4 You Say Tomahto and I Say You’re Dead (3 page)

Bean smiled. "A dumbass?"

"Yeah, a dumbass!"

The door opened. "Someone calling Bean's name?"

Bean closed his eyes. "Oh no. Not you guys."

Pone, Shroom, and Cash piled into the small room.

Cash bowed. "Oh-lah, Oh-A-nus A-mee-gus!"

Shroom cocked his head. He smiled at Cash, which scared everyone. Shroom suddenly laughed out loud. "Did you really just say, 'Hi, butt-hole friend'?" He looked at Bean. "I like it. It fits you."

Bean rolled his eyes. "It fits you more."

Spaz giggled. "I think it fits all of you! Now get over here before Ollie gets back. I have a plan, and we all need to be up to speed."

Shroom folded his arms. "I ain't dressin' up like no waiter." He looked at Bean "Or no girl."

Bean shrugged and smiled. "Whatever, man. My auto-drugs just kicked in. I'm cool."

Spaz signaled for them to gather close. "Come here, guys. I think I might have something to check out. Our best friend, Franklin Hunnicut, owns
I Say Tomato, You Say Tomahto,
the hydroponic—"

All three boys stared at her and said together, "Hydro what-ic?"

"Ponic, said like 'upon', without the 'up'. Hydro, as in water."

Bean spoke up, a little blurry around the edges, as his drugs kicked in. "Hydroponic is the new way to raise some vegetables. Tomatoes work well, as do lettuces, radishes, and some other veggies. The roots of the plants are in water, not soil. The water flows past the roots and the plants suck up the nutrients. Nutrients are added to the water, and the same water can be used over and over. The fruits are the same size, less bugs, more produce-the best of all worlds. Some types of systems—"

Spaz put her hand over his mouth to shut him up. Bean kept talking. Shroom did a fake snore, and Pone took notes. Spaz looked at Cash, who was picking at the mangled flowers. "Cash, are you with us over here? You can join in any time, you know." She looked over the group. "We ain't much, but we're all we have. Just think, a few weeks ago we couldn't stand to be in the same room together. Now, we're having a clan meeting over Beaner's passed out body."

Bean lay quietly, his mouth moving, but no sound coming out.

Cash looked thoughtful. "I worked at the tomato farm one summer. My dad thought a job would man me up. Val got me the job. I had a beef with the manager, Chuck Hart. We about went at it. Just about everyone there hated me—"

Shroom looked at the others. "And ya wonder why."

Cash shoved him and Shroom smiled. Cash leaned over Bean's feet. "I'm just sayin' I pretty much know how the system works. Hunnicut actually uses the mist 'areo' kind of hydroponics. Instead of water flowing past the roots, a sprayer mists the roots. It's the same thing, only it uses less water. I was just waiting for Bean to run out of steam."

They all looked at Bean, who was passed out sitting up in bed. He still mumbled about hydroponics. The purple beanie was shoved aside and purple tufts stuck out above his ears.

Shroom shook his head. "Man, that is just wrong."

"Hurry up now. We have a lot to discuss before Ollie and Bean's mom come back."

Pone stopped writing. "Hey, if Tank has to make up for workers who quit, can't we get in with the manager and one of us get a job there?"

They all looked at Cash. He shook his head. "I don't think so, guys. Fred Becker, the manager there probably won't take me back. Last time I saw him I called him a sorry son-of-a- bitch and he called me a spoiled pain in the ass."

"That's 'cuz you are a spoiled pain in the ass." Bean, zoned to the max, smiled.

Shroom brightened. "Great! You, me, and Pone will all go over there. Fred Becker will take one look at you and hire us on the spot."

The meeting broke up just as Ollie came through the door.

That night at group Dr. Browning sat back and listened to what the boys were
not
saying. Spaz folded her arms and said nothing. That was not unusual, but Spaz faced the group and not the wall. Now
that
was unusual. She also smiled as if she had a secret. Dr. Browning thought they had been making headway, but if Evie was cutting again, she would have to report it. She scribbled on her legal pad and made a mental note to talk to Ollie. These guys were definitely up to something. What it was, Dr. Browning had no clue, but she was going to find out.

Chapter 5

Shroom borrowed his mother's car, and Cash left his truck at her house in case she needed a vehicle. The old station wagon fit them all comfortably. Pone bogarted one of Big Mike's surveillance duffel bags. Shroom, Cash, and Pone all wore wires. Spaz set up the station wagon with a recorder and a laptop.

