Teaching Them A Lesson Part 3
Hannibal was sitting in his office, quietly having a cup of coffee when the door slammed open and he jumped with surprise, spilling his coffee down his trousers. He spun round to see Jo-Jo throw herself into the chair opposite him.
"You scared the life out of me, I thought it was Decker," said Hannibal. Then he noticed the look on Jo-Jo's face and sat down. "What's up?"
"I'm gonna kill him with my bare hands this time," she said through gritted teeth.
"Who? Tarrance?" Hannibal had been briefed about Jo-Jo's incident in the staff room earlier that day.
"No, not him. Right now, I think I'd prefer to be dating him."
Hannibal chuckled.
"What's Face done this time?"
"He was supposed to be taking me for dinner. He said he'd be five minutes. That was half an hour ago."
Hannibal looked at Jo-Jo.
"Where did he say he was going?"
"Only to the staff room. Yeah right. He's really starting to get to me. What are you doing, Uncle John? I'm trying to talk to you."
Hannibal was searching through the drawers of his desk. He pulled out the teacher's rosters and read through them.
"Damn! BA's in a lesson, so is Amy. Jo-Jo, go and find Murdock, tell him to meet me outside the staff room, ASAP."
Jo-Jo got up and went from the room, muttering about how men all stick together. Hannibal checked the corridor and headed towards the staff room. When he got there, Murdock was already waiting for him.
"What's up, Colonel?"
"Face is missing. He's been gone about half an hour. He knows our rule about checking in with me after each lesson. Jo-Jo said he was coming here so let's check it out."
Hannibal tried the door. The door opened and Hannibal went inside, followed by Murdock and Jo-Jo. He looked around. There was only one occupant, Mrs Hughes, the Latin teacher. She smiled at them as they entered.
"Sorry to bother you, Mrs Hughes," said Hannibal. "You wouldn't happen to have seen Mr Peck on your way here, would you?"
"As a matter of fact, dear, he was on his way to the library when I saw him last," said Mrs Hughes. Jo-Jo and Murdock grinned when she called Hannibal 'dear'. Mrs Hughes was the eldest teacher in the school and, although she was pushing seventy, she was still one of the sharpest teachers in the school.
"Thank you, Mrs Hughes," said Hannibal, and he left the staff room, pulling the door shut as he did so. He turned to Jo-Jo.
"Go and wait in my office. No arguments," he said as Jo-Jo started to protest. "You were told on joining us that I give the orders and this is an order."
Jo-Jo slunk off down the corridor towards Hannibal's office and Murdock looked at Hannibal.
"Library, Colonel?"
"You bet, Captain. Just you and me, I'm afraid."
"I'm not," grinned Murdock. "Afraid of nothin', me. One of the advantages of being crazy."
Hannibal grinned and they set off for the library.
Meanwhile, in a small room, just off the library, Face was just coming round again. As his vision came back into focus, he saw Prisner sitting on one of the desks. Glancing round he saw Adams, grinning at him, disturbingly cheerful. He heard a noise like a door opening and tried to turn round before realising that his hands were bound behind his back. He waited and then Tarrance came into view.
"Well, well. I see our guest is conscious again."
Face struggled against the bonds tying his hands together and glared at Tarrance.
"I hardly think guest is an appropriate word in this case, Tarrance. I can see why you don't teach English."
To his surprise, Tarrance laughed.
"A sense of humour, I like that in an employee."
"Employee? I don't work for you and never will."
Face stared defiantly at Tarrance who just shrugged and sat down opposite him.
"I believe you've been a naughty boy."
"What are you going on about?"
"Let's just say it has come to my knowledge that you aren't as perfect as the students believe you are."
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
Tarrance stood up and walked over to Face and, standing just inches away from him, he stared unblinkingly into Face's blue eyes.
"Cut the routine, Peck. I know you're bent. I know you're trying to figure out which students to hit with you're little scam."
"I have no idea what…" Face began but his voice died off as Tarrance waved a small notebook in front of him. "Ah, I see."
"I knew you would," laughed Tarrance. "So, the question now is what do we do?"
"Do?"
"I could take this to Smith. I'm sure he'd soon see you out of the school."
"What makes you think he'd believe you?"
Tarrance snorted.
"I have your notebook. What other proof does he need?"
