A/N: Thanks for the wonderful reviews! Enjoy the next chapter! And now the plot continues to thicken! *cue dramatic music*

Chapter Nine

Friday, 10.15 AM
Sleepyside High

On Friday morning, as everyone exited Biology class, Bobby lagged behind as he put his books back into his backpack. He needed everyone to leave before he could put his plan in action.

Finally, the only person left in the classroom was him and Ms. Martin. She looked attentively at him, as if she knew he wanted to talk to her.

"Ms. Martin," he finally said. "I've been wondering about our talk the other day…"

"Yes?" She raised her eyebrows and smiled, encouragingly.

"What exactly were you referring to, when you spoke of new experiences?"

Her smile widened and he couldn't help thinking she kind of looked like Cruella DeVille. Without the furs.

"Oh, Robert! There's so much in the world to be experienced. I've noticed you've been hanging around with Darryl Warren. He knows what I mean."

"So," Bobby tried to look cool, but felt his legs trembling. "Darryl has experienced those things?"

Janet Martin left her place behind the desk and wrapped an arm around the boy's shoulders, leaning towards him as if to tell him a secret. "Robert, we both know what I mean. And don't get scared with all the commotion at school right now. You're a smart young man, you'll know when to stop. It's not as hard as they say, you know?"

Bobby felt disgusted, but managed to keep a straight face. He knew very well how hard it was! But he had to stick to his plan, if he wanted to bail Annie out. He knew Ms. Martin was involved, but he needed evidence. He had learned that through the years, as he attentively watched his sister.

"I'm up for it, then. When can you…?"

She placed a finger on her lips, indicating he should be quiet. "Don't worry. I'll talk to you Saturday, at the dance. What better time to really have fun?" With that, Janet left the room.

As soon as she did, Bobby had to hold on to the table for support. He felt sick at the way the woman had spoken. How could she? He was now sure she had been the one who had lured the other kids into using drugs, using their need to feel older, for acceptance to lead them into something that could destroy them.

"Bobby, are you ok?" Annie asked as he exited the classroom. She had been waiting for him for a while and had been worried when she saw him alone with Ms. Martin. "You're pale as paper."

To her surprise, he held on to her hand and squeezed it. "I'm fine."

"What did she say to you?"

Bobby sighed. "Enough for me to know for sure she's in this up to her neck. What I don't get is why she's so interested in me. There are a lot of other kids who would be easier prey. Besides, she's taking a big chance, knowing that Trixie is on the case. And why on Earth are they trying to frame you? It just doesn't make sense."

"Guess I'm one of the easy prey. They had to let someone take the blame!"

He shook his head and his blond curls bounced. "No. There's something else. I just want to figure out what it is."

"I can't just sit around, Mart. I need to do something," said an impatient Trixie, standing in a corner of the teacher's lounge.

"Cool it, Shamus. We are doing something. Molinson's on the lookout, Dan got important clues from Sally Darnell, and Bobby has gathered a few himself." Mart crossed his arms across his chest and frowned at his fidgety sister.

She groaned. "I know! But still I feel so… useless! I feel we're just standing around waiting for something to happen! And I'm worried about Bobby and Annie and Jim!"

"Jim's taking this hard, isn't he? I mean Jonesy's return?"

Trixie sighed and sat on the edge of the desk she'd been leaning against. "Yeah. I mean, he tries not to worry me, but after last night…I'm afraid he'll lose it, if he comes face to face with that bastard again."

Mart rubbed her back, trying to comfort her. "Easy, sis. That boyfriend of yours is hotheaded but he also has his feet firmly attached to the ground. He won't do anything stupid," he reassured her.

Trixie looked up at him, a thankful look in her blue eyes. But then she noticed Janet Martin watching them from across the room, an ironic grin on her face.

"I wonder what's so funny?" she whispered to Mart. "I really don't like that woman! Especially since I've seen her with Dick..."

"Don't jump to conclusions, Trix. We still don't know what they were up to!" But Mart wasn't convinced either, and Trixie knew it. She was about to tell him so, when she saw Janet walking their way.

"My, my! Aren't you two looking gloomy?" she said, as she picked up a cup and poured herself some coffee. "Cheer up! It's such a beautiful day!"

"With everything going around in the school, we are hardly noticing the beauty of the weather, Janet," Mart said, seriously.

She took a sip from the cup, holding it with both her hands, smiling. "I wouldn't worry much about it, if I were you."

"Yeah, we've noticed you're taking all this very lightly." Trixie couldn't keep a hint of hostility from her voice.

The older woman laughed. "This happened on a daily basis in the school I used to teach in. Besides, I really do think the kids here need to get used to this kind of thing. They are too… provincial!"

Mart turned red and had to count to ten not to explode. "If it means not getting used to being around drugs, I really do hope they go on being provincial!"

"Oh, I didn't mean to offend you." Janet laid a hand on Mart's arm, and smiled condescendingly. "After all, I do know that there are some of your friends who aren't exactly the 'kids next door'."

Angrily, Trixie stood up and faced her. "And just what do you mean by that?"

"Oh Beatrix, calm down." Janet seemed irritatingly composed and calm. "What I mean is Annie Dugan was a run away, and Dan Mangan used to be in a gang, so they've experienced a part of life most of you didn't."

"And that's bad?"

"Of course not. I think everyone should have a chance to experience things, and judge for themselves if they're wrong or right."

"Yes, I agree." Mart stated, "But I also think that there are things people don't need to experience to know they're bad for you. And I wonder if you practice what you preach, Janet?"

