looked for the path. Something glinted. It was red and seemed to sparkle. He walked over to take a closer look. A red shoe, a very small red shoe. He smiled.
Rube, I got a funny feeling you’re not dead. And I have a hunch I know exactly where to find you.
The Count carefully locked the glass case, slipped the key into his jacket pocket, and walked slowly over to where Ruby stood. ‘Ms Redfort, you do surprise me. I am not sure whether I should be delighted or disappointed that you escaped the tower. Am I getting sloppy or are you remarkable?’
‘Mm, that’s a hard one to call. I’d hate to hurt your feelings, so let’s just go with me being remarkable.’
The Count nodded. ‘What courage you have for someone so small and defenceless – quite admirable.’
Ruby had her eyes trained on the Count’s pocket.
‘Yeah well you know, I’ve grown quite fond of you too.’
The Count laughed. He couldn’t help liking this gutsy schoolgirl from Twinford – it was only a shame to see such talent wasted. ‘So what can I do for you?’
‘Back there in the tower, I felt we really hit it off – and you are such good company,’ said Ruby, giving the Count a little dig with her elbow.
‘Understandable, I’m sure,’ the Count replied. ‘Your stupid parents must be quite a burden to you.’
Ruby felt the glass object in her palm. ‘Speaking of stupid, you really shouldn’t leave your valuables lying around – they can so easily get into the wrong hands.’ She held the key up in front of his face.
For a second the Count was thrown. ‘How did you…? Then he made a grab for it. Ruby tossed the glass key high into the air and it made a tiny tinkling sound as it hit the stone floor somewhere in the pitch-blackness of the vault.
The Count laughed. ‘Oh dear Ms Redfort – you think because the key is glass that it will therefore break? I’m afraid you are mistaken.’
This unfortunately was true. Ruby had indeed assumed that a key made of glass would certainly shatter into a hundred pieces.
‘Well, good luck finding it before the clock strikes twelve,’ she said, trying to hold on to her bravado.
Baby Face was gripping Ruby by the hair. ‘What do you suggest I do now?’
The Count smiled. ‘Oh, you know – kill her.’
Look into my eyes
THE MUTTERINGS WERE GETTING LOUDER; Hitch knew he was getting near. He switched off the flashlight and followed the voices. Were there three now? A dim green light was filtering out from under a door – suddenly it opened and Hitch’s heart leapt as he watched Ruby being half dragged, half marched across the passageway by none other than Baby Face Marshall.
Not dead, thought Hitch, just furious.
Ruby wasn’t taking it lying down. ‘I don’t like people messing with my hair buster!’
You tell him kid, hissed Hitch, his hand reaching for his revolver.
Clancy was standing by the basement door. Unlike Hitch and Ruby he had not studied any plans, and was unlikely to make it through the maze of corridors. What to do? Should he go in or get help?
As it turned out he didn’t have to make a choice. An elegant hand reached around and took him by the throat.
‘Hello waiter boy, you looking for something?’
Hitch had his gun trained on Baby Face, and was waiting for him to relax his hold on Ruby. No, too risky. He would have to creep up behind him, take him by surprise.
Baby Face was enjoying the moment.
‘So you think you are pretty smart, huh? Clever enough to outwit me?’
‘It wasn’t so hard,’ said Ruby. ‘You see Baby Face, you aren’t a good checker – you left me with a very handy gadget, a life saver as it turns out. Always check the prisoner for life-saving gadgets, don’t they teach you that in creep school?’
Baby Face didn’t like that, he didn’t like it at all. He wasn’t going to be told his job by some teenage brat. He reached into his back pocket to pull out his knife and as he did, Hitch ran out of the shadows, karate chopped him in the back of the neck and Baby Face Marshall slumped to the floor.
‘Nice to see you kid.’
‘About time you showed up,’ said Ruby. ‘Thought you must have been busy stuffing yourself with canapés.’
‘Canapés? Nah, they give me indigestion.’ He took a good look at her. ‘You OK Ruby?’
‘Never felt better,’ said Ruby, smoothing her hair and dusting herself off.
There was a buzz and suddenly light as the power came back on, and there was Valerie Capaldi standing in the doorway, holding a diamond revolver to Clancy Crew’s temple.
‘Well, well, well, if it isn’t the secret agent extraordinaire and his little pet.’
‘Hello Nine Lives,’ said Hitch. ‘I almost didn’t recognise you – something about you is different, more distinguished somehow… It could be the red hair, or perhaps it’s the scar. You know it suits you – adds character.’
Valerie Capaldi scowled. ‘You’re going to regret that you disfigured me. I’m going to kill you and I’m going to kill the boy and when I’m done I’m going to kill the girl. How about that?’
She wasn’t lying, anyone could see that.
Nine Lives raised the little gun and pointed it at Hitch. ‘Any last words?’ she said.
‘Let me think,’ said Hitch, ‘I’m sure I can come up with something.’
Ruby felt for the dog whistle still around her neck.
Nine Lives took aim. ‘Too bad I’m gonna mess up that nice suit of yours.’
Ruby brought the whistle to her lips and gently inhaled.
‘Well I guess it’s time to say adios,’ laughed Nine Lives. ‘Look into my eyes – they’ll be the last you see.’
‘Not quite!’ shouted Ruby.
Her voice appeared to be coming from just behind Capaldi, who spun round in confusion – just enough time for Hitch to lunge towards her and grab hold of the diamond revolver.
Only Nine Lives Capaldi wasn’t letting go. They struggled, Nine Lives lashing out with her claw-like nails, scratching at Hitch’s face. Blood everywhere. Clancy was finding it hard to breathe, his throat caught in her grasp.
Then there was a shot.
Valerie
