The Principal's Kids

by Robert Petyo

About the Author: Robert Petyo's crime stories have appeared in "Mystery Time," "Hardboiled," "P.I. Magazine," 100 Crooked Little Crime Stories,” "Storyteller," and on the web at "Blue Murder," "Alternate Realities," “Mysterical-e,” "Plots With Guns," "Mouthfull of Bullets," and "Thrilling Detective Fiction."

Excerpt

They were parked outside the Millerston house for at least twenty minutes when Tom Pryce said it was time to go in.

Bill disagreed. “A few more minutes. I want to make sure everybody is in there. That way we get them all at one time, and we’ll end this thing for good.” With his pen he tapped the small video camera he had on his lap. He planned to get as many kid’s faces as he could before they started scattering, which he knew they would once he and Pryce entered the house. He didn’t want anybody, after the fact, denying their presence at the party.

“Here comes another one,” Pryce said.

A small car slowed as it approached from the other direction. Both sides of the street were crammed with parked cars leaving no spot for the oncoming driver who slowed as if to pull into the driveway. Suddenly he jolted to a stop. Bill could make out the passenger pointing at them. The car shot forward, racing away. 

“We’re busted.” Pryce opened his door.

Bill clutched the camera and scrambled out. Whoever was in that car had recognized them, and once they reported to somebody at the party, the kids would scatter.

Pryce was already at the front door. He was a big man, and seemed ready to kick it open, but instead he rang the buzzer once and walked in.

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