by Andrew Cope
‘No way, José!’ said Dale, clutching the bag firmly to his well-padded chest.
Cliff laughed nervously. ‘Oh dear, you know what ladies are like about their handbags!’ he said to Mr Thompson in a man-to-man sort of way. ‘I’m sure I don’t know what they keep in them!’
Mr Thompson wasn’t fooled. He strolled casually over to his desk and looked inside. Then he spun round and faced the crooks. ‘OK, I’m on to you. Give me that plate, right NOW,’ he said in his fiercest voice. The one that usually made even the naughtiest Year Five quake.
Oh no! thought Lara. Now, he’s done it!
In the blink of an eye, Dale had grabbed Mr Thompson’s arm and twisted it hard behind his back. Mr Thompson struggled, but Dale was far too strong.
‘So you knew about the plate all along, did you?’ growled Dale. ‘Well, you’re too late. We’ve got it now – and we’ve got you too.’
Lara knew she had to do something. Hoping Ben wouldn’t follow her, she came out from under the table, growling and barking fiercely. Dale’s hand went into the pocket of his spotty dress and he pulled out his gun. ‘Shall I shut the dog up, bruv?’ he snarled, aiming at Lara’s head. Lara knew she was beaten.
‘It’s OK,’ said Mr Thompson desperately. ‘She’s a friendly dog, really, aren’t you, Lara? She won’t hurt you – or bark any more, will you, girl?’ Mr Thompson looked at Lara imploringly, begging her to save her own life.
Huh! I’ve got to act stupid or we’ll both be for it, thought Lara. She forced herself to wag her tail. Then she lay down and cocked her head on one side, trying to look as friendly as she could.
Cliff snorted. ‘Stupid mutt! What kind of dog is that? Not much use as a guard dog, is it? No use to anyone.’ Lara’s eyes narrowed, but she kept pretending.
But Dale remembered the last time they’d been in that classroom and the strange thing that had happened with those puppies – they had seemed friendly enough as well.
‘Come on, bruv,’ he said. ‘Let’s get going before anything else happens.’
The two men positioned themselves firmly on either side of Mr Thompson. ‘I’ll take the gun,’ said Cliff. ‘You look after the handbag – and be very, very careful with it, bruv – remember what I said.’
Cliff put the gun in his pocket, but held it so that it nudged against Mr Thompson’s ribs. ‘Right, you, get moving – you’re coming with us!’
The three walked together down the corridor as if they were the best of friends. Lara followed close behind. After they’d left the classroom, Ben crawled out from under the table and started to follow too.
I can’t raise the alarm, he thought desperately. They might open fire. What can I do? What can anyone do?
16. Hair Raising!
As Lara meekly followed Dale, Cliff and Mr Thompson down the corridor, she tried to calculate what might happen next. They won’t just let him go, that’s for sure. He knows too much. Their car must be parked in the road outside. I’m guessing they’ll take him with them. Ben and I can raise the alarm once they’ve gone, but it may be too late. Too late for Mr Thompson, that is …
‘Oh, hello there, Mr T! Glad to see you’ve managed to get dried off at last.’ A group of parents were walking down the corridor.
‘I have to say you’re a really good sport,’ said one of the dads. ‘I wouldn’t fancy doing something like that, would you?’ He included Cliff and Dale in his friendly smile.
Dale just scowled. Cliff nudged Mr Thompson with the barrel of his gun.
‘Well, thanks, um, yes, sorry, got to dash!’ said Mr Thompson rather wildly, and the three men carried on walking.
‘Don’t try any funny business,’ muttered Cliff in Mr Thompson’s ear. ‘No winks, no nods, no coded messages. If someone talks to you, act natural – but keep moving.’
‘OK,’ said Mr Thompson, ‘but it’s tricky. People will expect me to stop and chat.’
‘Well, you can’t, OK?’ said Cliff. ‘We’ve got places to go. Just do as I say – or else …’
This is unreal, thought Lara as they made their way out into the playground. There they were in the sunshine among all those friendly faces and no one but Lara and Ben realized that, at any minute, something truly terrible could happen. There are literally hundreds of people here who could help us – if only they knew what was going on!
