Code 47 to BREV Force Cracko

Chapter 40

CHAPTER 40

Brad and Evie managed to remain outwardly calm and somewhat focused during their classes but just as soon as they were over, the twins dashed to the parking lot and Brad drove them home.

Brian had been sitting at the family piano, enjoying the sound the keys made, when he heard Brad's horn. He grabbed his cap, jacket, sunglasses and janitorial box and headed out. Brad and Evie hardly recognized Brian when he came out of the house.

About a block away from the mall, Brad pulled the car over to the side of a quiet street and told Brian, "This is the place where you get out. Remember what mom showed you, just walk straight down this road and you'll come to the main entrance for the mall."

"And Brian," Evie added, "when you get in the mall go to the upper level. We'll meet you at the alcove near Vid-Mart, as soon as our test is completed."

"C'mon Evie," Brad shook his head, "Brian has become an expert at getting around the mall." He turned to Brian and added, "Right?"

Brian nodded indicating that he was fine.

Brad reminded him, "Don't forget your tool box. Let's synchronize. How 'bout in fifteen minutes you start the signal for our dry run."

Brian picked up the box and opened the car door, "We will all be fine!" was all he said as he closed the door.

Brad and Evie watched him walk down the street toward the mall. They arrived at about ten minutes to three and walked from the employee parking garage into Compustock Mall.

It was the largest mall in Island Falls but compared to malls in California, it wasn't very large, or very fancy. There were some nationally known chain stores but, the majority of the stores, owned and operated by local residents, were primarily geared to selling local merchandise.

Vid-Mart, where both the twins now worked, was a high-tech computer and video center. It was owned by a local resident who created it as a place for educational fun. Over the years, it grew in popularity and expanded to the mega-store it was now: video, audio and entertainment.

Both Evie and Brad were glad Vid-Mart was busy enough to need extra help and that Evie could get a job with hours that complemented her classes and her other job at the school administration office.

They both signed in and got their day's assignments. "Brad, I'll see you later. I better get to the stock room. I was told somebody, back there is supposed to show me how to do inventory."

Today, Brad was in the selling and customer service area. That meant helping out when machines went on the fritz, or assisting customers looking for games, videos, digital formats and the like. The usual after-school crowd was already mulling around and he noticed Jonathan playing one of the virtual reality simulation games.

Walking over to say hello, Brad noticed his friend seemed totally engrossed in his game. Brad stood and watched for a minute and suddenly the screen went blank.

Removing his head gear and throwing it to the ground, Jonathan called out, "Can you believe this! I was just about to beat this stupid machine when..."

Then, he noticed Brad standing behind him. "This game is rigged! The screen and pad just shut down. Here," he said, throwing the pad at Brad, "you get it to work!"

Brad couldn't believe Jon's attitude. He caught the equipment mid-air and stepped in to check out the trouble. Brad unlocked the jammed pad but the screen didn't respond. Instead, a deep, vicious sounding masculine voice growled from deep within the machine, "Cracko is coming!"