Chapter 10
Robbie pulled open the door to his shop and walked into the back of the area. He looked for the light switch only to find it not working.
"Are you going to stand outside all night?" He asked. Timidly, a woman entered the room with him.
"I think my eyes are failing," she said.
"I'll have a look at them when we get the lights on. Let's find the circuit breaker box," the villain told her. She nodded and they wandered around looking for the panel. Quietly, Sam emerged from his hiding spot behind one of the previous store's displays. He motioned to Stephanie to head for the door from her hiding space not far from him. She nodded, looked around quickly and scooted out of the door and into the bushes which were on the other side of the truck delivery driveway. From her hiding spot, she watched Trixie come out of the door and she motioned for her to join her.
"Where is Sam?" Stephanie asked.
"He should be right behind me," Trixie shrugged. That's when they noticed the lights in the store come on. Stephanie strained to hear if their friend had been noticed but the voices were too low.
"We need to help him," she said.
"How? We can't exactly go waltzing up to Robbie and talk to him. He'll suspect something," her best friend reminded her. Then they heard laughter and they looked at one another.
"Well you have a good night sir. Sorry to have scared you," Sam smiled as he exited the building. He looked around for the girls but did not see them and headed back toward the parking lot. He was still wearing his uniform so Stephanie figured he talked his way out once the lights came on. Watching the door close, the two emerged from their hiding places and ran up to him.
"What happened?" Trixie asked.
"I told him I was checking the rodent traps. The store had been empty for a while and it was customary for me to check the traps at the end of my shift," Sam shrugged.
"And what excuse did you give him about not hearing him come in?" Stephanie wondered.
"Told him my hearing was damaged in the war," the former soldier smirked.
"You're good," the pink one chuckled.
"I believe there is something Sportacus should know though," Sam said as they reached his car.
"What's that?" Trixie asked.
"Well that woman that walked in with Robbie, he was using a screwdriver to fix her eyes," he said it as if he almost didn't believe it.
"Rottenella!" Stephanie cursed under her breath.
"But it didn't look like her," Trixie said.
"He can't show up with the robot that tried to defeat me. He has to make her look different after all these years," the twenty-five year old told her.
"That's a point," her friend said.
"Who is Rottenella?" Sam asked.
"Long story. I'll tell you on the way. Trixie, would you take my car and I'll catch a ride with Sam?" The pink one wondered.
"You sure? I mean what if you need to get your car?" Trixie asked.
"I shouldn't need it tonight. I can pick it up in the morning or maybe Sportacus will help me get it tonight. Just lock the keys in it and I'll use my spare," she smiled. Trixie nodded, took her friend's keys and they split up.
To Be Continued…