the tree?” Sarah suggested.

“Up in the tree?” Lacey squirmed.

“Great idea,” Scott said. “We won't be seen by Klonsky and his partner.”

Sarah noticed Lacey grimacing, but she didn't say anything.

“You think D.W. will come with him?” Sarah pulled at the grass beside her.

Scott nodded. “Yeah, I don't think he'll come alone.”

“You're probably right,” Sarah nodded.

“What if something goes wrong?” Lacey asked.

“We can run and jump in the creek. It worked before.”

Jackie grimaced.
“Yeah, let's just hope Klonsky can't run.”

“Are you worried?” Sarah asked, tossing a handful of grass at her.

“Kind of, he's a big guy.” Jackie threw a twig at Sarah.

“Yeah, but he's hurt, remember the fence?” Sarah sounded more confident than she felt. She chewed on a blade of grass, giving her thumbnail a reprieve.

“Hey, I could bring some of my dad's pepper spray if you want,” Scott offered.

Sarah's spirits lifted. “Awesome idea.”

“Okay, so we get him talking and get his confession.” Jackie placed her hands on her hips. “What are we going to do after that?”

“What do you mean?” Sarah turned toward Jackie.

“Hello, we don't have a knife to give him.” Jackie gestured wildly with her hands.

Sarah shoulders sagged. “Holy cow! I totally forgot about that. What are we going to do?”

“I've got a hunting knife that's just like the one you guys found in the creek. I'll bring it,” Scott said.

“You actually have a knife like that?” Lacey asked.

Scott nodded. “Yeah, they're pretty common.”

“Thanks, Scott.” Sarah beamed at him as relief coursed through her body. “Beanpole, I'm so glad you thought of that.” She laughed and shook her head.

“Hey, what can I say?” Jackie held out her hands and gave the thumbs up sign.

“All right, let's meet down here around eleven, so we can all get into position,” Sarah said.

“Cool beans.”

“Tonight's the night, guys.” Sarah sighed and noticed the tension on their faces. “Everything's going like clockwork.”

She stood and brushed off her shorts. Everyone chuckled politely at the use of Klonsky's catch phrase. Using his words tasted bitter in her mouth. It didn't get the laugh Sarah expected.

Sarah walked from beneath the green canopy. Visions of the Cat Lady
killer in cuffs filled her mind, and a shiver ran down her spine.

“Tonight is for the Cat Lady,” Sarah said.

Jackie nodded. “For the Cat Lady.”

“For the Cat Lady,” Lacey and Scott said in unison as they walked.

Reaching her bike, Sarah lifted it upright and studied her friends. She noticed their grim expressions. They were scared, just like she was. Suddenly, anger at Klonsky ran through her body like a raging river.
How dare he put
us in such a horrible position.
Who does he think he is?
Her anger at the crooked cop dimmed her fear.

“I can't wait to see Klonsky behind bars for the rest of his life,” Sarah said through clenched teeth.

“Me either,” Lacey said with a grimace.

“And when he starts whining about being innocent…,” Sarah began.

“That's when we're going to say, ‘That's what all the criminals say,'” Lacey finished.

Sarah burst into laughter, surprised by Lacey's sudden spunkiness. The tension eased from her body, and she took a deep breath. Smiling at her friends, she climbed on her bike. “Knuckle bump.”

The Super Spies mounted their bikes and knuckle bumped. Sarah wondered for the first time,
what happens if Klonsky wins? What happens to her friends?
A chill ran down her spine and a lump of fear formed in her throat. She took a deep breath and expelled these thoughts from her mind.
He won't win, he just won't.

Sarah swallowed the huge lump and managed to smile before turning her bike toward home. She began pedaling and struggled to keep her bike upright in the long grass. Reaching the pavement, pedaling grew easier.

Tonight's the night.
Sarah clenched her teeth and gripped her handlebars so tight her knuckles turned white.
This is the most dangerous thing I've ever done. I hope it's not the last.

 

Sarah paused and listened for a moment before she crawled through her bedroom window. It was quarter to eleven, and she was mentally preparing for the night's adventure. She tried to get Lacey to stay behind, but her sister was determined to see this through.
She's getting braver.
Sarah smirked at this thought, but quickly frowned when she thought about what they planned to do.

“We can go. The coast is clear,” Sarah whispered. She leapt to the ground and scrambled out of Lacey's way. Her pulse raced as she waited for her sister in a crouched position. It seemed to take her forever.

“Come on. Jump,” Sarah whispered.

Lacey whimpered, and then plummeted to the ground below. She rolled into Sarah, knocking her over.

Sarah stifled a groan and righted herself. “We should've just camped out.”

Lacey stood and brushed off her sweat pants. “Yep, that's definitely easier than
sneaking out of the window.”

Sarah ignored Lacey's reproachful tone. “We'll plan better next time.”

“I hope there won't be a next time.”

“Let's go.” Sarah led the way and Lacey followed close on her heels.

The moon hid behind the clouds, throwing mysterious shadows everywhere. Sarah's anxiety intensified. Her palms were already slick with sweat, and they hadn't even left the back yard.
I hope everything turns out all right tonight
,
Sarah thought to herself as she took several deep breaths.

