Chapter 28
Bunch of Nut Jobs
Amanda couldn’t believe there had been another death at Legatum. She looked toward the hospital, which was just down the hall from the administrative offices. She could see only a little of the reception room through the open door. Nothing looked different but she knew Nick wouldn’t make up some crazy story. Whatever was going on was way more nefarious than she had imagined. Amanda had heard that sugar wasn’t good for you but she’d never dreamed it would be this bad. The cook must have been involved in something truly evil.
“That’s it. I’m leaving,” said Amphora, taking one look and turning back around. “It’s getting way too dangerous around here.”
“You can’t,” said Simon. He tried to block her but she shook her head and kept going.
“Please come back,” said Nick, flashing his smile to Amphora’s back.
“No, wait,” said Amanda. “I don’t think we’re in danger. I think this is between the criminals.”
“Why do you say that?” said Amphora, stopping mid-stride.
“Because everyone who’s been hurt or killed has had something to do with the conspiracy,” said Amanda.
“Conspiracy? Wow,” said Amphora. “Did you have to say that? Now I feel even more paranoid.”
“You know that’s what it is,” said Amanda. “We’re dealing with a criminal syndicate, and the cook and the doctor were part of it.”
Simon nodded.
“You’re right,” said Ivy. “They’re killing each other. There’s no reason for them to come after us.” She patted Nigel on the head.
“Unless they find out that we’re able to expose them,” said Simon, absently petting Nigel’s back. The dog wagged his tail and brushed Simon’s leg.
“Aaaaaaagh!” yelled Amphora, shaking her head wildly. “I can’t take this.”
“Yes, you can,” said Ivy. “We’re just kids. They won’t come after us. And anyway even if we did tell how would they know?”
Amphora wasn’t convinced. “Don’t you see? They’re all over the school. We have no way of knowing who’s involved. It could even be one of us.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” said Amanda, looking over at Nick to see what he was thinking of the conversation. He was listening intently and appeared to be on the verge of doing something, but she had no idea what.
Suddenly everyone was talking at once. Ivy held up her hand and they all went quiet.
“Simon, why don’t you start on that idea of profiling everyone in the school?” she said. “Amphora, I’ll show you some relaxation techniques I know. They help me when I can’t turn my brain off. Nick, if you want to check out the cook’s assistant, that would be very helpful. And Amanda, we’ve got to tell Thrillkill what we know.”
“I agree with that,” said Amanda. “Let’s go.”
“You go,” said Amphora. “I’m going to go shut myself in my room.”
“Our room. We should stick together,” said Amanda. “But not there. Come on, Amphora.”
“But what if—”
“Please,” said Amanda. “I’ll feel better if you’re with us.”
“Oh, all right. But I reserve the right to pull an Amanda.”
“What do you mean?” said Nick.
“You know,” said Amanda, sticking her finger in her throat.
“Ohhhhh,” said Nick. He turned and grinned at Amanda. “That kind of an Amanda.”
She stuck her tongue out at him.