How Ali Ferguson Saved Houdini by Elen Caldecott Page A

suddenly hit him. Falcon was gone. Dad was gone. Mum might be going. He felt as though there was a black hole sucking away all the things he cared about.
    â€˜Dad always lets me say goodbye. He knows how important it is,’ Caitlin whispered.
    It was all Dave’s fault, Ali thought. He was ruining everything. ‘Your dad shouldn’t have done that,’ he said angrily.
    Caitlin shrugged. ‘Dad thought it was best. For Falcon to go to Miss Osborne’s sister.’
    Her sister ? Ali froze. ‘Her sister?’ he said. ‘Was that what he told you?’
    Caitlin turned towards him. Tears rolled slowly down her cheeks. She’d given up trying to hide it. She sniffed. ‘Yes. He took Falcon to Miss Osborne’s sister today. He said it was for the best. I don’t know why.’
    Dave had lied to Caitlin! He hadn’t gone near any sister. He had taken Falcon straight to the men who had tried to kidnap her. The men who were holding her owner! He felt the skin on his arms rise into goosebumps. This was awful.
    Ali tried to speak. But the words just wouldn’t come. Caitlin already looked so hurt.
    â€˜I want to be by myself,’ Caitlin said. She turned back to look at the sea.
    â€˜Aren’t you coming to look for the other half of the envelope?’ Ali asked. His anger had vanished; now all he felt was a slow dread.
    â€˜No. I don’t want to.’
    â€˜But we need you,’ he said.
    â€˜I said, I don’t want to.’ Caitlin glared at him. ‘Oh, go away, Ali. Just leave me alone.’
    â€˜But, Caitlin –’
    â€˜I said go!’
    Ali turned and ran back inside.

.

    Chapter 20
    Ali took the lift down to the ground floor. He called Gez’s mobile.
    â€˜Hola?’ a strange voice said at the end of the line.
    â€˜Oh. I was ringing for Gez.’
    â€˜Gez? Wait.’ There were a few muffled sounds, and then Ali heard someone yell Gez’s name.
    A few moments later, Gez spoke breathlessly. ‘Hello? Who’s that?’
    â€˜Gez, it’s me, Ali.’
    â€˜Oh, hi. Michael’s punching me. Some girl is going to ring him soon. You have to talk quick.’
    â€˜OK. Dave gave Falcon to the pet shop.’
    Gez whistled softly.
    â€˜He lied to Caitlin,’ Ali said. ‘I didn’t put her straight, but she’s mad with me anyway.’
    â€˜Why? What did you do?’
    â€˜I dunno. Honest. But that isn’t even the worst part. Dave took my mum with him when he went to the pet shop. He’s getting her involved.’
    There was silence at the other end of the line.
    â€˜Gez? Are you there?’ Ali asked.
    â€˜Yes. But I won’t be soon. Michael is going to kill me if I don’t get off his phone. Listen, we need to go there. To the shop.’ Gez paused while he thought. ‘OK, listen, here’s the new mission. We go to the shop, we find the other half of the envelope. That tells us where to find our targets – Falcon and Miss Osborne. We rescue them and everyone lives happily ever after, except for Dave because he’ll be in prison. Easy.’
    Ali grinned. ‘Anything else?’
    â€˜Yes, while we’re at the shop we could buy a new pet. Chinchillas are cool.’
    â€˜OK. Sounds like a good plan. Meet me outside in two minutes.’
    â€˜Roger that, Detective Superintendent.’
    .
    Gez sang the theme tune to a cop show as they ran together along the pavement. They dodged people walking yappy dogs, ducked around shopping bags and trolleys, leapt over puddles that reflected the orange street lights. And all the while, car headlights swept across them like search beams.
    â€˜Drop and roll!’ Gez yelled as he weaved past lamp posts. As the next car flashed past, Gez groaned and stumbled. He crackled into an imaginary radio. ‘Back-up requested. Officer down.’
    Ali smiled. Then took his own radio from his back pocket. ‘Roger that, DI