Chapter 13

"Vicki," C. J. said, "You have the strangest ways of showing that you're all right, but what can we do? We have no leads."

"We can find something," Vicki said, "We just have to think about where they would go next. They're obviously going to the one place we would think of, but where?"

"Back to the building," Frank answered, "Where else could they go?"

"The shack out back," Vicki suddenly stood up, "It's not the largest, but it's big enough the hide what they're doing. Come on!"

"Hold on," C. J. held her friend back, "The doctors need to okay it first."

"But C. J," Vicki complained, "We need to go now. Who knows what those guys are planning to do."

"She's right," Callie spoke up and Vicki glared at her, "You shouldn't go anywhere until you know." She smiled at Vicki when Frank wasn't looking. Vicki still couldn't stand her.

"Can't we break a rule this once," Joe asked suddenly, "Vicki's right about this one. If we don't act now, they could get away with everything."

"Joe," Frank turned to his brother, "We can't just walk out of here without anyone noticing."

"There are always ways to get around that," Joe said, suddenly brightening up with an idea, "We can always get the doctors and have them say we can go. Or is that too hard?" Frank glared at Joe.

"I'll get them," C. J. offered and walked out of the room. Minutes later she returned with the doctors behind her.

"Are they allowed out of the hospital yet," Frank asked, "We have some important business to do."

"They both are fine," one said, "They are free to go. Vicki, I'd watch that wrist for a few weeks."

"Let's go," Vicki said and jumped up, "We still have a chance." Then she noticed the two eyeing her weirdly, "A chance to make it to that important business. Bye."

The five walked hurriedly outside, Vicki and Joe taking the lead. Vicki waited impatiently for C. J. Then they all headed back to the building, hoping that something would turn up.

When they arrived, the five immediately walked passed the burnt building. No one would be using it for a while. At least until it was in better condition. Remarkably, the shack was still standing in the back. The front door was closed, but they could clearly hear voices inside.

"It worked," one voice said, "Those kids are finally out of our way." Callie gasped quietly.

"What's wrong," Frank asked her, "What is it?"

"I recognize that voice," Callie replied, "When I sneaked in here, two people were talking in the hallway. They hurried off after grabbing some things from the room I entered."

"So you knew about this," Vicki asked, "You could have mentioned this earlier you know? These guys were planning about the bomb. How could you?"

"I didn't think anything of it at the time," Callie answered, "How was I supposed to know that they were planting a bomb?"

"How could you not know," Vicki asked, "These guys aren't hiding in the middle of the woods for the nature or silence obviously. They have something planned. Didn't you get that?"

"I guess not," Callie remarked, "I'm not as into this detective stuff as you guys are. Why couldn't you have figured it out, Miss Detective?" Vicki cringed at the name. The only person who called her that anymore was her sister, Becky.

"I've had it with you," Vicki said, not caring if anyone heard, "You've been nothing but annoying since you arrived. You should have stayed out of this." Frank stepped between the two.

"Cool it," he said, "In case you haven't noticed, we have a situation here. We need to figure this out." Both girls followed his advice but still glared at each other.

C. J. had taken a step forward herself in case she had to stop a fight, but stepped back again. It wasn't very unlike Vicki to get into fights of course. C. J. was used to seeing her friend do this, but it was usually against criminals, not someone she just met.

"I understand," the voice was saying again, "but why should I just hand them over? What about my part of the pay?"

"You'll get it when you deliver your part of the deal," another voice joined in, " The plan isn't complete without your half."

"Okay," the other said, "You'll get it soon. The plans are almost ready, but not quite."

"Good," the second said, "I expect them by tonight. You're not getting away with anything without someone watching you. You know that right?"

"Right," the first replied, "I'll be sure to have them ready then." The five teenagers tensed as the door started to open from the inside.