MATILDA , jj maybank

24

MATILDA! CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR:
SKUNKED
______________

"Good news for the residents of Outer Banks. Dominion Power says their underwater transmission line, which will restore power to 90% of the area...should be functional within 24 hours." The radio said as police cars passed. They sat in the car listening to the radio. Ward Cameron had framed John B for killing Peterkin and now everyone was looking for him "And still, no arrest in the shooting death of Sheriff Susan Peterkin. The state police have issued a statement regarding a local person of interest-a juvenile from—" Kie shut the radio off

"Let's game this out. Maybe you guys can help, being the smart ones and all, but... who are the cops going to believe? Ward Cameron or us?" JJ asked  "So the accuser is a bigshot developer, kind of lord of the island, got the governor on speed dial kind of person, and the accused... is John B, who is... pretty much a homeless 16-year-old boy at the moment."

"Thanks." John B said

"Shit." Pope muttered as he sat in the front looking out the window

"Okay, man. Yucatan, all right?" JJ said

"I'm saying that's the only option. What other option do you have?"

"Enough with the Mexico bullshit. Sarah will bail me out" John B said

"She did witness the whole thing." Liz added

"Thank you."

"And she's gonna snitch on her brother?" Pope asked

"Not happening, We've gotta get you both off the island bro. Okay?"

"The ferry. It's the only way. Exit stage left while you still can. Before the entire island is on lockdown." JJ said

"Guys, just get down." Kie said beofre more police cars passed

"Sarah's not a Pogue, John B." Pope said

"Yeah. You can't stay here, man."

Liz laid in the car beside John B as Pope looked at the board for the Ferry "Okay. All right, no." Pope said as he walked back to the car

"Pope, can you act normal?"

"So, um... okay, so, bad news. The ferry's closed, and there is this." Pope handed Kie a paper. Kie passed it back to JJ, John B and Liz

"What is that? What is this?" John B asked

"Well, John B uh... this is a good framer of you." JJ showed them the paper. It had the words 'wanted' across the top, with a picture of John B on it. Liz grabbed the paper and looked at it better.

"Shit" she muttered

"Okay, so the whole island's lookin' for John B right now."

"That's a lot of money."

"Congratulations john B. You're famous."

"Guys, we got to get to the HMS. We need small, no running lights—" Kie started

"It's at the Château, Kie." John B said

"And I wonder if the cops got the entire place staked out. Let me think. Oh, yeah. No, They definitely have that place locked down."

"Yeah, copy that."

"Let me think. Just give me a second. JJ."

"What?" JJ asked

"Does your dad still have that boat? The cigarette boat, the Phantom. The one he used to race"

"Maybe."