Jack_ Secret Vengeance - F. Paul Wilson [34]
Still, the idea of NBR trying to drive the SBR quarterback crazy before the big game …
A whacky theory, guys, Jack thought. But as long as it doesn’t involve Weezy or me, go for it.
He spotted Levi Coffin, one of the older piney kids, staring at him as if trying to see right through him. He had a strange, knowing look that unsettled Jack. Did he suspect?
No way.
Jack chanced a last glance back and saw Toliver slam his locker door closed and start to relock it. But he stopped, staring at the lock.
Suddenly he hauled back and pitched it against the nearest wall where it cracked a tile. As the lock hit the floor, its black combination dial broke off and rolled around in a wobbly circle.
Toliver stalked off, leaving his locker latched but unlocked.
No! Jack thought. You can’t do that.
Booby-trapping an unlocked locker would have no impact. It was nothing—less than nothing. Anyone could do it.
Toliver had to get another lock.
4
At lunchtime, Jack made a point of stopping by the table where Weezy usually sat.
“Any questions for me, ladies?”
They gave him weird looks. No one mentioned Easy Weezy.
“Come on, girls. I’m the answer man.”
“Okay,” said a blonde with sky-high bangs. “Who’s sneaking into Carson’s locker?”
The question was good news, but Jack hadn’t expected it. He didn’t know what to say until he remembered …
“I heard someone say that NBR might be trying to spook him before the game.”
“Ohmigod!” one of them said and suddenly he was forgotten as they leaned together and buzzed.
Looked like Easy Weezy had become yesterday’s news. His plan was already successful. But it wasn’t enough. The scales wouldn’t be balanced until Toliver was experiencing what he’d put Weezy through.
He’d planned to spend the rest of lunchtime bird-dogging Toliver but, just like yesterday, he was nowhere to be found until classes were about to resume.
Jack spotted him walking toward his locker. Two other guys from the football team were coming the other way. One nudged the other and they both let out high-pitched screams.
Toliver didn’t appreciate the joke. As they broke into laughter he shoved one of them.
“Something funny, Warner? Huh?”
Temper, temper, Jack thought. Careful. That’s not a skinny “goth chick.”
Warner pushed him back. “Lighten up, Cars.”
“Hey, yeah,” said the other. “We’re just funnin’ ya.”
“It’s not funny, man. Someone been stealing my combination. Nothing funny about that.”
“Well, don’t look at us,” Warner said. “Got better things to do.”
The other nodded. “Damn straight.”
Toliver held up his right hand to show them a new lock. “Well, whoever it is, his combination-stealing days are over.” He held up a pair of keys with his left hand. “No combination. And I’ve got the only keys.”
They exchanged high fives and continued on their various ways. Jack followed Toliver to his locker and strolled by as he secured it with his new lock. After wandering into the caf, he doubled back and slowed as he passed 791.
A bright brass lock gleamed from the locker latch. Mr. Lock was engraved into the metal.
Jack suppressed a grin as he moved past.
Tonight—or tomorrow morning, rather—he would introduce Mr. Lock to Mr. Shim.
5
“I’m not feeling so well,” Mr. Rosen said, rubbing his stomach.
He looked a little green and Jack felt a flash of concern.
“You okay?”
“The tuna fish salad I had for lunch—it’s not sitting so well. Stay open maybe another hour, then close up. Unless of course—I should be so lucky—we’re jammed with people in a buying frenzy, then you call me and I’ll come back.”
Jack laughed. “You got it. But before you go, I need to buy something.”
The kid from yesterday had given him an idea.
“Again? You bought yesterday, and now you’re buying today. With business the way it is, you’re going to be the week’s best customer. What now?”
Jack indicated the round fishbowl full of marbles he’d brought to the counter.
“These.”
Mr. Rosen made a face. “Marbles? Why? You’ve maybe lost yours?”