Teaching Them A Lesson Part 4
By Angievette
Everyone stared at Face, who calmly stared back. Hannibal was the first to break the silence.
"It worked then?"
"Like a charm," said Face, grinning. "I planted the crumbs and waited for Tarrance to gobble them up."
Everyone relaxed.
"How did you do it?" asked Jo-Jo.
Face sat down in one of the comfy chairs.
"I just happened to leave my briefcase with a notebook sticking out of the top pocket inside, lying around, unlocked in the staff room. He took it and confronted me earlier."
"What was in the notebook?" asked Amy.
"Just a random list of students I teach but with a list of odds next to them, make it look like I was working out with students to target."
"And Tarrance believed it?" said Hannibal. "No problems?"
"Not a one," said Face. "He even threatened to come to you with the notebook. Just imagine that, you being confronted with the notebook you thought of planting."
Hannibal chuckled.
"So you're in."
"Yep, Tarrance is gonna get a list to me of students worth hitting."
The door opened and BA walked in.
"Just checkin' in, Hannibal."
"Good. Right, everyone out except Face. We can't keep meeting in here," said Hannibal. "Someone is going to get suspicious and realise we're all in this together, which could prove very bad, especially for Face."
"How do you want to do this then?" asked Jo-Jo.
"I'll figure it out," said Hannibal. "But for now, just keep checking your pigeon holes. I'll leave a note if I have to. Murdock, keep your eye on Tarrance, just in case he tries anything. Try not to let him see you but if he goes for one of the kids, intercept it."
They all filtered out except Face. Hannibal turned to him and Face sighed.
"What's up, Face?"
"You know as well as I do, Hannibal," he said.
"Jo-Jo and Amy."
"Yeah, I don't like it. Tarrance is going to hurt one of them soon. He's already tried it on with Jo-Jo and he's gonna go for Amy next."
"He already has," said Hannibal, grimly. "Did you not notice the red marks on her face before?"
"No?"
"Murdock caught her in the library block, just after you left. Tarrance must have tried to hit on her after he left you. She wants to pull out, you know."
"We can't let that happen, Hannibal. She's too good to lose now."
"I know, kid but it's her call, in the end. Murdock's keeping an eye on her, he won't let anything happen to her."
"So, what's next?"
"Wait until Tarrance gets the list and check the kids out. See if there's one you can trust. Make it look to Tarrance you're getting money off this kid. I assume he's getting a cut of your takings."
"Yeah, but I can't hit on the kids, Hannibal."
"I'm not asking you to. Get one that Tarrance can check up on, make it seem like this kid hates you."
"So he thinks the kid hates me because I'm putting pressure on him."
"Got it in one."
"Right, so I'll wait until I hear from Tarrance."
"Right."
There was a knock on the door. Face got up and opened it.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Mr Smith, Mr Peck," said Carol Barnes, the school secretary. "I didn't realise you were in a meeting."
"I'm just going, Carol," said Face, giving her his best smile. She blushed and he left the office. Hannibal rolled his eyes, then addressed Carol.
"What's up, Carol?"
"There's a young lady here," she said. "She was told to ask for you. She's with the LA Courier, but I don't have an appointment scheduled for her."
"Don't worry, send her through, Carol. I'll see to it."
Carol nodded and hurried out. After a minute or so, there was another knock on the door.
"Come in," called Hannibal.
"Hey, Hannibal."
Hannibal spun to face the door and could not contain his surprise.
"Tawnia Baker?"
"Hiya," said Tawnia, smiling. "Bet I'm a surprise, aren't I?"
"You could say that," said Hannibal, smiling. "Sit down," he said, motioning to a chair. "So, you're Amy's contact?"
"Yeah, we kinda keep in touch when she's off on assignments."
Hannibal coughed.
"I'm sorry, Tawnia."
"About what?"
"About last time we met. I should never have shouted at you the way I did."
"I understand," said Tawnia. "I know you were still reeling from finding your niece again."
"Still no excuse for talking to you the way I did."
"I'm sorry to hear about your niece. I read the reports on the accident."
"You don't know the half of it," said Hannibal, smiling. "But we'll work on that later. How do I explain you to the rest of the staff? I don't want certain teachers knowing you're here to do some digging for me."
