Read Online The Case of the Vanished Sea Dragon by Gareth P. Jones - Free Book Online Page B

in the ancient language of Dragonspeak, he asked the rock beneath his feet to take Alba and him down to the banks of the Outer Core. The rock, being rock, obliged unquestioningly and lowered the two dragons into the ground.
    â€˜And good luck with your detecting,’ said Fairfax as they disappeared.

Chapter Fourteen

    Archie and Holly hid behind a wall, watching Mr Bigsby wait at the bus stop. ‘I can’t believe you’re following your dad now?’ said Archie.
    â€˜You can leave any time you want,’ replied Holly curtly.
    â€˜Do you always spend your Saturdays like this or is it because it’s the holidays?’ Archie chuckled, clearly enjoying himself.
    â€˜Shh,’ hushed Holly. ‘He might hear us.’
    The bus arrived and Mr Bigsby waved wildly at it, as though worried it might not stop. As he got on he looked uncertain how to pay.
    â€˜I’m not sure he’s ever been on a bus before,’ said Holly.
    â€˜I knew you were posh.’ Archie grinned, his hair falling over his brow.
    â€˜Come on,’ she said.
    They jumped over the wall and ran to the bus before the doors closed. Archie got on after her. Her dad had gone up to the top deck. They sat downstairs at the back.
    â€˜So, are you going to tell me why we’re following your dad?’ asked Archie.
    â€˜I don’t trust the man he works for.’
    â€˜Why? Who’s he work for?’
    â€˜Brant Buchanan. He’s a billionaire. Dad only took the job because Big Hair kept going on at him.’
    â€˜You don’t like your stepmum, do you?’
    â€˜She’s not any kind of mum. She’s just his big-haired wife,’ replied Holly.
    Archie grinned. ‘She has got big hair. It’s like a bird’s nest.’
    â€˜A big bird’s nest,’ agreed Holly.
    â€˜Yeah, an ostrich’s or an emu’s. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s an egg in there.’
    Holly laughed and they spent the rest of the journey joking about what other wonders might lurkinside Big Hair’s big hair. They were on the same bus that Holly and Archie took to school. When it passed Gristle Street Comp the empty school looked drabber and more rundown than ever. It felt strange not to get off at the usual stop. A few stops later Holly suddenly went quiet and ducked, dragging Archie behind the seat as well.
    â€˜He’s getting off,’ she whispered.
    â€˜Shouldn’t we follow him?’ he asked.
    â€˜Not yet. We need to keep our distance,’ she said, waiting until the driver was shutting the doors before jumping up and shouting, ‘Hold on, we’re getting off.’
    Waiting to cross the road, Mr Bigsby didn’t notice his daughter and her friend dive behind the bus shelter. Instead, his attention was drawn by a small crowd of protesters standing on the opposite side, outside two large silver gates. The twenty or so protesters held placards with slogans that read:
    ANIMALS HAVE RIGHTS TOO!
    DUMB ANIMALS WORK FOR GLOBAL SANDS!
    EXPERIMENT ON BRANT BUCHANAN
INSTEAD!
    A couple of sturdy-looking policemen stood between them and the gates.
    â€˜This must be the lab I read about,’ said Holly.
    Her dad crossed the road at a zebra crossing. She waited until he was all the way across before following. He didn’t go through the crowd, towards the silver gates, but walked straight past them instead. He stopped and looked around. Holly and Archie dived into the crowd to avoid being seen. One of the protestors had a loudhailer and was making a speech.
    â€˜â€¦ Brant Buchanan sits up there in his ivory tower. Well, I’ve got news for you, Mr Buchanan. Ivory is illegal in this country and when we knock down your tower you’ll come tumbling down to earth.’
    To Archie this sounded like a load of clever words that didn’t really mean anything, but the other protestors seemed to enjoy it and cheered loudly, waving their placards in the