Chapter 10

Jade pulls the minivan into the alley at the back of the hotel and looks over at Tori. Tori looked back at her with a smile as she closes her cell phone. "He'll call the right people. We just need to do our part." Jade squeezes her knee back in reassurance.

Trina, Robbie, Cat, Andre and Beck come out a side door of the hotel and quickly pile into the back of the van. Tori is holding a map on her lap which she is studying with a flashlight.

"Okay, here's the plan," Tori starts as Jade pulls out of the alley. "The tools are in the back and ..."

"You stole tools?" Beck asks in shock.

"No, Beck. The tools were already in the van when we killed the owner and carjacked this vehicle. His body's in the back too," Jade bites back sarcastically.

Trina speaks up to explain more calmly. "No, Beck. We rented the van at the airport and then found a 24-hour Home Depot where we bought the tools."

"Anyway, as I was saying... We know where the body's buried..."

"Body?" Beck squeaks.

"Johnny West, remember he's been dead for over 150 years. Anyway, when we find his body we'll be able to prove he was an innocent victim and not a traitor."

They arrive at the Alamo and quickly unload the picks and shovels from the van.

"You know, I think this is really exciting," Andre comments to Robbie as they drag the heavy equipment over toward the mission.

"I know right," Robbie answers as they walked.

"Oh, hell," groans Tori. She's struggling to lift the heavy pick off the ground. "Am I losing it or are they humming the theme from Mission Impossible?"

… … … …

With an unlady-like swipe of the back of her hand under her dripping nose, Tori drops the heavy tool to the ground. "Okay...", she wheezes with her hands braced tightly on her knees, "this is the spot. Y-you guys start swinging. I'm taking a break." She walks over to a low stone wall and slumps to the ground.

"All you did was carry one pick a couple of yards. I'd hardly think that would wear you out", Her sister points out.

"Hey, this medium stuff is tiring, you know."

"It kin be very drainin' on the living to converse with the dead," comments Johnny. He's sitting casually on the wall next to Tori.

"Jesus! Johnny, don't sneak up on a girl like that. Are you trying to send me to an early grave?" Tori flushes when she realizes what she said. "Oh, I'm sorry. That was insensitive of me."

"It's alright, ma'am. Don't fret yerself", he points to Robbie who has just started swinging the pick. "They're off a little. I'm over to the left about three feet."

"Hey, Rob. Johnny says you're digging in the wrong spot. Move over that way about three feet," Tori points to her left. Then, she turns back to Johnny. "It won't be much longer and don't worry, we'll tell the world they were wrong about you. I promise."

Beck is standing next to Cat who is watching intently for any sign that their mission might be discovered. Waving a lazy hand in Tori's direction, Beck asks, "Do you really believe she's talking to a dead person?"

"Yes Beck. Tori has super powers," happily says Cat.

"Beck? Is that your Beck Oliver?" Johnny asks Tori. He's glaring intently at Beck.

"Oh no, he's not mine, but yes, that's Beck."

"He looks nothing like the one I knew. He looks nice and manly. The Beckette I knew looked ... well, like what she was, if you understand my meanin'."

"I think so ... kinda skanky?"

"Skanky? I don't know that word."

"Ummm, let's see... skanky ... it means ..."

"Skanky, one who is disgustingly foul or filthy and often considered sexually promiscuous. Used especially when referring to a woman or girl," Beck provides helpfully.

Johnny looks over at him, surprised that he has inserted himself into the conversation. "Oh. Well then, yeah, skanky is the right word."

Tori looks over at Beck also, in equal surprise. "Um, thanks", she says awkwardly.

"No problem. What are we talking about, anyway?"

"Nothing important, really. You know, just ghosty stuff."

Beck turns away from Tori in disgust. He stomps over to the edge of the building and stands there frowning, feeling like he's being cut out of everything.

Fifteen minutes later, Jade's digging in a pit about three feet deep when her shovel hits something solid. "Hey, guys! I think I've found something", she shouts enthusiastically.

Everyone rushes over to the site to take a look.

"Oh my God", gasps Cat when Jade brushes away some of the dirt, "it's a skeleton."

"And look!" Andre uses his flashlight to point at one of the skeleton's fingers. "He's missing his ring finger on his right hand."

"That's me, a'right", comments Johnny. He's standing behind Tori and peering into the hole too.

"You okay with this?" Tori asks sympathetically.

"I'm fine with it. 'Specially if it clears my name."

"He's holding something", Robbie points out with her flashlight. "It looks like a saddle bag. Can you get it out?"

"Not without breaking his arms off."

"Ewwww", Trina and Cat say simultaneously.

"I ain't touchin' that", Robbie says.

"Just do it, please", pleads Johnny. "That's the proof you need."

"Johnny wants us to do it. He says the proof's in that bag."

Andre takes a deep breath and announces, "I'll do it." He bends down over the skeleton, grabs the saddle bag ... and pulls.

Trina covers her mouth with her hand. "I think I'm going to be sick."

Jade wrinkles her nose. "That's sick and not the good kind of sick."

Beck is looking over her shoulder. "I concur."

Tori looks a little ill. "That is just nasty."

Beck looks straight at Andre in horror. "I can't believe you did that, Andre. You desecrated that grave."

Andre steps out of the grave with the saddlebag; however, Johnny's skeletal hands are still hanging on. When Andre pulls on the bag the arms break off and the bony fingers stay attached.

Tori is first to defend Troy. "Johnny told him to do it, Beck."

"So you say", Beck scoffs.

However, Jade isn't the one to jump in between the two this time. This time it's the San Antonio Police Department. Suddenly, bright lights are flashing in their eyes, blinding them.

"This is the police", a deep, masculine voice booms through the night air. "Everyone lock your hands together on top of your heads."

Andre looks down at the saddlebag and frowns. He doesn't want to put it down; after all, they're so close. Instead he raises the bag high above his head.

"Holy shit! That kid's got a skeleton in his hands", one of the officers announces. There must be at least five officers quickly making their way towards the group.

"Must be one of those cults I heard about on 20/20", answers another.

"Damn it! It's not fair", Jade moans, "We were so close."

A policeman grabs one arm and then another and quickly places Jade's hands in handcuffs. Other officers are similarly arresting her friends. She tries to escape but it was no use.

"I have to advise you, young lady, that you have the right to remain silence, if you..."

… … … …

A/N: I feel bad for neglecting this story. But I'm back. We're almost done anyway, we're so near the end already. I don't think I can update fast though. I still have my end-of-term project. So I won't be writing much. But I promise to update and I will continue this.