Act Two: Old Friends and New Enemies
Vallejo's life had been a living hell for the last week. Between Folsom breathing down his neck, this mysterious Sting Ray character, and Randal 'the Vandal' Julian tagging every restroom in sight, he and the Safety Patrol had been working around the clock. What made matters worse was Folsom had assigned the Safety Patrol to baby sit the dance that was coming up. He really didn't want to think about anyone trying to pull something on that night. Besides he had already given the force that night off for some down time. Vallejo sighed; he really hoped that this week would go better than the last couple had. He didn't need any more problems.
"Junior Commissioner Vallejo. What are you doing about my case?"
'Just great.' Vallejo thought and rolled his eyes. Jimmy Nevada had been raising hell for the past four days. Apparently his quote unquote business had been robbed last Friday with the damage coming to about 850 thousand smoits. He had filed his complaint early this week hoping to uncover something about how a job that big had been pulled in such a short time. Nevada looked impatiently at Vallejo waiting for some type of response.
"Listen Nevada, we have already been over this there was only two entrances to your so-called business, the front door connected to the Home Economics Room and the back door. You got the key to both. Tehama checked the place out from top to bottom, no signs of forced entry and your safe didn't show any signs of being cracked or tampered with, so that's it case closed. Besides you'll make back what you lost in less then a week."
"I don't think you understand Jr. Commissioner. Some common criminal robbed me blind in a matter of minutes!! I want to know who it was and NOW!!!" Nevada demanded.
"No I don't think you understand, Nevada. My guys and me are busting our asses trying to work every case that comes at us. So don't give me any crap about your illegal casino taking hits. I don't need this crap right now. So I suggest you get your greedy little carcass out my office before I bring you up on charges." Vallejo said staring down at Nevada.
Nevada didn't like how this situation had turned against him. On one hand he wanted to get who ever had robbed him, but on the other he didn't need the Safety Patrol making a raid on his casino. He would have to give up this venture, besides he had already doubled what he had lost. Nevada turned and left the office, but not before giving Vallejo one last glare. Joseph Anza entered shortly after Nevada's departure.
"Hey Chief, I checked the Nevada Club over again like you said. The only way that job could have been done without forced entry is through the skylight, but it's a thirty-foot sheer drop from the roof to the floor. So I'm thinking it had to be at least a two-man job. But whoever it was still needed the combo for the safe. The thing is we didn't find any finger prints on the safe or the sky light."
Vallejo nodded. It made sense but no one was going to pull something like that if they couldn't get into the safe. But all this could wait until later; they had to report to Folsom about their upcoming dance duty.
"Good work Anza. File your report and get Tehama and O'Farrell. Folsom wants us in her office." Vallejo said as he rose and went to retrieve his cup of hot chocolate.
Anza left to gather the rest of the force and get ready. Vallejo turned to the window and sighed again. He really wasn't looking forward to this meeting with Folsom or the rest of the week.
~~~~~~ Science Lab ~~~~~~
Randal Julian stood in this room casting his eyes at random items and anything that provide him mild interest. He had come here by request of his benefactor Sting Ray, to meet with some of his partners as Sting Ray put it. All together Julian didn't really care who they were but it was better that he followed directions for the time being. He turned when he heard the door to the lab open. To his credit he did not allow his eyes to betray his shock at the two people that appeared in the doorway.
The first to appear was a young black man who carried him self with an air of confidence or arrogance, Randal decided. He was one of the most talented of the criminal underground at X. Sonny Lombard X Middle School's leading high-powered arms runner and the only student to pull off the Millennium Protractor job and not get caught or at least that's how he tells the story. The girl that had followed shortly after him was just as renowned. Penny Madrid was X's leading lady when it came to counterfeiting. Her fiery red hair and sea blue eyes gave her the classic innocent girl look that fooled almost any one at first glance. Randal Julian knew that they were both experts in their criminal fields, but he also knew that they had one thing in common, Cornelius Fillmore. He had been the brain behind the majority of Sonny's and Penny's crimes when he had worked with each of them. But that didn't matter at this particular moment. The Vandal's attention was drawn to the tape player Penny had set on the table before him. He cocked and eyebrow and looked to his two companions for some type of explanation. They simply nodded back at the tape player as the tape began to play it message.