"It's okay, Amy's told me all about Tarrance and we think we've got the perfect cover."
"Oh?"
"What could be more natural than me dropping by to see an old friend? You see, I went to school here too."
"You did?"
"Yep, I was in the same year as Amy. We were best of friends back then too. I don't think we've been apart for long since then."
"You lot are full of surprises. Right then, let's go and find Amy."
"First of all," said Tawnia. "I've done a bit of research into your friend Edward Tarrance."
"And?"
"He's clean," she said. "No connections with the military. No previous either."
"Which means he's clever.
"Not entirely. It means he's a novice. I found something else out."
"Which is?"
"The other two. Richard Adams has a previous conviction for GBH."
"Okay, he's a crook. How do Adams and Tarrance meet? How do they get caught in this scheme?"
"Luke Prisner. He's the one who has a major conviction for fraud. He was inside for five years, and guess who was in his cell block at the same time?"
"Adams."
"Right."
"So how on earth did these two crooks get teaching jobs? You have to be purer than pure to get teaching jobs?"
"You're here," said Tawnia, smiling.
Hannibal grinned.
"Point taken, but we're undercover."
"The fact is you're still teaching the kids, things get overlooked, references faked, that kind of thing. Prisner used to live near Tarrance so I'm guessing Tarrance got them in here, and Prisner is the main brains behind the outfit."
"Thanks, Tawnia. This is a great help."
"Sure, I'll be around for a while so you can get me on this number." She handed Hannibal a number. "When's Amy free? It's about time we put this cover to the test."
"She's got a class that finishes in ten minutes. You can wait in the staff room if you like. I'll get word to her to go straight there."
After her class had finished, Amy made her way to the staff room. On the way there, she saw Tarrance walking down the corridor towards her but just as she began to panic, she saw Murdock just behind him. She felt better seeing Murdock.
"Hey beautiful," said Tarrance with a leering look that made Amy's spine shiver. "You defrosted enough to come out to dinner with me?"
"No," said Amy. "And I never will."
"Pity," said Tarrance, still smiling at her. "I'm a nice guy when you get to know me."
Murdock caught up with the two of them in time to hear Tarrance's last comment.
"Doubt it," he muttered under his breath as he passed them in the corridor. "Unless her eyesight fails during the date." Amy stifled a giggle. Tarrance got hold of Murdock's arm.
"You say something?"
"Who, me? Not me, sir. Perhaps you're hearing things?"
Tarrance let Murdock go and stomped off down the corridor towards the History block. Amy looked at Murdock.
"Are you okay?"
"Sure, Chiquita. He don't scare me."
"Good, I'd hate to see him hurt you because of me."
"I'd rather he did," said Murdock, squeezing her hand. "You got a prettier face to lose than me."
Amy smiled and blushed and she hurried off to the staff room. She opened the door and saw Hannibal sitting, talking to BA and Tawnia.
"You made it," cried Amy and the two girls hugged. "Boy, am I glad to see you."
"You okay, Amy?" asked Hannibal. "Your face looks red."
"I'm fine, Hannibal. Tarrance chased me again but Murdock was around to stop it going too far."
"You can report him, Amy," said BA. "We'll all back you up, no worries."
"It's okay, BA. Really," she added, noticing the look on Hannibal's face. Face stuck his head round the door and did a double take when he saw Tawnia.
"Hey, kid," he said, smiling at her.
"Hiya."
"What's up, Face?" asked Hannibal.
"Just checkin' in and I was wondering if you knew where Jo-Jo was."
"Not seen her yet but stick around and she'll come and check in."
Face sat down next to Tawnia. After a few minutes, Jo-Jo popped into the staff room. It was hard to tell who was most surprised, Jo-Jo or Tawnia, when they saw each other.
"I'll explain later," said Amy to Tawnia as Face left with Jo-Jo. Face walked towards the front door with Jo-Jo. They were just leaving the school when Carol, called Face back.
"Mr Peck, there's a telephone call for you."
"Okay. Jo-Jo, wait in the 'Vette, I'll be there in a minute."
"No chance, after last time? I'm coming with you."
