The Further Adventures of Jack Lime Read Free Page B

when people talk about great athletic accomplishments at Iona High, the last quarter of that game is sure to come up. Not only did Lance play offense, he played defense, too. He ran around the field like a crazy squirrel in a nut factory. He intercepted passes, he ran through tackles, he threw two touchdowns and ran one in with three opposing players hanging off his back. When the final whistle blew and the fat lady sang, the Warriors were up by one and Lance was the toast of the town.
    Most of the fans paraded out of the stands laughing and cheering, but there were a few who looked more than a little disappointed. Heck, they looked downright angry, and I had a sneaking suspicion they’d all just lost a bunch of dough betting that Eastern High was a sure thing to win. They were probably wondering why Lance waited until the last minute to play like a superhero. I was beginning to wonder that myself. I was beginning to wonder about a lot of things, and I figured the easiest way to get some of the answers was to catch up with Lance “The Miracle Man” Munroe.
    Friday, October 4, 6:17 p.m.
17 Sea of Tranquility Lane, The Goodwin Place
    A little after six, Lance came out the school’s main doors with Betty and a crowd of kids who were still hooting about his incredible performance. They took off in a whirlwind of excitement, but gradually the groupies trailed away in different directions. By the time we arrived at a cozy white house with a picket fence around the front, it was just the two of them. The name on the mailbox said “The Goodwins,” and I watched the lovebirds go inside. Then I found a comfortable tree to lean against across the street and settled down to do some thinking. Unfortunately any thinking I was about to do was rudely interrupted when KC Stone stepped up beside me.
    â€œWhat are you doing here, Lime?”
    â€œKC,” I said, turning around. “Nice of you to drop by. You always make my other problems seem insignificant.”
    â€œA detective of your stature must have serious problems — like hangnails and out-of-control nose hairs.”
    â€œAre you here to groom me or just to bother me?”
    â€œActually I’m here to have dinner and interview Lance. He had an incredible game this afternoon.”
    â€œYeah,” I said, “a very convenient last-minute comeback.”
    â€œCare to expand on that, Lime?”
    â€œI don’t think I can, not yet, but something doesn’t smell right around here, and I’m planning on finding out what’s baking in the oven.”
    â€œI’m not sure what that means, but try to keep your head screwed on straight,” she said. “I wouldn’t want you to end up looking like a fool.”
    â€œI’m not going to make you any promises.”
    â€œThat’s probably a good decision, Jack. Is there anything I can do to help?”
    â€œCall me if Lance does anything suspicious,” I said, handing her one of my cards.
    â€œLike winning a football game?”
    â€œExactly,” I said.
    KC rolled her eyes and headed across the street.
    I decided I didn’t want to lean against a tree for the rest of the night while Lance sat inside and ate a warm meal. Plus, I usually met my grandma for supper at The Diner on Friday nights, and I had about five minutes to get there before she thought I’d stood her up. On top of all that, I was willing to bet dollars to doughnuts that Lance wasn’t going anywhere tonight, not after a game like that and not when he had Betty and KC gushing all over him.
    Friday, October 4, 6:32 p.m.
29A Main Street, The Diner
    I walked through the door at The Diner just as Moses was giving Grandma her dinner. I apologized for being tardy, ordered a bacon-and-cheese burger with fries on the side and a root beer float, and then strolled over to the pay phone in the back. I dialed 555-3333 and waited to see who would pick up.
    The phone rang five