Halloween Party by R.L. Stine

said Niki, grabbing his hand. “Let’s go back to the party.”
    â€œWhy don’t you all clear out,” said Alex. “I’ve got to change back into my costume—so my team can collect the prize for the treasure hunt.”
    As they walked back down to the living room, Terry’s head was swimming. He liked surprises. But Alex’s little trick had left him shaken.
    I guess I still care about Alex, Terry thought. Otherwise I would have been able to think more clearly when I discovered that dummy in his costume hanging in the closet.
    In the living room Murphy and Angela were dancing in the dim glow from the electric candles. The “treasures” were piled up on a table by the fireplace.
    â€œWant some punch?” Terry asked Niki.
    â€œSounds great,” she said. “I’ll save you a seat. I need to talk to you.”
    Terry brought two cups of punch and then settled in the loveseat next to Niki. She was every bit as beautiful as she had been at the beginning of the evening, but her dark eyes were now narrowed with concern.
    â€œStill upset about what Alex did?” Terry asked her.
    â€œNot really,” said Niki. “It’s something else. Rememberwhen I told you what I saw Justine saying the other day?”
    Terry stopped her in surprise. “You don’t still think she’s up to something?” he said. “Justine’s the only person at the party who hasn’t done anything weird.”
    â€œLet me tell you what I found,” Niki went on. “And tell me what you think. While you were on the treasure hunt, I went into Justine’s room—”
    â€œYou were snooping in her room?”
    â€œShe didn’t say any part of the house was off-limits,” Niki reminded him. “Besides, I was curious. Terry, she doesn’t have any of the normal high school stuff in her room—”
    â€œWell, why should she?” said Terry. “She only moved here a few months ago. Besides, she’s lived all over the world. She’s probably more interested in stuff she got in her travels than pennants or school colors.”
    â€œShe doesn’t have things from her travels either,” said Niki. “Her room is practically bare, except for one thing—”
    She told Terry about the hidden closet and the clothes she’d found there, along with the picture of Justine and the older man.
    â€œRight,” said Terry. “Well, there’s a simple explanation. Justine’s a CIA agent and the guy’s a Russian spy.”
    â€œWill you be serious!” said Niki, but she was laughing too. “Look, I know it sounds crazy, but nothing I found in Justine’s room makes any sense. And I also found some prescription bottles made out to Enid Cameron.”
    â€œThat’s her CIA name,” said Terry. “And that’s why she’s having the party. She’s going to ask everyone on the guest list to be a spy.”
    â€œMaybe you’re not so far off,” said Niki. “Terry, I really think Justine leads some kind of double life.”
    â€œWell, maybe she does,” said Terry. “But so what? If you’re really that bugged about it, ask her. She’s a very nice girl, and I’m sure she wouldn’t want anybody to be suspicious of—”
    He broke off as Justine rang her bell again. The dinging came from overhead, and all eyes turned to see Justine standing at the railing on the balcony above the living room, a gold foil-covered box on a table next to her.
    â€œIt’s time to award the prize for the treasure hunt,” she said. “And I’m so happy it was such a success. Even if”—she paused and smiled mischievously—“there was a surprise or two even I hadn’t planned on.”
    Most of the kids applauded and cheered, and Justine made a small bow. “The prize is special chocolates from Paris,” she said. “Who