"Good day Mr. Julian, your work has been very progressive this past week. Let me introduce you to my newest associates. Penny Madrid and Sonny Lombard, but I'm sure that you already know about them so I will get to down business. I have put into motion several high profile jobs that will take place over the next month, but there is one element that we will need to acquire. I believe that Penny and Sonny will agreed with me about this fact. To perform these jobs with the minimal amount of resistance by the Safety Patrol I will require the services of Cornelius Fillmore and this partner Ingrid Third."
Sting Ray's voice paused as if to allow what he had just said take effect, and it had. Sonny was slightly frowning at this news, but he nodded his acceptance of the choice while Penny eyes had taken on a glossy look to them and her lips had turned into a smirk at this news. Randal Julian continued to look at the tape player after noting the others reactions to Sting Ray's announcement.
"We cannot move forward with our plans if we don't acquire Fillmore and Ingrid's cooperation. While their presence is not completely necessary, not having it will change our plans drastically. Penny, you and Sonny will attempt to gain Fillmore and Ingrid's trust at the dance this Friday. Mr. Julian you will continue at your own discretion until I contact you again. That is all."
Julian waited a moment after the tape stopped then turned to his newest associates. Both were glancing at him as well.
"It seems that we now have a common bond, but I must wonder why Sting Ray was so adamant about gaining Fillmore and Third's cooperation. It seems strange to me, considering the fact that both of you have worked with Fillmore over the last year."
"It doesn't matter Sting Ray gave us the order so I guess will just have to see what happens. Besides I figure that Fillmore will enjoy working with some old friends. What do you think Penny?" Sonny said.
"Oh I know he will." Penny said with a smirk.
~~~~~ Folsom's Office ~~~~~
"Vallejo is everything ready for the dance this Friday? Because if something goes wrong then I'll have your badge."
"Everything's set up and ready to go Principal Folsom, but I got one question. Why didn't you let us keep the people we know are trouble makers out of the dance it would make our jobs a lot easier." Vallejo said.
Principal Folsom turned to face the Junior Commissioner and narrowed her eyes slightly then spoke through her folded hands.
"Junior Commissioner are you telling that I should have allowed you and the Safety Patrol to screen the students as they enter the dance to keep then from participating in a school function that was approved by their parents for the to attend? You must be joking Vallejo." She said sweetly.
"But Principal Folsom we know for a fact that several of X's worst criminals will be there, you are inviting something to happen Friday night!" Vallejo exclaimed.
"That's why you'll be there with the Safety Patrol. Now enjoy the dance." Principal Folsom said and turned her back to Vallejo.
Vallejo, Karen, Danny, and Joseph all turned and left the office. It was a lost cause and they knew it when they decided to ask Folsom to screen the students going to thee dance. They all released a collective sigh and returned to headquarters. This just wasn't their day.
~~~~~ Fillmore's House ~~~~~
Fillmore had been looking at his tux for the dance when his bedroom door opened. He didn't turn to see who was there it could have only be either his mother or father; Ingrid wasn't coming over until later that night. They had to discuss and plan their next possible job and plan for the dance.
"Cornelius." Mrs. Fillmore said as she took a seat down on the corner of the bed.
Fillmore turned and looked at his mother. She looked back at him and smiled. She patted the spot next to where she sat and waited for her son to sit with her.
"Cornelius why are you getting that tux out again? You just wore it last week if I remember correctly."
"No real reason mom. I'm just getting ready for the dance Friday." Fillmore answered.
"Oh really, you didn't say anything to me or your father about that. Are you going with any one?" Mrs. Fillmore asked with a little teasing smile on her face.
"Yeah as if you didn't already know, I'm taking Ingrid." Fillmore said and smiled at his mother's antics.
"That's nice, when are guys leaving on Friday night?"
"About 4:30, since the dance doesn't start until seven we decided to go to Papa Crackys before. We'll be back about 10 o'clock 10:30 the latest."
