Jack_ Secret Vengeance - F. Paul Wilson [22]
His fingers trembled as he tested one after another against the shackle of Toliver’s lock until he found a snug fit. Then he did just what he’d done with his own lock: thumbs on the flanges, push down, rotate right—
The shackle popped open.
So easy, it was almost criminal.
Then again, breaking into someone’s locker was, in a way, sort of a criminal act.
Did that make him a criminal?
Whatever. Not as criminal as attacking Weezy.
He shoved the lock into his pocket and opened the door. He pulled the spider from the baggie and wedged it lightly behind a few books on the top shelf, then taped the elastic string firmly to the inside of the door, leaving very little slack.
He closed and relocked it, then stepped back to examine his handiwork. He played the penlight up and down the locker but could find no sign that it had been tampered with. Satisfied, he headed back to the boys’ room.
Sliding out feetfirst was easier than crawling in headfirst. He pushed the window shut, pulled his bike free, and hit the road.
His heart pounded with elation. He’d done it. Or at least he’d finished the setup without being caught.
Now all he could do was be on hand tomorrow morning to see if Operation Toliver turned out to be a boom or a bust.
3
The first thing Jack did upon getting off the bus and entering school was to make a beeline for the last stall in the boys’ room where he closed the latches on the window. No sense in risking the chance that someone might notice them open and wonder why.
After that he positioned himself as far as possible from Toliver’s locker while still maintaining a line of sight. He pretended to be reading, leaning against a wall as if doing a last-minute cram for a test, but all the while keeping careful watch from the corner of his eye.
He didn’t feel as tired as he’d expected this morning. Not a hundred percent by any stretch, but the adrenaline of anticipation was driving off any effects of sleep deprivation. It also seemed to have driven off his appetite. Mom had been on his case about having only toast for breakfast, but he hadn’t felt like eating anything more.
He’d heard another “Where’s Easy Weezy?” when he’d got on the bus, which made him glad Weezy had stayed home. Again, Eddie had been too lost in his headphones to notice.
About five minutes before first period, Toliver strolled by, performing his mayor-of-SBR routine. As soon as Jack spotted him, his gut tightened. He closed his book and began drifting his way. Eddie appeared at his side as if from nowhere.
“Why’re you heading this way?” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “Kleiner’s our first and he’s back—”
“Just taking the long way,” Jack said.
This earned a funny look. Taking a single step more than absolutely necessary was simply not part of Eddie’s lifestyle. To do so willingly was for Klingons or seriously deranged people.
“I’m going the not-long way.”
At that point they were maybe ten feet from Toliver as he spun the dial on his combo lock. This was hit-the-locker-before-first-period time and the area was crowded.
“Okay, okay,” Jack said, putting on an exasperated tone, “I’ll come with you. Just let me tie my sneak.”
He leaned his back against the wall and raised his foot, untying and then retying the laces on one of his Converse All-Stars, but all the while watching Toliver …
… popping the shackle and removing the lock …
… opening the door …
… stretching the elastic string …
Though Jack had been expecting it, even he jumped when the big black spider came flying through the air, straight at Toliver’s face. Toliver dropped the book he’d been carrying and loosed a loud yelp as he jumped back. He bumped into a passing girl, knocking her in turn against the girl beside her. Both girls went down amid flying books and papers.
“I don’t believe it!” Eddie cried. “Did you see that?”
“See what?” Jack said, straightening and looking around. He focused on the two girls, kneeling on the floor and gathering their scattered things. “What happened to them?”
He hurried over,