"That could mean anything," said Face. Prisner laughed this time, but Tarrance held his hand up. "I suppose Mr Peck has a point."
"You bet I do and when I add kidnap and interrogation to the list, I'm sure Smith'll be on my side."
"I'm sure he would be but where's your proof?"
Face looked forlorn.
"I knew you'd see it from my point of view," said Tarrance. "But, I can offer you a solution."
"You can?"
"Is it a deal?"
"What?"
"I'll give you a way out of this mess and you keep your trap shut about this little meeting."
"Deal," said Face. "Now, what did you have in mind?"
"Well, it seems you and I are quite similar. However, there is one major difference."
"Which is?"
"I already know which students are worth hitting and which aren't."
Face smiled.
"You mean, I've stepped in on your territory."
Tarrance smiled his crooked smile again.
"You've hit the nail on the head, Peck. And I don't let anybody muscle into my operation."
"So, what did you have in mind?"
"I tell you which of your students to hit and you give me a cut of what you take."
"And if I say no?"
"This notebook of yours finds its way to Smith's office."
"I'd say that was fair," said Face.
Tarrance released the bonds that tied Face up and he got to his feet, rubbing his wrists.
"Sorry about the way we brought you here," said Tarrance. "Necessary evil, I'm afraid."
"No problem," said Face. "After all, we are on the same side, aren't we?"
"Exactly," said Tarrance, shaking Face's hand. "My side."
Adams moved away from the door and Face left the library. He wandered down the corridor and, turning a corner into the science block, he collided with Murdock.
"Murdock, what the hell are you doing, sneaking up on me like that?"
"Looking for you, muchacho."
"Well, I'm here. What's the panic?"
"The panic, Lieutenant, is that you're late checking in," said Hannibal, coming into the science block.
"Let's not talk here," said Face. "I've just left Tarrance and his gorillas in the library. I'm thinking they shouldn't see us together."
"Good point. Let's rendezvous in my office in five minutes. And I mean five minutes, Face. There's a young lady in there who isn't your biggest fan."
Face groaned.
"Jo-Jo. I was supposed to be taking her to lunch. Look, I'll explain back at the office."
"It had better be good, Face."
Face fixed him with a pointed look and left. Murdock shook his head and walked off, whistling, towards the library. As he entered the library wing, he noticed Amy racing down the corridor towards him. He put his arm out to stop her and she ran straight into him.
"Hey, Chiquita, what's the rush?"
"Murdock, let me go before he catches up."
"Who?" asked Murdock, puzzled.
"Tarrance. He's just cornered me again. I can't take much more of this."
"Come with me. You look like you need a cup of coffee."
Murdock led Amy to the janitor's office. He put the kettle on and looked at Amy who had sat down in the small comfy chair. She was shaking and Murdock pulled out a rather grubby handkerchief and handed it to her. To his horror, Amy burst into tears. Murdock raced over and threw his arms round her.
"Don't cry, sweetheart," he said, hugging her tightly.
"I can't cope any more," said Amy. "I can cope with getting shot at but not this. This is too much. I'm gonna ask Hannibal to pull me off this case."
"Aw, Amy, no. You're doing great. Listen, if he gives you any trouble, you come and tell me. I'm not scared of him."
Amy sniffled into the hankie and Murdock hugged her again.
"Thanks, Murdock. I knew I could count on you."
"You're my girl," said Murdock. "You always looked out for me, it's my turn to look out for you now."
Amy smiled gratefully. Murdock made her a coffee and handed it to her.
"You be okay for a while if I go and check in with Hannibal, otherwise he'll have everyone out looking for me."
"Yeah, I'll be fine," said Amy. "I'll be there myself in a minute. I need to make a phone call."
"Okay, hun. See you in five."
A few minutes later, Amy knocked on the door of Hannibal's office. After being called inside, she sat on the edge of the desk and looked as Hannibal glared at Face.
"What's going on?"
"That's what I want to know," said Hannibal. "But first of all, I need that contact at the paper calling, Amy. I want to know if our friend, Tarrance, has any kind of background, either criminal or military. I need this info fast. Call them now, if you like."
"Already done, Hannibal. She'll be here in about 20 minutes. I told her to ask for you."
"Fine. Now that's sorted, I want to know why Face is having cosy little chats in the library with Tarrance."
Everyone turned and stared at Face who calmly stared back.
"I just sold out to the other side," said Face.
