No Heroes Allowed (student/teacher)

Chapter Four - Time-Bomb

After I finished talking to them, I left. I walked to the bathroom before I went to the lab. I washed my face as I remembered the silent tears fall down Mrs. Lewis’s face and the sad and pain in her husband’s eyes when I left them. They were hurting, bad.

I quickly regrouped and walked out. People were still congratulating me and I smiled but said nothing.

“Alex!”

“Yeah Mark?”

“Come here!” He motioned me over to the lab and opened the door.

“What is it?”

“They got a hit on the paper used for the first threat. It was bought at a printing store on West, Blvd., but the guy used cash.”

“Is there any camera footage?” I asked the tech guy at the computer. Frank nodded. He played the security footage and stopped it.

“That’s the guy, right there. The one in the baseball cap and jacket, he kept his back to the camera the whole time.” He said. Frank played the video again. I studied the whole thing carefully when something caught my eye.

“Stop!” Frank paused the tape as the guy picked up a piece of paper. “You see that? His watch is on his right hand which means he’s left-handed. Plus, he has a money clip, which should narrow the suspects down. A lot of teenagers don’t carry them.”

“Okay, I’ll look at this some more. You go get some rest, it’s almost eight.”

I yawned suddenly, felling tired. “Okay. Bye, Mark. Bye Frank,” Mark gave me a hug and kissed my forehead.

I was halfway home when I remembered I didn’t have anything at home to eat for dinner. So I turned and drove back to the city.

I drove to a Chinese restaurant and parked. Cars were in various parking spots. Little starts lit the sky while the moon was full. I parked my Land Rover on the front parking space and got out. My shirt, sometime during the evening, was rolled up to my elbows. My feet hurt in these shoes and my hair was falling out of the bun.

I walked in and up to the counter. The bored college kid took my order and told me five minutes wait.

My cell rang and I looked at the caller I.D. I answered and teased, “I’m starting to think you’re the only one who calls me anymore.”

Mark laughed. “Ha-ha. So funny, you know your social life is like a cat, you don’t have one.”

I’m talking to you, aren’t I?”

“True, you are. But seriously, you need friends. Not just me, friends your own age.”

“You’re only five years older than me, Mark.” I reminded him. I took my food off the counter and smiled and thanked he guy.