The Gadgeteer

Chapter 13

ARABETH WALKED AS quietly as possible, checking the doors and windows, trying to find a way in without Mr. Jacobs knowing she was here. She climbed up on the edge of a tall flower bed and stood up on tiptoes to see through one of the windows. Even early in the morning, there should have been some help, but the interior was dark and the vaulted ceilings made it look like a cave. Would sound echo if she tossed a rock at the window?

Jumping back down, she looked for a smooth pebble. Picking up several, she threw the first one, satisfied that it made a loud enough sound when it hit. She waited a moment before throwing the second one.

A quick motion from a nearby window caught her attention. Squinting, she recognized Melanie. Relief washed through her. She had to get her out of this place, maybe hide her at her own house until she found somewhere more suitable. She wasn't sure Melanie would be comfortable in a strange house full of contraptions and locked doors. It wasn't like she hadn't visited before, but it was always different to live in a place. Even for a week.

A moment later Melanie came flying out the front door.

"Tell me you have a solution," she said. "I can't stay here. It's just too odd, and it's not just Mr. Jacobs. There are sounds in the night that I can't explain. It keeps me up and I'm becoming delusional from lack of sleep."

With a smile, Arabeth took her friend's hand. "Let's get you out of here. There have been some developments you need to know about. You're not going crazy; there's a radio signal that is getting into people's heads."

"I knew you'd figure it out. Tell me as we go." Melanie started jogging to the street, looking for a cab. Arabeth walked over, leading her horse.

"You don't expect me to ride that, do you?" Melanie looked intimidated.

Her reaction caused Arabeth to laugh. "You're not actually scared of a horse, with everything else that is going on in your life, are you? I mean, this is Kate."

"Kate? The horse that only lets you ride it, you mean?"

Arabeth wrinkled her nose. "Only strangers get bucked off. She knows you."

"Barely."

"Fine." She pulled out the brown leather pilot's hat she had originally brought for Hicks. "Wear this. It'll protect you, and I'll explain later. Trust me?"

Melanie nodded. She took the hat and pulled it down tight over her head, strapping it on.

"I don't care what it looks like with this dress," she said, noticing Arabeth's smirk. "I'll get a pantsuit from home another day."

"You, in a suit?" Arabeth was grinning again. "I'll call the photographer."

"Adapt or die." She sighed.

Arabeth hoped these weren't what qualified as desperate times. The cab pulled up and Arabeth climbed on Kate and followed behind them. She had to get her runners out gathering information. How could she do that when she was also getting Melanie settled? If she could spot one of them, they could pass the word to the others.

As if by willpower, Bernie appeared, walking down the sidewalk to her right. She veered her horse over and walked beside him. Marble noticed and followed her.

"Bernie," she called out. "Hey, kid, come here."

Bernie laughed as he crossed to her. "We're the same age, you know."

"You're kidding, right? I've got to be older by at least five years. Maybe ten."

He kept walking, so she kept riding.