‘News of the kidnapping did leak out in some circles. A lot of money has been spent by many people trying to find exactly what Strangways was after. These guys thought they’d use that information and take their pants. Oh blast, well, of course they took their pants, but they also took their chance.’ Harrison shook his head.
‘Antoine’s discoveries of the book and amulet are very important but just as dangerous as he thought. As a result, the amulet, book and neckpiece are all going to be held in different museums around the world, with strict instructions that they never be reunited again. And Max?’
‘Yes, sir?’
‘Tetu is being awarded a medal for his work in solving this case.’
‘A medal?’ Max almost choked on the words. ‘But he –’
‘Is still upset with you for putting him to sleep.’
‘But he was going to –’
‘You are going to send him an apology. I know you two didn’t get along, but we stand to gain very little by upsetting the French police.’
‘But, sir, he treated you so badly when he was in your office, like you were some …’
Harrison smiled. ‘My feelings aren’t as easily crushed as that, but I did appreciate your spirited defence. You perhaps need to sometimes choose a better way to express it.’
‘I’m working on it, sir.’
‘I know. Just make sure that apology is with him by the end of the day, and you might want to add your congratulations for the medal.’
‘Yes, sir,’ Max mumbled.
‘In the drawers beneath your seats you’ll find a satchel from The Centre for International Cultural Exchange. It has notes and workbooks relating to your visit. It is complete with facts you learnt, places you saw, as well as video, photos and details of what you did on your rampage … Oh bother, of course I mean on your exchange. We’ve sent your family postcards and emails about your trip on your behalf. They’re on your palm computers so you can see what you have written.’
‘We’re sending you home on a regular flight. To give you time to rest.’ Harrison sighed. ‘You’ve done us very proud. But for now, go home and tell your parents all about your cultural exchange trip.’
‘Thank you, sir. Goodbye,’ Linden said.
Harrison disappeared from Max’s screen.
‘Tetu is getting a medal!’ Max cried. ‘Can you believe that?’
‘You still don’t trust him?’ Linden asked.
‘Not much.’
Max crossed her arms and looked out the window as they crossed the River Seine on their way to the airport.
‘Do you think that magic stuff would have worked?’ Max asked. ‘Would Strangways have really been able to raise the level of the river and flood Paris?’
‘Not sure,’ Linden said. ‘He did seem to heal himself. And witnesses on the news said the water in the park’s fountains shot higher and people ran from the riverside when it suddenly began to spill over the banks, but it was windy last night and a massive storm system was pushing through. Strangways thought it was him, but the weather bureau may have a better explanation.’
Max watched the houses and trees rush past.
‘Are we okay?’ Max asked.
‘Okay?’ Linden frowned.
‘You were angry at me before about how I was acting and …’
‘Of course we are okay. We’ve always been okay.’ He paused. ‘I think I got angry because hearing about Veronique losing her mum made me think of my mum. I was a bit protective of her, I guess.’ He smiled weakly. ‘I got angry a lot when Mum died. I still can get the same way if I think about it. It was a pretty lonely time.’
‘I would have liked to have known you then,’ Max said. ‘To make sure you weren’t so lonely.’
‘That would have been nice.’ Linden smiled and turned to look out the window.
Max bit her lip and stared at her twisting fingers. ‘She’s pretty, isn’t she?’
‘Who?’ Linden asked.
‘Veronique.’
‘I guess,’ Linden said. ‘Yeah.’
As the streets of Paris swooped by in a blurred fuss of colour and style, Max slowly manoeuvred her head to get the best glimpse of her face in the polished silver armrest beside her. She stared, not sure if she liked what she saw.
‘You know what, Max?’ Linden asked.
Max was startled. ‘What?’
Linden leant over and stared directly at her with a faint crease of a smile. ‘I think you’re pretty.’
Max’s heart felt like it flipped whole centimetres in her chest. ‘You do?’ Her face wrinkled into a smudge of part fear, part scepticism.
Linden leant back. ‘Yeah,’ he said. ‘I do.’
‘But being pretty isn’t what matters,’ Max said, shoving a beanie on her head. ‘I hardly even give a thought to being pretty. Who would waste their time worrying about whether they’re pretty or not? Being smart is much more important than being pretty.’
