“My mum talked about this loads of times,” said Ben. “I guess the old man could’ve been saying fleur-de-lis.”
“And when he said seek, he was really trying to say secret,” Jason went on. “The secret drawer. Will... it will… damn them all… seek… fleur-de-lis. That’s what he meant – find the tape in the secret drawer, behind the fleur-de-lis, and you’ll learn the truth about the will. It’ll damn them all – the Cobalts that is.”
Ben paused for a moment. “This is all starting to stack up – but where do you two come into it?”
“I hate the Cobalts even more than you do,” said Jason. “They killed my mum and they’ve got my sister Lauren locked up, in the same chamber where George died. Lauren’s used the other side of the tape to make some secret recordings of the Cobalts, admitting what they did.”
“What about the police?” said Ben. “I guess you’ve told them about all this.”
Jason shook his head. “No. Listen, there’s a reason why I’m in this wig. I’m not a girl, I’m a boy. My friend is a girl though. We’re both from a children’s home. I have to wear this disguise ’cos the Cobalts are after us – and we’ve been framed by Maxine Knaggs, their crooked copper friend. That’s why we can’t go to the police.”
By now, Kate’s complexion had returned to its normal colour. “What was your mother called?”
“Anna Fleeting.”
“Yes, I remember that name,” Kate said. “Wasn’t there a murder, two or three years ago – a nurse, and her body was found in Oswaldley Beck? That must’ve been terrible for you.”
“I remember that too,” said Ben. “My mum knew Anna Fleeting from way back. They used to work at the same hospital.”
“This is the craziest thing ever,” said Kate. “Just imagine if I did get to own Ravenstone.”
“You’d be the lady of the manor!” said Ben.
“It’s not that,” said Kate. “Think about it. We could all move in there, the whole band. The manor has a farm too. We could plant things, work the land, be self-sufficient.”
“You and Nikki would be well into that,” said Ben. “But what about the band? The music?”
“We could all give up our day jobs,” Kate went on. “And we could turn the drawing room into a recording studio. That way you can do your music pretty much full-time.”
“And we’ll still be famous one day!” said Ben with a broad smirk. “We’ll all live off the land till then! Now you’re talking.” He looked again at Jason and Echo. “But what’s all this about a crooked copper?”
“Never mind that just now,” said Kate. “I think these kids are telling the truth but I’m gonna get a second opinion.” She turned to the stage, beckoning to Matt and Nikki. “Hey, you guys.”
By now Ben was glancing across towards the big white van where a few stragglers queued up for fish and chips.
“Isn’t that Amber Clarke over there?” he said. “Give me a minute.”
Kate glowered. “Why the sudden interest in her?”
“We want to nail the Cobalts, don’t we?” Ben answered. “I’ve had an idea, that’s all.”
As he began to make his way to the chip van, Matt and Nikki leapt down from the stage to join Kate.
“Wassup?” said Matt, taking off his hat and sunglasses.
“Bit of a long story,” said Kate. “But I’ve got a test for you.” She pointed away from the stage. “Walk over there, write something down then come back – but keep it a secret. Go on, I’ll tell you soon enough what it’s all about.”
Raising an eyebrow in bewilderment, Nikki took a pen and piece of paper from the CD box. She and Matt wandered a safe distance away where they began to write.
“We’ve got to concentrate,” Jason told Kate.
He took Echo’s hand and they closed their eyes to begin another gewita. Jason felt a prickly attack of pins and needles as his astral self drifted away with Echo’s to spy on Matt and Nikki.
“Okay I’ve thought of something,” said Nikki, writing The owl and the pussycat went to sea in a beautiful pea-green boat.
Jason read it aloud then he and Echo came out of the gewita, floating back to their physical bodies in the present, waiting for Matt and Nikki to return. Then everything unfolded as before, with Echo repeating the exact words.
“Wow!” said Nikki, a bemused expression on her pretty, freckled face.
Matt seemed to have lost the power of speech, his mouth half-open. Kate then told her friends the whole story, about the psychic girl and all she’d seen. They both seemed very convinced.
