9e945bf3b1d705d5d70aa6e5ed9fa2ba

“I must’ve been drugged?” Number Two watched the coin and swallowed hard. No one would believe that, either. Because it was ridiculous.

“Yes, of course,” the Coin Man said, taking a step forward. “Drugged. By whom?”

“I don’t know,” Number Two said softly.

Walt nudged Butterbean hard.“Bean! Now! While we have a chance.”

They stepped out carefully from behind the door. The Coin Man didn’t look around. Neither did the second man.

Walt and Butterbean turned and ran down the hallway as fast as they could. When they reached the elevator, they stopped and looked back.

There was no one following them. They’d made it. They were free.

Oscar kicked the phone in frustration. He’d called the police three times. He’d double-checked the number. He’d seen it on the Television, so he knew he was doing it right. But for some reason it wasn’t working the way it did on his shows.

He dialed again.

“District Eighteen Police Department, how can I help you?” The woman’s voice came through the phone lying on the table.

Oscar cleared his throat.“I’d like to report a kidnapping please. The address is—”

“I’m sorry, what? I can’t understand you. Speak up, please.”

Oscar’s feathers puffed in frustration. He spoke as clearly as he could. “I. Would. Like. To. Report. A. Kidnapping.”

“This number is for police matters, not for funny voices and jokes, young man. Don’t call again unless you have serious criminal activity to report.” The line went dead.

Oscar stared at the phone in despair. The others were in danger, and there was nothing he could do. Operation Outside Authorities was going to fail. He couldn’t get anyone to understand him, let alone believe him. And he’d been so proud of his Human language skills.

The door to the apartment opened, and Walt and Butterbean raced inside.

“We did it!” Butterbean said.

“Operation Divide and Conquer seems to be working well,” Walt said, hopping up onto the desk next to Oscar. “How’s Operation Outside Authorities?”

Oscar gave Walt a pained look.“A failure. They won’t talk to me. They either think I’m prank calling, or they don’t understand me at all.”

Walt nodded sympathetically.“Humans are terrible on the phone. Let’s try the software. They like talking to computers.”

Walt went to the computer keyboard and typed carefully. She was a two-paw typist, but Oscar was surprised at how quick she was. She gestured toward the phone.“Could you dial for me? Call the emergency number.”

Oscar nodded.“Good plan.” Maybe they’d be more helpful than the police.

They slid the phone closer to the computer speaker and waited while it rang.“Nine one one, what’s your emergency?”

Walt hit a key on the computer.

“I’d like to report a kidnapping,” a woman’s computer voice said.

“IT’S THE ELEVATOR LADY!” Butterbean gasped.

Walt frowned at her.“It’s not the elevator lady.”

“What is your address, please?” the 911 operator said.

Walt hit the computer button.“The Strathmore Building. The kidnappers are on the ninth floor of the Strathmore. Apartment 9B,” the computer voice said.

“But, Walt!” Butterbean said, standing up to get a closer look at the computer.

“It’s not her,” Walt said.

Butterbean nosed at the speaker.“But… is it her sister?”

Walt and Oscar exchanged glances.

“Yes. It’s her sister,” Oscar said. He was going to need Walt to explain all of this when it was over. He didn’t even know if the elevator lady had a sister.

Walt hit the button again.“The kidnappers have kidnapped a girl. She’s in danger. They are also coin thieves. They have stolen coins. Please hurry.”

“May I have your name, ma’am?” the 911 operator asked.

“Hang up, Oscar,” Walt whispered.

“Ma’am?”

Oscar disconnected the phone.

Walt sat back on her haunches.“Operation Outside Authorities complete.” She twitched an ear. “Let’s just hope it works.”

Marco had promised to keep watch over what happened in the apartment. And he would keep his promise. But nobody said he couldn’t cover his eyes and peek through his fingers.

At least he hadn’t left his post at the grate. Wallace had retreated farther back into the vent and was sitting by the down vent, dangling his feet. It was all too intense for him.

Nothing bad had even happened yet. But that almost made it worse. Marco was sure the Coin Man was going to snap at any second, and he definitely didn’t want to see what would happen to the Number Two Man then.

“Has he killed the other man yet?” Wallace yelled to Marco. He didn’t want to see anything that was going on, but he didn’t want to miss any of it either.

“Not yet,” Marco squeaked. It was only a matter of time, though. That was obvious. That Number Two Guy was super dead.

“This is why I don’t come up here, Marco!” Wallace called over his shoulder. “THIS!” He stared down the vent tube. “I don’t enjoy carnage, Marco!”

“Shh,” Marco said. He had to focus.