Lacey grabbed her by the back of the shirt and held on tight. “I'm getting the weebeejeebees.”

Reaching behind her, Sarah squeezed Lacey's trembling hands. “Yeah, it's creepy tonight.”

Sarah's pulse quickened as the girls made their way to the cul-de-sac. A slight breeze rustled the leaves on the trees. Stopping when they reached the path, Sarah took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She peered into the gloom, looking for anything out of place.

Searching through the murkiness, Sarah spied the willow tree. It stood on the bank of the creek, casting a forbidden shadow. In the dark it loomed like a wicked troll waiting to gobble the girls up.

The first flare of fear ignited in the pit of Sarah's stomach. “It's now or never.”

Lacey twisted Sarah's shirt tighter in her hand. “I'm right behind you.”

The Cole girls crept toward the hardwood. Sarah felt the hair on the back of her neck rise and a chill ran down her spine.

“Whoo! Whoo!” Sarah called.

“Whoo! Whoo!”

Sarah walked through the branches, feeling slight stings as they slapped her face. She found Jackie first, her eyes wide with fright, and her face sickly pale. Scott stood next to her, his breathing shallow, and his face shiny with sweat. Suddenly, dread coursed through Sarah's body.

“Hey, guys.” Sarah frowned.

“Hello, girls,” a deep voice snapped in the darkness.

The flare of fear in Sarah's belly exploded into a raging fire.

Klonsky loomed from the shadows.
“I got your message.”

Silence. Sarah saw the mixture of fear and frustration on Scott and Jackie's faces.

D.W. followed Klonsky out of the shadows and stared at the teens.

Jackie finally found her voice. “I guess we weren't the only ones who decided to come early.”

“That's right,” Klonsky said, and took a menacing step toward Sarah, brandishing a gun. “Now where's the knife?”

Sarah stared at the gun and gulped. Thoughts ran through her brain like a runaway train. She couldn't seem to focus on any one thought, just the gun pointed at her.

“Where's the knife?”

“In a safe place,” Sarah stalled, trying to pull her thoughts together.

“You don't have it with you?” Klonsky glared.

“No. Do you think I'm that stupid?” Sarah returned his glare with a defiant stare of her own.
Avenge the Cat Lady! Don't let him see you're scared!
She stood in a rebellious stance, hiding her trembling hands. Her heart pounded her chest with a ferocious beat. “You can't shoot us, because then you'll never find the knife.” Sarah's mind still spun a mile a minute, trying to come up with a get away plan.

“If you're dead, it won't matter.”

“We gave it to some friends and told them if they don't hear from us within an hour to call the police,” Sarah lied.

“You're lying.”

“Maybe, maybe not.” Sarah shrugged. “Are you willing to take that chance?”

“Shut your pie hole,” Klonsky snapped.

He stood in a threatening pose, but Sarah could tell by the look on his face that her words had hit home.

“What are we gonna do now?” D.W. whined.

“We'll get the knife, and then we'll take ‘em back to the crime scene.” Klonsky stared at Sarah. “Where's the knife?”

“I'll take you to the knife,” Sarah lied. “But first I want to hear why you killed the Cat Lady.”

“That's none of your concern,” Klonsky said, with an arrogant sneer.

“So you admit you did it?” Sarah pounced.

“Don't try and get smart with me, kid. I'm a cop.”

“What are we gonna do?” D.W. whined.

The crooked cop sighed. “Let's take them back to the house. I'll think of a plan by the time we get there.” He pushed Sarah forward. “Move it.”

Sarah walked with Lacey behind D.W.; Jackie and Scott followed them, and Klonsky took up the rear.
Walking forward, Sarah racked her brain for an e
scape route.
We outnumber them,
the small but brave voice inside her head whispered.

“I've got to pee,” Sarah complained.

“Too bad,” Klonsky snapped with a dismissive wave of his hand.

Sarah ground her teeth in frustration. She continued to walk. Lacey whimpered beside her.

Sarah put her arm around her. “It's going to be okay.”
I wonder if I could get the pepper spray from Scott.

Suddenly, Sarah pulled Lacey to the ground, tripping Jackie and Scott. They fell in a heap, all tangled up.

“Pepper spray,” Sarah muttered to Scott. As if by magic, the can appeared in her hand.

“Get up!” Klonsky yelled.

Sarah concealed the pepper spray in her pocket. She prayed the crooked cop and his partner wouldn't notice the bulge.

“Quit screwing around,” Klonsky said. His voice sounded like the growl of an angry dog.

The Super Spies picked themselves up and brushed the leaves and grass from their clothes.

Klonsky pushed Sarah and Lacey ahead of him. “Keep moving.”

Stumbling forward, panic gnawed at Sarah's self-control. She knew if they were going to escape they would have to go now.
Putting her arm around Lacey as if to comfort her, Sarah whispered, “Run.” Using her body as a shield, she pointed toward the field, which lay in the opposite direction of the creek.

Lacey sniffled and wiped her nose on the hem of her T-shirt. She made eye contact with Sarah and nodded. In a flash, Lacey took off through the field and Sarah ran toward the creek.

