The Sweetest Heist in History by Octavia Spencer

Author:Octavia Spencer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

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CHAPTER TEN

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SHOW-OFF

The call couldn’t have come at a worse time. Randi was sitting in the backseat of a squad car, listening to the constant stream of announcements on the police radio. Officers Cody and Jackson had insisted on giving her a lift back to Gigi’s house, since their backup officers arrived and hauled the thief to the station. Randi pulled out her phone and saw a way-too-familiar number appear on the screen. She didn’t want to answer, but she knew it would only make him worry. Her best option was to take the call—and get off quick.

“Hi, Dad,” she said.

“How are you, princess?” he asked, using the nickname she hated the most. “Having fun in Brooklyn?”

“Tons,” Randi told him. “Can I call you back in a few minutes? I’m just . . .”

“Armed robbery in progress. Bodega on southeast corner of Myrtle and Vanderbilt,” the police radio blared in the background. Randi winced.

“Randi,” her father said. There wasn’t a drop of good humor left in his voice. “Was that what I think it was?”

Randi slumped down in the seat. “Yes,” she admitted. Herb Rhodes had done a million ride-alongs with the NYPD while researching his books. He knew the sound of a police radio when he heard it.

“Miranda Jasmine Rhodes.” Her father spoke slowly and pronounced every syllable. “Where are you right now?”

“In the back of a police car,” Randi replied.

“Please hand this phone to one of the officers.”

Randi passed the phone to Officer Cody. “It’s my dad,” she explained. “He wants to talk to you.”

“Hello?” said the cop. “This is Officer Felix Cody of the New York Police Department. Who’s this . . . ? Herb Rhodes? Wait a second. The Herb Rhodes? Oh man, I should have known! You know, you’ve got an amazing kid, Mr. Rhodes. . . . What . . . ? No, she’s not in any trouble. In fact, she single-handedly foiled a burglary on Bergen Street this morning. . . . Pardon me . . . ? Yes, sir, I do know that she’s twelve years old. . . . No, her aunt was not with her. We’re taking her back to the aunt’s house right now. . . . Yes, I can understand why she might be in big trouble. . . . Yes, sir, I will personally escort her to the apartment. . . . Yes, sir. You’re welcome, sir.”

Officer Cody handed the phone back to Randi. You’re in big trouble, he mouthed. She took a deep breath before she put the phone back to her ear.

“I can explain . . . ,” she started to say.

“No,” her dad said. “You cannot, and I have no interest in hearing you try. It’s Thanksgiving Day, so I probably won’t be able to book a flight. But I promise you, Miranda Rhodes, I will be on the first plane that I can get to New York. I should never have let you visit Gigi on your own. She’s not a good influence on a girl your age.

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