"What are you doing," he asked, "I need that."

"I need it more," C. J. replied, "Don’t worry, I’ll give it back." She rushed forward and headed after the figure. She reached him easily and looked for an opening. The hockey stick was sliding behind her. If she had a chance, maybe she could stop him with it. He was an excellent skater though and was quickly out of sight around the minute she reached him.

Joe skated up right then, "There you are. I’ve been looking for you since I arrived. Where’s Vicki?" He looked around for her.

"She’s around here somewhere," C. J. answered, "I just saw her a little while ago." Suddenly a spray of ice hit both of them. Startled, they turned around to find Vicki there.

"Don’t even stop to see how I am," Vicki remarked, "It’s okay, you didn’t hurt my feelings or anything. It’s not like I was in trouble or anything."

"Give it up," C. J. told her friend, "I had something more important to take care of at the moment. And you’re right, you aren’t capable of having hurt feelings. Since when has it bothered you before?"

"I’ll ignore that remark for now," Vicki said dramatically, "but I’ll think of something to get you back later."

"What are you talking about," Joe asked, looking confused, "Did I miss something?"

"Hey," a voice called out. It was the boy from earlier, "I need my stick back. C. J. quickly threw it out to him.

"I can tell you what happened," Vicki spoke up finally, "That guy pushed me…but only after he took the ring."

"He took it," C. J. asked, looking up front.

"You had it," Joe looked over at her, "That’s what your father wanted us to talk to you about. Someone trashed your house. We thought they had gotten it."

"If they didn’t then, they do now," Vicki remarked, "I thought we had them out of the way for a while. That’s why we were late for the meeting. They pulled us over for a talk."

The three teens pulled into the Silver’s driveway. The police cars were still out front as they walked inside. Mrs. Silver rushed over when she saw them.

"Where have you two been," she asked, "C. J’s parents called looking for her. Are you okay?"

"We’re fine," Vicki assured her mom, "We just had a lead in our investigation." Chief Stevens joined them then.

"How is your investigation going," he asked, "I understand it has something to do with what happened here today."

"Remember when you thought we were just two annoying teenage girls," Vicki asked, and he nodded, "Well, this story is as crazy as the ones we used to tell you. The ring’s gone though."

"I shouldn’t have bothered to ask," Chief Stevens mumbled as he turned back the way he had come. He suddenly stopped, "What ring?"

"I’m sure Frank and Joe told you about a missing ring," C. J. replied, "It wasn’t missing then, but it is now. They got away with it, but I can tell you what the guy looked like."

"Okay," Stevens returned, "What does he look like?"

"He’s around his early thirties with red hair and stands about five eleven, I’d guess."

"You’re joking right," Vicki asked, "because we know someone who looks like that already. I think you know who I’m talking about."

"You’re right," C. J. exclaimed, "That sounds exactly like Jake Roberts." Jake Roberts was the criminal they ran into from their first case. He had attempted to steal a priceless diamond.

"I thought he was in jail," C. J. continued, "Don’t tell me he broke out again."

"Fine, I won’t," Chief Stevens answered, "Unless, you really want to know."

"He did escape," Vicki asked him. Stevens looked at her in surprise, "There was no way he was let out on bail. He’s a top criminal in the business. So he either broke out or broke out. It’s as simple as that."

"I have to agree Chief," C. J. spoke up, "As strange as it seems for me to agree with Vicki. There’s no other way he could have gotten out."

"We know someone who can help," Joe said, "He’s involved in this whole thing, but only because he’s being forced to do it. They threatened to do some things if he doesn’t help."

"I’m not sure if he’ll talk," Frank interrupted, "These guys are tough customers. Who knows what else they’re holding over him."

"Who is this guy," Chief asked, "I want to talk to him as soon as possible."