Dangerous Deception Read Online Free Page B

School.”
    I had some misgivings about sending Shoeless to the food bank to represent us, so I suggested that one of us should go with him. “It’s always best to work in pairs,” I said.
    â€œI’ll go,” Abby said.
    â€œMaybe they’ll give us brownies,” Shoeless said. “Or cans of Pepsi.”
    â€œWe aren’t accepting any food, even if they offer it,” Abby said. “We’re only going for information, to find out what Sophie’s family needs to do in order to receive food from the food bank.”
    â€œYou expect me to give up part of my Saturday if there’s no food involved?” Shoeless said. “No way. I’m a growing boy. I need sustenance.”
    â€œI’ll bring you a muffin,” Abby said.
    â€œDeal,” said Shoeless as he wiggled his ears at her.
    The talk of brownies and muffins made me hungry. Usually I bring two snacks to school, one for mid-morning and one for the afternoon. I keep candy bars, cookies, and small bags of chips in my dresser drawer, but that morning I had been so focused on getting the food for Sophie out of the house without Mom noticing it that I had forgotten to pack anything from my goodie drawer.
    The clock hands seemed reluctant to pass two, but class finally ended and we were excused. The six of us rushed to the supply closet, grabbed our groceries, and hurried out to the front of the school to meet Chance. Lauren, Abby, Hunter, and Shoeless left their food with Jelly Bean and me, then headed for their respective buses.
    I stood at the curb with Jelly Bean, hoping Chance wouldn’t forget. “If your brother doesn’t show up, we’re in trouble,” I said.
    â€œHe’ll be here. I texted him as soon as school got out, to remind him.”
    â€œAre you sure he got your text? Did he answer?”
    â€œHe got it. That dude can’t go five seconds without checking his phone.”
    Less than a minute later, Chance clattered to the curb in a clunker car. He unlocked the trunk, and we hefted all the groceries inside. I climbed in the backseat, while Jelly Bean rode shotgun. Duct tape crisscrossed the window next to me and a wad of stuffing stuck out of a rip in the upholstery.
    Since Jelly Bean didn’t introduce me, I said, “Hi, Chance. I’m Emmy.”
    â€œYo,” said Chance.
    â€œThanks for doing this.”
    â€œYep.” Or maybe he said, “Uh.” It was hard to tell. Even though he answered me, Chance kept his eyes on his phone, obviously reading a text message.
    â€œHere’s the address and how to get there,” I said, handing a piece of paper to Jelly Bean. “I printed directions from MapQuest last night.”
    Jelly Bean read Sophie’s address out loud.
    â€œIt’s near the gravel pit,” I said.
    The car belched exhaust fumes as we pulled away from the school. Jelly Bean told Chance when to turn, and Chance must have heard because he followed instructions, but he never spoke again. I felt as if a robot was driving the car. Chance kept glancing at his phone to read text messages. He held the phone in his right hand and, although he kept the back of that hand on the steering wheel, his right thumb skipped across the keyboard as he sent texts.
    In my state, it’s not legal to text while you’re driving. It isn’t legal to talk on a cell phone while driving, either, unless you’re wearing a hands-free headset, but I didn’t say anything. Chance was doing us a favor and if we continued to help Sophie, we would need to ask him to drive us again. I didn’t think he would appreciate criticism from the backseat.
    Ten minutes later, we turned onto East Sycamore, Sophie’s street. Chance slowed while we watched for number 1135.
    â€œThere it is,” I said. The stucco building showed only a faint memory of sand-colored paint. It had no carport or assigned parking spaces. We had to park half a block