Janie wraps up her notes at Cabel’s house, and muses, “This is getting curiouser and curiouser.”
Cabel reads over her shoulder. He growls lightly. “He did that lame eyelash trick on you? God, what a loser.” He begins pacing.
“Easy, big fella,” murmurs Janie distractedly as she types in the info she got from Stacey that day. When she finishes, she flips screens to the party flyer and prints out ten copies.
Cabel’s on the phone.
“It’s Cabe,” he says. “I think we need to watch Durbin’s house in the evenings up until—” He pauses. “Oh. Well, that’s why you’re in charge.” He grins sheepishly into the phone. “Thank you, sir.”
He hangs up. “Did you know Captain’s been surveilling Durbin’s house for two weeks already?”
“Nope. But it’s a good idea. How’s your progress going, Cabe? I think it’s strange that I can’t find a single student who doesn’t like Durbin.
Have you been able to approach that question yet with your new contacts?”
“Some. He seems to be gunning for teacher of the year, though, the way things are going.”
“If a student was the one who made the call, what would make them not follow through and get their reward? I don’t understand that. Not everybody drinks. And if they showed up there last year not knowing it was that kind of a party, wouldn’t they back out slowly, or at least talk to somebody about it? I’ve never heard of this happening before.
You’d think Carrie’d know.”
Cabe begins pacing again. After a while he says, “Carrie wouldn’t know. She and Melinda and Shay and people into high-end Hill parties aren’t science geeks. There’s not one person on the list who I’ve ever seen at a Hill party. It’s two different worlds.”
“So, what is Durbin’s hold over the geeks that makes them want to protect him?”
Cabel’s in the zone. Janie can almost see the wheels turning in his head. She glances at the flyers, and on a whim, goes to her Gmail account and types up an e-mail to the address Mr. Durbin gave her.
Hey Mr. Durbin, I talked to Stacey O’Grady today, and she’s stoked about being invited to your party. She told me you guys had a terrific party last semester. If it’s okay with you, she’s going to distribute the flyers to the other kids from that class. Would it be cool if she and I came about an hour early to help you set it up?
And I know you said no alcohol, but I’ve got this great dessert recipe I wanted to bring…It has crème de menthe in it. Just a little. Not enough to get anybody even a buzz from eating a huge piece. Would that be okay with you? If not, I could always bring Rice Krispies treats instead.
Janie Hannagan
P.S. I’m a little worried about Friday’s big test—trying to study and get ready for the chem fair is taking up a lot of time. Can I set up a meeting to talk over some formulas with you?
Thanks. J.
She presses Send and keeps the computer booted, turning up the volume a notch, just in case he’s online and gets back to her quickly.
“What are you doing?” Cabel says suddenly.
“Flirting with Durbin.”
“Oh.” He turns back to his pacing, and then stops again. “You know, I think I finally understand how it felt for you. Remember when you stopped by my house and Shay was over?”
“Ah…yeah. It’s burned like a cross into my brain.”
“I didn’t want you to see that. Not because I wanted to hide it from you. But because it would hurt.”
Janie smiles at him. “I know. Sucks, doesn’t it.”
“It’s driving me nuts,” Cabel admits. “If that bastard hurts you, I’ll kill him. I’m still not sure about you putting yourself in a position like that.”
“Good thing I don’t work for you, then.” She knows it’s harsh.
He stops pacing. Looks at her. “Damn. You’re right.” Starts pacing again. “So, do you think Durbin is hot?”
“I can see why girls are attracted to him.”
“Are you attracted to him?”
Janie sighs. “Oh Cabe. Shay is hot, rich, sexy, popular. A cheerleader.
Were you attracted to her?”
“No. She was a facet of my job.”
“Exactly.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
Janie hesitates, wanting to be truthful. “Durbin is attractive. I can’t deny that. But when he did the eyelash thing, it made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. He creeps me out, Cabe.”
Cabel nods absentmindedly as he walks. “Okay. That makes me feel better.”
She smiles. Gets it—it was the same with Cabel and Shay. And is proud of him for the new way he’s approaching it now. “I love you, you know,” she says. It’s getting easier to say.
He comes over to where she’s sitting and massages her shoulders lightly. But his voice is grim. “I love you too, Janie.”
“And I’m getting really good at protecting myself,” she adds. “My selfdefense class kicks ass.”
He tugs her hair. “I’m glad you’re taking that class. You’re really getting buff, you know that? It’s very sexy. As long as you’re not beating me up.”
“Don’t make me hurt you,” she murmurs. “Hey, can I stay tonight?”
“Wow, I don’t know, jeez, I’m, like, really busy and shit….”
She grins.
And then she hears the binking sound of an e-mail arriving.
Janie, LOL! Bring the dessert. And the bottle.
And a resounding yes to everything else you asked me, and more.
I could do tomorrow (Tues.) after school, for us to go over the formulas in question. The rest of my afternoons are tied up until around 7 p.m., but if you don’t need much equipment, you could always stop by my house after 7 either tomorrow or Wednesday.