Touchdown Tony Crowne and the Mystery of the Missing Cheerleader (22 page)

As Walter returned his grin with a limp wave and a forced smile, the communication slot between the front and the back of the armored truck slid open and Pavel Teague’s rough voice shot out, “What’s up, Walt? Why aren’t we moving? I’m getting tired of looking at that ugly moustache on the driver behind us.”

Walter turned his head slightly toward the slot, “Aw, I got stuck behind this guy trying to weasel his way into traffic.”

A flicker of movement caught Walter’s attention and he swung his head back around in time to see the bald man grinning and holding a sign that read in bold, capital letters: ROBBERY IN PROGRESS

The bald man gave Walter time to read that sign and then replaced it with another sign that read: DO NOT CALL THE POLICE

The next sign chilled him to the bone: WE HAVE YOUR WIFE