𝐥𝐚𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 ˢʰ

lx. operation child endangerment

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐚 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭
part three

𝐋𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧, her head reeling. Something had definitely been up with Cindy, but she didn't know what. Her friend's answers had been blunt and vague. Her total disinterest in their progress with the Russians was completely unexpected. Usually, Lily and Cindy could talk speak the phone for hours on end, about anything.

"Hey, Prom Queen" Robin said, appearing in the doorway of the cupboard, "Please come back out, Steve and Dustin have gone off to get-" She started, but faltered once she saw Lily's puzzled expression, "Oh, what's up?"

"I just had the strangest conversation with Cindy. I tried to tell her about the Russians and she brushed it off".

Robin frowned, "What do you mean she brushed it off?"

"She sounded super distracted, like she didn't really care" Lily replied, "She was at the pool. She went there to find me, but she knows I don't work Tuesdays. I never have".

"Huh, that's weird".

"Yeah, I know. It didn't sound like Cindy at all" Lily replied, thoughtfully, "Even the way she was speaking was weird. It was almost like she was speaking in code-"

"Code? What do you mean?"

"I dunno" Lily backtracked, realising her idea sounded absurd, "I bet she's just stressed about her internship" She shrugged, pushing the conversation to the back of her mind, "Where did you say Steve and Dustin were?"

"To find a flashlight" Robin answered, "And I don't know how much longer I can take sitting with Erica by myself, so can you come back out with me? I'm begging you".

"Sure" Lily chuckled, and she followed Robin back out into the parlour, "I kinda regret my idea now, she's driving me insane" She muttered, looking over at Erica who was drumming her fingers impatiently on the table.

"Take your time, ladies" Erica sighed, "I want a shake".

"But you've just had one" Robin frowned, "And a float".

"So? I want another one, sailor lady".

Robin groaned, "Fine, I'll get you another one". She grabbed the empty dishes from the table and as she passed Lily, she whispered, "You're on your own, sorry".

Unsure whether Erica was annoying her or intimidating her, Lily reluctantly sat down at the table. Erica took a moment to look her up and down, then said, "I know you. You're Lily Andrews. You live on my street, right?"

Lily nodded, "Yeah, that's me".

"I thought so. Why are you always hanging around here? Don't you have anything better to do?"

Lily frowned at her, "I could say the same to you. Don't you have anything better to do than beg for samples".

"I don't beg, ever" Erica retorted, "I ask and then I get".

Not wanting to get into an argument with a child, Lily looked over at the counter. Robin was there preparing the shake. Lily gave her a look of desperation and mouthed "Hurry up". The younger girl nodded and came back over with the shake. She looked at Lily and raised her eyebrow. Lily quickly returned the gesture, and for the first time that summer, it felt like they were friends.

*

Once again, the group found themselves waiting until the mall had closed, so they could carry out their plan. Erica had left to hang out with her friends, and had returned later on in the evening. While she was gone, the others had taped two flashlights to her bike helmet. It would be dark in the air ducts, and none of them wanted to be responsible for losing her, despite how irritating she was.