Trixie was surprised at her brother's audacity and swore Janet's eyes shot anger at Mart. She didn't answer him but her smile turned cold. She finished her coffee, and setting the cup on the desk, said: "I really don't know why you are so concerned. When you're in the case everything works out fine, doesn't it? After all, you are known for turning little silver cups into mattresses stuffed with dollars!"

Mart and Trixie watched her go, each one of them wanting to pluck every hair from her head.

"God, I hate that woman," Trixie said through clenched teeth.

"Was it just me, or she was challenging us?" Mart asked, just as mad as Trixie.

"Well, if she was, she's in for a treat!"

Mart had to smile at Trixie's decisiveness. Trixie's worried expression and feelings of hopelessness had been worrying him more than he cared to say, and he was glad to see her react to the provocation. He would die before admitting it, but he loved her energy and spunk. Glad to see you back, sis, he thought.

After last period, Bobby and Annie headed for the bus stop, neither of them very cheerful. Not knowing what was really going on, and the thought of going to a dance under the circumstances was bringing their spirits down. Suddenly, as they walked down the hall, Annie stopped and started checking her backpack for something.

"What's wrong?" Bobby asked.

"I left my History book in the classroom. I have to go back and get it," she said, already moving in the other direction.

"We're going to miss the bus, Annie," he warned, as he followed her.

"Oh, whatever! The bus isn't all that fun anyway, these days! A lot of the kids are still acting funny around me. We'll just catch a ride with your brother or your sister, after they leave their meeting," Annie answered.

Bobby shrugged and walked her back to the classroom. But the book wasn't there.

"Are you sure you left it here?" Bobby was getting impatient.

"No. But this was the place I last saw it." Annie put her hands on her hips, trying to figure out where she could have left the damned book. Suddenly, she thought of something. "I know! The janitor must have cleaned this room before last period, because someone's pen exploded and there was ink all over. He must have seen it and took it for safe keeping."

"Come on, then!" Bobby said, mocking annoyance. "I'll have to ask your mother to attach the books to your hands, so you don't keep losing them.

They walked the now empty corridors towards the janitor's cubicle. But the door was open and there was no one in there.

"I'll just take a peek and see if it's there. If it is, I'll leave him a note and tell him it was mine." Annie entered the room and started checking the cabinets, before Bobby could stop her.

"Annie, we'll get in trouble. We should go find Mr. Harrison first, before messing with his stuff." Bobby entered the room and grabbed her arm, trying to get her out of there.

But Annie's stubbornness was a hard thing to deal with. She just disengaged herself from him and kept looking as she said: "Mr. Harrison is a nice guy, he won't mind. Besides I have homework."

Resigned, Bobby sighed and leant against the wall as she looked on. But suddenly, he heard voices coming from the hall. At the same time Annie found the book. Before the triumphant words could escape her lips, Bobby covered her mouth with his hand and dragged her behind the open door. He had recognized Ms. Martin's voice, and something told him he had to hear this.

Looking through the small opening between the door and the wall, Annie realized why Bobby had forced her to be quiet and then signaled he could let her go. The two kids stood behind the door, motionless as the two figures stopped right in front of them. And Bobby knew he had been right to think this was important as he recognized the second person. It was Darryl Warren.

Annie's eyes widened as she recognized him herself and she looked up at her friend. He signaled he had seen it too and placed a finger over his lips, indicating they should be silent. Janet and Darryl weren't speaking very loud, and it wasn't easy to hear what they were saying.

"I'm telling you, Ms. Martin. You shouldn't be talking that kid into this!" Darryl was saying. "He means trouble. He's been sniffing around and I don't trust him."

"Darryl, honey, you shouldn't be telling me what to do or not. Things are going according to plan. You are the one who screwed up, by putting that in the wrong girl's backpack," the blonde teacher said, in a menacing tone.

Annie's heart jumped in her chest. She'd been right all along! That bag wasn't meant for Melanie, but for herself!

"Oh, and just how was I supposed to know their backpacks were alike?" Darryl's voice went up.

Janet seemed angry. "Quiet, you moron! Do you want someone to hear us? You shouldn't be talking to me here anyway!"

"Well, he was the one who asked me to come to you. He says he needs results."

"Tell him that it takes time to do things the right way. He's risking himself too much by appearing in public! He bumped into that Trixie Belden already. Tell him to lay low while I work things here. And while you're at it, take him this." Janet handed the boy an envelope.

Darryl nodded and put it in his jacket's pocket. "What about the kid?" he insisted.

"The kid is my problem," she said, in a tone that left no place for an argument. "Now get the hell out of here!"
Janet waited there a few seconds, watching as Darryl walked down the hall towards the exit door and then moved in the opposite direction.

Only then did Bobby and Annie allowed themselves to breath normally again. They didn't have to say anything, because as they looked at each other, still amazed, they knew the other was thinking the exact same thing. Darryl and Janet were somehow in this together, and Darryl had just been warning the teacher about Bobby.

As they left the janitor's storage room, Bobby already had a plan. And he had to put it to work fast.

"Annie, I'm going to follow Darryl. He lives in town so he won't be taking the bus home. Chances are he's headed to wherever that guy they were talking about is. And I have no doubt they were talking about Dick," Bobby said hurriedly, as he pulled the girl down the hall by the arm.

"Ok, I'm coming too!" She said to him.

At her words, he stopped and turned to her, saying: "No! You're waiting for me here. I won't be long. I'll just see where he's headed. There's no use in getting everyone worked up. I'll be back before Trixie and Mart's meeting is over."

Before Annie could protest, Bobby shot down the hall, chasing Darryl. The girl sighed and decided the best thing to do was listen to him. So she went outside, sat on the stone steps and waited.