Unsavory Business

Alan opened the door to his room to stand face-to-face with Dom, who was obviously going out.

"Hey, Alan. Got a call from Mr. Magnuson," Dom explained. "He's got some questions to ask me. Sounds like they got a break in the case."

"Really?" Alan said, eyes widening.

"Yeah." The two boys swapped places, then Dom paused. "Hey, will you come with me? We're not supposed to walk around alone at night and, truthfully, I'd feel better with a friend along."

Alan gave a half-shrug. "Sure. I'll walk over with you. Won't be the first time I've been there today." He stepped back outside the room and Dom locked the door behind them.

"I saw Mr. Culp come over to your table," Dom said casually.

"Yeah. Mr. Mag sent him 'cause they had some questions about Sugi," Alan said. He put his hands in his jacket pockets and shrugged. "I wasn't in any trouble."

"Sugi?" Dom asked, frowning. "What about him?"

Alan took in a deep breath and sighed, looking down at his shoes. "I'm really not supposed to talk about it, okay? Mrs. Belvedere asked me not to."

"Oh!" Dom looked and sounded surprised. There was quiet between them for the rest of the walk to the security office.

Both Mr. Culp and A.J. glanced up as they came in. The security officer smiled wryly. "Weren't you here just a little while ago, Alan?"

Alan nodded. "Yeah. Just walking Dom over. New rules and all."

"Good man." Mr. Culp got up and opened the door for Dom. Alan was surprised to see a New Ashford police officer in Mr. Magnuson's office before Dom entered and the door closed behind him. Mr. Culp sat back down again, and Alan took a seat, stretching his legs out, leaning his head back and folding his arms.

He had only been sitting for a few moments when he realized that A.J. was before him. "Uh, Alan?" the freshman asked. "D'you think you could walk me back to the dorm? I've got to get my homework done..."

Alan shrugged. "Yeah, sure. No problem. Fermat in there?"

"Yeah. Him and Qaeshon."

"Cool. They can walk back together then." He stood, shook down his pants legs and motioned to the younger boy. "Let's go. I've got homework to do, too."

The night was cool and clear, with a light breeze. Not quite cool enough for mist to curl around their faces as they breathed, but enough to chill ears and noses. They had walked in silence as far as Birchwood, when A.J. spoke up.

"What's going on between you and Fermat?"

Alan glanced at the younger boy, whose face was turned toward him, expecting an answer. He shook his head and said nothing for a few more strides, then he took a deep breath and huffed it out forcefully.

"I... I did something stupid, and Fermat got pissed at me," he said. "But I apologized for it, and sincerely, too. He wouldn't let it go. Still hasn't let it go, from the cold shoulder he gave me today."

"Ah."

They walked on some more, then Alan asked, "Why did you want to know?"

A.J. shrugged. "Just curious." He gave Alan another, long expectant look. "Do you and Fermat fight a lot?"

Alan shook his head. "Nah. But when we do, well... it's usually over something big - something stupid I've done." He smiled ruefully. "And Fermat's usually right." Jamming his hands further into his jacket pockets, he murmured, "But not this time." Glancing over at his companion, he said in a clearer voice, "I apologized. And I meant it. Now the ball's in his court."

The younger boy nodded. "Okay," was all he said.

They walked a little further, then Alan asked, "What was going on in there?" He jerked his head back towards one shoulder to indicate their starting point.

A.J. thought for a moment. "Well, I guess I can tell you. Y'know how Kay was frustrated because there was something he couldn't remember today?"

"Yeah."

"He remembered it. He remembered the sound of the creeps who assaulted him as they ran off laughing. And he was able to identify one of the laughs."

Alan perked up at this news. "Really? Whose?"

"That creep at the dishwasher, Pierce."

"Pierce?" Alan's stride slowed as he turned this item over and over in his head. "I wonder... Sugi seemed awfully tight with him..."

"You think Sugi has some connection to those guys who attacked Kay?" A.J. asked, tilting his head and giving Alan a thoughtful frown.

Alan shrugged. "Don't know, but... well, I guess I wouldn't put it past him. He might not be involved in the actual attacks; in fact, he probably isn't. He's too well known on campus."

"So, how do you figure he might be involved?"

"Wish I knew."

By this time they had reached Maplewood. "I'd better get inside and get my homework done," A.J. said. "Thanks for walking with me. I'll see you tomorrow."

"No problem, A.J. See you at lunch."

A.J. mounted the steps. Alan gave him a quick wave, then turned and headed back toward his own dorm, hands back in his pockets, going over just how his old roommate might be involved with the attackers. I can't believe that Pierce is the guy behind this; he just doesn't seem to have the smarts for it. If he did, why is he working washing dishes here? And who is working with him? Steve? Some of the other guys on the soccer team? Would Kay recognize them? Dom's on the yearbook; he probably would have recognized the creeps if they're students. It just doesn't seem to fit.

