Chapter 5 – Plan
The girls get on their voice cycles and return to WOOHP headquarters to inform Jerry of what they found. They are seated on the retractable sofa in front of Jerry's desk.
"Harold Spectum checks out! Nothing of interest there!" says Sam.
"Oh, but at Velma Priestly's house I found notes on fuel cell experiments!" says Alex excitedly.
"At Lars Ingstram's house I learned that Ingstram would be very happy to purchase the stolen projects, to develop products out of them!" says Clover.
"Interesting!" says Jerry. "Dr. Priestly and Lars Ingstram were also on the Evaluation Committee! It appears we have two leads to follow."
"Obviously Lars doesn't have the projects – or he wouldn't be instructing his scientist to buy them!" says Clover.
"That points the finger at Priestly!" says Alex.
"It would appear so!" says Jerry.
"We need to search Velma's home lab more thoroughly!" says Jerry.
"OK, Jerry!" says Sam.
Soon the gals have cycled over to Velma Priestly's mansion. Alex employs her contacts to pinpoint the location of the family and the dog. They don't need any interference this time!
The girls don their reflective jumpsuits and analyzer/heat sensitive glasses (so they don't run into each other). Cautiously they enter the first floor of the mansion. They quickly go down to the basement, to the lab. Alex shows Sam and Clover the notebook.
"You're right, Alex! These are notes on fuel cell experiments and greenhouse gas conversions," says Sam.
"Then the stolen projects can't be far away!" says Clover.
The gals start to thoroughly search the lab. They come up empty!
"Maybe she has them locked in a safe?" asks Clover.
"No, I checked all the safes with the contacts! She doesn't have them in a locked cabinet either!" says Alex.
"Where can they be?" asks Sam.
When all of the sudden they hear someone coming downstairs. Immediately, the gals stand motionless as Dr. Priestly enters her lab. She takes down some metal containers and a meter to measure voltage. She begins preparing a fuel cell right before the spies' eyes! She quickly jots down some notes, attaches the voltmeter and leaves the lab.
Sam walks over to the notebook.
"She is experimenting with different metals, inside of a fuel cell!" Sam says.
"Is she using your idea, Sam?" asks Clover.
"No. She is using two entirely different metals! Maybe the good doctor is just honestly trying to develop a fuel cell!" says Sam.
"Why don't we talk to her?" asks Alex.
"Good idea, Alex! We'll pose as reporters for a teen science magazine!" says Sam.
The gals cautiously walk out of the house to their cycles. They quickly change into their street clothes and go to the front door of Dr. Priestly's mansion, ringing the doorbell.
Dr. Priestly answers the door. "Yes, may I help you?"
Sam says, "We are reporters for a teen science magazine, and we would like to do a feature article on you, Dr. Priestly!"
Dr. Priestly is pleasantly surprised. "Certainly! Come in!"
As the girls enter, Princess immediately runs up to Alex and starts barking.
"That's odd! Princess is barking at you like you are some kind of intruder!" says Velma.
"Me? An intruder? Imagine that!" says Alex as a large sweat drop falls from her head.
The doctor picks up Princess and leads the girls into the study, where they all sit down.
"Dr. Priestly, our readers would be very interested in what projects you are currently working on!" says Clover.
"Well, I am centering my research on fuel cells right now, and my next project will be on greenhouse gas conversion."
"I see," says Sam. "I think some students may have touched on those subjects in this past year's science fairs."
"Yes, they have. In fact a project on each was nominated for a Pembroke Award! I had the honor or being on the Evaluation Committee! Excellent projects! Sadly, both projects, along with another were stolen before the Pembroke Award was given!"
"Why would someone steal those projects?" asks Alex.
"They would be great products to sell. Someone could possibly become quite rich selling those items!"
"But wouldn't their theft be noticed as soon as the products hit the market?" asks Sam.
"That's true! I never thought of that! Then really stealing the products was quite useless!"
"How far along have you gotten in your fuel cell research, Doctor?" asks Clover.
"I am just about one-third of the way through. I am still testing different metals to see which are the most promising!
"Here! Let's go down to my lab and I'll show you!"
So saying, Doctor Priestly takes the girls down to her lab and shows them her detailed research, and results so far. It becomes evident that the good doctor is not the thief – it was just coincidence that she had notes on similar subjects as those of the stolen science fair projects. She had started her fuel cell research a full year before Sam put together her project!
The girls thank Doctor Priestly for her time and leave. Princess continues to bark at Alex.
Alex says in a whisper to her friends, "That dog has the memory of an elephant! Even without seeing me she still recognized me!"
Sam and Clover smile. "They say a dog's keenest sense is the sense of smell! It's almost more important than eyesight!" says Sam.
"I believe our next stop should be Lars Ingstram," says Clover.
"Right!" says Alex.
"We'll use the same cover with him," says Sam.
The girls quickly drive over to Lars Ingstram's mansion. They stand at the front gate, talking to a Security guard.
"We'd like to speak to Mr. Ingstram. We are reporters for a teen science magazine and would like to profile him for our next issue!" says Sam.
"I'll call Mr. Ingstram. Stay here." The guard goes into the guardhouse and places a call. It doesn't take long for the answer to come back.
"Sorry, ladies. Mr. Ingstram is not interested in providing a profile for any magazine. Good bye!" The guard closes the gate.
"Well, obviously Lars Ingstram doesn't want company!" says Alex.
"I'll say! Look at all the security around this place! You'd think it was Fort Knox!" says Sam.
"How on earth did you get in, Clover?" asks Alex.
"I tunneled in! The tunnel starts about a block away in the woods!" replies Clover.
"I think we should use your tunnel, tonight!" says Sam. The girls agree.
