7.
Rafael knocked on the door of Cassandra's trailer for the second time that day. For the last hour he had been snooping around the camp and talking to different people trying to get a line on the mysterious Romani contact Morton had mentioned. Then it occurred to him that he had been going about this the wrong way. The biggest experts in medicinal herbs and such were Cassandra and whatever students she had the moment. The apothecary looked a bit surprised when she opened the door and saw him standing there.
"Hello Rafael," she said, "What brings you back here?"
"I need to talk with you about something pretty serious." Said Rafael.
"Okay come in," said Cassandra motioning him inside.
Rafael stepped inside and sat down on the couch.
"Now, what's this all about?" asked Cassandra
Rafael took a deep breath and filled her in on what they had found out at Morton Snacks.
"So, a Romani led this soda maker to the blue heart nectar," said Cassandra shaking her head.
Rafael nodded,
"As bad as I hate to think it, there is a possibility that it could be one of your students," he said, "They are in the best position to pass on this kind of knowledge."
"I can't believe it," said Cassandra starting to pace, "One of my students helping to make to turn a Soda into a narcotic!"
No sooner where these words out of her mouth than she stopped short as a look of realization came over her.
Rafael saw this,
"What is it?" he asked.
"I just remembered something," she said
"Go on." Said Rafael
"Do you remember Nikolas Santini?" asked Cassandra
Rafael nodded.
"Unfortunately," he growled his face darkening into scowl, "That bozo made a pass at my girlfriend once!"
"That sounds like him alright," nodded Cassandra, "Anyway, his parents recently convinced me to take him on as a student-I think they were just trying to find a way to keep him out of trouble. I don't think you're the only boyfriend he's gotten mad at him!"
"That doesn't surprise me." replied Rafael, "So, you think he may be the one that's been supplying Morton with locations to harvest Blue Heart nectar?"
"I don't know for sure," said Cassandra, "But what I do know is that recently he's had money to burn. In fact, just yesterday he came to class sporting a $500 designer leather jacket!"
"It fits," said Rafael, "This is just the kind of thing he'd do, he always wants money, but he doesn't ever want to work for it. And everybody in the clan knows that he's the laziest roustabout we ever had!"
Rafael stood up.
"Thanks Cassandra," he said, "I'd better go find Nick!"
Cassandra nodded in agreement.
"The sooner the better," she said nodding.
Meanwhile…
Ashley looked at Lisa and Jason expectantly.
"Well?" she said tapping her foot impatiently.
Lisa and Jason exchanged a look. Then Jason took a deep breath and was about to speak when Lisa beat him to it.
"We just saw Grant arrive and walk off around the corner on the main walking path with a black-haired girl." She said all in one breath.
"What?!" exclaimed Ashley, "I don't believe it!"
Jason motioned toward the parking area.
"That's his convertible, isn't it?" he asked.
Ashley moved around her two friends to where she had an unobstructed view of the parking area.
"Yeah," she said her trust in her boyfriend disappearing fast, "That's his car alright."
Before any of her friends could say anything, she turned and stormed off in the direction of the main walking path.
Jason, Lisa, Carole, and Stevie took one look at each other and jumped up to go after her. When they caught up with her, it was obvious that she was headed somewhere specific.
"You have idea where they might be don't you." Said Stevie
Ashley nodded.
"Just up the trail there is a spot where you can stand and look out over the river down below," she replied, "That's where he would take me when we came here."
They rounded another corner and arrived at the spot Ashley was talking about. Grant was standing there, on the railed platform, that served as the official overlook, with the black-hair girl, and they were kissing.
"That's Donna Cromwell," growled Ashley.
"As in the head cheerleader of our school's biggest rival?!" said Jason looking again.
"The same." Growled Ashley through clenched teeth.
She stalked toward the embracing couple. Neither of them, saw her coming.
She walked up and tapped Grant on the shoulder.
"Hello Grant," she said in tone of voice that was calm and angry all at the same time, "Having fun?!"
Grant jumped, Letting go of Donna, and looking like a wide-eyed deer caught in the headlights!
"A-Ashley," he stammered his voice shaking with fear, "What are you doing here?"
"This time I was comparing notes with my friends," snapped Ashley, "But you know I come here all the time anyway, I only live two blocks away remember!"
Grant looked nervously between Donna and Ashley.
"N-Now I-I know this looks bad," he started, "But I can explain!"
"Oh, save it!" snapped Ashley, "I can't believe you, all your jealousy over my friendship with Jason and you were cheating on me the whole time! Well, you know what, I'm through with you and your crap!"
With that she pulled back her fist and punched him in the stomach as hard as she could. The force of the blow winded him and knocked him off balance. He tumbled backwards and grabbed Donna in trying to right himself. This knocked them both into the one weak spot in the railing.
This spot in the railing broke apart when they hit it, and they went tumbling down the steep bank right into the river, landing in the water with a resounding splash.
Donna jumped up screaming that her hair was ruined, but it was worse than that. The hair dye she had used, turned out to be water soluble and ran everywhere ruining her clothes and turning the water around her black.
Grant tried to help her, but as soon as she got out of the water, she kicked him in the shin and stormed off.
Even though Ashley was still upset, she had to laugh at the whole sight.
"That makes me feel a little better." She said.
Just then Lisa's phone buzzed. She checked it.
"It's Rafael," she said, "I think he's on to something!"
To Be Continued…Please Review