"Okay," chuckled Face. He went into the office and picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Mr Peck. This is Mr Appledown from Courtney Motors."
"Yes?"
"I'm just ringing to let you know that a mechanic will be over later to collect your car."
"Collect my car? For what?" Face was surprised.
"You booked it in for a service last week."
"Did I? I'm sorry, it must have slipped my mind, I've been a bit busy this week."
"So, it's okay to collect this afternoon?"
"Yes, that's fine."
"We'll have it back to you on Monday morning, sir."
"Right."
Face hung up and turned to Jo-Jo.
"I'm really starting to lose the plot," he said. "I really don't remember booking the 'Vette in for a service."
Jo-Jo laughed.
"Come on, take me for dinner. You're frazzled mind can cope with that, I take it?"
Face and Jo-Jo got into the white corvette and drove off. Back in the staff room, the others were all talking.
"So, if I need to get a message to anyone, I'll phone you, Hannibal, and say I'm your sister," said Tawnia.
"Right. I can then leave messages in the pigeonholes for the others. Amy, make sure you get any message to Murdock."
"Got it."
Tawnia got up.
"Well, I'd best get back to the paper. I need to file my story before today's deadline."
"I forget what day it is," said Amy. "I usually remember Friday's because of deadline day."
"D-Day," grinned Tawnia. "Fancy some lunch, guys, before I go back?"
"Sorry," replied Amy. "I'm meeting someone already."
Hannibal raised his eyebrows but Amy deliberately avoided his gaze.
"I got team practice," said BA, before shuffling out towards the football field.
"Come on," said Hannibal to Tawnia. "I'll take you to lunch. The least I can do after the trouble you've gone to for us."
"You can explain about Jo-Jo too," said Tawnia.
"Deal," smiled Hannibal.
They all left the staff room and went their separate ways. Watching them leave, Edward Tarrance slipped out from the corner and entered the staff room. Checking he was alone, he slid a sheet of paper out from inside his jacket and slipped it between a couple of books in Face's pigeonhole. He got himself a coffee from the machine and sat down. He smiled contentedly to himself. Everything was going to plan.
TBC
By Angievette
Everyone stared at Face, who calmly stared back. Hannibal was the first to break the silence.
"It worked then?"
"Like a charm," said Face, grinning. "I planted the crumbs and waited for Tarrance to gobble them up."
Everyone relaxed.
"How did you do it?" asked Jo-Jo.
Face sat down in one of the comfy chairs.
"I just happened to leave my briefcase with a notebook sticking out of the top pocket inside, lying around, unlocked in the staff room. He took it and confronted me earlier."
"What was in the notebook?" asked Amy.
"Just a random list of students I teach but with a list of odds next to them, make it look like I was working out with students to target."
"And Tarrance believed it?" said Hannibal. "No problems?"
"Not a one," said Face. "He even threatened to come to you with the notebook. Just imagine that, you being confronted with the notebook you thought of planting."
Hannibal chuckled.
"So you're in."
"Yep, Tarrance is gonna get a list to me of students worth hitting."
The door opened and BA walked in.
"Just checkin' in, Hannibal."
"Good. Right, everyone out except Face. We can't keep meeting in here," said Hannibal. "Someone is going to get suspicious and realise we're all in this together, which could prove very bad, especially for Face."
"How do you want to do this then?" asked Jo-Jo.
"I'll figure it out," said Hannibal. "But for now, just keep checking your pigeon holes. I'll leave a note if I have to. Murdock, keep your eye on Tarrance, just in case he tries anything. Try not to let him see you but if he goes for one of the kids, intercept it."
They all filtered out except Face. Hannibal turned to him and Face sighed.
"What's up, Face?"
"You know as well as I do, Hannibal," he said.
"Jo-Jo and Amy."
"Yeah, I don't like it. Tarrance is going to hurt one of them soon. He's already tried it on with Jo-Jo and he's gonna go for Amy next."
"He already has," said Hannibal, grimly. "Did you not notice the red marks on her face before?"
"No?"
"Murdock caught her in the library block, just after you left. Tarrance must have tried to hit on her after he left you. She wants to pull out, you know."
"We can't let that happen, Hannibal. She's too good to lose now."