Mrs. Fillmore nodded and rose from the bed just as Fillmore's father's voice came from down stairs announcing Ingrid's arrival.
"I'll tell her that you are up here." Mrs. Fillmore said as she left.
Fillmore nodded and laid back on to his bed to wait for Ingrid. He didn't have to wait long. Ingrid appeared in the doorway with her backpack and the duffel bag from their latest job. They weren't worried about anyone finding the smoits they had stolen last week seeing how they had already spent a large quantity of them on assorted things. Ingrid smiled at her partner and set the duffle bag down in the corner. She gave Fillmore a quick kiss on the cheek then closed the door.
"Hey Fillmore, sorry I'm a little early. Arial didn't need as much help as she thought with cooking dinner. So I came over here to hang out."
"That's alright Ingrid. I wanted to talk to you about this Friday anyway." Fillmore said.
"Sure what did you have in mind?"
"You all ready know about going to Papa Crackys before and going to the dance but I was wondering if you had any ideas for what we can do at the dance?" Fillmore asked.
"Well I figured we would do what every one else would being doing. You know just you and me dancing and having a good time, besides I think we can give the Safety Patrol a break for awhile." Ingrid said with a smile.
Fillmore nodded and they sat together making and finalizing their plans for Friday.
~~~~~ Friday X Middle School ~~~~~
Vallejo was walking through the hallways trying not to think about how much could possibly go wrong tonight. By Tehama's count they had already confirmed that well over half of X's criminal body would be in attendance tonight. That had him worried but they could handle it with their recent amount of new recruits. But the main problem was most of these guys had next to no experience so he and the senior officers didn't have any time to relax. Vallejo was brought from his musings when he entered Safety Patrol Headquarters.
"Junior Commissioner Vallejo."
Vallejo looked up and saw Student Council President Peabody standing next to his office door with his arms folded across his chest. Vallejo really hated when Peabody came to his office it always meant trouble and add that to the fact that Peabody had a way of thinking he was running any thing that concerned the student body.
"President Peabody what can I do for you?" Vallejo asked as he moved into his office.
"We have a very serious problem. It has been brought to my attention that the Student Council has been made a fool of by one of X's many delinquents." Peabody said while following Vallejo to his desk.
Vallejo cocked and eyebrow at this news. It wasn't hard to believe really, anyone could make President Peabody look like a fool especially with the way he dressed. But the Student Council being robbed was a big deal; they had access to almost every record at X, from tests to a student's personal file.
"What was taken President Peabody?"
"As you know the Student Council has various records on file. Today we did an inventory check of these records. We came up missing a notebook that contained all of the tests and answers for various exams that are to be given through out the year. This is a very serious situation Junior Commissioner we have to retrieve it at all costs!"
"Test papers for the entire year! Just how was some one able to get into the vault where all that stuff was kept? The only people who could get in are the people on Student Council?" Vallejo exclaimed.
"Well I can assure you no one on my staff perpetrated this crime, I investigated my self." Peabody said with his usual air of self-importance.
Vallejo gave Peabody a very narrow gaze when he heard this. Peabody wasn't someone to do any kind of dirty work and him saying that the rest of the Student Council was clean seemed like something to have double-checked.
"Oh really then I guess you won't mind if I send some one down there to check again. Just to make sure." Vallejo said waiting to hear Peabody protest.
"Of course not Commissioner, just tell me when you will being coming to conduct your search."
"I'll let you know President Peabody, but first I'd like to get a list of everyone on the Council. After we have that we'll be able to do something more. I trust that you will keep quiet about this incident?"
If he had wanted to respond President Peabody wasn't able to as Vallejo pushed him out of the office. Once Vallejo was sure that Peabody had left HQ he released an
aggravated sigh. This was definitely not his week.
~~~~~ Science Lab 2:30 ~~~~~
"Ms. Madrid, do you have our trump card prepared in case either Fillmore and Third decide not to cooperate with my plans?" Sting Ray's disembodied voice asked through the speaker box in the room.
"Yes I have it right here in front of me sir." Penny answered.
