As Elodie had suggested, shed put her hair in pigtails using the hot pink hair ties from the bag and added purple butterfly barrettes for good measure. She didnt have braces but had come up with what she considered an equally clever idea.

Over lunch shed bought a pack of bubble gum, which she smacked repeatedly. It also let her blow big, sticky bubbles that would explode, allowing her to provocatively peel gum off her lips. The second Elodie saw her, she nodded approvingly.

I like the way you think, girl, she said. I may have to steal that one from you.

Just trying to make a good impression, Hannah said, playfully jutting her hip out for emphasis.

Dont get cocky, Elodie said, indicating for Hannah to follow her as she walked along the sidewalk. Rico likes a little swagger in his girls, but not too much.

Got it, Hannah said. Where are we going, by the way?

Hes picking us up around the corner, off school property and away from their security cameras. Thats for our protection as well as his. We dont want to get called into the principals office to explain thisgot to be careful.

Hannah nodded in understanding. As they walked to the corner, she tried to plan out in her head how she could get Rico to reveal something incriminating. It was going to be challenging to show enthusiasm and get information without drawing any suspicion.

Plus she had to make sure to record the conversation without being discovered. That reminded her of the trick shed thought of earlier in the day. She pulled out her phone. Elodie looked at her sideways.

Im just going to silence it, Hannah said. So it doesnt ring in the middle of anything important.

Elodie nodded, agreeing that it was good idea. Quickly, Hannah went to the voice memo app, opened it, and turned off the screen again. Before she had time to say another word, a silver BMW with tinted windows pulled up at the corner just ahead of them.

Thats Rico, Elodie said. Put on your babydoll face, girl. Its showtime!

Hannah plastered on her best pout as the window rolled down. The person in the drivers seat was not what shed expected. Somehow shed pictured Rico as a burly, tatted out dude with a beard and bling. But the guy eyeing her was skinny, pale, and blond. He looked like he could be Elodies older brother. She prayed that wasnt the case.

Get in, he said by way of greeting as he put on a pair of sunglasses.

Elodie hopped into the passenger seat. For half a second, Hannah wondered if shed made a horrible mistake that would result in Jessie finding her severed head in an alley. But it was too late to bail now so she slid into the backseat behind Elodie. The moment the door closed, Rico peeled out.