Storm Chaser // JJ Maybank

27

We're sitting in Mr Sunn's class taking a test. The door opens and a guy I've never seen before is standing there.

"Mr. Sunn, can I borrow Pope for a minute?"

"We're in the middle of a test," Mr Sunn tells him.

"I'm from the Vanderhorst Foundation."

"Mr. Heyward, it's for you," Mr Sunn tells him.

"Thank you. Good to see you, Pope."

Pope and the man walk out of the room. I look at Kie curiously. After a moment Pope comes back into the room with an envelope. He shows it to us and I can see the seal on the back has the wheat symbol on it.

"Is that the wheat symbol?" Kie asks.

"Yeah," Pope says.

"What the f..." JJ starts. Mr Sunn turns to look at him. "fu... fu... fudge?"

After Mr Sunn's class we head straight to the library.

"Is this a game of tag?" JJ asks.

"I don't know," Kie whispers.

"Am I gonna have to beat you with your protractor? What's going on?" JJ asks. The librarian shushes him.

"Seriously, Pope, you are driving me insane," I tell him.

"Okay, so that guy was from the scholarship committee. Take a look at this." Pope hands the envelope to JJ. "Read it."

"Out loud," I tell JJ.

"I can't read cursive," JJ tells me.

I look at him curiously before taking the letter from him. "'Dear Mr. Heyward, I am reaching out because I have material evidence that can exonerate John B. Routledge. It is of vital importance that you come and meet with me in person at my offices at 27 King Street, Charleston at 8:00 p.m. sharp tonight. Please come alone. Regards, C. Limbrey.'"

"Charleston?" JJ asks.

"It's like an eight-hour drive plus the ferry," Pope states. "How will we get there tonight?"

"We'd have to leave like right now," JJ states.

"I have a free period," Kie tells us.

"'Material evidence'? What does that even mean, 'material evidence'?" JJ asks.

"It means he can clear John B," Kie tells him.

"Oh, shit, then we're going to Charleston," JJ insists.

Kie sighs. "I gotta tell my mom."

"Look, if we get it this time, we are not giving it to Shoupe," I insist.

"Yeah. No duh," JJ agrees.

Pope sighs.

"What?" Kie asks.

Pope turns the computer screen towards us. "I'm not sure, but I think whoever this Limbrey person is, they might be related to the captain of the Royal Merchant."

After getting Heyward's truck we head to Kie's house. She's gotta explain to her mom why she's gotta go to Charleston on a school night. We can see Kie and her parents arguing.

"They're taking it really well," JJ remarks.

Pope nods. "Mm-hmm."

"How'd you get this rig?" I ask Pope. "I know your dad didn't let you have it."

"I undid the intake valves on the carburetor. Made it start pinging," Pope tells me.

"And now you're just gonna take it to your cousin Jeff's house. Just gonna get it fixed," JJ says.