Free [Janitors 03] Curse of the Broomstaff by Tyler Whitesides Page A

the manhunt. In fact, from what Spencer gathered from his vision, Mr. Clean was giving them some kind of upgrade, making the Extension Toxites even more deadly.
    Penny let go of the wheel just long enough to throw her hands up. “So, what are we supposed to do?”
    “I’ve got an idea,” Spencer said. “But I’m going to need to make a phone call.”
    “We’re supposed to be off the grid,” Penny said. “No communication with anyone outside the team.”
    “One call. It’ll be fast.” Spencer put his hands together in pleading. “I’ve got to talk to the president of the Monitors.”
    “I thought you were in charge,” Bernard said.
    Spencer shook his head. “I’m just the one with the answers. The real brain behind the Monitors is another kid. His name is Min Lee. And he’s a genius.”

Chapter 12
“It doesn’t really work like that.”
    T riton Charter School was just ahead, the playground covered in a skiff of trampled snow. This was definitely the right location from Spencer’s vision. Walter was somewhere in the building, his eyes still closed.
    The garbage truck idled at the corner of the block, its passengers keeping a close eye on the school as they waited for the phone to ring.
    Penny drummed her fingers on the steering wheel, her green eyes never straying far from the clock on the dashboard. “It’s time to think of a backup plan,” Penny said. “In case your little friend doesn’t call back.”
    “He’ll call,” Daisy said. “Min’s the best.”
    Penny sighed. “It’s been almost two hours. I say we give it another thirty minutes. At eleven thirty, we go in, mops blazing.”
    Spencer looked at the cell phone in his hands. He hadn’t let go of it since Penny had handed it to him for the first call. She didn’t believe in Min because she’d never seen him in action. The Asian boy could rewire a computer in his sleep. Getting a message to Aaron at school would be child’s play. But Spencer did wonder what was taking so long.
    The phone vibrated in his hand, the screen lighting up to show an unknown caller.
    “Hello?” Spencer said.
    “Greetings.” It was Min, his voice as steady and businesslike as ever.
    “Did you get a message through?”
    “All is in order. Aaron stands ready to assist you.”
    Spencer smiled. “Great! What’s the plan?”
    “Walter is most likely being detained in the janitor’s closet,” Min said. “In order to rescue him, we’ll need to lure the temporary janitor out, giving you time and safe passage to find him.”
    “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Spencer said.
    “It has already been arranged,” said Min. “At precisely eleven thirty, Aaron’s class will go to lunch. Once in the cafeteria, he has agreed to create a janitorial diversion, by any means necessary.”
    “Is that your way of saying that Aaron’s going to start a food fight?”
    “Regardless of the mess that Aaron makes, you must be otherwise engaged. Do not go near the cafeteria. Find the janitor’s closet, rescue Walter, and get out.”
    “Easier said than done, Min.”
    “To facilitate your entrance, I have some simple directions,” said Min. “Enter the school through the front doors. Take your first left. Follow the hallway until you pass the bathrooms, then take a right. The janitorial closet is at the corner.”
    “Wow.” Spencer was amazed at Min’s detailed instructions. “How’d you figure that out?”
    “I found a satellite image of the school and determined the year it was built. Then I overlaid a series of standard school blueprints from that era until I found a match.”
    “Min Lee, you are a genius!” Spencer said.
    “Did you ever think I wasn’t?” Through Min’s tone on the phone, Spencer could imagine his face, mouth tilted in an arrogant smirk. “One last thing. If you are approached by Triton Charter School staff, you and Daisy are in Ms. Bellingham’s class, room 17.”
    “Got it,” Spencer said, glancing at the clock.