Pish Posh by Ellen Potter

Author:Ellen Potter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Group US

CHAPTER-TWELVE

Annabelle sat at the computer, scrolling through all sorts of information—lists of people, a map of the surrounding neighborhood, parties and conventions and concerts that were happening that evening, and all kinds of other stuff.

“Is this all necessary?” Clara groaned after an hour of watching Annabelle tap away at the mouse.

“Oh, no, not at all. In fact, if you ask most burglars, they’ll tell you that they don’t do any research at all. Oh—but you can’t ask them, can you... because the burglars who don’t do any research are all in JAIL! ” She glared at Clara and went back to work.

Annabelle sat at the computer for so long that Clara’s stomach started growling.

“Oh, go downstairs and eat something, will you?” Annabelle snapped. “I can’t think with your internal organs rattling away like maracas!”

Clara was too embarrassed to be angry, but she did mutter something about foul moods and anal-retentive burglars before she left the room.

After searching through the Arbutnots’ refrigerator and cupboards for tomato juice or tuna fish and finding only odd, unidentifiable foods that were either brown or green, she settled on a package of mossy brownish-green cubes of something called Spirulina Treats. The package said they were a delicious phytonutrient-rich snack, sweetened with a touch of honey. At least they were sweet. Clara took the package and returned to Annabelle’s room.

“Finished?” Clara asked hopefully as she ripped open the package of Spirulina Treats.

“With the research,” Annabelle said. “Next is the equipment.” She seemed more relaxed now, however.

“Oh, Spirulina Treats!” she said, noticing the package in Clara’s hand. “Toss one over here.”

Clara did, and then bit into hers. It tasted like the gunk you’d scrape off the bottom of a pond. Sweetened with a touch of honey.

“They’re really good for your immune system,” Annabelle said encouragingly, seeing the face Clara was making.

“They taste like they’re good for your immune system.”

She and Annabelle spent the rest of the day finalizing their plans and gathering equipment, most of which was tucked away in neat black leather cases stowed in Annabelle’s closet: lock picks, computerized alarm disarmers, ropes for climbing (“Just in case,” Annabelle had said, and Clara got the distinct impression that Annabelle was hoping she’d have to scale the building). Finally, Annabelle tried on her Patient X disguise: a conservative navy blue dress, black high heels, and a big hat, the brim of which flopped down low over her face. Then she rolled a tube of red lipstick across her lips and straightened her usual tall-girl slump.

“How do I look?” Annabelle asked, smiling and spreading her arms wide.

“Don’t smile. And make your voice deeper.”

“How do I look?” Annabelle said in a lower voice.

Clara studied her. What with the outfit and her height, Annabelle could probably pass—probably.

“Not bad,” Clara said. “But put these on, too, just in case.” Clara removed her sunglasses and handed them to Annabelle, but Annabelle waved them away.

“I’ve got my own pair,” Annabelle explained. She rummaged through her closet, brought out a small leather case the size of a dictionary, and placed it on her bed.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.