‘I don’t want to hear it,’ Tom interrupted.
He had that funny, glassy look in his eyes and I knew he’d stopped listening to me. He always does that when someone says something that he doesn’t want to hear. So I just gave up after that. There’s no point in talking to Tom when he switches off. He tried to change the subject and make me laugh the way he always does when I’m feeling sad but I didn’t laugh and I didn’t say a word. He soon took the hint. I’m still mad at him. He’s like a sheep when it comes to Robbie. It’s like his brain just melts away every time Robbie gets within a kilometre of him.
But I’m not going to let Robbie have things all his own way. This business with Ricky has gone far enough.
Chapter Fifteen
Watching the Warehouse
THEO LOOKED UP and down the street.
Where was she?
Right! That’s it, Theo thought angrily. He’d had more than enough of all this messing about. He was going straight round the nearest …
‘Theo? Theo!’
Theo turned his head. Angela came running down the street at full pelt towards him. He took a quick look around. No grown-ups were lurking – at least none that he could see. It looked like Angela was alone.
‘I wasn’t sure if you’d turn up,’ Theo admitted once Angela caught up to him.
‘To be honest, I wasn’t sure either,’ Angela confessed.
They both looked at each other and tentatively smiled. Then Theo remembered Ricky and his smile faded to nothing.
‘We’ll have to be very careful,’ Angela said. ‘Robbie’s brought the job forward to tonight.’
‘Tonight! How d’you know?’
‘Tom’s had me packing our suitcases all day. We’re supposed to be going on holiday first thing tomorrow morning.’
‘On holiday? Where?’
‘Tom didn’t tell me. He said it was a surprise,’ Angela replied grimly.
‘And what is this job they’re doing tonight?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘But we can rescue Ricky – right?’
Angela nodded, crossing her fingers behind her back where Theo couldn’t see.
‘Then let’s get going,’ said Theo.
Angela turned around and started walking back the way she’d just come.
‘Where’re we going?’ Theo asked, falling into step next to her.
Angela looked at Theo steadily. ‘To the warehouse on Buzan Road.’
‘But … but the police have already searched that place,’ Theo frowned.
‘Which is why they’ve moved back there. The police have searched it once so they won’t search it again. Scott reckoned it’d be safe for tonight.’
‘How d’you know all this?’ Theo asked suspiciously.
‘I heard some of what they were saying in the kitchen when I climbed out of my bedroom window last night,’ Angela explained. And that wasn’t all she’d heard. Most of Scott’s conversation had been about Ricky – and it was terrifying …
‘You climbed out of your window? Why did you do that?’
‘It was the only way I could meet you in the park. Robbie locked me in my bedroom,’ Angela explained.
Theo gasped and stared at Angela. ‘Robbie sounds like a real prince and two-thirds.’
‘He’s that all right,’ Angela said bitterly.
‘What happened when you got back home? Are you OK?’ Theo asked, concerned.
Angela shrugged. ‘Yeah, I’ll survive. Thanks for asking.’
Theo’s face began to burn. His face set hard and he glared at Angela.
‘I was only being nosy, that’s all. It doesn’t mean we’re engaged or anything.’
‘I never said it did.’ Angela’s smile broadened.
Other thoughts bubbling up in Theo’s mind refused to stay buried.
‘Now d’you see why I want to get Ricky away from Robbie and the others? What makes you think that Robbie’s going to keep his word and release Ricky?’ The words erupted from Theo like a volcanic explosion.
‘Tom wouldn’t let anyone hurt Ricky …’ Angela began.
‘Tom couldn’t stop Robbie from locking you in your room. What makes you think he could stand up to Robbie and Scott and the other one?’ Theo said. ‘What makes you think he’d even want to?’
‘Shut up! SHUT UP!’ Angela screamed at him.
They glared at each other like two enemies having a show-down in one of the old Western films. Theo carried on walking first. Angela fell into step with him. They walked in silence to the end of the road.
‘Wait a sec,’ said Theo. Then he took out his mobile phone and pressed the button to switch it on. He groaned.
