Order in the Court by Tim Harris

Author:Tim Harris [Harris, Tim]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781760147075
Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia

Selecting a master of ceremonies for the Toffle Towers talent show was an easy decision for Chegwin. His father’s love for all things music made him the obvious choice. Wearing one of his favourite T-shirts, a tight-fitting V-neck by the country artist The Brett Stephens Duo Minus Brett Stephens, Mr Toffle tapped the microphone in readiness to get things started.

The lobby looked spectacular. Earlier, Barry and Dean had used old wooden tables from the storeroom to create a makeshift stage on the staircase. They’d covered the tables with black cloth and pointed the lobby lights towards the structure.

This was also part of Chegwin’s plan to catch the burglar. With the lights pointed towards the stage, the back of the lobby would be slightly darker – perfect for a thief to sneak around in. But what the thief didn’t know was that Chegwin, Amy and Rufus would be waiting behind a counter near the prize money. They would be ready to pounce.

Excited guests streamed into the lobby from their rooms. Those staying on the lower floors could access the lobby directly, while those staying on the upper levels squeezed through the gaps Barry and Dean had left between the stage and the handrails on the musical staircase. The squeaky floorboard beneath the portrait of Terrence Toffle was getting quite a workout. Soon, the entire lobby was pulsing with energy.

Mr Toffle tapped the microphone once more, and a piercing foldback squeal sliced through the air like fingernails on a chalkboard.

‘Skeet diddly-bam! Welcome to the Toffle Towers talent show!’

Everybody clapped.

‘The most entertaining performance during tonight’s show,’ said Mr Toffle, ‘will be selected by our wonderful in-house judges, Dusty and Mildew Staines. The winner will receive a prize, which I’ll reveal shortly.’

Dusty and Mildew gave a thumbs up from the front row. Playing the role of talent-show judges for the evening was a welcome relief for the housekeepers. Their Monopoly game had been getting so tense, Dusty was worried he might require a pacemaker.

Chegwin peeked over the counter to double-check that the prize money was in place. Two thousand dollars in hard cash sat on a silver plate which rested on a small table near the counter. Chegwin could reach over and touch it if he wanted, and so he was within arm’s length to grab the thief when the time came.

The money itself was bound together by near-invisible fishing line that Dean had retrieved from the back of his jetski, which was parked in the shed. The line extended over the counter and was attached to Chegwin’s thumb. If anybody touched the money, he would feel a tug to his hand in an instant.

‘Everything is set,’ he whispered to Amy and Rufus.

Chegwin scanned the backs of the heads of the audience. He could see his mother and Mrs Flibbernut sitting on the side. His mother was rubbing her baby bump, and Mrs Flibbernut was no doubt eager to see if there were any rock-climbing acts.

Mr Toffle’s brother, Uncle Blackbeard, who had been staying long-term in the hotel, sat on the other side of Mrs Toffle.

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