Chapter 27: The World's Most Comfortable Hiding Place

“Well, I’ll be!” said Drew.  “No wonder we couldn’t find the grotto by the cliff.  There isn’t one!”

“You think that’s what they meant?” Edward asked.

“It’s got to be,” said Drew.  “It’s right by the water, too.  It’s a good thing we decided to come here for dinner; otherwise, we’d probably still be looking for it.”

“What are we waiting for?” said Renee.  “Let’s go in!”

“Not yet,” said Drew.  “We still have a couple hours.  We’ll wait until later to go in.  Although,” he said, “we could go over and figure out how to get inside.”

“I think that’s a good idea,” said Carol.  “We don’t want to be stuck outside when they’re ready to head out.”

“That’s true,” said Drew.  “Come on; let’s go!”

They quickly gathered their trash and threw it away before slipping out into the cool night air.  No cars were coming, so they dashed across the road.  As they wandered past the drive-in, Drew said:

“I just thought of something.  Remember when we were talking about Pearson, Schlegel knew he’d been to Don’s Drive-In a lot?”

“Vaguely,” said Edward.  “That was Bourdon’s contact, though.  I don’t see what it has to do with Schlegel.”

“Nothing,” said Drew.  “Schlegel had nothing to do with the restaurant.  How did he know Pearson went there a lot?”

“He saw him when he was at The Grotto!” said Carol.

“Exactly,” said Drew, “so this must be the place.  What does that sign on the door say?”

It said a lot.

Welcome to the Grotto

Cheap Food Good Beer

Shirts and Shoes Required at All Times

Must Be 21 or Over to Enter

Pets Are Not Allowed

Open All Night

The last part of that statement was immediately contradicted, as the door flew open.  “Alright, alright, out you go!” a beefy bouncer hollered at a guy who’d obviously consumed a little too much of an age-restricted beverage.

“Aw, but Max,” said the guy.  “It’s only 9:57.  You’re not closing for another three minutes!”

“You don’t get out in three minutes,” said Max.  “Now, beat it!”  With a heave, he ejected the drunk customer from the building.  The woozy beerdrinker cursed, stumbled to his feet, and weaved off into the night.

“They’re closing at ten!” whispered Drew.  “I wonder why.”

“Maybe they want to go home early,” said Edward.  “How’re we going to get in?”

“Wait a minute!” said Drew.  “I’ve got an idea.  Are there still people in there?”

“I’ll check!” whispered Edward.  He ran up to the window, peeped inside, and headed back.  “Yep!  It looks like that bouncer’s about to throw someone else out.”

“We’ve got to work fast, then,” said Drew.  “Renee, you know how to keep a door from locking with masking tape, right?”

“Of course,” said Renee, “but I don’t have any masking tape.”

“I do,” said Drew.  “Here.  Carol and Edward, see that trash can right over there?”

“The black one?” said Edward.

“I don’t think there are any others,” said Drew.  “Empty it out.  Carefully, don’t make a mess.”

“If you don’t want us to make a mess, then why have us empty the trash can in the first—”

“Never mind, Carol!  There’s a bag in it, right?”

“Not for long,” said Edward.  “Give me a hand, Carol.”

Brother and sister yanked the bag out.

“Good.  Renee, hop in.”

“Alright.”

“Drew, why are you having Renee hop into a trash can?”

“You’ll see.  Put the lid on.  Now, we’ll put this next to the door.  Once it swings open, Renee’ll keep it from locking.  Give me a hand, here.”

Drew and Edward carried the can over to the door, set it down, and dashed away from the building.  When they were far enough away to keep from being spotted, they crouched and watched.

The door swung open again.  “Out you go!” shouted the bouncer, trying to throw another drunk out.  This one, however, weighed upwards of 250 pounds and didn’t go so easily.  The bouncer had some trouble getting him through the door.  While he struggled with his load, he didn’t notice a hand grab the door and swing it open farther.  He didn’t notice another hand apply a thick thing of masking tape to the door.  Most importantly, he didn’t notice when the door failed to lock as it shut.

“There,” said Drew.

“Let’s go get her,” said Edward.

“Not yet,” said Drew.  “Here comes the bouncer again.  Wait until it’s a little less active.”

Poor Renee had to wait five minutes before it was quiet enough for Drew and Edward to sneak back over.  They brought the garbage can back to its original position and flipped off the lid.  “You can come out now,” Drew said.

“Thank goodness!” snapped Renee, climbing out.  “If you notice a stench, don’t complain!”

“Never mind that!” said Drew.  “Let’s wait until 11:30, then make our move.  If someone’s already there, we’ll catch them.  If not, we’ll be ready when they arrive.  When the coast is clear, we’ll load up the boat.  Then, we’ll give that sub its last rendezvous!”