Page 27 of S.O.S. Perk

“Okay. Fine. But the only other thing on my mind is…” Melissa sighed loudly. “I’ve been trying to avoid asking because it’s tough dealing with you as Agent Vessers, but…has the FBI found anything yet regarding Kaelyn?”

Sloane needed to tread softly. There were details she wasn’t authorized to share, Perk being one of them. “Here’s what I can tell you,” she allowed. “We’ve got a computer expert looking into the theft thing to see if they can find a trail. And we’ve been narrowing the field of possible suspects by interviewing all those who’ve had money stolen to see if they have a person or persons of interest in common.”

“And?” Melissa probed.

“And, it turns out, that pool is pretty large, so it’s going to take time to go through each and every mutual acquaintance.” Which she hoped Smalley and Tertia were doing with Perk right now, so that he wouldn’t have to try and befriend every single freaking person in Waterston High to get answers.

“Well, I need you guys to solve this fast, and find Kaelyn,” Melissa rejoindered worriedly. “The longer she’s missing…”

“I know,” Sloane soothed. “But try to stay positive, okay?”

“Okay,” Melissa sighed again, and this time Sloane could commiserate.

“Great,” Sloane praised her friend for her deep well of patience. “Now tell me about your day. Did anything fun orinteresting happen?” Sloane dug. Her priority was to take Mel’s mind off the missing girl, but shereallywanted to see if Perk—even undercover—had made an impact on her discerning friend.

“Meh. Same old, same old, except…”

“Yeah?” Sloane encouraged.

“We did have a new student arrive at school today.”

“Oh, really?” Sloane tried to act nonchalant. “Is that unusual?”

“Not in itself, but this guy… Whoo-boy. Let’s just say the girls are going to swarm all over him and give him a run for his money.”

“That cute, huh?” Sloane tamped down the odd surge of jealousy that shot through her.

“Uh, hell yes. He’s freaking gorgeous; all thick dark hair and bright blue eyes. Not that it’s appropriate for me to notice, but I’m not dead,” she laughed.

Okay.That was enough. She didn’t want Melissa thinking about Perk any more than the woman had to for her job. “Yeah. But you know it’s probably not exactly PC for you to be commenting about him.”

“Hah. Since when have you become a party pooper?” Melissa returned. “You know I’d never cross any lines where inappropriateness is concerned, but again, I have eyes in my head, and recognizing this kid’s beauty is like appreciating a piece of fine art. I can look, but I’ll one-hundred percent never touch.”

“I get it.” Sloane didn’t want to make a big deal out of this because it would look odd, so she simply moved the conversation to a neutral subject. “Are we still on for our standing dinner date Thursday night?”

“You bet,” Melissa answered with enthusiasm. “I wouldn’t miss it,especiallysince I’ll want deets on what info your man gives over to you when you question him about his life. Mymoney is on him being open and honest, because seriously, Slo? he wouldn’t have gotten this far with you if he didn’t have something pretty awesome going for him.”

“Maybe it’s just his boyish good looks that have gotten under my skin,” Sloane joked.

“Not a chance. This guy has wiggled his way in deeper than that, and you know it.”

“Which scares the shit out of me,” Sloane agreed. “And now, I gotta go before I lose my courage and don’t call him.”

“You’ve got this, hon,” Melissa was her best cheerleader. “Bye, bye”

“Bye.”

Sloane hung up and looked at her phone like it was a snake. Did she dare do this?

Before she could list all the pros and cons of that action, her phone rang.

Perk.

“Hi,” she answered as casually as possible.

“What’s wrong?” Perk immediately jumped all over her single syllable greeting.

“Wha…? Why would anything be wrong?” Sloane countered sharply, instantly on the defensive.

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