Death Run (20 page)
Authors: Jack Higgins
“Thank you,” the Banker said. “But I think Rich has something to tell you that may help.”
Rich gasped. “I almost forgot.”
“What?” Dad asked.
“Before the Tiger got the diamond, we used the lens from an old telescope and copied down the account numbers and the codes. I've got them here.”
He pulled off one of his shoes and produced a folded sheet of lined notepaper.
Ardman took the paper and unfolded it. “Remarkable,” he breathed. “This is just what we need.” He folded the paper up again and put it in his pocket. Then he turned to the Banker. “I'm sorry, I was forgetting my manners. I have a nice surprise for you too.”
The banker looked confused and worried as Ardman turned and waved to a soldier standing by one of the helicopters. “Yes, now, please!” he shouted.
The soldier nodded and opened the door of the
helicopter. A figure stepped carefully out. She looked pale and needed the soldier's help to walk slowly and stiffly across the courtyard. Her distinctive long auburn hair fluttered in the breeze.
“Eleri?” the Banker gasped. He moved very fast for such a short man, running to her. The soldier stepped aside, letting father and daughter hug each other in the castle courtyard.
The others were distracted from watching the tearful reunion by the arrival of a uniformed policeman. “Anyone here called Chance?” he asked.
“Take your pick,” Ardman said. “Which one do you want? We've got the whole family.”
“I'm after the one who took a car from someone called Flip.” The policeman held up a mobile phone. “Apparently, they promised they'd look after it and return it in one piece. What shall I tell him?”
“Taking a car?” Rich said.
“A promise is a promise,” Jade told her father.
“I'm sure we can sort out any small problems,” Ardman said. “I'm thinking of getting Sir Lionel's replacement to set up a special transport fund just for you, actually.”
Chance smiled and turned to the policeman. “Well, technically it
is
in one piece. Or near enough anyway. There's no problem. Really. And you can tell him â I even gave it a wash.”
Jack Higgins
lived in Belfast till the age of twelve. Leaving school at fifteen, he spent three years with the Royal Horse Guards, serving on the East German border during the Cold War. His subsequent employment included occupations as diverse as circus roustabout, truck driver, clerk, teacher and university lecturer.
The Eagle has
Landed
turned him into an international bestselling author, and his novels have since sold over 250 million copies and have been translated into fifty-five languages.
Justin Richards
is the author of dozens of books, including many Doctor Who novels,
The Death Collector
and his Invisible Detective series. He worked in the computer industry before moving into full-time writing and editing and has also written for the stage and the screen.
First published in hardback in Great Britain by HarperCollins
Children's Books
2007
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Text copyright © Harry Patterson 2007
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ePub edition September 2008 ISBN-9780007281992
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