Read Online Blue's Revenge by Deborah Abela - Free Book Online Page B

digging into him.
    â€˜Uncle Ben.’ Max stared into his eyes. ‘That’s not true.’
    â€˜But I should have –’
    Max interrupted. ‘I’ve watched this video againand again and as much as I don’t want to admit it, you and I couldn’t have done anything. Not with the way it happened. But the thing is, it doesn’t make me feel any better. I just want her back.’
    Ben’s strong arms pulled Max into a warm hug. ‘Me too.’
    Max held onto her uncle like she was falling and holding onto him was the only thing stopping her from crashing to the ground.
    Linden and Eleanor poked their heads in from the hallway.
    â€˜Can we come in?’
    â€˜Yes,’ Max snuffled. ‘I’d like that.’
    Linden noticed the tray. ‘Don’t blame you for not wanting that. When it comes to cheese on toast, Ben needs a few lessons.’
    â€˜I didn’t know it was such an art.’ Ben raised his eyebrows.
    â€˜Oh, it is.’ Linden replied importantly. ‘And only a few of us ever really master it.’
    Ben slugged Linden with a pillow and Max smiled as it landed on his head. Linden was about to retaliate when they heard a small beeping noise come from Eleanor’s pocket. She pulled out her palm computer and switched it on.
    â€˜It’s Steinberger.’
    The now-familiar feeling of panic barged its way into Max’s chest.
    â€˜Hello, all. How are you?’ Steinberger’s face appeared on a direct link from Spyforce HQ in London.
    â€˜Better,’ Eleanor replied for them. ‘We’re eager to hear what you’ve learnt.’
    â€˜Yes, of course you are. We are very close to discovering the identities of the kidnappers, but I’m afraid until we have conclusive proof we can’t say any more.’ He saw Max’s face fall. ‘Sorry, Max, but we do have something else.’
    Steinberger’s face was replaced by the image of a newsreader. She sat beside a background picture of Mr Blue with a caption beneath that said, ‘Tragic Death’.
    Eleanor turned up the volume as the others huddled around the computer.
    â€˜â€¦ Prison wardens say they aren’t sure how the fire started, but a full investigation into the tragedy will be launched immediately. This report from Jack Keenan.’
    A suited and windswept journalist appeared on the screen. ‘This is Blacksea Penitentiary, where a little after noon today a fire broke out in the cafeteria as the prisoners were sitting down to lunch.Wardens immediately began fire drill procedures, rounding up the men and quickly escorting them to assembly areas. But it was the heroism of one man that attracted the attention of the guards.’
    A prison guard with his shirt and tie undone and his face and hair wiped through with soot spoke next.
    â€˜It has to be the bravest thing I’ve ever seen. He kept going back into the burning building and carrying men out over his shoulders.’ The guard wiped his eyes. ‘The last time he went in, he never came out. I’ll never forget it as long as I live.’
    Linden watched the screen, as mystified as the others about Blue’s supposed heroics. ‘What’s going on? Blue wouldn’t save his own grandmother from a fire.’
    The reporter then went on to describe Blue’s achievements and successes. Ben sniffed at the mention of Blue’s great work at the Department of Science and New Technologies.
    Max listened to the tributes and awards as well as praise for his work with charities and animal conservation.
    â€˜I guess they’re not going to mention the bit about why he was in prison,’ Linden scoffed.
    The report finished with mourners placingflowers outside a white, nondescript Georgian flat in London, supposedly Blue’s house, which was fringed with brightly coloured window boxes and had the appearance of no megalomaniac ever having lived there.
    Linden spoke up