‘I think you’re smart,’ Linden said. ‘But I think you’re pretty, too.’
Max tried to breathe normally as she turned to look at the final glimpse of Paris’s streets and boulevards. The shops were filled with designer clothes and whole window fronts were taken up with one single bag or coat. The strollers and shoppers completed the stylish look. Max smiled and turned to Linden.
‘Thanks,’ she whispered.
‘You’re welcome. And you’re brave too. You went to save Veronique at the top of that tower and you’re afraid of heights. I was really proud of you.’
Max couldn’t stop the rising tide of red that flowed into her face like a bad case of sunstroke.
‘You know, Max Remy, I think you bring out the best in me. Just like that old Danish saying.’
‘Do I?’
‘Yeah.’ Linden’s smile melted away. ‘I was really scared last night when you fell. It was the same feeling I had the second before Dad told me Mum had died. This panic that belted into my chest. If anything like that happened to you, I’d never get over it.’ He looked at Max. ‘I just wouldn’t. I don’t think I could for a second time.’
There was a tear curling in the corner of his eye. It swelled and teetered on the edge of his lid until it spilled over his eyelash and left a splatter on his jeans.
‘So don’t go and do anything silly.’ He blinked. ‘I plan to know you for a very long time.’
Max went to open her mouth, but her throat tightened and she couldn’t say anything.
‘Because, Max …’ Linden said.
‘Yes?’ Max squeezed her backpack tight against her chest.
‘Because I … I …’
The limousine swept into a sharp spin away from a truck that had lumbered into their lane. As the driver’s and Toby’s muffled curses floated through the separating glass window, Max found herself face first in her backpack, with a small cloud of white powder around her head like a cloud-nestled angel.
‘Are you okay?’ Linden asked.
Max pulled herself upright. ‘Yeah, good.’ She pushed her beanie out of her eyes and yawned. ‘What were you going to say?’
‘That I … well, that …’
Max struggled to keep her eyes open. ‘Yes?’
‘That of all the people I know, you’re the one that …’
Max fell on to Linden’s lap in a deep and instant sleep.
‘Max?’ He gently shook her and smiled. ‘That sleeping powder is strong stuff.’
He manoeuvred her into a more comfortable position. Max breathed deeply and cosied up so that her hands bunched against her cheeks.
‘Never mind,’ Linden rested his hand on her shoulder. ‘I’ll tell you another time.’
* * *
When Deborah Abela was a small child, she spent most of her time imagining she was on great adventures all over the world. When she grew older, she bought a backpack and a plane ticket and went on them for real. After three years she came home and then worked at Cheez TV for seven years, before leaving to write novels about a sma
ll girl who goes on lots of adventures all over the world.
Deborah grew up in Merrylands, a western suburb of Sydney, but now lives in inner-city Glebe with her partner Todd, who is almost as nice as Linden.
You can read more about Deborah Abela and the Max Remy Superspy series at www.maxremy.com.au
* * *
Photograph by Todd Decker
* * *
Max Remy Superspy Part 10: The Final Curtain
‘The flickering sparks from a welder leapt into the darkened air of the VART. A worker in dark overalls, thick glasses and protective helmet concentrated on the last Vibratron tile to be laid in place. The worker stood, picked up his leather tool bag and walked to the exit. Behind him, beneath the final tile, a red glowing pulse beat silently, secretly, waiting for its moment of destruction.’
From Max Remy Superspy Part 8: Mission in Malta
Who is this mysterious worker? What has he placed under the Vibratron tile? And will it lead to the annihilation of Spyforce?
Don’t miss the EXPLOSIVE final instalment in the MAX REMY SUPERSPY series!
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Don’t miss Deborah Abela and soccer legend Johnny Warren’s exciting series about soccer, friendship, and kids who want to be their own legends!
1 See Max Remy Superspy Part 8: Mission in Malta
2 See Max Remy Superspy Part 5: The Amazon Experiment
3 See Max Remy Superspy Part 6: Blue’s Revenge
4 See Max Remy Superspy Part 8: Mission in Malta
5 See Max Remy Superspy Part 2: Spyforce Revealed
6 See Max Remy Superspy Part 7: The Venice Job and Part 8: Mission in Malta
7 See Max Remy Part 8: Mission in Malta
The French Code Page 15