"I know, kid but it's her call, in the end. Murdock's keeping an eye on her, he won't let anything happen to her."
"So, what's next?"
"Wait until Tarrance gets the list and check the kids out. See if there's one you can trust. Make it look to Tarrance you're getting money off this kid. I assume he's getting a cut of your takings."
"Yeah, but I can't hit on the kids, Hannibal."
"I'm not asking you to. Get one that Tarrance can check up on, make it seem like this kid hates you."
"So he thinks the kid hates me because I'm putting pressure on him."
"Got it in one."
"Right, so I'll wait until I hear from Tarrance."
"Right."
There was a knock on the door. Face got up and opened it.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Mr Smith, Mr Peck," said Carol Barnes, the school secretary. "I didn't realise you were in a meeting."
"I'm just going, Carol," said Face, giving her his best smile. She blushed and he left the office. Hannibal rolled his eyes, then addressed Carol.
"What's up, Carol?"
"There's a young lady here," she said. "She was told to ask for you. She's with the LA Courier, but I don't have an appointment scheduled for her."
"Don't worry, send her through, Carol. I'll see to it."
Carol nodded and hurried out. After a minute or so, there was another knock on the door.
"Come in," called Hannibal.
"Hey, Hannibal."
Hannibal spun to face the door and could not contain his surprise.
"Tawnia Baker?"
"Hiya," said Tawnia, smiling. "Bet I'm a surprise, aren't I?"
"You could say that," said Hannibal, smiling. "Sit down," he said, motioning to a chair. "So, you're Amy's contact?"
"Yeah, we kinda keep in touch when she's off on assignments."
Hannibal coughed.
"I'm sorry, Tawnia."
"About what?"
"About last time we met. I should never have shouted at you the way I did."
"I understand," said Tawnia. "I know you were still reeling from finding your niece again."
"Still no excuse for talking to you the way I did."
"I'm sorry to hear about your niece. I read the reports on the accident."
"You don't know the half of it," said Hannibal, smiling. "But we'll work on that later. How do I explain you to the rest of the staff? I don't want certain teachers knowing you're here to do some digging for me."
"It's okay, Amy's told me all about Tarrance and we think we've got the perfect cover."
"Oh?"
"What could be more natural than me dropping by to see an old friend? You see, I went to school here too."
"You did?"
"Yep, I was in the same year as Amy. We were best of friends back then too. I don't think we've been apart for long since then."
"You lot are full of surprises. Right then, let's go and find Amy."
"First of all," said Tawnia. "I've done a bit of research into your friend Edward Tarrance."
"And?"
"He's clean," she said. "No connections with the military. No previous either."
"Which means he's clever.
"Not entirely. It means he's a novice. I found something else out."
"Which is?"
"The other two. Richard Adams has a previous conviction for GBH."
"Okay, he's a crook. How do Adams and Tarrance meet? How do they get caught in this scheme?"
"Luke Prisner. He's the one who has a major conviction for fraud. He was inside for five years, and guess who was in his cell block at the same time?"
"Adams."
"Right."
"So how on earth did these two crooks get teaching jobs? You have to be purer than pure to get teaching jobs?"
"You're here," said Tawnia, smiling.
Hannibal grinned.
"Point taken, but we're undercover."
"The fact is you're still teaching the kids, things get overlooked, references faked, that kind of thing. Prisner used to live near Tarrance so I'm guessing Tarrance got them in here, and Prisner is the main brains behind the outfit."
"Thanks, Tawnia. This is a great help."
"Sure, I'll be around for a while so you can get me on this number." She handed Hannibal a number. "When's Amy free? It's about time we put this cover to the test."
"She's got a class that finishes in ten minutes. You can wait in the staff room if you like. I'll get word to her to go straight there."
After her class had finished, Amy made her way to the staff room. On the way there, she saw Tarrance walking down the corridor towards her but just as she began to panic, she saw Murdock just behind him. She felt better seeing Murdock.
"Hey beautiful," said Tarrance with a leering look that made Amy's spine shiver. "You defrosted enough to come out to dinner with me?"
"No," said Amy. "And I never will."
