Zach's Lie

Peter is about to make his next move against Zach when man asking questions about new kids approaches him outside. The man, who is really Alonzo Aznar, introduces himself as Hector Jones. He has black hair pulled into a ponytail and wears all black except for the gold tips on his cowboy boots. Jones claims to be a private detective searching for the Osborne family at the request of Mr. Osborne, whose wife left him and took the children. Mr. Osborne wants to know if his children are safe. Peter thinks of Zach, but Zach’s blue eyes do not match Mr. Jones’s description. Jones tells Peter where he is staying and offers a $200 reward for information about the family. Peter agrees to look around. He decides to do a deeper reading of Zach’s journal.

Wanda and one other girl audition for the part of Christine. As Zach and Darrell hide in the balcony listening to the first girl, a man with a ponytail dressed in black slips into the balcony. The first girl’s audition is good, but Wanda gives a stunning performance. The man in black leaves before Wanda’s song ends, which Zach thinks is odd. Wanda wins the part. Zach does not have time to talk to Wanda about the Commander IF message. That night, Wanda seeks out Zach. She explains that to give her song verisimilitude, she thought of the saddest thing she could: their dad in their old life and his situation now. She cries while Zach holds her.

Mary and Wanda leave for L.A., giving Zach the phone number to their hotel. Wanda’s emotional confession the previous night makes Zach feel close to her again. In homeroom, another quote from Zach’s journal is written on the chalkboard: “If you take the ‘v’ out of lives what do you get?” (160). Zach panics. He realizes someone read his journal. He wonders when he last saw it. He keeps the backpack with his journal in his bedroom. Mrs. Pyle, the principal, questions the class about the message. She suspects Zach, but Catalin confirms they arrived at school together, and Darrell lies that they played video games after school the day before. Zach and runs home at lunch to look for his journal. He cannot find it. He checks his Jack in the Box and finds his four previous journals and a strange old journal. In it, Jack finds a note from his dad, apologizing for using Zach’s box and for Zach finding his journal. The note warns him not to read the journal and to keep it safe.

Zach skims through Neil’s journal. He notices a drawing of someone named Alonzo Aznar and other sketches, lists of accounting numbers, and addresses. Zach knows that his missing fifth journal means their cover is blown and they will have to move. He calls Mary, but they have not reached their hotel. Zach decides to carry Neil’s journal with him so no one will find it.

At his locker, Zach browses Neil’s journal but drops some pages. Peter helps pick them up, surreptitiously taking the page featuring the sketch of Alonzo Aznar, whom he recognizes as Hector Jones. Peter tells “Jack” he needs a new journal. Zach says his name is not Jack, but Peter insists and says that his sister is Joanne Osborne—a detail he learned from Jones. Peter is pleased his bluff pays off when Zach admits his identity. Zach asks what Peter plans to do with his journal. Peter arranges a meeting later to list his demands.

Zach believes Uncle Don and Aunt Doris can keep Peter quiet. Zach tries again, futilely, to call Mary. The phone number for Uncle Don and Aunt Doris is missing. Zach meets Peter, who returns his journal. Peter wants Zach to break up with Catalin or he will tell everyone Zach’s story. Sam notices that Zach seems subdued and wonders if he wants to talk about anything or if he is sick. Zach thinks illness will be a good excuse to get out of his camping weekend. He wonders how to leave Catalin.

Peter meets his parents for dinner. They are in high spirits because they won money at the casino. His father invites him to Reno with them while they gamble, but Peter refuses, knowing they will lose everything. His father, relieved that Peter will not go, promises he will have money for a bus ticket for Peter to visit his brother. Peter suggests they eat at the Nevada Hotel.

Zach joins Sam, Benat, and the other borders for dinner. Benat’s colorful stories, the jovial men, and Catalin’s smiles cheer Zach. Zach does not see Peter and his family eating at a distant table. Peter is furious that Zach is laughing and talking with Catalin. He angrily decides to “play his last card” and get his own money to leave Elko (175). Peter bitterly thinks that when his parents return, they will not notice he has left. As Peter’s family leaves, Catalin points them out to Zach, who, shocked, abruptly follows them, ignoring the startled response at his table.

Zach misses Peter, but Peter’s parents give him their address. Zach runs to Peter’s trailer, hoping to apologize and to insist he will break up with Catalin, but Peter is not there. Zach waits. Catalin tells Sam that Zach has been acting strangely all day. Sam reassures her, but he is also worried about Zach.

Peter visits Hector Jones. Peter boldly announces he has found the Osborne family but wants more money for his information. He calls Hector “Alonzo” to the drug lord’s surprise. Peter shows Alonzo the sketch from Neil’s journal, and Alonzo rewards him with stacks of money. When Peter’s information runs out, Alonzo’s henchmen grab Peter, gag him, and take the money back, saying he knows too much. Aznar will take Peter to his private plane where the Osbornes and the compromising journal will soon join him.