Walking in the door, the four of them looked around the room. They headed for the door marked "Office." A woman behind a desk looked up when they walked in.

"May I help you?"

Shroom took off his hat and stepped up to the desk. "Yes you may. I understand you are short help and we would like to fill in until your help returns to work."

She eyed Shroom. "Who says we're short?"

"One of your employees. We know Tank, and he mentioned he might be working some OT because a couple people didn't show up for work. I can load trucks, I can pack, pick, and do whatever."

She looked at Pone. "And you?"

Pone smiled and gave her an innocent look. "Well ma'am, I am good with plants. For the last few months I have been working in a greenhouse. I also have a background in chemicals—I mean chemistry.

She looked at Cash. "And you?"

"I have to be honest. I worked here last summer, but I had a falling out with—"

"Fred Becker."

All their mouths hung open, and the woman laughed. "I guess you didn't know he got fired over that incident."

Cash snapped mouth closed. "No ma'am, I did not."

"Yup. I got his job." She smiled for the first time. "So I figure I owe you a favor. I'd have sat in the second seat forever if you hadn't gotten into a pissin' match with Becker the Pecker. I'll take you all on, just let me get the paperwork filled out."

Spaz smiled from behind Shroom. "Wow. Was that easy or what? I wonder what her name is."

Just then, the woman poked her head into the office. "By the way, my name is Kayla Billings. I'll be back in a minute." She looked at Spaz. "Love your shoes."

Spaz looked at her feet. She was wearing her pink Chucks with black skulls. "Uh, thanks."

They huddled by Pone. They went over the plan. Shroom scratched his head.

"So what's the plan?"

Spaz shoved him from behind. "What's up with you? Did Bean's stupid genes rub off on you? What do you mean what's the plan?" She snorted and pointed her thumb at Shroom. "Pone, you'd better tell Loser Deluxe what we're doing."

Pone sighed. "Here it is. We watch, we listen, and we gather info. No going off on your own. No getting involved if something happens. No heroics. If any Hunnicuts are seen, get on your radio to the rest of us, and get out. Don't wait for anyone else. Get out." He looked at Cash. "That means Val."

"But—"

"But nothin'. Val's a Hunnicut. She might let it slip at supper or something."

Shroom pointed. "Or dat Momma. She is one messed up bee-ach! She already seen me an' Pone, man. She'll probably call da cops on us right away. There's something not right with her, man."

Cash said, "You may be right. I saw her paste Val across the mouth for nothing. She's mean if nothing else. A mean drunk."

Shroom shook his head. "Drinkin' booze will mess you up. Make you hit your kids. Make you drink up the rent, make you beat you wife." He shook his head and quietly mumbled, "Make you run off with some skirt and leave your five kids homeless with no food and no money." He walked away from the group and whispered "Bastard."

Spaz sighed. "Wow."

The rest of them didn't know what to say.

Kayla burst through the door. She slapped paperwork on the counter. "Here you go. Just fill these out so I can make up a file for each of you and I'll get you started."

The phone on her desk rang. She grabbed it. "You say Tomahto and I say hello. This is Kayla speaking. Oh hi Mrs. Phillips. Uh, Rose? Why no she hasn't. Yes, that makes eight days she has not shown up for work. No, Mr. Hunnicut is not in. But Mrs. Phillips, I don't see how talking to him would solve...No ma'am he has no direct contact with the employees. No Mrs. Phillips, I cannot give you the home number. I assure you, Mr. Hunnicut does not know where your daughter is."

The four of them looked at each other and leaned closer.

Kayla's voice became louder and the kids could see she was irritated. "Yes Mrs. Phillips, I left the messages for him. I really don't see why you think he would know anything—no ma'am, have you tried the police?"

All four kids leaned forward. Kayla turned her back to them. "Calm down, ma'am. I know you are upset your daughter is missing. No, she has not shown up for work for over a week now."

Kayla sighed and Shroom almost drooled. Pone ducked below the counter and squatted right behind her. "Okay, okay, I'll write it down again. Red tank, blue jeans, white Sketcher tennies. Got it. Okay, yes, I hope she turns up as well. You're welcome Mrs. Phillips. Uh huh, you too. Bye now."

Kayla hung up the phone and turned. Shroom jumped forward and grinned like a guilty idiot. "So uh, like where do I sign?"

Kayla tried to see around him, but Shroom stuck his face in hers. He dipped and swayed, following her line of vision. Kayla was pissed. She pushed against his shoulder. "Back off, Cobra Boy. Where'd the other guy go?"

