Lovebirds

DARN TOOT'N

Vincent takes a deep breath.

"Okay, so here's the deal: first, we need to get a copy of Hugo's schedule from the office. I have a follow up meeting with my social worker because of what I told the Deans about the hacker—"

"Vince, those are two completely unrelated departments of the office," Skepticism tainting Dion's even tone.

Vincent rolls his eyes. "I'm resourceful."

"You're not James Bond. Or Pink Panther. Or any other remotely sneaky fictional character."

"I'm a great spy! My sister still has no clue we stole her sparkly pink fuzzy pen when we were seven. Its still behind my dresser as far as I know."

He can hear—actually hear Dion frown through the phone.

"Second," Vince continues, "we'll compare his schedule to the timestamps from the videos." When he'd gone back to check on the security room door, he'd found it locked. Decided to enter again (still having the key) and rewatch the tapes for himself. As much as he trusts Ambrose... yeah. He doesn't.

"I want to see if it makes any sense for Hugo to be the hacker; if he was able to get to class on time if he walked his way across the school first."

"Do you need his attendance records then? Maybe he ditched that day or something."

"Fair point. I'll snag those too."

He hears Dion sigh.

"Maybe it's just me, but I feel our mystical friend powers of encouragement flickering—and not just because you're denying my awesome espionage skills."

"Whatever you say, Ethan Hunt."

"HE ADMITS IT!" A broad smile takes over Vincent's face. He hears Dion laugh.

"Step three?"

"Thirdly, I will take pictures of all these records and then finish my meeting with the guidance counselor. Then I'll meet you in the library for lunch to discuss."

"Won't Hugo be a little suspicious when we don't show up for lunch?"

Vincent's eyes glance around, considering. "No. I think he said he's meeting with his college counselor once more before submitting his applications today."

"Okay. I think I remember him mentioning that too. You're sure he said it was during lunch?"

"That makes the most sense, right?"

"It does..."

A beat. Vincent rounds the corner

"Are you sure you can do this?"

"Darn toot'n."

"All on your own?"

"Mmhm."

Another beat. Dion sighs. Someone says 'hi' to Vincent in the hallway.

"Just let me know if you need me to cover for you or something."

Smiling, "I will, Captain."

"Just don't get yourself in trouble, okay."

"I promise. To the extent that extenuating circumstances allow."

"That's not very reassuring."

"Eh, well, I'm Ethan Hunt."

"Operating on sheer, dumb, luck?"

Laughing as he reaches his class, "I'll talk to you later, Benji."

"Be—"

But Vincent hangs up before Dion can remind of carefulness.