Page 88 of Secret Spark

Creaking and shuffling came from the spare bedroom, followed by the door opening.

“Hey, Per,” Mark said. Of course Perry would break in rather than use the door.

“Your security system is shit, Joanie,” he said.

“Nah, you’re just the Man,” said Mark.

“We have a problem.”

The blanket got yanked off Joan’s head, bathing her in unwelcome sunlight again.

“What’s this about?” Perry asked.

“Go away,” Joan mumbled.

“We have a situation.”

“Wehave a situation.” Mark gestured with his cup at Joan. “Sadie found out Joanie’s true identity and didn’t take it well.”

“Really?” Perry’s expression softened slightly. “Crap. Come here.”

He sat beside Joan and held his arms out. She squeezed hers gratefully around him, fresh tears forming but drying up just as fast.

“Sorry. It sounded like you really liked her.”

“I really did,” Joan snuffled. “I still do. And don’t worry. She’s not gonna rat me out. At least I don’t think so.”

“Okay.” He patted her back, then eased out of the hug. “You can tell me about it later. We have to deal with something else. It’s bad.”

That snapped her to attention. They got off the couch, Mark joining them.

“I found out why Melvin was so interested in us selling the VanderHooven.” Perry pulled his phone from his suit jacket pocket. He unlocked the screen, then showed them a news article.

String of art heists perpetrated by Breeze, Ice, Spark

“Shit,” Mark said.

“He’s framing us for a bunch of recent break-ins and that museum job. Even me.”

“Asshole,” Joan said.

“It’s clear from the article he brainwashed a bunch of so-called witnesses to say they saw us at all these places.”

Mark shrugged. “Our names will be mud, but the Supers know we weren’t there. We haven’t been spotted at?—”

“They don’t care,” Perry said. “They’ll use any excuse to nab us. If they bring us in, they’ll look like heroes.”

“Race told me their priority is stopping Trick,” Joan reminded them. “This is small potatoes.”

Perry shook his head. “Public image is never small potatoes to the Supers. It’d look like they let this slide. Flight gave a quote saying they’ll see justice is done.”

“They’ll see justice is done,” Mark said in a sarcastic baby voice.

Joan held up a hand. “I’ll talk to Zee. We can reach a deal to?—”

“We still don’t know what Mel’s planning,” Perry said. “Other than screwing us over.”

“I’m with Joanie,” Mark said. “As much as it pains me to say so, we need to form an alliance with the Supers.”

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