The Hollywood Mission by Deborah Abela Page A

better reasons for whacking someone,’ Toby mumbled.
    The guy put a hand to his head and let out a moan.
    â€˜Who are you?’ Max stood over him with the ski stick held above him.
    â€˜My name’s Brad.’ The guy rubbed his sore head.
    â€˜Prove it,’ Max ordered.
    â€˜It says so on my name badge.’
    â€˜He’s right.’ Toby read the guy’s badge.
    â€˜The badge would have been on the suit when he stole it. Check his wallet,’ Max instructed.
    Linden looked at the guy. ‘Do you mind?’
    The guy shrugged. Linden pulled his wallet out of his pocket and read the name on the licence. ‘It is Brad, actually.’
    Max frowned. ‘Let me see that.’
    She stared at the photo of the guy on the doorstep and the name Bradley Walker. ‘I thought you were … I was only trying to … I’ve been a little jumpy since …’
    â€˜Can I help you up?’ Linden offered the guy his hand.
    â€˜I think I might do it myself,’ said Brad as hepulled himself up. ‘If you could just sign this form, I’ll leave you alone.’
    Max took Brad’s pen and signed. ‘I’m really sorry, I …’ but Brad had turned and was on his way down the driveway.
    Linden turned to Max. ‘Max, promise me something, will you?’
    â€˜What?’ she asked contritely.
    â€˜Make it a rule to find out who people are before you attack them.’
    â€˜Okay,’ she promised, feeling guilty for about the millionth time this week.
    Seconds later there was another knock on the door. Max grabbed the ski stock as Linden jumped in front of her. ‘Why don’t I see who it is this time?’ He looked out the curtains. ‘It’s Ben and Eleanor. Maybe it’d be better if you disappeared, Toby. They’ll want to talk about the mission.’
    â€˜You can hide in my room,’ Max offered and he quietly slipped upstairs.
    â€˜Why do you think he likes hanging around so much?’ asked Linden. He couldn’t help thinking it wasn’t just the mission Toby wanted to be involved in.
    â€˜Beats me,’ Max answered. ‘I wish he’d find someone else to be a shadow for.’
    Linden opened the door. Ben and Eleanor swooped in with their usual hugs and kisses. ‘Are you two okay? We were worried sick. Was there any more trouble?’
    â€˜No. Nothing,’ Max replied into the layers of her aunt’s clothes.
    Ben spied a bowl of fruit on the hall table and picked out an apple. ‘How was your form, Linden?’ Ben knew about Linden’s ability to pick things up quickly.
    Linden shrugged. ‘All right, I guess.’
    â€˜I knew it,’ Ben mumbled through a mouthful of apple. ‘You got it first go.’
    â€˜Oh!’ Eleanor exclaimed. ‘You’ve received your Spyforce parcels. Those delivery people are very efficient.’
    â€˜And lucky to be alive,’ Linden said out of the corner of his mouth. He looked at Max, worried that one day her temper would get them into serious trouble.
    Before Ben could ask what he meant, Eleanor’s palm computer lit up.
    â€˜Steinberger,’ she announced. ‘Bring your parcels to your room. It’ll be safer to talk to him there.’
    Max and Linden shot each other a quick look that Eleanor spotted. ‘Is there something wrong?’
    â€˜Of course not. Why would anything be wrong? Everything’s fine. Completely fine,’ Max rambled.
    Eleanor wasn’t so sure as she and Ben climbed the stairs with a nervous Max and Linden following closely behind, but when they walked into Max’s room everything seemed normal. Max scanned the room carefully, poking her head into the bathroom and checking the wardrobe but found no Toby.
    â€˜Are you okay?’ Eleanor queried.
    â€˜It’s just the fall,’ Linden explained, giving Max a ‘calm down’ look. ‘She’s been a bit funny ever