Artnapping by Hazel Edwards Read Free Book Online Page A

If Gloria needed to stop this man, they’d help. Amy’s legs raced. Christopher put on speed.
    The suspect cradled the bag in his arms as he ran. That bag made it harder to keep his balance. His long hair streamed behind him. He ran past the gleaming windows of the Duty Free. His running reflection ran with him, like a moving mirror, flapping his baggy trousers.
    â€˜Stop!’ cried Tess, closely followed by the twins catching up,with Christopher just a little in front of Amy.
    But the suspect kept running. Passengers pulling luggage on wheels paused to look, but didn’t stop him.Nobody grabbed at him. Like zombies, they just stared, as if he had run out of a virtual reality entertainment set.
    Some thought it was a rehearsal for an airport film. Thinking Tess must have been a famous actor, a passenger whipped out his camera, and shot her. ‘Thanks darling,’ he called as she ran past. ‘Don’t worry about an autograph.’
    The suspect was a clumsy runner despite his new NIKE running shoes. He wasn’t fit, so he panted heavily.
    â€˜Stop him!’ cried the twins. But he kept going.
    Lights flashed enticingly. Music jangled. Games machines were lined up, like hungry robot waiting for a money-feed.Outside the Bureau du Change, was a patient line of people waiting to cash travellers cheques or exchange notes.
    The suspect ran full tilt into the line. Coins, notes and people went everywhere. One coin rolled on its side, made a ringing noise on the floor, curved and then fell flat.
    â€˜Look where you’re going!’ ‘Watch it!’
    A visitor complained in another language which Tess didn’t speak, but she still got the message.
    â€˜Sorry,’ she panted over her shoulder and kept running after the suspect who had run around three sides of the block of shops. He seemed to have lost his sense of direction. Or perhaps he was running too fast to read and follow the EXIT signs. Turning to check how close they were behind him, the suspect ran into a rubbish bin. It clattered noisily, rolling on the ground.
    He tripped and recovered quickly.
    â€˜Ready?’ Tess called over her shoulder, as she approached the final lounge before the main exit. The twins were right behind her.
    Tess took a flying leap. She landed on the man’s back, grabbed the bag from him and threw it at Amy. Bending at the knees, Amy caught it.
    â€˜Take it to Gloria!’ Tess struggled with the chunky man.
    â€˜What is it?’ cried Amy, surprised that Tess knew Gloria’s name. Tightly, she closed her fingers around the bag. It was a saggy bag with something heavy inside. ‘Stolen artwork! He took Red ‘s samurai sword too!’
    Brut was exhausted. He slumped against the wall, securely held by one of the guards. ‘I didn’t want the sword!’ he panted. ‘I wanted the print of the Ming vase. But they were all in the same bag.’
    It turned out that this time Tess got it wrong. She thought BRUT has taken Red Cloak’s bag to steal the samurai sword. But it turned out that he was interested in the Ming vase photos. Amy gulped more air into her lungs. She sounded wheezy and yet she didn’t get asthma. She was just excited. ’Were you trying to find clues to the real owner of the photo?’ asked Amy. ‘On the envelope?’
    Brut nodded sullenly.
    â€˜D’you think the photo owner would have the real Ming vase?’ asked Christopher who was slowly putting the clues together. Christopher checked in the bag. The Ming vase photo was down the side pocket.It was in an envelope. There was a return address on the envelope. Wang was the name. He handed it to Gloria who seemed strangely pleased when she read the name. Amy was getting suspicious. Tess had used Gloria’s name. So she must know her. ‘Excuse me Tess...’
    Tess put up her hand.’ Don’t ask me ANYTHING until we get to Tokyo.’
    Tess had hurried away,