Read Online The Ideas Pirates by Hazel Edwards - Free Book Online Page B

turned towards Amy. ‘Did someone give you something to carry on board?’
    Amy’s heart sank. Mum had warned her NEVER to carry anything on board for a stranger. And she’d forgotten. ‘ The e disc. At Changi Airport.’
    â€˜Where is it now?’
    â€˜Here, in my bag. ‘ Amy pulled out Edwina, and the disc was underneath. “We could play it on a portable player if anyone has one. But you couldn’t fit anything like orchids inside. It’s much thinner than Sebastian’s cassette.’
    â€˜Seeds fit in small places.’ warned Gloria. ‘Don’t ever accept anything to carry on board. Don’t become a courier of illegal goods, even by mistake.’
    Gloria examined the disc. It was dark in the cabin now so she switched the light button on Amy’s seat. A beam of light hit the disc.
    â€˜What about the business card? The one for the radio station?’ suggested Christopher turning over the original card. That was the only clue they had.
    Just then, an attendant stopped beside Gloria with a message. ‘Excuse me, you’re needed up front. A radio message.’
    â€˜I’ll be back later. They’ll be turning on the lights soon, so settle down and get some sleep.’
    Amy couldn’t sleep. She felt miserable. She knew she shouldn’t have taken the disk but she didn’t have a choice. He just pushed it at her. But she could have told someone like Gloria, earlier.
    â€˜Cheer up,’ whispered Christopher. ‘It was my fault too.’
    â€œYes, it was. A dumb thing for you two to do.’ Winston just had to have the last word.
    â€˜Shut up, you Fruitcake!’ muttered the twins. Winston decided to return then to his proper seat but he went the long way around. Amy watched him go up the aisle past Fifi and that gave her an idea. She slipped out of her seat and tapped Fifi on the shoulder.
    â€˜Excuse me....’
    â€˜Yes darlingk.’ Fifi turned.
    â€˜Would you have a portable player in your hand luggage?’
    In her hurry, Gloria had left the e disk behind.
    â€˜Of course darlingk.’
    â€˜Would you mind if I borrowed it to check something? I’ll only play it while we’re cruising. And I’ll return it before we start to descend.’’
    â€˜Help yourself darlingk. I’m going to have a snooze.’
    â€˜Thank you.’
    Amy took the player back to Christopher. It was time for the sleuthing twins to act.

    Later, Gloria confirmed the twins’ findings. They turned the sound down, so other passengers couldn’t hear.
    â€˜Yes. It’s a master disc which can be copied by pirates. Well done twins.’ Gloria looked pleased.
    â€˜Now all we’ve got to find out, is who it was intended for?’
    â€˜It is more than just music?’ asked Amy.
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜It is the Slipper Orchid pop group, isn’t it?’ asked Christopher.
    â€˜Yes, but it’s more than just one song. It’s the entire soundtrack of their new film ‘Slipper Orchids’ which hasn’t been released overseas yet. It’s worth millions to thieves who want to sell copies illegally. Describe the man who gave it to you.’
    Amy tried, but it had been so fast. ‘He looked sort of ordinary. Average height. Ordinary voice.
    Christopher, you’re the artist. You draw him .’
    â€˜I hardly saw him, except later when he was running.” Christopher flicked on his overhead light and pulled out his sketch pad. ‘But I did take a photo of him, from behind with my old camera. Not the digital one. I’ve got the film here. I’ve just finished it.’ He felt in his pocket and brought out a film.
    Gloria took it.’ We’ll get that developed for you. Why do you think he gave the e disc to you?’
    â€˜I don’t know. I’ve never seen him before in my life!’ Amy replied.
    â€˜D’you think it was something to do with