after you, I’ll run interference. Tell Wally the plan and get it underway, Angel, because we’ve got to get out of here soon.”
I gaped at her, impressed and maybe a little envious, because she’d been the real spy, surveilling the area while I was too busy trying to stay on my feet. In the meantime, I still had a nothing in terms of a coherent plan, and yet she somehow had faith I’d come up with something on the fly.
I tried to explain to her I couldn’t just pull a complex distraction out of thin air, but it was my turn at the limbo. Everyone started screaming at me to go low.
Holy limbo.
I barely had time to yelp as Frankie placed her hands squarely on my back and pushed me toward the pole.
Chapter Eighteen
ANGEL SINCLAIR
Since I had neither the coordination nor the skill to duck while balancing precariously on skates, I hit the limbo pole dead center—like a really bad pole vaulter—ripping it out of the hands of the people holding it and sending it spinning across the rink. I tried not to scream as I continued my speedy trajectory toward the rink exit, emitting small squeals of terror instead. I left the rink without one shred of dignity or grace, hit the carpet with a skate, and didn’t have to accidentally bump into Wally. I flew into him, knocking him off the bench and onto the floor with spectacular accuracy.
“Ooof,” he gasped as he landed flat on his back, my elbow slammed into his gut.
The crash knocked the wind out of me, so I sprawled partially on top of him, thankful I’d come to a stop, but not able to move or breathe yet.
Wally wiggled to sit up, ruefully rubbing the back of his head. “Ouch. Is this part of the plan? Killing me and stealing my car keys?
I finally caught my breath and tried to get up, but my skates were tangled. All I could think was that two geeks in a roller rink was a great start to a joke.
“Shh, Wally,” I hissed, finding my voice. “Pretend you don’t know me. Keep your hat down low over your face and stay in the shadows so you don’t get recognized. I’m just a klutz girl who fell on top of you.”
“Why can’t that happen in real life?” Sighing, he got to his feet first and held out a hand to help me up. “What’s going on?”
“We have eyes on us inside and outside the rink. We need to ditch them. Go to the bathroom and wait for me at the entrance. I’ll tell you the plan then.”
I made a big deal of apologizing, and Wally brushed himself off, dutifully heading toward the bathroom. I hoped it appeared to the casual onlooker like he was in a hurry to get away from me.
I sat down on the bench Wally had vacated, rubbing my shoulder. Who knew skating was such dangerous work? I dared a sideways peek at the man in the shadows. He was still there, but it was impossible to tell if he was looking directly at me.
I made a big deal out of waving at Frankie, who was still out on the rink, and gave her a thumbs-up. She waved back and motioned for me to return to the rink. Vigorously shaking my head, I motioned a big thumbs-down. She lifted her hands in a shrug and returned to the line for more limbo.
I watched the skaters a bit longer, then stumbled toward the bathroom, holding the wall as I moved along. As soon as Wally saw me, he rushed over.
“What’s going on?” he asked as I gripped his shoulders to stay upright. “Why did you take me out like that?”
“Sorry. If you didn’t already notice, I can’t skate. Look, no time to chat. We need a diversion and fast.” I spoke as quickly as I could. “We’ve got one guy on the inside watching us, and at least one more outside in a sedan.”
“Can the guy inside see us now?”
I shook my head. “Not from where he’s sitting. So, listen up.”
Wally swallowed hard. “Okay, what’s the plan?”
I loved how everyone expected me to have a plan. Did my forehead have a sign that blinked Mastermind?
I looked around, my gaze falling on a fire alarm behind Wally. I scanned for security cameras, but saw none.
I waited until a gaggle of teen girls walked past us on skates. I hated that they made it look so simple when