The trio were heading towards the school gates now. In less than a minute they’d be gone. Suddenly the head teacher appeared from round the front of the parked fire engine. ‘Oh, Mr Thompson, I’m so sorry to bother you, but could you come with me to my office for a moment? I’ve got a little problem with the safe.’
For a moment the word ‘safe’ made Cliff’s eyes light up, but then he remembered that however much money was in the school safe, it would be nothing compared to the money they’d get from selling the contents of Dale’s handbag. He gave Mr Thompson a meaningful look.
‘N-no, sorry,’ said Mr Thompson. ‘I’m … I’m just showing these parents round. I can’t stop.’ He started to walk on, but the head teacher planted herself firmly in front of them. ‘I don’t believe we’ve met,’ she said, holding out her hand to Dale. ‘I’m Miss Lancaster, the school head.’
Dale was forced to release his grip on Mr Thompson for a second to shake hands. Remembering his disguise, Dale answered in his lady’s voice. ‘Charmed, I’m sure,’ he said. ‘I’m, er, Mrs … Gun.’ Cliff looked at him sharply. ‘I mean Gum, yes, Gum. Ha! Ha! Silly name, isn’t it? And this is my husband – er, well, oh, Mr Gum, of course!’
Now Miss Lancaster held out her hand to Cliff, who had to do some awkward manoeuvring to switch the gun into his other hand. Mr Thompson wondered if he should make a break for freedom, but he didn’t dare. It’s just too risky, especially with all these people about.
‘And who’s your son or daughter?’ asked the head pleasantly.
Cliff decided he’d better take over the talking. ‘He’s not at your school yet. We’re prospective parents, you see. Mr Thompson is just showing us round, aren’t you?’ Another dig in Mr Thompson’s ribs.
If I survive this I’ll be black and blue! thought Mr T.
Meanwhile Lara had suddenly had an idea. Leaving the unlikely looking threesome to talk to Miss Lancaster, she raced towards the ‘Hook the Duck’ stall, where children were trying to pick up little plastic ducks using long sticks with hooks on the end. Lara grabbed one of the sticks from a small boy and ran off with it in her mouth. Sorry! But this is a matter of life or death!
Ben watched her in surprise. What on earth is Lara going to do with that? he wondered.
Lara knew exactly what she was going to do. She was going to unmask the villains – using an element of surprise. It’s a gamble, but I’ve got to try it.
As the conversation with the head teacher continued, Lara climbed up the back of the parked fire engine and on to its roof, carrying the hooked stick in her mouth. Then she crawled over the roof and positioned herself just above where Dale was standing.
Ben realized in a flash what Lara was trying to do. ‘Let me help!’ he hissed and began to scramble up the back of the fire engine too.
Ben and Lara had been fishing together many times, but never quite like this. Lara knew that Ben was an expert with a fishing rod – and his aim would be more accurate than hers. She passed him the stick and he gently lowered the hook over Dale’s blonde wig and then, with a quick flick of his wrist, pulled it right off Dale’s head and landed it on top of the engine.
Dale was completely taken by surprise. He spun round so fast that his sunglasses fell off too. ‘Oi!’ he shouted in his normal voice. ‘Who’s had me wig?’
Cliff was surprised too. He jumped sideways, taking the gun out of his pocket so that, for a split second, it was aimed at Miss Lancaster instead.
Suddenly it was clear to the head teacher and everyone else nearby that Dale was not a tubby blonde woman at all, but
a very tough man in a dress, and that the man with the rather fake-looking ginger beard was holding an all-too-real-looking gun. Miss Lancaster screamed and Mr Thompson started to try to break free.
Dale was panicking, but Cliff was icy calm. He held the gun so it was pointing at Mr Thompson’s head.
‘Get in the fire engine, Dale,’ he said. ‘There’s been a change of plan.’
17. Where’s the Fire?
When Miss Lancaster agreed that the fire crew could come to the school fete she understood that they might have to leave in a hurry. She knew that the engine had to be parked facing the gates and that there must be no obstructions in its path to the road in case of an emergency. But she never imagined she would see it speeding off with one of her best young teachers sitting inside, sandwiched between two dangerous armed criminals. And even in her wildest dreams, she wouldn’t have thought that there would be a twelve-year-old boy and a black and white Spy Dog riding on top of the roof.