"Very good then I will await the good news on your and Sonny Lombard's progress. Just remember that we do not require both of them two make my plans succeed."
Penny nodded and stepped out of the Science lab followed by Sonny Lombard. Neither noticed the presence of Randal Julian as they left. Julian stayed in the room for a moment longer thinking about what Sting Ray had just said about his need to have Fillmore and Third together for his plans and the fact that his plans could succeed with either of them any way. Just what kind of game was Sting Ray playing and why was he so involved?
~~~~~ Ingrid's House ~~~~~
Arial looked at the door that was currently closed before her. She didn't understand why Ingrid was making such a fuss about going out with her boyfriend, it was just a simple dance. In truth Arial was happy that was all that was going on tonight, her sister's continuous planning of crimes at X was starting to bother her just a little. She remembered early this week when Ingrid and Fillmore had arrived with that new game station the Ultra Box. They had claimed that they had paid for it with the smoits that they had been saving recently. Arial let it drop but knew that something wasn't right with the two adolescences. But, she wasn't worried about Ingrid's or Fillmore's grades suffering because of their little excursions, Ingrid never had any problems with academics and she was helping Fillmore improve his grades.
"Come on Ingrid open the door. Dad's already got the camera ready."
Her response was a loud thud against the door before it opened to reveal her sister dressed in a very familiar red dress. Arial had to admit that her sister was very captivating in that dress or when she dressed up for anything for that matter. But that was beside the point at the moment. Arial gave her sister an appreciative nodded and noticed one of Ingrid's Doc Martens laying next to the door.
"Feeling a little shy sis?" Arial teased.
"Shut up." Ingrid said while trying to control a small her blush.
Arial laughed at Ingrid's discomfort as she led her sister down the stairs to the front door. As they reached the bottom step Ingrid saw her partner and boyfriend standing in the doorway dressed in hi famous white jacket tuxedo. She smiled at the him and her smile grew when she noticed her father grilling Fillmore about his plans with her tonight. He was thankfully saved by Ingrid and Arial's arrival.
"What's the matter Fillmore is our dad scaring you?" Arial teased.
Fillmore smirked at Arial's remark and then nodded to Ingrid's father. He then cast a quick glance at Ingrid who made a quick show of how he was dressed by turning a small circle in front of Fillmore. Her action caused Fillmore to give her a small smile and cause him to offer her his arm to escort her to his parent's vehicle. Arial made it her business to take any and all of the pictures she could before they reached the car. Ingrid gave a sigh of relief when the car began to move away from her house to Papa Crackys.
"I'm glad that's over with."
Fillmore only smiled at her then casually pointed to the rear view mirror where Ingrid noticed that Fillmore's mother was currently looking at her with a small smirk on her face. 'Me and my big mouth.'
~~~~~ X Gymnasium ~~~~~
Karen Tehama was not pleased with her situation tonight. Instead of coming to the dance and having a good time as she had planned, she had been roped into working undercover by Folsom along with the rest of the Safety Patrol. But what really bother her was that she had already seen three people she knew would cause trouble show up, Sonny Lombard, Penny Madrid, and Jimmy Nevada. While Nevada hadn't worried her a great deal Sonny and Penny were an entirely different matter. Out of every one on the force aside from Vallejo, she had been at X the longest. So Tehama had been around when Fillmore had worked with Madrid and Lombard respectively and seeing them together wasn't something that was good for anybody. Tehama watched them while they made their way to the table nearest to the back of the gymnasium then she quickly went to find Vallejo.
Vallejo was trying to relax while keeping a close eye from his vantage point near the DJ booth. So far he had not seen any one that he hadn't expected to show up, but with the crowd that was already present he knew that the Safety Patrol was in for a long night. He turned to Tehama when he noticed her approaching him
"Hey Chief, I got some bad news."
"What else is new? What have you got for me?" Vallejo said with a sigh.
"I just saw Penny Madrid and Sonny Lombard come in."
"What the…. !?! Those two haven't been seen together since they each worked with Fillmore!!!" Vallejo exclaimed.
This wasn't good at all and the dance hadn't even started yet. Vallejo cast a wary look at Tehama.