‘My battery’s dead. Can I borrow your phone?’
Angela shook her head. ‘I don’t have one.’
‘How come?’
‘’Cos I don’t,’ Angela snapped.
It took another five minutes before Theo and Angela found a phone box. Stepping into the kiosk, Theo picked up the receiver and began to dial, pressing more and more firmly on each numbered key.
‘Who’re you phoning?’ Angela asked warily.
‘My mum and dad. Neither of them will be home from work yet – at least I hope not.’
‘I don’t understand.’
‘I’m going … Hang on!’ Theo listened intently to what was going on at the other end of the phone. ‘Hi Mum, Dad. A girl in my class, Angela Tukesbury, asked me to help her with her homework. I’m going round to her house now. I hope that’s all right.’
Angela realized what was going on. Theo was talking into an answering machine.
‘It shouldn’t take too long. Angela said I could have dinner at her house and then her mum or dad will give me a lift home,’ Theo continued at a rush. ‘See you soon. ’Bye.’
Theo put the phone down quickly as if he was afraid that the receiver itself might start arguing with him.
‘You shouldn’t have said that about my mum and dad,’ said Angela.
‘Why not?’
‘I live with my brother, Tom. There isn’t anyone else. I told you that before.’
‘What happened to your parents?’ Theo asked curiously.
‘Mum took off when I was five and Dad died a couple of years later.’
‘How old was your brother then?’ said Theo.
‘Old enough to take care of me,’ Angela rounded on him.
‘OK! OK! Don’t bite my head off. I only asked,’ Theo said quickly.
‘Sorry,’ Angela mumbled. ‘But ever since Dad died that’s all I’ve heard. Tom’s not old enough, Tom’s not responsible enough. Everyone’s so desperate to get me into a children’s home.’
‘Tom’s not going to do you much good if he and his friends are caught on this job they’re doing and sent to prison,’ Theo pointed out.
‘It won’t come to that. And don’t be such a smart alec doof ball,’ Angela fumed.
Theo opened his mouth to argue, only to snap it shut without saying a word. The last thing he wanted was to antagonize Angela, and besides, it had been the sort of thing a doof would say!
Theo and Angela lapsed into silence until they reached Buzan Road. Each step that took them closer to the warehouse had Theo’s heart pounding just that bit harder. About ten metres away from the warehouse, Angela’s hand on Theo’s arm stopped him in his tracks. They both stood in silence.
‘What happens now?’ Theo asked, still looking at the warehouse.
‘We have to get into the ventilation shaft and wait. When they leave tonight to do their job, that’s when we rescue Ricky.’
‘They’re all inside the warehouse now – right? Tom, Robbie, Scott and …?’
‘Dylan.’
‘And Ricky?’
‘And Ricky.’
‘And whatever it is they’re up to, it’s definitely going to happen tonight?’ Theo asked.
Angela nodded. ‘That’s why Tom left me at home instead of taking me with him as usual. He said he wanted me to get a good ni
ght’s sleep for once – as if I’d believe that! He’s dragged me to the warehouse with him almost every night for the last two weeks whilst they’ve been planning whatever it is they’re up to.’
‘Why didn’t he just leave you at home?’
‘Tom worries about me,’ Angela shrugged. ‘The house might catch fire, it might get hit by lightning, crushed by an alien ship landing on it – anything.’
Theo raised his eyebrows.
‘That’s how Tom thinks,’ Angela smiled ruefully. ‘He reckoned I was safer with him. Except for tonight when they’re going to do whatever it is they’ve been planning for so long. I haven’t got to sleep before three in the morning in over a fortnight.’
‘So that’s why you’re always yawning in class,’ Theo realized.
‘No, I’m not,’ Angela frowned.
‘Yes, you are.’
‘I don’t yawn in class,’ Angela said belligerently.
‘If you say so.’ Theo shrugged as he regarded her.
What was it with Angela anyway? If there was anything she didn’t like or didn’t agree with, she’d say it didn’t happen, or deny it or just blank it out. Like drawing the curtains on reality and saying that the world beyond her window didn’t exist.
