Free The Super Spies and the Pied Piper by Lisa Orchard Page A

still a tiny tinkle of sound. “Ohh… so pretty,” Sarah said, trying to keep her laughter at bay.
    â€œShut up.” Jackie glared at her friend before she started pedaling toward Hinkle’s.
    â€œBut… pretty is close to being fashionable, don’t you think?” Sarah called out after her. Snickering, she climbed on her bike; relishing the sight of Jackie struggling to stay upright as she pedaled down the street.
    Jackie made a gesture with her hand, Sarah didn’t quite understand. She giggled. Jackie wobbled on the ancient bike as she tried to increase her speed; Sarah rushed to catch up to her. Lacey trailed behind, huffing and puffing.
    Breathless from their bike ride, the girls reached Hinkle’s with only a minute to spare.
    â€œCome on,” Sarah urged as she parked her bike in the rack just outside the door. She strolled into the restaurant and the other girls fell in step behind her.
    Once inside, Sarah stopped at the hostess stand and waited to be seated. She glanced around the diner and took in its jovial atmosphere. Christmas lights adorned the beams year round and humorous plaques hung on the walls throughout the restaurant, giving patrons something to read while they waited for their meals.
    Sarah read one and laughed out loud. A bald spot is like a lie; the bigger it gets the harder it is to cover up.
    Jackie walked up beside her and grabbed her arm. “Come on. I see Scoop.”
    â€œWhere?” Sarah asked, peering around the restaurant.
    â€œOver there.” Jackie pointed to a booth where a squat, balding man sat. His snowy white hair curled around his ears and his large belly gave him a jolly appearance. He removed his glasses, cleaned them with a napkin, inspected them, and then put them back on.
    â€œHi Scoop,” Sarah greeted before she slid into the seat across from him.
    â€œHello there, Sarah Cole.” He swept the table with his hand as if he were removing crumbs. “How can I be of service to the Super Spies?”
    A waitress approached and interrupted the conversation. “What can I get you?” She asked around a huge wad of gum. Her dark hair was pulled back into a pony tail and her black eyes glittered. Sarah could tell she really didn’t want to be there. The waitress sighed and tilted her head away from the group. She fidgeted with her apron and tugged at her name tag while she waited for their answer.
    â€œI’ll have lemonade,” Sarah said.
    â€œMe too.” Jackie nudged Sarah telling her to move over. Once she did, Jackie sat down and blew the curls out of her eyes.
    â€œDitto,” Lacey answered as she slid into the seat next to Jackie.
    â€œI’ll have a cup of coffee,” Scoop said.
    â€œI’ll be right back with your drinks.” The waitress scurried away to fill the order.
    â€œWell…” Sarah said as she glanced around the place. “We’ve got a lead on my parents.”
    â€œReally?” Scoop leaned forward and met Sarah’s gaze across the table. “Tell me about it.”
    Sarah spoke in hushed tones and told Scoop about their experience earlier in the day. The other two girls listened intently and nodded their heads in agreement.
    By this time Scott and Alex had found the group, and they all huddled together as Sarah finished her story.
    When she finished, Scoop leaned back in his seat and pursed his lips. “That’s quite a story. You think this guy has something to do with the disappearance of your parents?”
    â€œDefinitely,” Sarah answered in a firm voice.
    Scoop rubbed his cheek with a heavy hand. “So, I’m guessing you have some sort of plan.”
    The waitress strolled back to the table with their order. She set the drinks down and then faced Scott and Alex. “Do you guys want anything?”
    She seemed friendlier this time and Sarah felt a twinge of jealousy. It dissipated when Scott and Alex decided against