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risk losing his job just to give her free pizza,” she said.
    â€œWe wanted to talk to him,” Aly reminded her. “Here’s our chance.”
    They finished the sandwich and walked up to the counter.
    â€œJosh, hi,” Aly said in a friendly way. “I didn’t know you worked here.”
    Josh shrugged. “I don’t like it too much, to tell you the truth. That’s why I’m hoping to win the contest. It could start me on a new career and get me out of this place.”
    â€œListen, Josh,” AJ said. “We saw you being interviewed on the news last night. And we saw what looked like Claire’s notebook in your jacket pocket.”
    â€œYou must have seen my cell phone; it’s blue,” he said calmly. “Maybe it looked purple under the camera lights.”
    â€œSo you didn’t take her notebook?” Aly asked point-blank.
    â€œNo way,” he said as he looked them right in the eye. “I keep telling everyone, she probably just misplaced it.”
    â€œWe saw Heather over here, getting some pizza,” AJ said. “And it looked like she didn’t pay for it. I didn’t know you two were such good friends.”
    A red blush began to creep up Josh’s face. “Well, you know, ah, we’ve known each other a long time,” he stammered. “Look, don’t say anything about that, please. I could lose my job. Anyway, I’ve got to get back to work. I’ll see you tonight at the competition.”
    He turned away from them and Aly and AJ walked away from the pizza stand.
    â€œHe seemed to be telling the truth about the notebook,” Aly said. “But he got nervous when you asked about Heather. Could he have a crush on her?”
    â€œOn Heather? I don’t think so. It didn’t seem like that kind of nervous,” AJ replied.
    Aly sighed. “We need to go back to the hotel and get ready for the final round of judging. I hope we can get to the bottom of this before we pick a winner!”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN:
    BACKSTAGE SABOTAGE
    After a quick shower at the hotel to get rid of any lingering fish odors, Aly and AJ changed clothes and headed back to the theater. Their mom and Jim had come along to watch the final round of the songwriting competition.
    Lily, the contest coordinator, led the girls, Carrie, and Jim to seats in the front row. Friends and family members of the contestants were also in attendance to see who would win. Aly and AJ spotted Henry and Bree sitting together, and Amber sitting a few rows behind them.
    â€œI know you don’t have an easy decision,” Lily said. “But hopefully you’ll be able to decide on a clear winner after this final round.”
    Aly and AJ wished it were that easy. Worrying about possibly giving the prize to a thief made everything so much harder.
    Josh took the stage first. He must have changed and showered, too, because his hair was once again slicked back with gel. Instead of the T-shirt they had seen him in earlier, he was wearing a white button-up shirt tucked into a pair of pressed jeans. Over the shirt he wore a tuxedo-striped vest. As always, Josh looked very put together. But had he managed to get it together with his lyrics, too?
    The music began to play. As always, Aly and AJ were impressed with the melody. Josh stepped up to the microphone, closed his eyes, and began to sing. He sang about feeling like he was on the outside of everything, always looking in.
    â€œ Can you see me,
    Or do you look right through me?
    Fading into the purple mist of morning. ”
    The words were touching and surprisingly heartfelt. Aly and AJ exchanged surprised glances.
    â€œWow,” Aly whispered. “I dig this song.”
    It was Claire’s turn next. Instead of shuffling and staring at her feet, like she had in the first round, she walked with her head up and smiled shyly at the audience. Her red hair was loose, spilling in waves down her back. She