Haunters (9780545502542) by Taylor Thomas

Author:Taylor, Thomas
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Scholastic
Published: 2013-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Petra led David back onto the platform, and they hurried along it to the steps of a footbridge. From here they had a view down onto the trains, and the main part of the station beyond. Behind them was a huge arched window, but its panes were darkened by soot and crisscrosses of tape. David gazed ahead, recognizing the familiar vast space of Paddington station from his own time, but not the details of everyday life that it contained in 1940.

Petra raised her hand and pointed across the crowded platforms to where the green of Dishita’s woolen hat could be seen slipping through the crowds toward the station clock.

The time was 11:49.

But where was Eddie?

“Shouldn’t we get back down there?” David said.

Petra was about to answer when a voice cried, “Warning!” right beside David’s head. He jumped with shock, turning to find Misty’s golden eyes close to his. She was wrapped in a long dark coat, tightly buttoned up, and wore a hat that wouldn’t have been out of place at a wedding, except that it was black. She might be in disguise, but she didn’t seem able to hide her true dazzle.

“What are you doing here?” Petra’s lip curled.

“We have detected Adam,” said Misty. “He has remained in this place long enough to be identified.”

She held out one slender arm. David followed her finger to a stationary train. Partly concealed in the dark open doorway of a carriage was the even darker silhouette of a man with a cane.

Adam.

“Someone’s with him,” David said, straining to see better. There was indeed a second figure skulking in the gloom.

“Misty, make yourself useful for once.” Petra was straining too. “Who’s that with Adam? Analyze.”

“Charles Bartholomew Grinn,” said Misty, looking down at the distant figures without the slightest hint of effort. “Gangster, assassin, and manhunter. According to the Archive, he is responsible for seven murders, but is probably behind a further nine. He was born in 1895, will be arrested in January 1941, and will be hanged for murder three months after that.”

“Murder?” David cried. “Eddie’s murder?”

“Calm down, David.” Petra spoke without taking her eyes off the two figures. “Misty is just giving us the original history. This Grinn never killed Eddie, according to the records — none of us would be here now if he had. But Adam is trying to change all that. This is the man Adam has chosen to do his dirty work, and if he’s due to be hanged soon anyway, Adam could promise him anything he likes. Misty, go and tell Dishita.”

“Yes, Petra.” Misty stepped away from them and melted from sight.

“Come on,” David said. “We’d better get down there.”

“No,” said Petra. “We’ll never get a better view than this. And look there … and there!”

David saw again the two policemen with their distinctive helmets taking up position close to the exit. Another strolled along the platform, his hands behind his back.

“Don’t forget, Dishita’s been busy,” Petra said, “and Eddie’s already been reported as a missing person. The moment we spot him, Dishita will point him out to the police.

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