‘Stop! Stop! That’s my brother!’ shouted Sophie.
‘And our mum!’ woofed Spud and Star.
Sophie and the pups ran after the fire engine as it accelerated away, but they knew it was useless. By the time they reached the road, the engine was already out of sight. All they could hear was the wail of its siren as it disappeared into the distance.
After a moment of shocked silence, everyone in the playground began to talk and shout. One woman burst into tears. A few people had witnessed everything; others were asking questions. The whole thing grew more and more confused.
‘It was a man, in women’s clothes!’
‘He had a gun!’
‘Take cover, everyone!’
‘They’ve got Mr Thompson!’
‘Call the police!’
‘Was that Ben Cook on the roof?’
‘Where’s the fire?’
‘Evacuate the school!’
‘Mr Thompson’s gone mad. He’s dressed up in women’s clothes and stolen a fire engine!”
The fire crew were all enjoying strawberries and cream in the marquee when they heard the siren. They dropped their bowls and stampeded across the grass in their heavy boots, but they got there much too late.
Mr and Mrs Cook were horrified. Mr Cook wanted to jump in his car and chase after the engine – but then he remembered he’d left the car at home.
‘Don’t worry,’ said Sophie, trying to sound reassuring. ‘Remember, Lara’s trained to deal with every sort of danger. She’ll make sure that Ben’s OK.’
‘That’s right,’ said Spud to Star. ‘A Spy Dog knows no fear!’
But Ollie hugged Spud and gave Sophie’s hand a little squeeze. He knew they were just as anxious as everybody else.
At the wheel of the fire engine, Dale was having the time of his life.
‘Yeee-ha!’ he shouted as he floored the accelerator. ‘I’ve always wanted to drive one of these babies!’ It was his ideal vehicle. With the siren screaming and the lights flashing, every car on the road stopped to let him through. People even pulled over on to the verge and waved him past. ‘I love it! I could drive all day!’ he yelled above the noise.
‘Well, you can’t,’ said Cliff crossly. ‘Because the cops will be after us very soon and we’re not exactly inconspicuous in this thing, are we? Turn that blooming siren off for a start.’ Reluctantly Dale did as he was told.
‘Why did you have to go and lose your wig like that?’ said Cliff angrily. ‘We could have slipped out of there with no one any the wiser. Now we’re in a right mess.’
Dale frowned. ‘Yeah, I don’t know how that happened,’ he said. ‘Must’ve been the wind, I suppose. Can’t say I’m sorry it’s gone, though, it was really itchy.’ He ran his hand over his bristly head. ‘So, where to now, bruv? What’s the plan?’
Dale glanced at Mr Thompson. ‘Drive to the lake. Not a lot of people go there, but there’s a car park where we should be able to find ourselves a nice new motor. Then the cops won’t know what we’re driving and we can leave the fire engine behind.’
‘What about the teacher?’
‘I think we’ll leave him behind as well, if you know what I mean,’ said Cliff in a nasty voice.
‘What do you mean?’ asked Mr Thompson.
‘Did I ask you to speak?’ snarled Cliff, his finger tapping the trigger. Mr Thompson decided it might be best if he kept quiet.
Cliff found a bit of rope in the back of the cab and tied Mr Thompson’s wrists tightly together. ‘I’m not taking any chances with you,’ he said.
None of the men had any idea that they were carrying two extra passengers. As soon as the fire engine started to move, Ben and Lara had climbed on to the ladder on the roof and clung on to it, one in front of the other. As the engine thundered out of the village, the wind rushed past them, blowing Lara’s ears flat and lifting Ben’s body up and away from the ladder as if he were bodyboarding on air. Lara looked round anxiously. Hold on tight, Ben! Don’t get blown away.
Lara did her best to wedge her paws underneath the ladder’s rungs. Yikes! We’re going much too fast for these roads! she thought. And it’s a long way down!
Then Dale stamped on the brakes and made a last-minute left-hand turn. Ben tumbled forward on top of Lara and they both slid sharply to the right. Lara’s paws lost their grip. She scrabbled desperately at the shiny red paintwork, scratching it with her claws as she tried to regain her hold – but it was too slippery.
