He ran to the end of the alley, turned the corner, and . . . Chief was gone. 

Joe swiveled left and right. “Chief?” Behind him, the shrill whistle bounced off the alley’s walls. Where could Chief have gone? 

Someone grabbed the back of Joe’s shirt and pulled him through a dark doorway. 

“Hey!” Joe shouted, trying to twist out of their grip.

“Pipe down, Joe. Geez.”

“There you are, Chief!” Joe said, spinning around. They were in a large, industrial kitchen. “All right!” Joe said, pumping his fist. “The pizza place, you found it!” 

“Quiet,” Chief said, clamping his hand over Joe’s mouth. Through a crack in the doorway, they watched the police officer run by, still blowing his whistle. Chief released Joe and slumped against the wall. 

“Woah, that was close, Chief,” Joe said.

From behind them a voice growled, “What are you doing here? And why are the police chasing you?” 

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