"I think Odie''s onto something," Fiona murmured, just as her dad shot her a quick look. She mmed up immediately.


    Sophie casually tossed a packet over to Odie, who nced down and asked, "What''s this?"


    With a snack in hand, Sophie replied, "Something Isaac whipped up. It''s the same stuff The Silent Shadows used ages ago. Don''t tell me you''ve forgotten."


    Odie hadn''tid eyes on this stuff in eighteen years. He took a closer look, opened the bag, and sniffed it. "It''s watered down. Looks like this Isaac guy doesn''t have much backbone. What a wimp."


    If someone with more ambition had gotten hold of it, they''d have refined it further, like the potent products The Silent Shadows developed that still pack a punch even after eighteen years.


    "I''ll take this and check it out. Nobody''s bold enough to sell this on my turf."


    Sophie reassured him, "We''re just handing it to you for a once-over. We know nobody would dare sell it on your turf."


    Odie nodded, clearly satisfied. Her logic was spot on.


    "But I''ve seen this before," Fiona blurted out, grabbing everyone''s attention.


    Sophie asked, "Fiona, where have you seen this powder?"


    "At school. Loads of people use it to stay awake when they''re tired. Some even offered me some."


    Fiona nced at Alec and added, "Alec saw it too. It''s all over the school."


    Sophie and Colby exchanged worried nces. It dawned on them that this powder had made its way into Devonport''s schools.


    They both put down their forks at the same time. Sophie stood up, saying, "We''ve got other business to handle. You two stay here and finish your meal."


    She turned to Odie, saying, "Stop eating ande with us."


    Odie barely had time to swallow before Colby was dragging him off. "Come on, I haven''t even finished my meal."


    After a long day of flying, now he was being whisked away on an empty stomach. This couple really knew how to keep him on his toes.


    Left at the table, Fiona and Alec exchanged nces, the room suddenly feeling very quiet.


    Curious, Fiona asked, "What do you think Mom and Dad are up to? Why won''t they let us help?"


    "You?" Alec replied with a straight face, "It''s better if you don''t get in their way."


    Everyone in Devonport knew just how formidable Fiona''s parents were, except Fiona herself, who remained blissfully oblivious.


    "Investigating a powder isn''t rocket


    science. Adult''s just love


    vel


    embellishing stories. Odie once imed they took down over a hundred mercenaries. That''s obviously a tall tale. You don''t actually buy that, do you?"


    Even with Fiona and Alec''s skills, they couldn''t fathom escaping from a hundred mercenaries, let alone taking them down. It was the kind of story you''d see in an action flick, clearly adults exaggerating after a few too many drinks.


    "I don''t know about others, but if it''s your parents and Odie, it''s probably not just talk."