Storm Chaser // JJ Maybank

52

JJ and I get in the Twinkie with John B. This thing must be on its ninth life.

"Walk me through it one more time," JJ tells John B.

"Okay, right there," John B says as he points to the map of South America. "That's where they're taking him. That's the site of the idol."

"You literally just pointed to South America. Like the whole continent," I tell him. "You understand that, right?"

John B nods. "Yep."

"That's all you know?" JJ asks. "He's somewhere in South America?"

"That's why we're going to the professor's house," John B explains. "Look, he was at the site."

"Okay," JJ says. "So happy we have the map, then."

"Wait. Whoa, whoa!" I tell John B. "We're going to a house now with a dead body in it?" I shake my head. "That's where we're going?"

"Yeah," John B says a little too calmly.

"And if the cops show up, you know what that makes us look like?" JJ asks.

"Yes," John B tells him.

"Okay, just making sure," JJ says.

"Can we please just be quick?" I ask. "In and out."

We stop out front of the house. John B goes in first. This place gives me the creeps. I mean someone just died here. Like yesterday.

"His body's gone," John B tells us. He stands in front of a kitchen table. "Sowell was right here."

"And Sowell was the..." JJ starts.

"The professor," John B tells him.

"Right. No, I know what happened. They've already been here, John B," JJ insists. "They sent in the sweepers and now probably decontaminated this entire room. So, there's nothing left, John B."

"We should get out," I offer.

"Maybe there's something," John B says.

"Okay, what are we looking for then?" JJ asks.

"Anything to do with an archaeological dig," John B tells him.

"Oh, thanks. That really narrows it down," JJ remarks.

"I'm trying," John B offers.

I sigh. "Anything. All right."

"Fricking anything. Seriously, man?" JJ asks.

John B goes to touch something.

"Wait! Whoa, whoa, whoa!" JJ stops him. "Don't leave your fingerprints, bro." JJ uses a bandana to wipe John B's prints off. "This is a live crime scene, dude. Yeah, you know, actually, I'm just gonna look in the kitchen. No one ever checks the fridge."

"Yeah, go for that, man," John B tells him.

I watch John B go through a box of paper. I look through a drawer unsure of what to actually look for.

"Dad, Sowell, the idol," John B says. "Temalacatl."

"Are you alright, John B?" I ask.

He picks a paper up from the floor.

"JJ. JJ!" John B shouts.

JJ pulls his head out from the fridge.

"Are you eating right now?" I ask. "What are you doing?"

"You know what? I feel very judged right now," JJ tells me.

"Sure," John B remarks.

"All right? There's an entire bird in here that'll just go to waste, okay?" J reasons. "I'm not gonna let that happen. It's not like I'm stealing it. No one else is gonna eat it. I was like, 'I'll take the nutrients that this beautiful bird gives me and fill the tank,' all right? I haven't been able to eat anything..."