"This is going to be a long night."
~~~~~ Penny and Sonny ~~~~~
Sonny was liking this plan less and less as they waited for Fillmore to show up. It was already bad enough that Sting Ray had him and Penny play errand boy but to bring in his old partner was an insult Sonny just couldn't take. He gave Fillmore all the props that he had earned but they didn't need him or his little 'domino' girlfriend to get the job done. Penny on the other hand was all starry eyed at the chance to work with Fillmore it wasn't that much of a secret about them going out in the past.
"You sure this plan of Sting Ray's is going to work?" Sonny asked.
"Of course it will work, all we have to do is convince them one way or the other." Penny said.
"Fine Madrid, but if it doesn't work out then I'm doing this my way."
Penny glared at Sonny when she heard that statement. It was her impression that Sonny resented Fillmore for the reputation he had developed for himself with X's underworld. While Sonny had pulled jobs that were on a larger scale than what Fillmore pulled, his reputation was second to that of Fillmore's. Penny smiled as the memories of her time working with Fillmore ran through her mind. Those were good times for her.
"Fine but don't do anything to screw up our chances of getting 'both' their cooperation."
~~~~~ 7:15 X Gymnasium ~~~~~
"I can't believe you ate that much Crawfish Fillmore and then went back for more." Ingrid said laughing a little.
"Its like my dad always says, you got eat the meat to beat the house." Fillmore said with a small satisfied smirk.
"Whatever Fillmore." Ingrid said while rolling her eyes at her partner's incredible appetite.
Fillmore simply shrugged and lead Ingrid into the Gymnasium. Their arrival did not go unnoticed by any one present. The reaction was immediate in most cases with most of the student body falling into a quick silence. While the few who were expecting them to show up at the dance simply went about their business. Vallejo was the only one who approached the couple.
"Please tell me you guys aren't going to cause me any problems tonight?"
"Oh Vallejo you know us too well. But no we're just here to enjoy the dance." Ingrid said sweetly.
They both noticed Vallejo give a sigh of relief at this news. He gave them an appreciative smile and a quick nod before walking away from the couple. Fillmore took a quick look around the room and noticed the rest of the senior officers of the Safety Patrol looking directly at Ingrid and him. The only one that wasn't actively watching like the others was Tehama who was casting constant glances at the table in the far corner. From his position Fillmore couldn't see who was sitting at the table but he dismissed Tehama's behavior and turn back to Ingrid.
"It looks like they were expecting us."
"And here I thought we were losing our touch." Ingrid said with a small smile.
~~~~~ Penny and Sonny ~~~~~
Sonny was not pleased at the reaction to Fillmore's arrival. It amazed him that his old partner could demand that much respect by just showing his face. But that could wait until later, right now he needed to get this assignment done so Sting Ray could get on with his plans.
Penny was trying desperately to control the jealous impulse she felt at the sight of Ingrid with Fillmore. While she knew that they were working together she hadn't realized that their relationship had moved on past that point. She would have to do something about it when the time came.
"Yo Madrid are you ready to do this?" Sonny said bring Penny's attention back to the job they were sent to do.
"Yeah. Lets go."
~~~~~ Fillmore and Ingrid ~~~~~
They had just finished their first dance of the night when Ingrid caught someone coming toward her and Fillmore. The first was a young man, dressed in a tux similar to Fillmore's except that it was an all black set with a white shirt beneath the jacket, who seemed to be looking or rather glaring slightly at her date. The second person was a tall young woman, who for lack of a better description was simply beautiful to Ingrid. The girl wore a white gown complete with a set of elbow length gloves. Ingrid also noticed the girl's blue eyes were fixed on her, but even more so on Fillmore. Ingrid narrowed her eyes as she watched their approach.
"Hello Fillmore."
"What's up C?"
Fillmore turned when he heard the voices. If he was surprised he didn't let it show, even though seeing these two again was something he hadn't expected. Besides that he hadn't split ways with either of them very well.
"Well, well if isn't X's number one Counterfeit expert and X's number one high-powered slingshot runner." Fillmore said then turned to Ingrid.
