A/N: Chapter three ready. As usual, I don't own Tracy Beaker Returns or the Dumping Ground, belongs to CBBC, only my plot.

Chapter Three: Searching for Snitches

Frank's POV

I'd slipped the medicine back to the medicine cabinet, and I don't think anyone noticed, but I do notice something as Liam gets up to bring his plate to the sink.

"Oi, thought you said you were starving…" Johnny says.

"Oh yeah, well must be too excited. Or overestimated." Liam shrugs. "Haven't had a proper kickabout in a few weeks."

"Well, then let's go out to the garden." Johnny looks over. "Say Frank, wanna come with us?"

"Sure,"

Tyler comes over and grabs the plate before Liam finishes putting it in taking the bit of food off it.

"That's disgusting," Johnny looks at Tyler.

"That is gross," I add.

"I was hungry." He says with a mouthful.

"Have at it then," Liam says flatly. "Come on mate,"

Johnny gets the football and we go out into the garden.

"Can we play?" I look over to see Tracy, Carmen and Tee

"Sure," Johnny says.

"Me too," Liam turns around and sees Tyler running out.

"I suppose, are we ready?" Johnny sighs.

"You guys start without us," Tracy says. She looks at me as she breaks off from the game. "Frank, got a minute? I need some help."

I look to the group. Liam nods. "Go on, we'll tag you in yeah?"

"Okay,"

I go with Tracy to the other end of the garden, out of earshot.

"You wouldn't happen to know what Liam's doing here would you?" Tracy asks.

I shrug. "He showed up last night in my room, said it was a surprise for everyone, that's all I know."

"Frank," Tracy put her hands on her hips. "He showed up in the middle of the night, you don't think that's a bit weird?"

"People came at night before. He didn't tell me anything. That's all I know." I say. I wasn't sure I should say anything about the medicine.

"In emergencies Frank," Tracy says. "You're sure Liam didn't tell you anything odd? He might be in trouble."

I frown. Liam coming out in a storm and coming here was strange. If I told Tracy about the medicine I was snitching, but if my mate was in trouble, wouldn't it be worth it to help him? "I don't know…"

"Frank, if you know something…" Tracy says. "Please, we want to help."

"I can't…"

Tracy looked at me and I looked down at my feet. "Frank, come on. I know you know something. It's alright, I promise."

"Can I go back to the game now?" I hear Tee cheering something. And Liam shouting.

"Oh alright," Tracy says.

I turn to run back.

"But Frank, if you remember something, or if Liam says something, you'll tell me yeah?"

"Yeah,"

Tracy's POV

Well I know one thing. Frank was lying. I know he has to know something. Those two are thick as thieves even with Liam being fostered.

"Tracy," I see Gina. She must have gotten in. "Thank you for covering this morning."

"No problem Gina," I say trying for forced cheerfulness.

"Okay, what's goin on? I know that look Tracy Beaker."

"Look, what look, this is my face." I continue my walk toward the house.

"That something is going on look." Gina gives me the signature look of her own. "Don't make me talk to you like one of the children Tracy." She then follows the noise with her eyes and sees the football game. "Oh that's fun…" She studies them closer. "Is that Liam?"

"Yeah," I say.

"I don't remember them mentioning a visit."

I attempt to go the rest of the way inside. "They didn't. He just sortofshoweduplastnight." I say the last part quickly opening and closing the door as I head inside.

"What? Tracy!" Too late, Gina blocks the door before it shuts and follows me in. "What do you mean just showed up last night? Does Mike know about this?"

"Does Mike know about what? Hello Gina." Mike is inside waiting for us. "If you mean Liam, I know as much as you do, but hopefully less than Tracy. Did you find out anything yet?" Mike asks.

"No, but I'm working on it, I promise." I tell Mike.

"Well, you're going to have to work faster. Jack will be here in an hour." Mike wrings his hands.

"Well I asked Frank and hit a brick wall, so we need a new plan."

"Not another Tracy plan…" Gina frowns.

"I think that might be exactly what we need." Mike says. "What have you got?"

I think for a minute. "We need to go outside Liam's circle." We needed the kids in this house with the most information at any one time.

A/N: So Tracy didn't have any luck with Frank, but he did consider telling. And Tracy is going to other sources. Next chapter back to Liam as he has a dilemma that just might spill all of his beans and Tracy and Mike help with another dilemma in the house and attempt to get information elsewhere.