The French Code by Deborah Abela Page A

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    â€˜What are they going to do?’ Veronique asked.
    â€˜Find out what those two men are up to.’
    Max retrieved her palm computer and focused intently on the screen. The bumpy, darkened image crept closer to the two figures. They were dressed in dark skivvies, beanies and gloves, and their faces had been blackened. Linden’s watch caught their conversation and Max’s Descrambler translated.
    â€˜It’s almost nine o’clock. She should be here soon,’ a raspy voice said.
    â€˜How do you know she’ll turn up?’ A second, uneasy voice whispered.
    â€˜I hear she’s a feisty one. She won’t let her dad be kidnapped and do nothing about it. Not after our invitation.’
    â€˜Why did he have us meet her here?’ the second one breathed. ‘It’s a little creepy, isn’t it?’
    â€˜Sorry if it’s not glamorous enough for you.’
    â€˜I don’t need glamour; I just don’t need freaky.’ He sighed. ‘All of this because of a piece of rock. Why does he want it so badly, anyway?’
    â€˜Not sure, but we’ve been paid good money to do this job, and I’m not leaving until we do it.’
    Max watched as Linden moved his radio watch even closer to the two men.
    â€˜What’s he doing now?’ Veronique asked.
    â€˜I’m not sure yet.’
    There was a brief pause before Linden released a ghoulish wail: ‘Oooooo.’
    â€˜What was that?’ The second man gasped.
    â€˜I don’t know,’ the raspy one hissed. ‘But don’t get so close; you’re on my toes.’
    â€˜Oooooo.’ It was Toby this time.
    â€˜It’s a ghost. I knew it. We’re being attacked by a ghost.’
    â€˜There’s no such thing as ghosts.’
    Within seconds a vase of flowers lifted from a nearby grave and floated within centimetres of their faces.
    â€˜ That is a ghost.’
    â€˜Whyyy arrrre yooou heeeere?’ Linden deepened his voice and added a ghostly waver.
    Max’s computer screen showed torchlights skittling amongst the gravestones like panicked moths. ‘You’d better come out, whatever you are, or we’ll … Ouch! That ghost threw a stone at me.’
    â€˜They’re not ghosts!’
    â€˜Well, what are they then?’
    â€˜I don’t know!’
    â€˜Whooooo has sent yooooou?’ Linden wailed.
    â€˜I’m getting out of here.’ The second man shuddered.
    â€˜You’re not going anywhere.’
    â€˜Whoo has paiiid yooou to beeee heere?’ Toby sang out.
    â€˜It was …’
    â€˜What are you mad? You can’t tell anyone or we’re done for.’
    â€˜Tell us!’ Toby whined. ‘Or we will haaaauuuunt you for aaaaall your dayyyys.’
    â€˜But these ghosts are going to get us if we don’t tell.’ A splintering crash rang out. ‘That’s it, I’m out of here.’
    Max and Veronique heard scuffled sounds as the screen went black, followed by footsteps and panting.
    â€˜What’s happening?’ Veronique asked Max.
    â€˜I’m not sure.’ Max drew in a quick breath. ‘I can’t talk to Linden yet in case we give them away. Do you recognise the voices of either of those men?’
    â€˜No.’
    â€˜And what did they mean all this being for a piece of rock ?’
    â€˜I don’t know.’ Veronique sat heavily on the lounge. Fifi climbed beside her and lay her head in her lap. ‘So it was a trap and they’re after me?’
    â€˜It seems so,’ Max answered.
    â€˜Why?’
    â€˜That’s what we have to figure out.’
    â€˜Maybe this is why Papa gave me the amulet. To protect myself from those men.’ Veronique looked up. ‘We have to tell Tetu.’
    â€˜Tetu might be in on it.’
    â€˜We don’t know that.’ Veronique shook her head and nestled Fifi closer.
    â€˜Think about it,’ Max