The Crystal Code by Richard Newsome

Author:Richard Newsome
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Young Adult Fiction
Publisher: The Text Publishing Company
Published: 2012-09-26T04:00:00+00:00

The attic in Gerald’s swish Chelsea townhouse was not heated. A row of bare bulbs ran the length of the ceiling and cast a harsh light across the hodgepodge of boxes and tea chests on the floor. It was dusty and cramped and uncomfortable. Perfect for Gerald’s purpose.

He pushed the door shut at the top of the narrow staircase. Ruby, Sam and Felicity found themselves a place to sit among the jumble of old armchairs and crates.

‘Do you really think the house is bugged?’ Sam said, at the top of his voice. This sparked off a chorus of shushing. He repeated the question, this time in a whisper.

‘Where else would Brahe have heard about that stupid crossword clue?’ Gerald said. ‘And he knows who you guys are. The place is bugged, or someone’s spying on us.’

‘You mentioned the crossword in the helicopter on the way to Mr Mantle’s place,’ Felicity said. ‘Maybe the pilot heard us.’

‘However he heard it, Brahe was giving us a message,’ Gerald said. ‘He wanted us to know we’re being watched.’

‘Who is this Brahe guy?’ Sam asked. ‘Did I really bust his fake nose?’

‘You put a major dent in his nose and in his ego,’ Gerald said. ‘He’s a member of this Billionaires’ Club. They want me to join. And guess whose place I’ll be taking? Mason Green’s.’

Ruby and Sam both jolted upright. ‘You’re kidding,’ Ruby said.

‘Nope. They booted him out. Mr Prisk said he wasn’t a fit person to be in the club.’

‘So Mason Green kidnapped our mum and dad?’ Sam said.

‘No, Green is involved somehow, but I’m sure Brahe is the kidnapper,’ Gerald said. ‘He said he would make them suffer unless we did what he said.’

Felicity leaned forward. ‘Did he say what he wanted?’

Gerald had chosen not to tell Felicity everything that Brahe had said by the waterfall. Until now.

‘A piece of jewellery,’ he said. ‘A piece of jewellery that Mason Green left in the pocket of his jacket. The one we picked up from the dry cleaners.’

Felicity’s hand shot to her throat. She was still wearing the dinner jacket. Sitting in the glare of the bare bulbs, she looked like a guilty suspect in a police line-up.

‘What!’ Ruby was on her feet.

‘Keep your voice down,’ Gerald hissed. He could see that Ruby was doing all she could to stay in control. It wasn’t likely to last much longer.

‘You have it?’ Ruby said to Felicity. Her voice teetered on the narrow ledge between disbelief and blind rage.

Felicity’s eyes brimmed with tears. ‘I didn’t know,’ she said. Her voice quavered. ‘I, I forgot I had it.’

‘You forgot!’ Ruby clenched her hands into fists and pressed one against her mouth, trying to tamp down a scream. ‘Our parents are in danger and you forgot.’

Felicity lifted her head, eyes pleading. ‘It’s not like that,’ she said. ‘You don’t understand.’

‘What’s not to understand, Felicity?’ Gerald said. ‘You knew the kidnappers were looking for a piece of jewellery.’

Felicity turned to him, tears trickling down her cheeks. ‘It was only after we escaped,’ she said.

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