“This is so unreal,” said Nikki, interrupting the long silence. “But what are we gonna do about it? Storm the manor and take the tape?”
“Great idea!” said Jason. “We could set my sister free at the same time!”
Kate held up a restraining hand. “Hold on. What are we talking about here? Some big brawl with the Cobalts?”
“Why not?” said Nikki.
“Because I hate violence.”
“Really?” said Nikki. “You were quite a tomboy scrapper when you were a kid.”
“That was ages ago.”
“What about last year?” Nikki went on. “When I went with you on that protest, campaigning against the new bypass? Plenty of pushing and shoving there as I remember, but you didn’t mind getting stuck in.”
“That was different,” Kate said.
“I think Kate’s right,” added Matt.
As he spoke, Ben sauntered up to rejoin the gathering. “Right about what?”
“That we shouldn’t be raiding the manor and getting into a scrap with the Cobalts.”
Ben shook his head. “I dunno, Matt. Three years studying archaeology has turned you soft.”
“But…”
“I’m only winding you up,” Ben interrupted. “There’s no need for a big scrap. Listen to this. I’ve just spoken to Amber Clarke. Remember when we saw her the other day, Nikki? She said she was going to Ravenstone Manor tonight, dressed as a bride of Dracula, to give Kevin Cobalt a vampire kiss at his birthday bash.”
“I remember,” said Nikki. “What of it?”
“Scott Cobalt hired Amber through an agency, so he’s no idea who to expect,” Ben continued. “The agency told Amber that Kevin’s heavily into horror films and all that stuff. They also told her the Cobalts are going to leave the main gates open tonight, and lock their guard dog in its cage – ’cos they’re expecting loads of guests. ’Course, I didn’t tell Amber why I was asking all this.”
“I still don’t get you,” Nikki said.
“It means that we can crash the party,” said Ben. “One of us, anyway. How’s about this for an idea – we’ll send in our own vampire woman! Amber isn’t due there till 9.30 tonight, but our bride of Dracula can turn up a bit earlier. Once she’s inside she can sneak away to the chamber and get the tape!”
“And my sister!” said Jason. “Except the chamber’s got a big metal door on it now, with a huge lock. You can’t get in through the window either. There are bars, and a shutter, with electricity going through them. Touch them and you’re toast.”
Ben’s eyes were narrow, his expression tense. “Are you sure about all this?”
“We’d best go with it,” said Kate. “Looks like these kids have been right about everything else.”
Ben was deep in thought, and didn’t speak for several moments.
“Okay, change of plan,” he said at last. “Kate, we know Ravenstone Manor pretty well, right? And we know how to open that secret drawer. Also, if you go past the chamber door and down the passage you come to a cellar – remember? In the cellar is the main fusebox for the whole building. All our vampire has to do is open it up and take out the fuse for the electric bars and shutter.”
The light had begun to dawn in Matt’s eyes. “I get it. Then there’ll be no current going through them!”
“You catch on quick,” said Ben. “They’ll be perfectly safe. The rest of us can be hiding outside, near the chamber
window. We’ll have crowbars with us, and a couple of ropes. Once the fuse is out we can jemmy the bars and shutter then break the window. I’ll go down into the chamber on one of the ropes and I’ll bung the door-lock somehow, so the Cobalts can’t get at me. Then I’ll open the secret drawer and take the tape. If these kids are right and there’s a girl in there, I can rescue her using the other rope.”
Jason was definitely liking the sound of this idea.
“Hang on though,” said Matt. “Who’s going to be our vampire?”
“I can’t do it,” said Kate. “The Cobalts know me. Scott’ll remember me from when he was Uncle George’s farm manager, not to mention the funeral.”
“But you’ll be in disguise,” Matt pointed out.
“It’s still too risky,” said Kate. “Scott isn’t totally stupid. If the Cobalts do recognise me, it’ll blow the whole plan.”
“Pity Guy and Deena have done a runner,” Matt said. “Deena would’ve been perfect for the job.”