‘What’re you looking at?’ Angela scowled.
Theo shook his head.
They both turned to look back at the warehouse, each of them burning with a different kind of anger inside. Apart from the occasional car the area around the warehouse was practically deserted.
‘How d’you know they’re not going to take Ricky with them tonight?’ asked Theo.
‘I heard Tom trying to persuade the rest to leave Ricky behind. He said Ricky would only be in the way.’
‘Did he succeed?’
‘I hope so. We’ll soon find out,’ Angela replied. ‘Scott … Scott mentioned something about taking Ricky with them to use as a hostage in case anything went wrong.’
Theo stared at her. Fear like a giant wave crashed over him, leaving him breathless.
‘But maybe Tom managed to change his mind,’ Angela continued desperately.
Silence. Theo took a deep breath.
‘Come on. Let’s get Ricky out of there,’ Theo said at last.
Cautiously, they both approached the warehouse. Theo looked up and down the street. No one seemed to be watching them.
‘Are you sure they haven’t posted a lookout?’ Theo whispered.
Angela looked up and down the street as well. ‘I don’t see anyone.’
They peered down the side alleyway where the ventilator shaft was situated. Two cars were there now which hadn’t been there before. One was a metallic grey hatchback. The other was dark blue, but Theo couldn’t see what make of car it was. After a brief look at each other, Angela and Theo tiptoed down the alley.
‘Oh, no! Look!’ Theo pointed when they were a couple of metres away from the grille.
Angela saw at once what the problem was. The metallic grey car was parked too close to the grille. It would be a real battle to try and get the grille off, let alone squeeze into the tiny space left between the car and the ventilator shaft.
‘What do we do now?’ Angela whispered.
Theo’s eyes narrowed with determination. ‘We don’t give up. Not now we’re so close.’
Reluctantly, Angela nodded.
‘Come on, Angela.’ Theo beckoned, moving forward.
They both eased their way between the car and the wall. Leaning back against the car’s front wheel arch, Theo interlaced his fingers into the grille. He could get his fingers into the mesh all right, but he was so close to it, he couldn’t get enough force behind his attempts to pull.
‘Help then!’ Theo urged.
Angela tried, but it was no use. The grille didn’t budge.
‘We’re going to have to think of something else,’ Angela sighed.
On the main road, someone coughed, then sneezed violently.
‘Why don’t you get something for that?’ a man’s voice asked irritably. ‘You’ve been coughing all over us for the last two days.’
Angela’s eyes widened with horror.
‘Move! Quick!’ she hissed.
‘What’s the ma …?’
‘MOVE!’ she ordered urgently, pushing Theo away from her.
Theo fell onto his hands and crawled away as fast as he could.
‘What’s going …?’
‘Quick! Please …’ Angela implored.
Theo ducked behind the grey car, immediately followed by Angela. They both squatted down as low as possible between the two cars, just as footsteps turned into the alleyway.
‘I don’t like it, Dylan. What’s Robbie up to in there?’ A man’s voice accompanied the sets of footsteps that turned into the alleyway.
‘I don’t know and I ain’t gonna ask,’ came the reply.
‘Who …?’ Theo began.
Angela shook her head quickly, her finger over her lips. She turned and pointed to the second car behind them. Theo nodded. He peeped his head out from his side of the car. It seemed all clear. The two men must be walking on the other side of the alleyway. He could see the swinging arm and shoulder of one of the men and the side of his face but that was it. To be honest, Theo didn’t want to see any more than that. He beckoned with his head and started crawling alongside the second car. The men were still talking and getting closer and closer. Theo was so busy concentrating on the men behind him that he didn’t see the sharp piece of rubble beneath him – but his knee felt it. He only just managed to bite his lip in time to stop himself from crying out. Theo raised his knee slightly, brushing the debris off his jeans. He wasn’t surprised when his hand came away smeared with red. His knee was bleeding. Grimacing at the pain, Theo carried on moving until he reached the back of the second car with Angela only moments behind him. They both sat back against the car, making themselves as low as possible.
