Free The Mystery of the Russian Ransom by Roy Macgregor

and Pavel. I am left alone in the evenings after practice. I have to go. I’m expected back on the rink in five.”
    Data’s fingers flew.
    “What did you tell her?” asked Fahd.
    “I said, ‘Go.’ ”
    “That’s two letters,” Fahd pointed out. “You typed more than that.”
    Data swallowed. “I told her we’re coming to get her.”

22
    I thought my heart was going to pound right through my chest! I knew it was Data’s phone the second I saw the Owls’ logo, but I also knew it couldn’t have been Data who put it there. Who, though? Trav? Sam? Dmitri? Maybe Dmitri – he’s the only one who could talk his way in here. Not Nish. Definitely not Nish.
    What to do, though? I have to confess to the silliest thing imaginable. My first thought was to check my e-mail! Once that ridiculous notion gotout of my head, I began to think about what the phone meant and what I should do.
    Whoever put it here – I’ll bet Trav – would realize I’m being watched and can’t risk making a call. And apart from the Owls, who could I call? I don’t speak the language. So I would need to text someone. But who?
    I went through the Owls one by one. Dmitri, no. Travis, no. Nish, no – certainly not Nish! Sam, no. Jenny … yes, Jenny! She has a phone, but she hasn’t been using it. Too expensive, she said.
    Still, the other Owls would also know she has a phone. They might have talked her into checking. So I sent a quick text and got an almost instant answer.
    It came from Data. Data sending a text message to his own phone! But it meant that someone in the Owls had the team organized. Probably Trav. He’d be using Data as the communications expert, which he is.
    I exchanged a few messages but then had to bail. I have an on-ice session coming up and have to get back in my hockey gear.
    I made a decision while dressing. Maybe it’s a stupid one, maybe not, but I’m going to do it.
    I’ve put on my tightest T-shirt and tucked it in and done my hockey pants up as tightly as possible. I slipped Data’s phone down the neck and let it drop so it rested against my stomach. I then put on a body shirt and tucked it in tight.
    With my pants done up and my jersey hanging loose, no one can see.
    I didn’t do this so I can get a call or anything. I have another reason.
    I just hope I don’t mess up.

23
    “W e should get Muck and Mr. D,” Fahd said.
    Data shook his head. “Can’t,” he said. “They’re not here. There’s a big meeting over at the parents’ hotel this afternoon. People from the Canadian embassy have flown in from Moscow to see if they can be of any help with Sarah. It’s just the Owls here, no one else.”
    “We’ll have to wait,” Fahd said.
    “No,” Travis said. He surprised himself. He was really taking charge. He was the Screech Owls’ captain and he was
acting
like the captain – especially with Sarah not here to help. “We’re going to the rink to see if we can get her out.”
    “Muck won’t like it,” said Fahd.
    “He’ll like it fine if we get her safe and sound.”
    “I’ll get Dmitri,” said Sam. Travis nodded. They would need Dmitri. After all, he spoke the language.
    There were seven of them: Travis, Sam, Nish, Lars, Fahd, Jenny – and now Dmitri. Once everyone was dressed and ready, they gathered in the lobby. They formed a quick circle and bumped fists together. A pact. A vow. Just like the Three Musketeers, except they numbered seven.
    “All for one and one for all,” said Fahd, who couldn’t resist.
    Sam corrected him. “All for Sarah.”
    “
All for Sarah!
” everyone said at once.

    Data had downloaded the maps app onto Jenny’s phone before they left, so the way back to the old rink seemed quick and easy. They were soon heading down the final street.
    They decided on a game plan. Two of them – Jenny and Fahd – would stay outside and watch. They had no idea what they would do if something went wrong, but they’d at least be able to run back to the Astoria and