“Run!” Jackie screamed.

Sarah glanced over her shoulder and saw Jackie and Scott running in different directions. The criminals reacted by taking up the chase.

Sarah heard Klonsky behind her, his footfalls hammering the earth, heavy and unrelenting. She imagined the land trembling every time one of his feet pounded the ground. Her heart raced. The creek was her only hope. If she made it to the water, she would escape. A relieved sob burst through her lips when she heard the bubbling waters of the stream. Lengthening her stride, she prepared to jump.
I'm almost there.

All of a sudden, Sarah was yanked to the ground. Agony erupted around her head. Klonsky had grabbed her hair and pulled. She was airborne. Landing, she screamed in anguish as all of her weight came down on the pepper spray can in her pocket. Pain radiated from her head, but it was no match for the misery shooting down her leg.

Sarah moaned. Panting, she opened tear-filled eyes and saw Klonsky looming above her. She saw fire in his eyes, and anger radiated from every pore. He grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to a standing position.

“Don't try that again,” he said in a menacing voice.

Sarah shrank away from him, her knees buckling from the pain. She almost went down, but Klonsky supported her by pulling her against him. Smelling his after-shave sickened her; it was a heavy musky scent.

She pushed away from him. “I can walk on my own.”

“Just don't try anything funny,” he said with a sneer. “Remember, I have a gun.”

She took several unsteady steps. Her leg throbbed, and her head pounded. Sucking air through clenched teeth, Sarah willed herself not to puke.

“This way,” Lon commanded. He pushed her forward.

She stumbled. Righting herself, she took several deep breaths and swallowed the wave of saliva flooding her mouth. Nausea wormed its way up her throat again. Fighting it, she kept it down. She limped forward, searching for an escape route.

Out of the darkness, D.W. appeared with Scott in tow. “Lon, I gots this one, but the girl got away.”

Scott tottered forward. His injured foot hindered him, causing his capture.

Klonsky grumbled in frustration. “Let's get these two back to the house.” He pushed Sarah and Scott ahead.

“What are we gonna do?” D.W. whimpered. “Those other two are going straight to da cops.”

“Stop your sniveling. I'll think of something.
Don't forget I'm a cop.”

The criminals and the captives walked in silence. Sarah gazed down as she limped—praying Klonsky would stumble, or fall—anything that would allow her to get away.

“Lon, what are we gonna do?”

“Shut your pie hole. I'll think of something.”

Klonsky's mood darkened as they walked. He kept nudging Sarah from behind with the gun.

Sarah sighed and dared an angry glare at the crooked cop. Escape was not an option at this point. She searched the darkness looking for signs of Jackie and Lacey, hoping they were following close behind. Her efforts were not rewarded, and she knew their prospects were grim.

After what seemed like hours, they reached the Cat Lady's house. Sarah stopped and stared at the infamous dwelling.

It stood dark and uninviting. The sagging porch seemed to match Klonsky's sinister sneer. Sarah shivered as she stared at the dark windows; she felt like the house was alive and watching them. It seemed to be laughing at her predicament, and Sarah's heart skipped a beat.

All the stories about the Cat Lady flew through her head. She wished they were true; then the Cat Lady's spirit would swoop down and save them with her magical powers.

Sarah watched as Klonsky pulled something out of his pocket and walked up the steps. She realized it was a key when she heard the door unlock.

“Get in here,” he said, his voice nothing more than a growl.

Sarah and Scott hobbled up the front steps. Her heart raced as she tried to think of a get-away-plan.

“Hurry up!” Klonsky demanded as he pulled a flashlight from his back pocket and turned it on.

Picking up her pace, Sarah limped through the front door, and stopped. Scott followed behind her. Sarah noticed the usual cat smell in the air and quickly pulled the collar of her shirt over her nose and mouth.

“Where are we supposed to sit?” she asked.

She surveyed the room, looking at the stacks of newspapers.
Tears of compassion for the Cat Lady filled her eyes, and she forgot about the pain in her leg. Sarah knew she would heal, but the Cat Lady never got that chance.

“Right here,” Lon said as he brought in two chairs from the kitchen. He dropped them right in front of the bloodstain, glaring at the teenagers.

Staring at the dark stain, Sarah fought back her tears as rage coursed through her body. She clenched her teeth and moved her chair away from the bloodstain. Scott followed suit. Sarah eased into her chair, struggling to keep her swirling emotions under control.

“He's such a creep,” she whispered, feeling powerless. She was no match for Klonsky, and this made her even angrier.

Scott glanced around, and then gave Sarah a slight nod.

It was eerie sitting in the living room with the Cat Lady killers, and Sarah shivered in spite of the heat. She'd never been in this situation before, and it finally dawned on her she was in over her head. Sarah's shoulders slumped as she realized even if she had been injury-free she would still have difficulty escaping.

The hammering in her head subsided, but her leg still throbbed. A groan burst through her lips as she moved it. Heat seemed to radiate from her injury and another wave of nausea engulfed her. Beads of sweat broke out on her forehead, but she managed to keep the nausea down. Sarah pressed her lips together, keeping any more sounds from escaping.