He paused for a moment, glancing off in the direction of the security office, then sighed. I guess I'd better mention Pierce and Sugi to Mr. Mag, especially since I don't know if Zave did. He shook his head. At this rate, I'm never going to get my homework done...

His decision made, Alan picked up the pace, striding briskly past the dorms. As he walked beside Chetwood, he heard running steps pounding behind him and turned to find a breathless Ralph catching up with him.

"Alan!" Ralph slowed, panting. "Those guys! The guys who beat on Dom!" He stopped, breathing heavily, leaning over.

"What, Ralph?" Alan asked, frowning in concern. "What about them?"

"Dev... Devdan Israni," Ralph huffed out, looking up sideways at Alan. "I saw... I saw some guys taking him... taking him off into the... into the woods... towards the Hollow. I... I came to get Mr. Mag."

"Dev? Why Dev?"

Ralph shook his head. "Don't know. Gotta get help."

Alan had made a decision without even realizing it. "Yeah. Go. Get Mr. Mag. I'll see if there's anything I can do to help Dev."

Ralph nodded, and the two parted ways. Alan sprinted off toward the playing fields, while Ralph jogged along toward the security office... until he knew that Alan was out of sight. Then he stopped, closing his eyes briefly, a look of misery and anxiety on his face. He turned back toward his dorm, angrily jamming his fists in his pockets and walking quickly up the sidewalk.

"Damn, it's dark," Alan muttered as he slowed, entering the wooded area. "Should've brought a flashlight." He shook his head at his own stupidity. I can't believe that I've done this. It's like a knee-jerk reaction; jump in, look later. Is this why Dad wants me to finish school... besides the requirements that say I have to? So I can learn not to pull stupid stunts like this? He stopped walking, and shook his head again. I need to wait for Mr. Mag. I'm not going to find Dev walking around in the...

His thoughts suddenly stopped as he heard something – a voice crying out, faint and nearly indistinguishable as to accent. Standing perfectly still, he listened intently to see if the sound would repeat itself. The slight breeze rustled the leaves both on the ground and in the trees, and he tuned it out, straining to hear. There it is again! Someone's shouting! Thoughts of waiting for back up vanished, and he began to slowly pick his way toward the source of the sound.

It took less time than he thought it would to get to the Hollow. There was a small fire in the central pit, and he brought himself to a complete stop, peering through the gaps in the surrounding foliage to ascertain who was in the clearing and where they were. The flickering flames did little to reveal anything from where he stood, so he crept along quietly, testing his footing as he did to keep from slipping. Sparks streamed in the breeze, scattering on the bare earth to glow momentarily and fade out. The fire crackled slightly, its wavering glow throwing light to various spots, but exposing nothing. He moved again, as silently as he could, feeling more and more uneasy. Ralph said the Hollow. Those shouts came from this direction. There's a fire here, so someone must be around somewhere. But where?

At last, he got close to one of the taller, termite ridden trunks; a sudden gust sent the flickering light that way, and he stifled a gasp. A pair of sneakers and the bottoms of a pair of dark slacks showed for a split second. Dev! he thought. He moved forward slowly, scanning what he could see of the hollow, then, satisfied that the only other person around was whoever was leaning against that trunk, he stood and hurried over.

"Dev," he whispered as he hugged the side of the smooth, rotting bole. "It's Alan. I'm here to help!" He felt the bark-free sides for rope, for whatever might be holding Devdan in place. Puzzled, he stepped around to where he had seen the feet and found... no one.

Suddenly, he was grabbed from behind by someone taller and stronger than himself. The stale smell of cigarette smoke overpowered the woody scent of the fire as he was held in a full-nelson. He instinctively kicked behind him, aiming for the shins of his attacker, but before he could connect, the light of the fire was eclipsed, and someone else slammed a fist into his abdomen. As he doubled over, gasping for breath, he was aware of someone speaking.

"Sorry that you came all the way out here for nothing, Tracy," a familiar, hated voice said. "Dev's not here. In fact, he never was here. But you are now, and just where we want you."

Ralph slung his jacket across his bed, and slumped down in his desk chair. He rubbed his face with both hands, shaking his head. Then he got up and strode toward the window, parting the blinds and looking out.

Jason watched his roommate as Ralph sighed heavily, jammed his hands in his trouser pockets and paced back across the room again, a black look on his face.

"What's eating you?" the redhead asked, giving Ralph a challenging look.

"Nothing," was Ralph's sullen, automatic response.

"Right. Tell me another one." Jason rose from his desk chair and planted himself in the middle of the room, arms folded, right in front of Ralph. "What is with you? Have a falling out with your pal, Sugi?"