“Why’s that?” asked Jason.
“Guy and Deena are in a kick-boxing club,” Matt told him. “They’re dead good at it too. Deena definitely knows how to look after herself.”
“Why don’t I ring them?” said Kate.
She took out her mobile, scrolling through her saved numbers before pressing the send button. Getting no reply, she tried a different number. Still no luck. She made two more calls, having a short conversation each time.
“Deena’s mobile’s switched off,” she said. “So is Guy’s. I tried their landlines but their families have no idea where they are. Well done, Ben, you’ve really hacked them off this time.”
“They could be anywhere by now,” observed Matt.
“Thanks, that’s very helpful,” said Ben with an impatient sigh. “Okay, so Kate can’t do it and Deena’s split. Who does that leave?” He looked closely at Matt and Nikki. “Pretending to be a vampire kissogram is a job that calls for acting skills. Didn’t you two have drama lessons when you were younger? Yes, I remember now. You were both in the school play, and you weren’t bad either.”
“You’re joking, aren’t you?” said Matt with a nervous laugh. “I can’t do it!”
Ben groaned. “I didn’t mean you, doofus.”
Suddenly all eyes were on Nikki.
“All right, guys,” she said. “I can see which way this is heading.”
“But is tonight such a good idea?” said Matt. “If there’s a party going on, there’ll be loads of people about – all friends of the Cobalts. I say we pull a different stunt on a different night.”
“No, tonight’s perfect,” said Ben. “The Cobalts will be off their guard. Any other time and they’ll probably have security alarms on or something. I’ve already told you – the gates’ll be open, and the dog locked up in its cage.”
“But what if it all goes wrong and things start to get ugly?” Matt went on.
“We’ll take a bunch of friends with us,” Ben replied. “As many as we can find. We’ll all hide nearby while Nikki goes in – then we can help her out, if it comes to it. Nikki, you’ll need to think of some excuse to sneak away to the cellar.”
“This idea sucks,” said Matt. “Wouldn’t it be better just to call the police?”
“I’ve already told Kate and Ben,” said Jason. “Scott Cobalt’s girlfriend is a crooked cop. If we tell the police, she’ll find out and tip the Cobalts off.”
“And the police won’t believe all this psychic malarkey,” said Ben. “Anyway, they can’t search the manor without a warrant. We don’t want to be messing about with stuff like that.”
“Okay then, what’s the plan from here?” asked Nikki.
“Not far from Ravenstone Manor is a farm called Fallowcroft Grange,” Ben told her. “Just near there is a small concrete building, an old army pill box from the Second World War. That’s where we’ll meet. Nikki, there’s a fancy dress shop in town. We’ll go there first and get you fixed up.”
“This sounds great,” said Jason. “Any chance of a lift to this pill box thingy?”
“Having a laugh, aren’t you?” said Ben. “No way can we take a couple of kids with us.”
“Why not?” said Jason. “My friend isn’t just psychic, she’s a brilliant fighter too. Anyway, we’re the ones who told you all this.”
“It wouldn’t be very responsible of us,” said Kate. “Leading children into danger. Leave us the number of this home where you live and we’ll give you a call when the job’s done.”
Jason realised there was no point in arguing. He borrowed Ben’s pen, writing a false telephone number down on the piece of paper Nikki had used earlier.
“You’d better shoot back to this children’s home of yours,” said Ben. “And don’t breathe a word to anyone.”
“Thanks for everything,” said Kate, taking the piece of paper from Jason and putting it in her pocket. “We won’t forget this.”
“Okay, everybody,” said Ben. “Right now we’ve got to sort out the gear.”
Jason and Echo walked away as the four band members climbed back onto the stage.
“I do not understand,” said Echo. “Surely you wish to be at the manor when your sister is rescued.”
Jason waited until they were out of earshot. He glanced back towards the stage where Kate and the others were busy dismantling the equipment.
“’Course I do,” he said. “Except they won’t let us. But the way I see it, they don’t have a choice. Ben’s already told us where they’re meeting up, hasn’t he?”