"Pity," said Tarrance, still smiling at her. "I'm a nice guy when you get to know me."
Murdock caught up with the two of them in time to hear Tarrance's last comment.
"Doubt it," he muttered under his breath as he passed them in the corridor. "Unless her eyesight fails during the date." Amy stifled a giggle. Tarrance got hold of Murdock's arm.
"You say something?"
"Who, me? Not me, sir. Perhaps you're hearing things?"
Tarrance let Murdock go and stomped off down the corridor towards the History block. Amy looked at Murdock.
"Are you okay?"
"Sure, Chiquita. He don't scare me."
"Good, I'd hate to see him hurt you because of me."
"I'd rather he did," said Murdock, squeezing her hand. "You got a prettier face to lose than me."
Amy smiled and blushed and she hurried off to the staff room. She opened the door and saw Hannibal sitting, talking to BA and Tawnia.
"You made it," cried Amy and the two girls hugged. "Boy, am I glad to see you."
"You okay, Amy?" asked Hannibal. "Your face looks red."
"I'm fine, Hannibal. Tarrance chased me again but Murdock was around to stop it going too far."
"You can report him, Amy," said BA. "We'll all back you up, no worries."
"It's okay, BA. Really," she added, noticing the look on Hannibal's face. Face stuck his head round the door and did a double take when he saw Tawnia.
"Hey, kid," he said, smiling at her.
"Hiya."
"What's up, Face?" asked Hannibal.
"Just checkin' in and I was wondering if you knew where Jo-Jo was."
"Not seen her yet but stick around and she'll come and check in."
Face sat down next to Tawnia. After a few minutes, Jo-Jo popped into the staff room. It was hard to tell who was most surprised, Jo-Jo or Tawnia, when they saw each other.
"I'll explain later," said Amy to Tawnia as Face left with Jo-Jo. Face walked towards the front door with Jo-Jo. They were just leaving the school when Carol, called Face back.
"Mr Peck, there's a telephone call for you."
"Okay. Jo-Jo, wait in the 'Vette, I'll be there in a minute."
"No chance, after last time? I'm coming with you."
"Okay," chuckled Face. He went into the office and picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Mr Peck. This is Mr Appledown from Courtney Motors."
"Yes?"
"I'm just ringing to let you know that a mechanic will be over later to collect your car."
"Collect my car? For what?" Face was surprised.
"You booked it in for a service last week."
"Did I? I'm sorry, it must have slipped my mind, I've been a bit busy this week."
"So, it's okay to collect this afternoon?"
"Yes, that's fine."
"We'll have it back to you on Monday morning, sir."
"Right."
Face hung up and turned to Jo-Jo.
"I'm really starting to lose the plot," he said. "I really don't remember booking the 'Vette in for a service."
Jo-Jo laughed.
"Come on, take me for dinner. You're frazzled mind can cope with that, I take it?"
Face and Jo-Jo got into the white corvette and drove off. Back in the staff room, the others were all talking.
"So, if I need to get a message to anyone, I'll phone you, Hannibal, and say I'm your sister," said Tawnia.
"Right. I can then leave messages in the pigeonholes for the others. Amy, make sure you get any message to Murdock."
"Got it."
Tawnia got up.
"Well, I'd best get back to the paper. I need to file my story before today's deadline."
"I forget what day it is," said Amy. "I usually remember Friday's because of deadline day."
"D-Day," grinned Tawnia. "Fancy some lunch, guys, before I go back?"
"Sorry," replied Amy. "I'm meeting someone already."
Hannibal raised his eyebrows but Amy deliberately avoided his gaze.
"I got team practice," said BA, before shuffling out towards the football field.
"Come on," said Hannibal to Tawnia. "I'll take you to lunch. The least I can do after the trouble you've gone to for us."
"You can explain about Jo-Jo too," said Tawnia.
"Deal," smiled Hannibal.
They all left the staff room and went their separate ways. Watching them leave, Edward Tarrance slipped out from the corner and entered the staff room. Checking he was alone, he slid a sheet of paper out from inside his jacket and slipped it between a couple of books in Face's pigeonhole. He got himself a coffee from the machine and sat down. He smiled contentedly to himself. Everything was going to plan.
TBC