drinks.
Sarah turned her attention back to Scoop. âYes, I do.â She feigned an innocent smile. âIâve got an awesome plan.â
Chapter Six
Scoopâs lips twitched and then grew into a wry smile. âIâm almost afraid to ask what it is.â
Sarah giggled. âYouâll love it.â
âRi-i-ightâ¦â Scoop raised his eyebrows and stared at her; his eyes flashed with skepticism. âWhat is it?â
Sarah took a deep breath. âOkay, weâve got to figure out who this crazy guy is that followed us and find out what his connection is to our parents.â
âOkay,â Scoop answered warily.
âWe know he went into this spooky house, but it doesnât appear that heâs the owner.â
âYeah.â
âSo we need some way to get inside and look around.â
âAnd how are you going to do that?â Scoop leaned forward and made eye contact with Sarah.
âWellâ¦â She shifted in her seat and bit her lip. âSince you used to be a reporter⦠I thought you could go and interview them.â
âReally?â Scoop snorted. âAnd what would I be interviewing them about?â
âThe Robinson family started the logging business in Alden. I figured you could do some sort of historical article or something like that.â
âDid you forget that Iâm retired? I donât work for a paper anymore.â
Sarah shrugged. âSo, they donât know that.â
âI see. You want me to lie to them.â Scoop pursed his lips.
âYep.â Sarah eyed the retired reporter. âI mean thereâs no law against impersonating a reporter is there?â
Scoop laughed and wiped his forehead with his hand as if he were drenched in sweat. âNo, I donât suppose there is.â He sighed and stroked his chin. âOf course, I could say I was doing a freelance article for an independent publication.â
âSo⦠youâll do it?â
He sighed. âIâll do it.â
âCool beans,â Jackie trumpeted.
âOkay hereâs the plan. We go up to the Robinsonâs tomorrow morning and youâll knock on the door and see if theyâll agree to an interview.â Sarah spoke quickly, hoping to get the plan down before Scoop changed his mind. She glanced at Scott. âHeâll need to wear a wire. Do you think you can get one from your dad?â
âIâll⦠try.â Scott squirmed in his seat.
âNo need,â the retired reporter interrupted. âIâve got a device that can record and take pictures all in one. Iâve used it many times in my work and itâll do the job.â
âWill we be able to listen in like cops do in those awesome detective shows?â Sarah asked.
Scoop shook his head. âNo, Iâm afraid not.â
Sarah pouted. âBummer.â
âThis isnât going to be dangerous, is it?â Lacey asked, biting her lip.
Scoop shook his head. âNo⦠Iâve done this a million times.â
Lacey sighed and leaned back. âGood.â
âIâll come up with some interview questions tonight. What time are we leaving?â
âWeâre leaving at seven in the morning,â Sarah said, glancing around the table.
âWhat? Are you kids skipping school?â
Sarah bit her lip and stifled the irritated groan that was about to escape. âYes. Weâre so close to finding my parents. I couldnât sit in classes tomorrow and concentrate.â
âIâm not really comfortable with this.â Scoop pushed back from the table.
âWait!â Sarah stood. âYou have to do this.â
âI donât have to do anything.â
âThat freak saw all of us. We canât do it â heâll recognize us.â
âHow are you going to get past your parents?â Scoop stood and placed his hands on his hips. âYou know the school is