Echo smiled as they exchanged knowing looks. “I am beginning to understand.”
“We’ve just got to be at the same place, at the same time,” Jason went on. “Then they’ll have to let us join in. But first we’ll head back into town. I never want to be a girl, ever again. I’ll buy a new pair of trousers and then we’ll take another look at the map.”
– CHAPTER TWELVE –
The Pill Box
Jason bought himself a pair of jeans from a large supermarket near the town centre. He decided to keep his new trousers in the carrier bag for the time being. He wanted to get out of Hazelby, and to Ben’s meeting place, before changing out of his disguise. He checked the map, trying to work out which bus route went closest to Ravenstone Manor.
“If there’s a bus from Hazelby to Oswaldley it’ll probably stop near the golf club,” he said to Echo. “The old army pill box shouldn’t be too far from there.”
They hurried to the bus station. Jason looked at the timetables, relieved to see there was a service to Oswaldley. The next bus was due in about thirty-five minutes.
“We’ll wait here,” he said.
They both sat on a nearby seat where Jason spent more time studying the map. Eventually he found what he was looking for; the farm called Fallowcroft Grange, about a mile from the point where the main road passed Easthorpe Golf Club.
The bus appeared later than expected, a double-decker this time. Jason paid for the tickets then led Echo up the steps to the top deck. Half an hour later they arrived at the stop before the golf club where they both dashed off the bus. They were on familiar ground now, not far from the wheat field where Scott and Tiffany had chased them the day before.
“We’ve got to be really careful,” Jason said. “We can’t risk the Cobalts or the police seeing us, even though they’re not looking for two girls.”
They crossed the main road and scrambled through the hedge at the opposite side. Jason took another look at the map. He and Echo then stayed behind the hedge, following it until they came to the corner of the field. Here they climbed an iron gate to find themselves on a narrow road. Jason pointed left.
“This way.”
They’d followed the road for almost half a mile before they heard a car. They darted across the verge and into a clump of bushes. Only when the car had disappeared did they come out of hiding, soon arriving at a crossroads where they headed straight on. Eventually the road petered out at a T-junction. To the right,
a rutted track wound around a tree-lined corner and out of sight.
“Fallowcroft Grange must be that way,” said Jason. “But never mind that, we’re looking for the pill box.”
To the left was another rough track, though Jason and Echo didn’t go that far. Through gaps in the high hedge they could see the outline of a small, squat structure made of thick concrete. They stepped through a gateway for a closer look at the building. Grass grew from its roof and in the nearest wall were two peepholes, each the size of a letterbox.
“This has to be it,” Jason said.
Echo followed as he walked around the pill box, seeing similar peepholes in the other three walls. Joined onto the building was another concrete wall, in an L shape, protecting the low doorway.
“Why is it named a pill box?” Echo asked.
For once Jason couldn’t answer her question.
“Haven’t a clue,” he said with a shrug.
He looked up. The sky was dark and angry now, threatening rain.
“Let us explore,” Echo said.
She was first through the doorway, with Jason close behind. The only light came in through the peepholes and it took some time before Jason’s eyes got used to the gloom. The air inside the pill box was cool and damp, the floor littered with straw and old tin cans. Faded graffiti on the roughened walls suggested the building was once the headquarters of some teenage gang. Jason stood on tiptoes to look out through one of the peepholes, then he checked his watch.
“We might have to wait a while,” he said. “But at least we can get changed now.”
They stood back-to-back, as they’d done at the old farm. Jason took off his hat with hair, then his trainers and the hooded top, and finally the dress. Echo dropped the sweatshirt and tee-shirt at his feet. Quickly he put them on, then his new jeans. Once he’d fastened his trainers he turned around. By now Echo was back in the hoodie and her dress, which she’d let fall to cover the top of her hiking trousers.
“Much better,” said Jason, scratching his head where the wig had been. “A boy again!”
Echo McCool, Outlaw Through Time Page 15