SIX
"This is crazy," said Prue. "What if he suspects what you're up to?"
"That's why you're here," said Phoebe. "Besides, Leo and the others are right across the street. If there are any problems all we have to do is call for him and he, Piper, and Cole will all be here in two seconds. Besides, this is our best bet of finding out what demon Sperrle is working with."
"Assuming you have a premonition," said Prue. "What if you don't have a premonition?"
"All we can do it play it by ear," said Phoebe. "Cole certainly can't go to the underworld and see if he can find out who it is. And Leo's all ready checked with the Elders. They have no idea what demon Sperrle is working with."
"Just don't take any chances," said Prue. "Just pretend to be a reporter for the school paper like you said and ask him for an interview. If you don't get a premonition we'll get out of there as fast as we can."
"Agreed," said Phoebe. "Besides, with Piper, Cole, and Leo right across the street we shouldn't have much to worry about. I doubt Sperrle will try anything in public."
She looked at the front door to city hall. Presumably Sperrle would be coming out of the front door when he left the building. As a city councilman he would at least need to project the impression he was available to his constituents. All they had to do was wait until he came out and Phoebe could approach him.
They didn't have to wait long. About thirty minutes after they arrived several people came out the front door. Phoebe recognized one of them as Sperrle. He looked like any other person on the street. About thirty with blonde hair and wearing a suit and tie, like most of the others in city hall. They watched as he spoke to a woman who nodded, then the two shook hands and Sperrle turned and started to head in Phoebe and Prue's direction.
"Councilman Simms?" Phoebe questioned, stepping up to him.
"Yes?" asked Sperrle, looking at her and Prue.
"Hi, my name is Phoebe Halliwell." She extended her hand for him to shake. "I'm with the university school paper. We're doing an series of articles on the candidates for the local elections and I was wondering if you would have some time for an interview."
"Glad to meet you, Miss Halliwell," said Sperrle, shaking her hand. Unfortunately, Phoebe got no premonition from their contact. "It's nice to see our young people involved in the political process. You're the future of our political process and the sooner you get involved the better off we'll all be. And who might you be?"
"I'm her sister, Prue. She thought you might allow me to take some pictures for the article."
"Well, far be it from me to miss a photo-op," said Sperrle, smiling. "Unfortunately, ladies, I don't have time at the moment for an interview. I'll be glad to set up an appointment for one. If you'll call my secretary she'll be able to set up something for you next week."
"Well, that's a little late," said Phoebe. "The article is for the next issue and it comes out Friday. It won't take long, I promise. I just have a few questions and I'm sure they're questions you've probably been asked a hundred times before."
"I'm sorry, Miss Halliwell," said Sperrle, "I'm afraid I really am too busy at the moment. Perhaps my secretary can juggle my schedule and arrange something in the next day or two. I'll call her and see what I can arrange. If you'll give me your address and phone number I'll be glad to have her call you as soon as we can arrange a mutually beneficial time."
"Well, I guess that would be okay," said Phoebe. She wrote down her address and phone number on a piece of paper and handed it to him. "Any time you could arrange would be fine. If I'm not there you can just give the information to one of my sisters."
"You have another sister?" Sperrle asked.
"Yes," said Phoebe. "Actually I have two. One of us is usually home so I'll be sure and get the message."
"Fine," said Sperrle, looking at the piece of paper. "I'll try to have my secretary call this afternoon. And don't forget, I'd appreciate all three of your votes on Election Day."
"We'll keep that in mind," said Prue.
"Well that was a waste of time," said Phoebe as she and Prue headed across the street to where Piper, Leo, and Cole waited. "I didn't even get a hint of a premonition."
"It was worth a try," said Prue. "But it wasn't a total loss. Maybe when you get the interview you'll have a premonition then."
"You think I should really go through with it?" Phoebe asked.
"Go through with what?" Piper asked.
"She didn't get a premonition," said Prue. "But he did say he'd arrange for an interview in the next couple of days. I think we should continue to check on him and if we can't find out anything she should go ahead with the interview. That would give her another chance for a premonition."
"That's risky," said Cole. "The more contact you have with him the greater the risk you might expose yourself. If he discovers you're a witch you could be in trouble."
"You won't let that happen," said Phoebe. "Besides, we have the Power of Three on our side. He can't stand up that."
"Assuming you get the chance to use it," said Leo. "Cole is right. We need to be very careful. We don't want Sperrle suspicious of you."
"We'd better get back home," said Piper. "We have to plan our next strategy."
They all headed for the car. They had opted to drive to city hall instead of orbing or shimmering. City hall was much too public a place to risk being discovered using magic to get there and leave.
"I'll do some more research on the Internet," said Phoebe as they all entered the manor. "I might be able to find out some more things on our councilman that I wasn't able to find out before."
"That's a good idea," said Prue. "I can check with the hall of records and see what they have on him."
"If you have any questions about me, why don't you just ask me yourself? There's no sense in taking such a round about route to find what you're looking for."
Phoebe and Prue were still in the entryway and the others were still coming in the front door when they noticed Sperrle standing in the living room of the manor. He stood smiling at them with his hands folded in front of him.