Read Online In Too Deep - 39 Clues 06 by Jude Watson - Free Book Online Page B

Isabel said, turning and waving a hand. "I am about results. And now we've been defeated.
    By the Tomas. Unacceptable!"Isabel's narrow, toned shoulders lifted up, then down. When she turned around, her expression was calm.
    Not that her face ever showed much emotion. Isabel kept the best plastic surgeons in London very busy. She'd been pulled, pricked, smoothed, and plumped.
    Natalie wished her mother wasn't quite so obsessed, but she guessed that once you were in your forties, it was a gigantic amount of work to keep yourself up."The thing is, Irina, th is isn't the first time you've failed to achieve our objectives," she said. "You're slipping. You're ... well, frankly, you're old."
    "Reminder," Irina said. "We are the same age.""Old thinking," Isabel said. "You don't keep up. You were once the best spy in the business. I give you that. But if you don't shape up, you're going to be out. Do you understand? It's crunch time, as the Americans say.
    There is no such thing as failure for a Kabra."
    "Don't you mean, no such thing as failure for the Lucians?" Irina asked.
    Isabel looked uncertain for a moment. "Of course that is what I meant."
    "Because this contest is about power for the Lucian Cahills, not the Kabra family," Irina said. "Unless I've been misinformed.""Well, naturally." Isabel's fingers drummed on her leg.
    Somehow, Irina had succeeded in making Mummy uncomfortable. Isabel flicked a piece of lint off her dress as though it were a missile. Natalie hoped her mother would demolish Irina, or they'd be in for a very bad afternoon."And I would also argue that perhaps Kabras do know failure occasionally," Irina continued, keeping her voice bland. "Your children, for example."You hateful witch, Natalie thought. She waited for Ian to say something,
    but he was like a statue next to her.
    Irina smiled. "It seems that Amy and Dan Cahill have bested them at every turn. How many clues have you two collected?" she a sked.
    "I mean, the two of you, alone. How many?" She put a finger to her temple.
    "Let me think ... oh, I remember! One.""Mummy!" Natalie half rose. "She can't talk to us that way!"Irina turned back to Isabel.
    "The truth is that those two have turned out to be much smarter than we expected. And what if they discover what really happened to their parents?
    Now, they are resourceful. If they have an even gre ater reason to win-revenge - they will be dangerous.
    "Suddenly, Isabel undid the clasp of the jade necklace and threw it at Irina's feet."That is what I think of those Cahills. Not to mention your ridiculous obsession with Grace Cahill. She was a batty old lady who thought she knew best.
    Well, she and her grandchildren won't get in our way-- no matter how much they know."Irina picked up the necklace. She ran her fingers along the carved dragon in the center.
    "You thought it was important," Isabel said. "Another one of your mistakes. I had it thoroughly checked this morning.
    It's just a necklace. A cheap piece of sentimentality that the girl clings to. It was a waste of my time to steal it. Well, I'm done wasting time. Now, if you could manage to do one simple thing." Isabel tossed her cell phone to Irina. "Call the Fixer.
    "Who's the Fixer? Natalie wondered.
    Irina cleared her throat. "I am no lo nger sure of his reliability."
    "Of course he's reliable," Isabel countered. "We've used him many times. Tell him I'm in Sydney and I need a few things. I'll contact him later with a list."Isabel picked up her purse. "Ian, Natalie. Come.
    We're going shopping."Natalie popped up.
    At last!"Let yourself out, Irina."The door slammed behind them. Natalie had to practically skip to keep up with her mother's fast pace.
    "Irina is just jealous of you," she said. "She wants to be leader, and she's just hopeless at it.""Right," Ian said. Natalie shot him a look. He was supposed to sound enthusiastic. Isabel counted on them for support.
    She expected her mother to smile and agree, but Isabel just stabbed the elevator button.