TBC
Hannibal was sitting in his office, quietly having a cup of coffee when the door slammed open and he jumped with surprise, spilling his coffee down his trousers. He spun round to see Jo-Jo throw herself into the chair opposite him.
"You scared the life out of me, I thought it was Decker," said Hannibal. Then he noticed the look on Jo-Jo's face and sat down. "What's up?"
"I'm gonna kill him with my bare hands this time," she said through gritted teeth.
"Who? Tarrance?" Hannibal had been briefed about Jo-Jo's incident in the staff room earlier that day.
"No, not him. Right now, I think I'd prefer to be dating him."
Hannibal chuckled.
"What's Face done this time?"
"He was supposed to be taking me for dinner. He said he'd be five minutes. That was half an hour ago."
Hannibal looked at Jo-Jo.
"Where did he say he was going?"
"Only to the staff room. Yeah right. He's really starting to get to me. What are you doing, Uncle John? I'm trying to talk to you."
Hannibal was searching through the drawers of his desk. He pulled out the teacher's rosters and read through them.
"Damn! BA's in a lesson, so is Amy. Jo-Jo, go and find Murdock, tell him to meet me outside the staff room, ASAP."
Jo-Jo got up and went from the room, muttering about how men all stick together. Hannibal checked the corridor and headed towards the staff room. When he got there, Murdock was already waiting for him.
"What's up, Colonel?"
"Face is missing. He's been gone about half an hour. He knows our rule about checking in with me after each lesson. Jo-Jo said he was coming here so let's check it out."
Hannibal tried the door. The door opened and Hannibal went inside, followed by Murdock and Jo-Jo. He looked around. There was only one occupant, Mrs Hughes, the Latin teacher. She smiled at them as they entered.
"Sorry to bother you, Mrs Hughes," said Hannibal. "You wouldn't happen to have seen Mr Peck on your way here, would you?"
"As a matter of fact, dear, he was on his way to the library when I saw him last," said Mrs Hughes. Jo-Jo and Murdock grinned when she called Hannibal 'dear'. Mrs Hughes was the eldest teacher in the school and, although she was pushing seventy, she was still one of the sharpest teachers in the school.
"Thank you, Mrs Hughes," said Hannibal, and he left the staff room, pulling the door shut as he did so. He turned to Jo-Jo.
"Go and wait in my office. No arguments," he said as Jo-Jo started to protest. "You were told on joining us that I give the orders and this is an order."
Jo-Jo slunk off down the corridor towards Hannibal's office and Murdock looked at Hannibal.
"Library, Colonel?"
"You bet, Captain. Just you and me, I'm afraid."
"I'm not," grinned Murdock. "Afraid of nothin', me. One of the advantages of being crazy."
Hannibal grinned and they set off for the library.
Meanwhile, in a small room, just off the library, Face was just coming round again. As his vision came back into focus, he saw Prisner sitting on one of the desks. Glancing round he saw Adams, grinning at him, disturbingly cheerful. He heard a noise like a door opening and tried to turn round before realising that his hands were bound behind his back. He waited and then Tarrance came into view.
"Well, well. I see our guest is conscious again."
Face struggled against the bonds tying his hands together and glared at Tarrance.
"I hardly think guest is an appropriate word in this case, Tarrance. I can see why you don't teach English."
To his surprise, Tarrance laughed.
"A sense of humour, I like that in an employee."
"Employee? I don't work for you and never will."
Face stared defiantly at Tarrance who just shrugged and sat down opposite him.
"I believe you've been a naughty boy."
"What are you going on about?"
"Let's just say it has come to my knowledge that you aren't as perfect as the students believe you are."
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
Tarrance stood up and walked over to Face and, standing just inches away from him, he stared unblinkingly into Face's blue eyes.
"Cut the routine, Peck. I know you're bent. I know you're trying to figure out which students to hit with you're little scam."
"I have no idea what…" Face began but his voice died off as Tarrance waved a small notebook in front of him. "Ah, I see."
"I knew you would," laughed Tarrance. "So, the question now is what do we do?"
"Do?"
"I could take this to Smith. I'm sure he'd soon see you out of the school."
"What makes you think he'd believe you?"
Tarrance snorted.
"I have your notebook. What other proof does he need?"
"That could mean anything," said Face. Prisner laughed this time, but Tarrance held his hand up. "I suppose Mr Peck has a point."
