Chapter 27: Don't Beleive The Hype

The next day they were ready for the stakeout. Dawn was a little surprised that Logan was coming, but glad because she knew lawyers did a lot of this sort of thing for their jobs sometimes.

The first plan for the day was to have Mallory and Jessi walk down to the open field by Alan's lighthouse and pretend to do yoga and keep an eye on any activity at his house.

Dawn, Bart, and Mary Anne we're going to jog around the neighborhood by Jenny and pick up Claudia. From there they were going to have Lewisnring the doorbell and introduce himself as a new neighbor, which technically he was. Once inside, he would figure out how to get her talking about the campaign so he could observe and see if he could find any clues at the house. Then, according to anything they uncovered they were going to meet back at Logan and Mary Anne's for lunch and regroup for phase two that afternoon. They were hoping by that night they would have enough information.

First, they all met at the Bruno's for breakfast except for Claudia. Jessi and Mallory arrived, along with yoga mats. 

"I just made a batch of smoothies. There is bacon, sausage, and eggs for the carnivores," said Mona.

Logan had printed out paper copies of maps of Stoneybrook to keep in their pockets and mark down any location they saw, any unusual activity. Mallory was ready with a writing app to add any clues. 

"Ok everyone, group text if you see anything unusual. The rest of us will be standing by if anyone needs us while Lewis is in Jenny's house. The most important thing is to stay safe and act casual," said Logan. They scarfed down their meals and Mallory and Jessi headed out first.

Next, Dawn, Bart, Logan, and Mary Anne set out to pick up Claudia. They hoped since they had been seen jogging together so often they would not seem unusual. They rounded the corner in unison and texted Claudia. When she caught up with them she was wearing camo yoga pants and a camo 80s style off-the-shoulder shirt with a black sports bra and G.I. Joe earrings. "I am ready for war," she said. Her new camera was tucked away in a fanny pack so she could document everything. 

"Claudia, do not post any of the footage you get today until we know more. We don't want to alert them to what we are doing," said Dawn.

"I won't. I would have to edit it all first anyways, and I need to have the entire thing before I can edit it. It is going to be a masterpiece."

As they neared Jenny's house, the others decided they would be able to hide behind the big manicured hedges and bushes near the property. They had to be careful in case there were security cameras. 

"Here goes nothing," said Lewis and bravely walked up and rang the doorbell.

Meanwhile, Mallory and Jessi settled in their yoga spot. Jesse instructed Mallory on the breathing exercises, so they could keep an ear out on the lighthouse. They had been there a good 30 minutes or so when a truck came pulling up at the lighthouse. Cary Retlin got out and knocked on Alan's door. 

Slowly, Mallory and Jessi made their way closer to see if they could hear any of their conversations. They couldn't hear anything through the thick walls, but Cary and Alan finally came out on the lighthouse railing.

"When should she let us know?" Jessi couldn't tell which one of them was talking. 

"We can't start until it gets dark. She is doing what she can from her end until then. Hauling out all that storage is going to keep us in steady work for a while. She said she was building some storage buildings just outside the city on a property she bought from those people on the compound."

Jessi knew which people he meant. There were this strange group of people on the outskirts of town that like to wear old clothes and rarely came into town unless it was to protest outside the courthouse or to do various unavoidable necessities. 

"She better finish it soon if we are going to start the real dig in a few weeks. At least after tonight, we will know more about what exactly we are dealing with."

"She just texted me. She said the results came out good. The real orientation starts tonight at sundown in the barn." 

They gave a high five as they cackled ominous laughter.

The others couldn't believe Jenny answered the door and Lewis had walked in. There were a lot of workers going in and out of the property with hard hats and trucks. "I don't remember the Home Owners Association approving any work on Jenny's house lately. I wonder if she filed for a permit," Logan whispered. 

Lewis stepped into the doorway. He couldn't believe he had made it inside. The house was beautiful with big windows and a beautiful red oak wood floor with teal-painted walls. 

"Nice to meet you, Lewis. Would you like something to drink? Water, coffee, tea?"

She was nicer than he had anticipated. The way the BSC had talked you would think she was some sort of shallow and superficial person. This girl was kind and down to earth and friendly. Lewis noticed a stack of campaign yard signs in the entryway. "Coffee thanks." He wanted to stretch out this visit as long as possible to get as much information as he could.

Jenny returned with a coffee pot and beautiful cups with a colorful design on a serving tray and set them down on the marble coffee table. "So, you are a new neighbor?"

"Yes, I live just down the street with my cousins. I moved here from Kentucky. I don't know how things are done here, but in Kentucky, we introduce ourselves."

"Kentucky...oh, you must be related to Logan Bruno."

"Yes ma'am."

Jenny hugged Lewis and explained that Logan used to babysit her when she was younger. "Let's go out in the backyard. I am having some work done and need to keep an eye on the workers."

They stepped out onto the porch and Lewis suddenly realized that the backyard was filled with trucks and digging equipment.

"I just recently discovered oil on my property. Luckily I do have the mineral rights."

"That must be nice. So you are running for mayor?"

"Yes. I grew up here and after quite a while in LA I have returned. I am concerned about maintaining our small town and its wholesome charms. I was surprised at how much of it had already changed in the time I had been gone."

"I know what you mean. I have visited Logan through the years and I remember there was just a Sonic. Now there is a Starbucks on every corner."

"Exactly! And it's things like Bill's Donut Shoppe that make the town unique and I would hate to see these major corporations phase out our small businesses."

Lewis could see her point. He was starting to think they were barking up the wrong tree. Sure, she cheated in the marathon but he hadn't seen anything suspicious other than that. But if Jenny wasn't working with Alan and Cary, who was?