“That’s all I know,” Eric said.
“I hope so.” John shook the straitjacket. “We can do this either of two ways: You can cooperate, or I can force you. The jacket really isn’t as bad as I was saying. I don’t plan to keep you here long.”
“I’ll cooperate.”
John helped Eric into the straitjacket and duct-taped his mouth. “Have a seat in the bathroom for now,” John said. “Unless you want to have a staring contest with the Fuse.”
Eric went compliantly into the bathroom.
John, Nate, Summer, and Pigeon huddled together. “Are there any Haags affiliated with your school?” John asked.
“Gary Haag is the custodian,” Pigeon said. “And there’s a third-grade teacher named Mr. Haag.”
“Are they related?” John asked.
“I don’t think so,” Pigeon said. “At least not closely.”
“Do either of them have older relatives who once worked at the school?”
None of the kids had an answer. John started thumbing through a worn phone book.
“Nate, lend me your cell phone,” John said. Nate handed over the phone, and John punched in a number. “Hi, yes, my son is in Mr. Haag’s third-grade class. I have an emergency situation on my hands. Is there any way I could speak with Mr. Haag? He isn’t? No, that’s all right. Remind me, what is Mr. Haag’s first name? That’s right. Thanks a lot.” John returned the phone to Nate. “Mr. Haag is out today. Considering all that has been happening, his absence could mean a lot. Summer, call the school from the motel phone. Ask if Mr. Haag the custodian is in. You’re his niece.”
Summer crossed to the phone and picked it up. John told her the number and she dialed it. “Yes, is Mr. Haag the custodian there today? This is his niece. You did? No, no message, thanks.” Summer hung up. “She saw him there like half an hour ago.”
John started flipping through the phone book again. Finding the desired page, he ran a finger down a column of names. “Lester Haag,” he said, tapping the entry. “Gotcha. Any of you three familiar with the custodian?”
“I know him pretty well,” Pigeon said. “He’s a nice guy. He was extra friendly back when nobody talked to me.”
“We’ll drop you at the school, Pigeon,” John said. “Find out if the custodian had ancestors working there before him. If the moment feels right, ask about the key. If all else fails, find out if he is aware of any old passageways under the schools. The rest of us will pay Lester Haag a visit. My gut tells me Lester is our man.”
“How’d you catch the Fuse?” Nate asked.
“Snuck up behind him when he was out alone one night,” John said. “Not very gentlemanly, but so it goes. He can’t access his power if I keep him gagged.”
“What should we do about Eric?” Summer asked, inclining her head toward the bathroom.
“Give me one minute to make him more secure,” John said. He opened the closet, removed a length of rope, and disappeared into the bathroom. When John returned he reached under the mattress and pulled out a dart gun. He took a large crossbow from under the bed and a pair of throwing stars from a drawer. Grabbing the phone book, he strode swiftly to the door. “Away we go.”
Nate, Summer, and Pigeon collected their backpacks and followed him out. John locked the door.
“Where’d you get all the weapons?” Nate asked.
“I know a guy,” John said.
“If you can’t kill people, why the huge arsenal?” Nate pursued.
“Weapons are what I know. Apart from my curse, there’s nothing magical about me. I can use them for intimidation. I can use them to wound an enemy. I use tranquilizer darts and non-lethal bullets. My curse only applies to humans. If a magician conjures up creatures, or has familiar animals, I’m free to dispatch them. And, if the situation warrants, I can slay a single enemy. The price is just really steep.”
They drove in silence and soon reached the school. Class would not let out for another hour.
“Pigeon,” John said, “you know how to call Nate’s cell phone?”
“Yeah.”
“Here’s some change.” John opened an ashtray and handed Pigeon several quarters. “Call when you know something, or if you need anything.”
“You got it,” Pigeon said. “Good luck with Lester.”
The Buick drove away.
Pigeon walked hesitantly into the school. He had never roamed Mt. Diablo Elementary during school hours without a hall pass. He hurried along the covered walkways, keeping an eye out for a custodial cart outside the rest rooms.
Aware that the custodian’s office was by the cafeteria, Pigeon headed that way first. He entered the empty cafeteria and saw that the door to the custodian’s office was closed. He ran over and gave a quick knock.
“Come in,” said a voice.
Placing a Sweet Tooth in his mouth, Pigeon opened the door and stepped inside. Gary Haag sat with his feet on his desk, balancing a clipboard on his lap.
“Hey, Gary,” Pigeon said.
“Pigeon, how are you?” He dropped his feet and stood up. “Can I help you with something?”
“I have kind of a weird question,” Pigeon said.
“Shoot,” Gary said.
“Do you have any relatives who worked here before you?”
“Yeah, my uncle used to be the custodian. He scored me my first job here. Why?”
“Just curious. Did he have any family who worked here before him?”
Gary gave Pigeon an unusual stare. Almost always a laid-back guy, he suddenly seemed suspicious. “He did. Why are you curious about that, Pigeon?”
“Do you know anything about a key?”
Gary got up, went to the door, peered out, and then shut it. “I have lots of keys. Why are you asking about a key, Pigeon?”
“A special key. A key your family protects.”
Gary paled. His lips twitched. “You shouldn’t talk about keys.”
“I know about the treasure under the school,” Pigeon said.
Gary closed his eyes and rubbed them. He leaned against the door. “I know what you’re talking about, Pigeon, but I’m not sure you do.”
“I do,” Pigeon said. “A lot of people here in town are after that key. You wouldn’t believe what kind of people. I’m not one of the bad guys, I’m here to help.”
Gary sighed. “Pigeon, when my great-uncle gave me the key, he warned me that one day somebody might come asking about it. He told me I had to kill that person.”