"Ingrid Third meet Sonny Lombard and Penny Madrid. Their some old…friends."
Ingrid nodded her greeting to both of them then followed Fillmore to the nearest table and was constantly looking at Fillmore. As long as she had known him she had never been too curious about who he had worked with in the past, but he had told her that his last couple of partners hadn't been who he thought they were. She took the seat across from Fillmore and looked at him waiting for an explanation.
"Those two and me got history Ingrid. I was running with Penny before I met up with Sonny, we were close. But Penny decided that she wanted to pull a major job that I didn't think we could do with out putting some major heat on ourselves. She didn't agree and we had a bad break up over it. I met up with Sonny about a month later; there wasn't anything that we couldn't steal in the school. But we bit off more than we could chew when we tried to boost and toffee shipment. Sonny got away and I ended up taking the fall and did a month's detention for it." Fillmore finished just as Penny and Sonny took the remaining seats at the table.
"I guess we deserve that Fillmore." Penny said as she sat down. "You know I never really meant to split up our partnership, it was just that I wanted to make a bigger name for my self than I already had."
"Yeah C, it wasn't like that with me either. I just got lucky when everything went down on that heist." Sonny said quickly his tone sounding insincere to Ingrid.
"Uh Huh. You guys just up and leave me hanging when the opportunity presents itself." Fillmore said not believing a word either said.
"Listen Fillmore we just want your advice on a job we just pulled." Penny said and slid a notebook across the table toward him.
Fillmore raised an eyebrow and took the notebook and inside he found several CDs. Ingrid saw the disks and shrugged at her partner. Fillmore returned the notebook to Penny and waited for her or Sonny to explain.
"C you know how the Student Council has a vault that they keep all of the exams and answers for the year? Well, Penny and me lifted it." Sonny said and smirked at Fillmore's expression.
"And?" Fillmore asked.
"We were wondering what you would do if you had it?" Penny said.
"I'd give it back you guys are just asking for trouble with that thing."
"Not going to happen C, but we got another offer to make you and your partner."
Ingrid glanced at her partner and wondered what was going through his mind at the moment. The news that his old partner had pulled a job that big was something, but for them to offer them another job was not sitting well with Ingrid.
"We're working for some one who has a lot of pull in the underworld. He wants your help to pull off a couple of high profile jobs. Think about it Fillmore, this will be the big time for all of us. These jobs could make us all more famous than anything that we're doing on our own." Penny said.
"Yeah and if we get caught we all end up expelled or worse. No dice Penny."
"Well what about your friend here, what do you say Domino?" Sonny asked.
Ingrid looked at Fillmore then shook her head at the offer. Something about this whole thing bothered her and she didn't like it at all. Fillmore's answer should have been enough but Sonny's question to her was almost as if they needed to get convince alt least one of them to agree.
"Ok then that's it then. Lets go Penny." Sonny said.
"Later Fillmore." Penny said as they walked off.
Ingrid watched them leave and looked at Fillmore who was shaking his head at the pair. He sighed and turned back to face Ingrid.
"They should know better than to walk around with something like that in the open. Especially with Vallejo and his guys here."
"I know but something doesn't seem right." Ingrid said.
~~~~~ Sonny and Penny ~~~~~
"Okay Madrid your way didn't work so we do this my way." Sonny said.
"Fine but don't screw up."
Sonny smiled and took out his cell phone and spoke on it briefly. After hanging up he turned to Penny.
"Okay show time."
~~~~~ X Gymnasium ~~~~~
The dance had been going well all night so far. No one had stepped out of line and every one was have a good time. Then everything went black. At first no really did any thing that was until Sharon release a high pitch scream. Then the dance fell into a quick panic. Vallejo and the Safety Patrol were trying to regain control of the situation and were succeeding to a point. Then as soon as everything gone crazy it was immediately fixed when the gymnasium's lights came back on.
The gym was in chaos when it was flooded with light. The refreshment table had been turned over covering O'Farrell with punch, the DJ's booth was trampled and Anza stood there trying to calm one of the cheerleaders down. Tehama was standing for the most part in the same spot she had been when the lights went out, the only change being that she was leaning on the door.