‘What’s Robbie going to do with the boy?’ the first man asked.
‘Dunno,’ Dylan replied, brusquely.
‘I hope he’s not stupid enough to bring him along,’ said the first man.
‘Look at it from Robbie’s point of view. That boy knows all our plans, everything we’re up to – and he’s seen our faces …’ Dylan’s words trailed away into silence.
‘But he can’t hurt us after tonight. Besides, who’d take the word of a boy over four grown-ups?’ the first voice argued.
‘I don’t like it any better than you,’ said Dylan. And from the sound of his voice, he really didn’t. ‘But are you going to argue with Robbie? ’Cause I sure as hell ain’t.’ Then the same man had a coughing fit.
Theo didn’t realize he was holding his breath until his chest started to hurt. And still he didn’t dare to breathe. The pain in his knee was sharp and intense, his lungs were aching fit to burst and he didn’t dare twitch an eyelid.
‘Let it go,’ Dylan continued. ‘Unless you’ve got a death wish.’
‘But that boy …’
‘That boy is none of our concern. And we’d better not still be here when Robbie comes out or we’ll be in trouble ourselves,’ Dylan interrupted.
Theo heard a clunk, then the sound of car doors opening.
‘I still don’t like it – not one little …’ The rest of what the first man was saying was cut off by the car door slamming. Moments later the engine started. Only then did Theo release his breath in an audible hiss, dragging air into his tortured lungs with the next gasp.
‘We’ve got to move – fast,’ Theo whispered as he turned to Angela.
Angela stared straight ahead, tears overflowing from her eyes and running down her cheeks to drip onto her lap.
‘Angela …?’
‘That was Dylan who got into the car,’ Angela whispered. ‘Dylan and my brother, Tom …’
Chapter Sixteen
Gotcha!
‘ANGELA? ANGELA, LISTEN to me,’ Theo pleaded. ‘Your brother’s all right. He’s safe, but you heard what
they said. Ricky isn’t. D’you hear me?’
‘Tom said he wasn’t really involved, he said he was just helping with the planning … but he’s up to his neck in all this,’ Angela sobbed.
‘Your brother’s not up to his neck. He passed that when they kidnapped Ricky. He’s in way, way over his head,’ Theo argued. ‘Angela, you’ve got to help me. We don’t have much time.’
‘He lied to me. Tom lied to me …’
Theo squatted down in front of Angela, took her by the arms and shook her.
‘Angela, help me – please.’
Angela looked straight through him.
‘Right then. I’ll do it myself. You sit there!’ Theo said, angrily.
He leaped up and ran over to the grille. The grey car had gone so now he could use all his strength to pull it off – and he needed to get the grille off in a hurry. From what Dylan and Tom had said, Robbie would be out next and he was the very last person Theo wanted to meet. He had to get to Ricky. Theo interlaced his fingers in the grille and pulled as hard as he could. Nothing happened. He tugged harder, leaning back so that his whole weight could be used to pull the grille off. The metal bit into his fingers even worse than before but Theo couldn’t give up. Not now. Angela laced her fingers into the grille and pulled alongside Theo. Theo looked at her, then got back to the task in hand.
‘Really pull – after three,’ Theo panted. ‘One …’
‘Two …’
‘Three!’
There came a faint grating sound and then the grille flew off its mounting. Angela and Theo ended up sprawled on the ground, still clutching the grille.
‘Let’s get going,’ Theo said, disentangling himself.
He took a deep breath, then another, before crawling into the shaft. He wasn’t looking forward to being in that musty, dusty, cramped space again, but now not just minutes but seconds counted.
‘Theo, help!’
Theo turned his head to see Angela struggling with the grille. Making himself as small as possible, Theo turned around. He and Angela struggled to pull the grille back on. Theo’s fingers were already red raw from pulling at the grille but he couldn’t risk Robbie or anyone else coming out of the warehouse and noticing something was wrong. With one last effort, he and Angela heaved the grille back in place.