Chapter 6: Information Revealed
The three friends snuck up to the mansion as quietly and inconspicuously as possible. They were crawling in the bushes leading up to the building, single file, following Numbuh 5's foolproof plan. They would use the bushes and small trees as camouflage, trekking their way up the long road. Then they would find the side door and slip in unnoticed.
"Why can't we just crawl through a vent like they always do on those action movies?" Wally asked, making karate moves with his hands.
"Because that's stupid," Kuki said simply. "Everyone knows that doesn't work! We'll stick with Abby's plan – it's really good."
So, they had gotten up to one of the many side doors and squeezed in, making absolutely no noise. Still in single file, the three tiptoed to the nearest door, acting upon part two of the plan. They split up, looking for Hoagie. Abby took the main room, Kuki took the additional rooms, and Wally took the second floor.
"I wonder where Hoagie is..." Kuki rummaged through some paperwork in the third office she had come across. "But looking here won't help at all."
"No, it won't."
Kuki spun around, surprised at the sudden intrusion. "Uhh...what're you doing here?" she asked nervously as she held up an envelope knife.
"Me?" asked the strange man, pushing himself away from his position against the wall. "Why, I live here, darling. I believe the question is what are you doing here?"
"Oh." She put the blunt knife back where she got it, her mind racing. "Well, you know...I was just...uhh...just...looking for a stapler?" she ended meekly.
"Ahh. I see. A stapler, is it? Well, if you need a stapler, an envelope knife will do you no good." He came closer, looking deep into her eyes.
"Right...of course not." She backed away, chuckling uncomfortably. "Well, I guess I'll be going, then." She turned and ran, but the man in blue was faster. He got to the door before her and blocked it. "Stupid high heels!" she said under her breath.
"Now, now, Kuki dearest, we wouldn't want Hoagie to get hurt, would we?"
Her eyes widened, understanding fully who he was and what position she was in. "H-Hoagie?" she squeaked. "Okay. How do you know me?"
"Oh, we go way back, Numbuh 3. Way back."
She put it all together. "The Delightful Children From Down The–"
"Yes!" he interjected. "That is where I started. But I showed exceptional potential and left the others in the dust." He smiled proudly, his perfect teeth sparkling.
"Uh-huh, I'm following you," she said slowly, making her way towards a nearby chair. "Why don't you tell me your fascinating story? I'm all ears."
Abigail searched the main room, looking for signs of a struggle. She saw some very faint scuffmarks that led to the grand stairway. "No. It couldn't be..." The scuffmarks were light brown, just like Hoagie's shoes. Hang on, Hoagie, I'm-a comin'!
Wally looked high and low for his best friend, calling out his name every so often. "Where could that bozo be?" He stopped, hearing a muffled sound. Opening the closet across the hall revealed a large wiggling sack. He saw Abby hurrying up to him out of the corner of his eye, and called to her quietly, "I think I found 'im!" She slowed down to the door, stuck her head in, and confirmed his suspicions. The two hauled the bag out of the closet, untying the leather bound around the hole in the top. Out came Hoagie's brown hair and the head attached to it. He coughed, blinking in the light.
"Thanks, guys! I thought I'd never get out of there!" He looked around. "Where's Kuki?"
Abby and Wally looked at each other in alarm. "Kuki!" they said in unison. They bolted for the stairway, forgetting completely about Hoagie.
"Okay, I'll be there in a sec! Honestly I will!"
Wally stopped and called back to him, "No, go outside! We'll see you there!" With that, he ran after Abigail, a look of concern slapped across his face.
"...And so then I found you here, my dear Kuki. Here you were, leafing through my important files like you were my secretary. And you say you were looking for Mr. Gilligan?"
"Yes, but I wasn't doing very well, huh?" She smiled, embarrassed, and looked down at her lap.
Father bent down and lifted her chin up so they could be eye-to-eye. "You wouldn't have found him anyway, so don't make your pretty face sad." He sounded genuine, but it didn't last long. Standing back up, he straightened his suit top, and offered to escort her out.
"Why are you being so nice to me?" she asked bluntly. "I mean, I was trespassing in your mansion and snooping in your office desk!"
"Yes, but I'll consider forgetting it happened if you will."
She was utterly confused, but she didn't have to understand, as Wally and Abby burst into the room at that very moment.
"Kuki!" they both yelled, highly alarmed.
"Yeah?" asked Kuki calmly.
"You're not in trouble?" Wally inquired.
"No, actually I–"
"Yes, she is! She is in deep trouble! And so are the both of you! What are you doing in my private mansion?" Father was enflamed.
"Move aside, Father!" Abby stormed ahead, shoving him out of her way. "Kuki, child, are you a'right?"
"Fine. Did you find him?"
"Yeah, he's safe. Let's get you outta here."
"What?! You think you can just come in here and take her and that it's okay with m–"
He was interrupted abruptly when Wally punched him squarely in the nose. "Face was messed up anyway," he said, trying to justify his actions. "Jerk."
The trio left the mansion out the same door they had come through, finding Hoagie waiting outside. "Let's go back to the Jeep and discuss whatever we found out," suggested Abby.
