The Case of the Missing Cats (16 page)

Dirk sent a puff of smoke into the air in the shape of an Amphiptere and they both watched it gradually lose its form and disappear into nothingness.

‘So,' said Dirk, ‘unconvincing film monster?'

Holly explained about her encounter with the police and Ladbroke's timely arrival and how they got Dirk back to the office in the back of Ladbroke's car.

‘You mean he knows about me?' said Dirk, alarmed.

‘I had no choice.'

‘You think he'll say anything?'

‘He's given me his word that he won't. Do you want me to bring him up here?'

‘No,' said Dirk. ‘I'll speak to him another time. Is he following you indefinitely?'

‘It's his last day today,' said Holly.

‘Great,' replied Dirk. ‘Because this case isn't over yet. We didn't even get close to finding Vainclaw. Tomorrow I want to go back and check out that warehouse . . .'

‘You'll have to go alone this time,' said Holly.

‘What do you mean?'

‘I'm being sent away,' said Holly sadly.

‘Away? Where?'

‘To boarding school.'

‘Why?'

‘Dad's big-haired wife hired the detective because she knew I was bunking off school. Ladbroke didn't
tell her what I'd really been doing, but there was no getting away from the fact that I haven't been at school.'

‘What kind of woman sends a private detective to follow her step-daughter?'

‘She's worried that I'm a liability to dad's career. Next year is likely to be an election year. He's hoping to make the cabinet. She says she can't risk the press finding out about his wayward daughter.'

‘What did your dad say?'

‘Nothing,' replied Holly. ‘He never says anything.'

‘Will you be able to get out at all?'

‘It'll be tricky. The school is really strict and has really high security. Apparently there are loads of celebrities' kids there, even the prime minister's son.'

‘So, when are you going?'

‘They're taking me up today. Ladbroke helped me slip away to see you. I'm not even allowed to take Willow. I was hoping you might want to look after her.'

Dirk picked up the cat and stroked her. She purred contentedly.

‘No problem,' he said, looking at the brown-haired, brown-eyed girl. She seemed older than when he had seen her for the first time only a couple of
weeks ago. Taller, even.

Outside, a horn beeped.

Holly said, ‘I'd better go. Thanks for everything, Dirk.' She hugged him one more time and then pulled away and wiped her eyes.

‘Good luck,' he said. ‘Maybe it won't be so bad, this new school.'

Holly nodded. ‘I'll write,' she said.

‘Be careful what you put in those letters. You never know who might read them,' Dirk said. Then he added, ‘Hey, kiddo, it's been good having you around.'

‘We'll still be friends, won't we?'

‘Friends,' replied the red-backed, green-bellied, urban-based Mountain Dragon. ‘Yeah, we'll still be friends.'

First published in Great Britain in 2006 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
50 Bedford Square,
London, WC1B 3DP

This electronic edition published in September 2012 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Text copyright © 2007 by Gareth Jones
Illustrations copyright © 2007 by Nick Price

All rights reserved
You may not copy, distribute, transmit, reproduce or otherwise make available this publication (or any part of it) in any form, or by any means (including without limitation electronic, digital, optical, mechanical, photocopying, printing, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages

A CIP catalogue record of this book is available from the British Library

eISBN: 978-1-4088-3684-2

Visit
www.bloomsbury.com
to find out more about our authors and their books
You will find extracts, author interviews, author events and you can
sign up for newsletters
to be the first to hear about our latest releases and special offers