Fillmore had stayed in the same place he had been. Besides it didn't make sense to move around in the dark. He cast a quick glance across from him and immediately noticed that Ingrid wasn't where he had been. He began to look around the gym for in sign of her.
~~~~~~ Outside ~~~~~
Ingrid was surprised when the lights had went out but figured it was someone idea of a joke so she had planned on just waiting until the light came back on. That was until she was grabbed and pulled to the door. She recognized who had grabbed her as soon as they were outside. Sonny and Penny.
"What the big idea Sonny!?!"
"Calm down Domino. You see Penny and me had real specific direction from our boss. So here is what you are going to do. You are going to meet Penny and myself at school on Monday then will tell what else you'll need to know."
"Like hell, you two don't have any thing that would interest me."
"That's where you're wrong. We know enough too get you and Fillmore expelled in the blink of an eye." Penny said.
Ingrid could tell that they were serious but he didn't know if they really had anything on them. Then again she couldn't take that risk. She nodded and turned to go back into the dance.
"Oh and Third don't tell Fillmore anything."
~~~~~ Inside ~~~~~
Fillmore saw Ingrid coming back in to the gym and went to see where she had gone. Ingrid told him that she wanted to get some fresh air and left it a that. Fillmore decided not to push the subject then he and Ingrid prepared to leave.
The trip to Ingrid's house was very quiet. Fillmore figured it was mainly due to them both being tired while Ingrid was thinking of what to do about Penny and Sonny. The main problem was what she was going to do about the dirt that they had on them and the other problem lie with whether or not she was going to tell Fillmore. By the time they had reached her house Ingrid was even more confused about what to do. She gave Fillmore a quick and half hearted kiss on the cheek then enter her home deciding that she would have a plan after her meeting on Monday.
~~~~~ Monday ~~~~~
Fillmore waited in the usual place in front of the school for Ingrid so that he could take her home. Besides he had wanted to talk to her about how distant she had been for over the weekend after the dance. He checked his pocket watch and saw Ingrid making her way to him.
"I'm sorry Fillmore but something came up and I have to take care of it right now." Ingrid said hoping Fillmore would not ask her what was going on.
"That's alright I'll go with you."
"No that's alright I can handle it." Ingrid said quickly.
"You sure Ingrid?" Fillmore asked again.
"Yeah I'll see you later." Ingrid said and kissed him then turned back toward the school.
Fillmore watched her as she walked away. Something was definitely going on but he decided to trust Ingrid and left the X front parking lot.
~~~~~ Science Lab ~~~~~
Ingrid enter the lab with her eyes narrowed into slits. She hadn't wanted to lie to Fillmore because they both had a high standard of trust but this whole situation was making everything more difficult for them. She noticed that both Sonny and Penny were already there waiting for her.
"Glad you could make it Domino."
"Yeah Third. I trust that you didn't tell Fillmore anything." Penny said sweetly.
"Just get to the point." Ingrid said through clenched teeth.
"As you wish Ms. Third." Said an disembodied voice.
"Whose that?" Ingrid asked looking around the room until her eyes fell on the speaker box above the blackboard.
"I am Sting Ray Ms. Third. I have asked that you be brought here because I require your talents. You see I have been watching your and your partner's activities for some time and to be frank you two are the best." Sting Ray said.
"Get to the point."
"Very well. You will plan and perform several jobs for me with the help of Ms. Madrid and Mr. Lombard. For these jobs you will each receive a fee."
"And if I don't choose to cooperate?" Ingrid said.
"That isn't an option for you anymore Ms. Third. If you will think back to the dance on Friday you will realized I now have the power to cause the downfall of you and Mr. Fillmore."
Ingrid thought back to that night. Nothing had happened at the dance that they had caused. The only thing they had done was…. Ingrid's eyes widened when she realized what was going on.
"The exam notebook." Ingrid said in a haunted voice.
"That is correct Ms. Third." Sting Ray said before his voice disappeared from the room.
"Welcome to the team." Sonny sneered at her.
"Crackers."