More teens crashed into the room over thenext twenty minutes, adding to the loud chatter all around us, yetstill no Jericho. I had to find a way to turn the conversation tothings that would help me get to know Jericho and this housebetter. I pulled slightly away from Viktor so that I could join theconversation.
“So, Jericho’s parents set this party up?” Iasked.
“Yep. This is his annual senior dinner. Heinvites all the seniors from the Academy to come. So glad I’m asenior this year. I mean, Jericho has parties out here, but this isthe one everyone looks forward to their whole time at theacademy.”
“That’s very generous of them.”
Kyle, the boy standing with us, leaned inand said, “It’s like a drop in the bucket for these people. If theywanted to be generous, they’d pay for all of us to go tocollege.”
Viktor punched him in the arm, and heswayed. “You got that right.” They laughed, and then Kyle sort ofpulled away from us. He massaged his arm as he walked to anothergroup of people.
Just as I was about to ask more questions,someone grabbed Viktor by the arm, and he turned and talked to theboy for a minute or two before turning back to me. “That wasJohnson. I can’t stand him. Thinks he’s better than everyone else,and you watch, when Jericho’s parents show up, he’ll be all up intheir faces, groveling.”
“Why?”
“Look around you. Jericho’s family isloaded. Johnson wants a piece of it and is willing to grovel forit. I hate groveling. If you want something, go for it. Kinda likeI’m going for you.” He winked. Oh, brother.
“So what? Does Jericho have his own wing inthis place?”
“Just about. His room is about the size ofmy entire house. You could get lost in there.”
“Seriously? That seems so over the top.”
“Everything is over the top here. But don’tworry. I’m here to protect you. Let’s move over there.” He motionedwith his head toward a group of about ten kids standing by a largewindow draped with rich, creamy fabric. I noticed that Viktorwasn’t the only one putting a little something in his drink. I’dseen four others do the same thing in a matter of minutes. Istopped looking for it, resigning myself to the fact that, despitethe glamorous surroundings, it was still going to be a typicalparty and that I’d have to work around all the craziness andunpredictability of drunk teenagers.
“Hey, Stewart,” Viktor said to a boy walkingtoward us. “I didn’t know your mug was coming tonight.”
“Viktor,” the boy said, pulling his gorgeousdate toward us, “this is Melanie. She goes to Our St.Catherine’s.”
Viktor stood, “Nice to meet you, Melanie.”I’d only been at the school for a day and had already overheardseveral kids talk about the girls that went to that school. Theyhad a definite reputation. Viktor shook her hand and then turned tome. “This is the beautiful Amber. She just started at Bell thisweek and is already bringing the school to its knees.”
I looked at Viktor and when his eyes metmine, I felt my cheeks turn crimson, which was so odd, so I turnedto Stewart and Melanie. “Nice to meet you.” Both shook my hand. Thegreeting seemed so formal. Was it the house, the furniture, the menin black suits that made us say things like nice to meet youinstead of hey or hi? We made small talk with thecouples near us, but I was much more focused on imagining Jericho’sphone and how to disassemble it and attach the bug in the shortestamount of time. A hum spread through the room, and I looked to seewhat the fuss was about. Jericho stood in an entryway to the roomwith a knock-your-socks-off bombshell blonde on his arm.
“Dinner is served,” he announced, a flashygrin on his face. Behind him I saw a man and a woman, elegantlydressed and stiff looking. His parents? Jericho’s eyes met mine.Did they linger a bit long? What was Jericho doing with the carthieves? Money was definitely not his motivation. Everyone followedhim out of the room and into a massive dining hall with three longtables set in a very formal fashion—all in white and crystal. Ateam of waiters, also all in white, descended on the room onceeveryone was seated. Great. More people to have to watch out for.Jericho stayed standing and then tapped on his glass, bringingeveryone’s attention to him.
“Everyone, these are my parents. I wanted tothank them for arranging for such a nice evening. Thanks, Mom andDad.” He hugged them both, and then his dad spoke.
“We’re glad you all could come. We love A.G.Bell Academy and are excited to have its scholars here with ustonight. Enjoy your evening.”
It just hit me what Viktor had said earlierthat Jericho’s parents had this dinner every year, not just for hisson and his classmates. “Why do they do this every year?” I askedViktor in a quiet voice.
Viktor leaned over to me as Jericho’sparents left the room. “His parents own a company made up ofengineers that regularly come up with the new best thing. His dadowns thousands of patents and adds to his collection daily. He hasa huge stake in the school.”
I nodded. When he’d told me about that kidJohnson brown-nosing, I guessed it wasn’t for the money, but forthe work opportunities it would provide.
I thought about what I’d seen as we were ledinto the dining area. We’d passed through a great hall with statuesand busts of historical people lining it. At the end of the hallwere stairs that led to what the plans listed as living quarters.The problem was that there were four areas listed like that, andall were at very different parts of the mansion. I needed to narrowit down.
The waiters set a bowl of clam chowder and asmall salad in front of each person. Like they were practiced inthe art of manners, all the guests waited until everyone hadreceived their food to begin to eat. The room
