Chapter 15
APARTMENT
There was a knock at the door. Topher opened it. Johnny walked in.
JOHNNY: Oh, it's you, is it?
TOPHER: Yes, Johnny. It's me.
JOHNNY: It's Giovanni to you. I refuse to go by that stupid name my mother insisted on giving me.
Kristen walked in. Johnny did a double-take.
JOHNNY: My word!
KRISTEN: Hello to you too, Johnny.
JOHNNY: You really are almost identical to her.
Topher cleared his throat.
TOPHER: Um, sorry. To whom?
JOHNNY: My grandmother.
Kristen snorted.
KRISTEN: Are you kidding? I look nothing like Susan!
JOHNNY: On the contrary, the resemblance is quite uncanny. In fact, if you were a brunette, wore glasses, had larger teeth, and dressed a little...well, let's be polite, frumpier, then you and grandmother would be identical.
KRISTEN: That is not true! I'd still look much prettier. Besides, I'm a good ten years younger than that hag.
JOHNNY (under his breath): In dog years, perhaps.
Topher, who had been close enough to hear, stifled a laugh with a cough.
KRISTEN: Watch yourself, kid.
JOHNNY: So, where is the fourth member of our little group? The old geezer?
KRISTEN: Don't let him hear you call him that. He's away at the moment. He's taking care of some business.
JOHNNY: Excellent. Now, onto the plan.
SALEM P.D.
SHANE: So, it's settled, then. We split up.
BO: Two of us will go search the Salem Inn for him, the other two will stay here and keep an eye on things.
Jeannie stood.
JEANNIE: I'll go, Uncle Bo.
SHANE: Actually, Jeannie, I would prefer it if you stayed here.
JEANNIE: Why?
SHANE: Just, trust me.
Jeannie sat back down. As quickly as she did, Andrew stood.
ANDREW: Then, I'll go with you, Uncle Bo.
SHANE: No, Andrew. You're staying, as well.
ANDREW: Surely you can't be serious.
SHANE: I am serious, and don't call me Shirley.
ANDREW: Why do I have to stay?
SHANE: We need to the two of you to keep an eye on things here. You're two of the ISA's best agents, so you'll both me more than capable. Your uncle Bo and I shall scope out my brother.
Andrew sat.
BO: Well, good luck, you two. If anything happens, give us a call.
ANDREW: We will.
Bo and Shane walked out.
ANDREW: Oh, great. This is great.
JEANNIE: Great.
ANDREW: This is ridiculous! I should have been the one to go with Uncle Bo.
JEANNIE: No, I should have. I still need a few missions under my belt before I become a special agent.
ANDREW: Well, I'm already a special agent, so obviously, father should have chosen me to go.
JEANNIE: Oh, get over yourself. Dad always chooses you for the cool missions! You're his favorite, after all!
Andrew scoffed.
ANDREW: Me? Oh, please, you're the one he never stops talking about.
JEANNIE: As if! Our whole lives, he's favored you. You're his golden child. You can do no wrong in his eyes.
ANDREW: No, you can do no wrong in his eyes. He's always treated you like a princess.
JEANNIE: Well, then why doesn't he ever take me on exciting adventures like he did with you? Why do I always have to stay back at home while you and he go out and do awesome super spy stuff?