"You bet I do and when I add kidnap and interrogation to the list, I'm sure Smith'll be on my side."
"I'm sure he would be but where's your proof?"
Face looked forlorn.
"I knew you'd see it from my point of view," said Tarrance. "But, I can offer you a solution."
"You can?"
"Is it a deal?"
"What?"
"I'll give you a way out of this mess and you keep your trap shut about this little meeting."
"Deal," said Face. "Now, what did you have in mind?"
"Well, it seems you and I are quite similar. However, there is one major difference."
"Which is?"
"I already know which students are worth hitting and which aren't."
Face smiled.
"You mean, I've stepped in on your territory."
Tarrance smiled his crooked smile again.
"You've hit the nail on the head, Peck. And I don't let anybody muscle into my operation."
"So, what did you have in mind?"
"I tell you which of your students to hit and you give me a cut of what you take."
"And if I say no?"
"This notebook of yours finds its way to Smith's office."
"I'd say that was fair," said Face.
Tarrance released the bonds that tied Face up and he got to his feet, rubbing his wrists.
"Sorry about the way we brought you here," said Tarrance. "Necessary evil, I'm afraid."
"No problem," said Face. "After all, we are on the same side, aren't we?"
"Exactly," said Tarrance, shaking Face's hand. "My side."
Adams moved away from the door and Face left the library. He wandered down the corridor and, turning a corner into the science block, he collided with Murdock.
"Murdock, what the hell are you doing, sneaking up on me like that?"
"Looking for you, muchacho."
"Well, I'm here. What's the panic?"
"The panic, Lieutenant, is that you're late checking in," said Hannibal, coming into the science block.
"Let's not talk here," said Face. "I've just left Tarrance and his gorillas in the library. I'm thinking they shouldn't see us together."
"Good point. Let's rendezvous in my office in five minutes. And I mean five minutes, Face. There's a young lady in there who isn't your biggest fan."
Face groaned.
"Jo-Jo. I was supposed to be taking her to lunch. Look, I'll explain back at the office."
"It had better be good, Face."
Face fixed him with a pointed look and left. Murdock shook his head and walked off, whistling, towards the library. As he entered the library wing, he noticed Amy racing down the corridor towards him. He put his arm out to stop her and she ran straight into him.
"Hey, Chiquita, what's the rush?"
"Murdock, let me go before he catches up."
"Who?" asked Murdock, puzzled.
"Tarrance. He's just cornered me again. I can't take much more of this."
"Come with me. You look like you need a cup of coffee."
Murdock led Amy to the janitor's office. He put the kettle on and looked at Amy who had sat down in the small comfy chair. She was shaking and Murdock pulled out a rather grubby handkerchief and handed it to her. To his horror, Amy burst into tears. Murdock raced over and threw his arms round her.
"Don't cry, sweetheart," he said, hugging her tightly.
"I can't cope any more," said Amy. "I can cope with getting shot at but not this. This is too much. I'm gonna ask Hannibal to pull me off this case."
"Aw, Amy, no. You're doing great. Listen, if he gives you any trouble, you come and tell me. I'm not scared of him."
Amy sniffled into the hankie and Murdock hugged her again.
"Thanks, Murdock. I knew I could count on you."
"You're my girl," said Murdock. "You always looked out for me, it's my turn to look out for you now."
Amy smiled gratefully. Murdock made her a coffee and handed it to her.
"You be okay for a while if I go and check in with Hannibal, otherwise he'll have everyone out looking for me."
"Yeah, I'll be fine," said Amy. "I'll be there myself in a minute. I need to make a phone call."
"Okay, hun. See you in five."
A few minutes later, Amy knocked on the door of Hannibal's office. After being called inside, she sat on the edge of the desk and looked as Hannibal glared at Face.
"What's going on?"
"That's what I want to know," said Hannibal. "But first of all, I need that contact at the paper calling, Amy. I want to know if our friend, Tarrance, has any kind of background, either criminal or military. I need this info fast. Call them now, if you like."
"Already done, Hannibal. She'll be here in about 20 minutes. I told her to ask for you."
"Fine. Now that's sorted, I want to know why Face is having cosy little chats in the library with Tarrance."
Everyone turned and stared at Face who calmly stared back.
"I just sold out to the other side," said Face.
TBC