[Janitors 04] Strike of the Sweepers by Tyler Whitesides Page B

down there, then you’ll be able to see through him, right?” Alan asked.
    Spencer nodded, realizing what his dad was suggesting. “I’ll be watching you, Dez,” Spencer said. “If I even catch a whiff of betrayal, I’m breaking off the vision and we’re leaving you behind.”
    “No whiff from me,” Dez answered. “I didn’t eat the refried beans at lunch.” Then he launched himself from the top of the wall, using a broom to drift down toward the Sweepers and the garbage truck.
    When one of the Sweepers raised a cry of alarm, Spencer reached out and grabbed the handle of Holga, pulling the hammer from his dad’s grasp.
    The night bleached, and when his vision returned, Spencer was seeing through Mr. Clean’s eyes. The large warlock turned away from the garbage truck, his gaze instantly finding Dez’s silhouette in the moonlight.
    Dez touched down on the blacktop and released a hiss of vanilla air freshener to combat any Sweeper breath. Dez was really only susceptible to Rubbish breath, so Mr. Clean’s Grime-human mix wouldn’t be a problem. Still, Spencer was surprised by Dez’s precautions as Mr. Clean moved to greet him.
    “What are you doing here, boy?” The warlock’s voice was rich and deep as the words rolled off his snakelike tongue.
    Dez’s eyes were downcast and he didn’t look up when he spoke. “Garcia sent me to find you. Wants to know why you’re late.”
    “He’s in a hurry to see me?” Mr. Clean asked.
    Dez shrugged. “He’s got the Rebels cornered in the band room. He’s just waiting for you to tell him what to do.”
    Mr. Clean began to pace slowly around Dez while the boy fidgeted under his gaze. “Fool, Garcia,” Clean said. “He has the Rebels in his clutches and he sends a child to find me.” He finished his circle and stopped in front of Dez. His voice was low and his words slow. “Are you sure the Rebels have been captured?”
    As a silent observer, Spencer felt his heartbeat quicken. There was a lot of pressure on Dez, and his “deception” didn’t appear to be going smoothly.
    “Well, yeah.” Dez was trying to sound nonchalant, but Spencer could hear the tension in his voice. “That’s why Garcia sent me out here.”
    Mr. Clean paused for a moment. “Work with me honestly, and I can give you anything you like,” he said. “Lie to me, and I shall be very upset.” He bent down until his face was close to Dez’s. Even through the warlock’s eyes, Spencer could see the thick tongue curling out. “Does Garcia really have the Rebels?”
    Dez stood petrified in the BEM warlock’s gaze. High upon the brick wall, Spencer held his breath, preparing to sever his connection with Holga and tell the Rebels to retreat.
    Dez nodded, his mouth tight. Then, finally, he squeaked out a few words. “Yeah. I’m sure.”
    Mr. Clean straightened and took a deep breath. Dez relaxed a bit, the tension releasing from his shoulders. Then, without warning, Mr. Clean’s hand shot out, his sticky, Grimelike fingertips catching Dez by the chest and lifting his feet off the blacktop. “Then who’s on top of the Academy wall, boy?”
    Spencer felt a pit open in his stomach.
    “Chill, dude!” Dez said, his feet kicking the air. “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
    “I know when someone’s lying to me!” Mr. Clean said. “Every time I mentioned the Rebels, your eyes went straight to the Academy wall!”
    Mr. Clean dropped Dez roughly to the ground. He turned to the nearest Sweeper, a half-Rubbish woman. “Make sure he doesn’t go anywhere. The rest of you come with me!”
    The remaining Sweepers moved away from the garbage truck as Mr. Clean turned his gaze to the brick wall. Through his enhanced Sweeper eyesight, Spencer could see five indiscreet bumps across the top of the wall, silhouettes of the hiding Rebels. Then the tall warlock dropped to his hands and scuttled like a Grime across the blacktop.

Chapter 11
    “All aboard!”
     
    Spencer finally