He told her about the arms being cut off at the elbows and sewn into the armpits.
Weezy looked shocked, then annoyed. “And when were you going to tel me about this?”
Jack gave a sheepish shrug. “This klazen thing sort of knocked it out of my head.”
“Forearms cut off … sewn into his armpits …” She visibly shuddered. “I’ve never heard of anything like that. It’s gross.” Then she smiled at him. “But
kind of cool that we found it.”
Jack hesitated, then decided to go ahead. “There’s something I need to talk to you about.”
“Something
“It’s about Steve.”
“Brussard? What’s up?”
“He’s drinking. Like every night.”
“You mean alcohol?”
“No, Gatorade.” When she looked puzzled, he said, “Yes, alcohol. I’m afraid he’s going to wind up like Weird Walt. But I don’t know what to do. Any
ideas?”
“Tel his folks.”
Was she kidding?
“I can’t do that.”
“Why not? He’s your friend, isn’t he?”
“Yeah, sort of.”
“So what are you going to do, stand by and watch him go down the tubes?”
“No, but I can’t rat him out. He’l never speak to me again.”
“At least he’l stil be able to speak.”
“Yeah, but—”
“Then make an anonymous cal to his dad. Disguise your voice—”
“He’l know it’s me.”
“Wel , if he’s your friend, then you’ve got to do
down every suggestion I make.”
Jack shook his head. “Probably shouldn’t have said anything. Girls just don’t understand.”
“Wel , I’ve given you my solution.” She sounded annoyed. “You don’t like it, come up with your own.”
“I wil .”
But just what that would be, he didn’t know.
They arrived at USED then. Jack led the way inside and found Mr. Rosen behind the counter. He looked up with a surprised expression.
“You’re clairvoyant, maybe?”
Jack stopped and felt Weezy bump into his back. “What do you mean?”
“I was just looking up your number to cal you. I heard from Professor Nakamura and he wants to tel you something about that pyramid you brought him.”
Weezy grabbed Jack’s upper arm and squeezed. “He’s found out something?”
Mr. Rosen shrugged. “He didn’t say, just that he needed to talk to you.”
In a blink Weezy was out the door, heading for the bikes.
“Let’s go!”
“Be right there,” Jack said as he stepped closer to the counter. “Mister Rosen? You ever heard of something cal ed a klazen?”
“A klazen?” The old man shook his head. “Never. What is it?”
Jack hid his disappointment. “That’s what I’m trying to find out. Okay, see you later.”
When he stepped outside, Weezy was already on her bike, wheeling in tight circles.
“Come on, Jack! What are we waiting for? He’s found out what it is!”
“Don’t get al worked up. Mister Rosen said he just wants to tel us something. That something could be anything—like it was made in Japan two weeks
ago.”
She gave him a hard look. “Why are you always trying to rain on my parade?”