Pone crab walked until he got behind Spaz. He pulled a Pez dispenser out of his pocket and stood. "Ah hah! There it is. It must have bounced when it hit the carpet."

Kayla ignored him. She rolled her eyes. Shroom giggled.

Cash leaned toward Pone. He spoke out of the side of his mouth. "Pez?"

Pone stuffed the dispenser in his pocket. "What's wrong with Pez?"

"Nothing, if you're seven. A lot if you're seventeen."

"I like Pez. Leave me alone."

Spaz snorted. They heard her. She'd had enough. "I'm coming in." She stepped forward.

Pone said out loud, "No. Stay put."

Spaz calmly walked up beside him and bumped shoulders.

Kayla blabbed on about the company. She looked up and saw Spaz. "Who are you?"

Spaz smiled. "Eve Daniels. Remember, nice shoes?. Sorry I disappeared, I was in the bathroom."

Kayla shook her hand. "Uh, right. Well, as I was saying. . ."

Cash moved to the door. He looked out and saw movement in an upper office. "Holy cow." Cash stood to the side. Spaz turned.

"What cow?"

"Look up there. It's Mrs. H. What is she doing here, I wonder?"

Kayla slid between them. "Who? Oh, Mrs Hunnicut. Well, she owns this place."

Cash sucked in a breath. "No bull?"

Kayla grinned. "No bull, no cow, no calf-I wouldn't
steer
you wrong! Ha-ha. God I'm funny!"

Cash groaned and turned away.

Pone popped a Pez and said nothing.

Shroom whispered in Spa's ear. "She's an idiot."

Spaz smiled. "She's just like Bean."

"I rest my case."

"Shut up and listen."

Pone interrupted. "So, do you mind showing us around?"

Kayla grinned. "Well, I would, but as you can see, I'm very busy."

Shroom smiled. "I can see that, wow! You like, do everything here, eh? Like that phone call. A girl parties too hard and quits and the mom, like won't leave you alone."

"That's the problem. Rose Phillips didn't party. She really didn't do anything. She just worked here part time and studied for school."

"Boor-ing!"

"Yeah. That's why it's so weird. She dropped off the face of the earth. I wasn't here that day she took off. Frankie-the-Fourth and his mother, Sylvia, were here. I swear, they didn't do anything that day!" Kayla shuffled papers on her desk.

Pone, Shroom, and Spaz raised their brows. Another clue. Cash still stared out the window. Pone poked him in the side and he spun around. "What?"

Pone said to Kayla, "How 'bout if Cash shows us the ropes? That way we won't take up any more of your time. We can always ask Tank what's up too."

Kayla fell for it. "Sure. That would be great." She pointed at Spaz and Shroom. "You will be working in packing with Tank anyway. Drop them there." She looked at Cash. "You and your friend Mike will be loading trucks. It's no-brainer work, but you already know that. And Eve? Report back to this office. I'll brief you on the farmer's market."

Cash sighed. "Okay, got it." He turned to the group. "Well then everyone, let's go." He winked and hitched his head at the door.

Chapter 6

They trailed out of the office and into the growing room. "See? They grow the tomatoes without soil."

Shroom scratched his head. "No bull?"

Cash looked at him. "Don't start."

Shroom grinned large.

One of the workers showed them how the roots hung in a contained area. A light mist was sprayed on the roots. The mist contained all the important vitamins and minerals the plant needed to grow top quality tomatoes. The kids couldn't believe the number of tomatoes on each plant.

Shroom blew out a breath. "Whoa! Look at that. No weeding, no dirt, big 'maters. . . how come we can't do that at The Olive Branch, man?"

Cash rubbed his index finger against his thumb. "
Mucho dinero
, my friend. It takes lots of money to set up and run a big place like this."

"Oh. You mean like Hunnicut money."

"Yup. Come on, let's look around some more. Thanks, Larry. See you later."

The worker nodded his head and went back to his job. They passed through a large open door into a huge warehouse. Cash talked loudly to be heard over the machinery. "After the picking and packing, they come here and wait to be loaded onto trucks."

He leaned in close. The all huddled. "Here. I grabbed some hard hats off the shelf. Snoop around and make it look like you belong here. Look at your watch. In an hour, get to the front, and we'll meet at the station wagon. Okay?" They all nodded. "Make sure your microphones are turned on. Ready? Let's go!"