"No." Ralph shot back, turning from Jason and pacing back the shortened distance to the door. From the door, to Jason, and back, then something seemed to break inside Ralph, and he turned to his roommate with a worried, guilty look. "I can't..." His shoulders slumped. "I can't let him do it."

"Let who do what?"

Ralph licked suddenly dry lips and let go of a deep, heavy sigh. "I can't let Sugi... I can't let him hurt Alan."

Jason's eyes widened. "Hurt Alan? What the hell are you talking about?"

"Sugi got kicked out of school today. He tested positive for steroids. He was on a sports scholarship, and the test results meant that he lost it. So... he left. Went to his friend, Pierce."

"Pierce? The dishwasher guy?"

"Yeah. Pierce supplies Sugi's steroids... and mine."

"Yours?" Jason's mouth had dropped open. "You... you're on steroids."

Ralph put up his hands. "No! It's not like that! I... I only tried them once, this weekend. Sugi said it'd help me with the soccer. He said..." His head dropped in shame. "He said that if I wanted to keep hanging with him and his group, I had to do it." He looked up again at Jason, a pleading look on his face, his hands spread wide. "What was I going to do? You know how much this soccer means to my dad! Besides, Pierce said that the stuff he sells... it can't be detected."

Jason shook his head slowly. "I... you... this is unbelievable! How gullible are you? What kind of idiot believes that kind of lie?"

"Jase, please!" Ralph begged. "We can talk about what an idiot I am later. Right now... we've got to stop Sugi."

"Stop him from hurting Alan?"

"Yeah." Ralph scooped up his jacket and started to don it. "He sent me to find Alan; said to give him a song and dance about those creeps who attacked Dom hauling Devdan Israni to the Hollow." He opened Jason's closet, pulled out his friend's coat, and tossed it to the redhead. "We've got to tell Mr. Mag. I can't... I wouldn't be able to live with myself if Sugi... if Sugi does to Alan what he wants to do."

Jason stared at his roommate in disbelief, even as he slipped his jacket on over his arms. "What's he planning?"

Ralph licked his lips again. "You don't want to know."

"Okay." Jason reached into his desk drawer, and pulled out a flashlight. At Ralph's questioning look, he said, "Just in case."

"Good idea." Ralph took one from his closet. "Come on! It's getting late and Alan's probably out to the Hollow by now."

The pair left the room, and hustled noisily down the stairs to the lobby. Taking the steps outside two at a time, they hared off toward the security office. Just as they got to Chetwood, they met Fermat, Qaeshon, and Dom, who had finished with their interviews.

"Hey, guys," Qaeshon said, smiling. "What's going on?"

Jason stopped his headlong rush, and grabbed Ralph by the sleeve. "Hold up!"

"What?" Ralph cried, tugging to get away. "There's no time!"

"Wh-What's up?" Fermat asked, frowning with concern.

"It's Alan," Jason said, speaking quickly. "Sugi's lured him out to the Hollow and wants to beat him up or something."

"Huh? Where'd you hear th-this?"

"Ralph, give me your flashlight." Jason put out his hand. Ralph hesitated, and Jason grabbed it from his roommate. "Not much time. Ralph told me about Sugi and his plans for Alan." He glanced at Dom, Fermat and Qaeshon whose puzzled, concerned gazes flicked back and forth between the redhead and his roommate. "Dom, you go with Ralph. Get to Mr. Mag pronto. You two, come with me. We can try to head Alan off." He gave the flashlight to Qaeshon.

"Just the three of us?" Kay asked, looking at the light in his hands, then at Jason, his face showing his doubt.

"We'll see who we can pick up on the way," Jason said. He stopped to take a deep breath, then asked Ralph, "Sugi won't take on Alan alone. Who would he have with him?"

Ralph thought for a moment, then replied, "Pierce, definitely. Maybe Steve Ulrich; he was part of the group and lives close. There are a couple of guys from the laundry... I don't know how many."

"Pierce?" Dom said. His concerned frown turned into a scowl. "He's one of the guys who attacked Qaeshon and me." He moved toward Ralph, and tapped him on the upper arm. "Let's go. Mr. Mag needs to know this."

"Come on, you two," Jason said. "Let's go. We may not be able to help, but we've got to try."

Qaeshon nodded. "Okay. Let's swing by the gym. Zave may be there. He'll help."

"This isn't very a very w-w-w-w... smart move," Fermat said, looking uneasy as he followed in his friends' footsteps. "We should wait for M-Mr. Magnuson."

"Fermat," Jason said as the trio broke into a loping run, "sometimes you think too much."

"You didn't do much waiting or thinking when you came to my rescue," Kay added.

"Right," Jason said firmly. "So, let's make like the Thunderbirds. To the rescue!"

The younger boy shook his head, and followed his friends.