‘Lara! No!’ Ben wailed and stretched out an arm to try to grab her. He leant over as far as he could, but Lara was tumbling fast.
I’m a goner! Lara caught sight of the road surface flashing past below. Ben stretched his arm as far as it would go and just managed to catch her last back leg. As soon as his hand closed round her, he pulled as hard as he could.
Youch! That hurts – but never mind! I’m still alive!
But Lara’s weight and the force of gravity were against them. ‘I can’t pull you back, but I can stop you from falling!’ puffed Ben. But for how long? he wondered. My arm feels like it’s coming out of its socket!
The fire engine thundered on with Lara dangling dangerously over the edge.
‘There’s another turning ahead!’ shouted Ben. He knew this road. It led to Nightingale Lake, a local beauty spot. The Cook family sometimes went for walks there at weekends. ‘If we turn right, you’ll get thrown back towards the ladder. Get ready!’
Please, turn right! Please! thought Ben.
Sure enough, Dale swerved violently to the right. Ben kept his grip on Lara and she slid back to the left and towards the ladder again.
Phew! Thanks, Ben! Lara wove her paws between the ladder’s rungs. That was a bit too close for comfort!
Lara knew that they were both in danger. I can’t let this go on, she thought. One of us could fall off at any minute. Somehow I’ve got to make the driver stop – but how? She thought back to the old days of her Spy Dog training. What would the professor suggest in a situation like this?
A picture of the professor’s smiling face popped into Lara’s mind – and suddenly she had an idea.
18. Nightingale Lake
As the fire engine sped on, Lara turned and began to point urgently towards the buttoned pocket at the front of Ben’s cargo trousers.
Ben looked mystified. ‘I haven’t got any money, Lara,’ he shouted. ‘I spent it all on that plate!’
Lara shook her head and kept on pointing. Come on, Ben, think! What might be useful at a time like this?
‘You want something from my pocket?’ said Ben. Lara nodded. Ben still looked puzzled, then light dawned. ‘Oh, d’you mean the professor’s black-out capsule?’ he yelled. ‘That’s brilliant, Lara!’ He quickly unbuttoned his pocket. ‘Yes, I’ve still got it – here it is!’
Yessss! Lara leant back and took the capsule from Ben carefully in her mouth. Then just as carefully she began to crawl along the ladder t
owards the front of the fire engine. The road was getting narrower as they neared the lake and even Cliff was forced to drive a bit more slowly. As Lara edged forward, Ben crawled along behind her.
‘It’s OK, Lara!’ he said. ‘I’ll hold your back legs so you don’t fall.’
Thanks, mate! You could be a Spy Boy yet, you know! You’re certainly the best friend a Spy Dog could ever have!
Lara had reached the front of the fire engine now and slid forward on her stomach so that her head and front legs were almost dangling over the top of the windscreen. I mustn’t let anyone see me! I want this to be a big surprise!
SPLAT! With a flick of her head Lara threw the capsule right into the middle of the windscreen. A moment later the screen was totally black. Dale couldn’t see a thing. He jammed on the brakes and brought the fire engine skidding to an emergency stop. Lara and Ben were braced for it and managed to keep their positions on the roof. Ben stifled the urge to cheer and Lara turned and gave him a high-five. This fire engine isn’t going anywhere in a hurry!
Lara and Ben crawled to the back of the roof and slid soundlessly down on to the grass. They flattened themselves against the vehicle, hoping they wouldn’t be seen. Cliff and Dale jumped out of the cab pulling Mr Thompson with them. Cliff had taken off his beard and glasses, but was still holding the gun; Dale was clutching the precious plate inside the white handbag.
‘What just happened then?’ asked Dale, staring at the windscreen.
‘Never mind about that!’ said Cliff. ‘Listen!’
They had stopped just before a bridge high up above the lake. The whole area was surrounded by woodland and very peaceful. The only obvious noise was the cooing of a wood pigeon in a nearby tree, but far away in the distance, there was also the faint but unmistakeable sound of a police car’s siren.
‘We’ll have to leg it,’ said Cliff urgently.