Deviant by Adrian McKinty Page A

speciality. An original Mayan recipe. Actually, the only thing I can make,” Tom said.
    Danny took a mug and contrived to sit next to Olivia on the two-seater sofa while Tom sat with Cooper and Tony on the three-seater.
    After everyone had taken a sip of incredibly good homemade hot chocolate, Tom said, “Everyone, this isDanny. Danny’s from Las Vegas. For those of you who didn’t witness it, Danny has already proved a valiant, worthy addition to the Watchers, taking down Todd Gilchrist and absorbing the wrath of Principal Honey Cake.”
    Does he always talk like this? Danny wanted to ask Tony, but instead he just smiled and looked modest.
    â€œOK, down to business. Charlie attempted to acquire one of our communication devices, but of course I outgeneralled him. I changed the encryption software, and his device became useless. Still, the pagers don’t grow on trees. Tony, did you tell him about dues?”
    Tony shook her head.
    â€œDanny,” Tom continued, “it’s twenty bucks to join, and you owe me fifteen for the pager. We’ll write off the one you lost.”
    Danny was surprised by this, but not shocked; he’d seen plenty of rich people in Vegas and a lot of them acted very cheap.
    â€œI don’t have thirty bucks on me,” he said.
    â€œThirty-five,” Tom said briskly. “But no matter … end of the week will be fine. OK, down to business. Cooper, you were talking about architecture?”
    â€œYes, the plans for the expansion will be put on display at the public library. They won’t be secret; neither the SSU nor anyone else has hidden their intentions. Anyone will be able to see them,” Cooper said.
    Tony’s cell phone rang. She let it ring.
    â€œYou better get it,” Tom said, irritated.
    â€œHello?” she said.
    Someone spoke on the other end and Tony said, “I’m at Tom’s house in the Springs.”
    A pause and then she said, “Tonight? … Fine … Yeah, OK, I’ll be there. Can you pick me up? … Thanks.”
    She hung up and looked at Tom. “I’m sorry, I have to go. Grandpa and Grandma Morris drove down from Denver to see me. I think they’re losing their minds. They came down last week.”
    â€œWe’ve only just started,” Tom protested.
    â€œWe haven’t even started,” Cooper said.
    â€œDad won’t be here for at least fifteen minutes … Can’t we rush it?”
    Tom sighed and shook his head. “All right, we’ll do what we can.”
    â€œHey, you couldn’t give me a ride back, could you? I’m not sure about these buses and I didn’t bring my board,” Danny said, unwilling to be left alone with this lot.
    â€œYou’re going too?” Tom muttered, exasperated.
    â€œSure, we can give you a ride,” Tony said breezily.
    â€œThis is a shambles,” Cooper complained. “No wonder the SSU is getting bigger and stronger every day and we’re getting smaller and weaker.”
    â€œ
Au contraire
. We’re select; they’re not. They’ll take anyone who’ll jump to Charlie’s orders,” Tom said. “We’re exactly the right size for us.”
    â€œCan I ask a question?” Danny interjected.
    â€œSure, we’re an open forum here. Anyone can ask anything,” Tom said.
    â€œWhat’s the SSU and why are you watching them?”
    Cooper laughed and Olivia sniffed. Tom gave them a black look.
    â€œGood question, Danny. We should have explained. They’re the Secret Scripture Union. It’s actually just the SU—the Scripture Union—but they’re in secret, so we call them the SSU.”
    â€œWhy are they in secret?” Danny asked.
    â€œAnother good question … Well, we’re still a public school, you know. No religion is allowed to be taught or promoted on the premises. The SSU has a secret Bible study group, a secret prayer