The Venice Job by Deborah Abela Read Free Book Online Page B

space were paintings of secretagents with their faces obscured, certificates, awards, accolades, diplomas, the odd tennis racquet and fishing rod, and shelves crammed with books. All around them were terracotta pots of all sizes and shapes.
    â€˜He still has the terracotta pot thing going, then?’ Linden whispered to Max.
    â€˜Looks like it.’
    Steinberger attached his palm computer to a data projector, brushed down his suit, rubbed his shoe against the back of his pants and stood before the desk of his esteemed leader.
    Max, Linden and Toby stood beside him waiting for something to happen.
    Nothing did, and after a few more seconds, still nothing did.
    â€˜Am I missing something?’ Toby whispered to Max.
    Max shrugged. ‘Where’s Mr Harrison?’
    â€˜At home.’ Steinberger said it like there was nothing even slightly odd about his answer.
    â€˜At home?’
    â€˜Yes,’ he explained. ‘Under International Secret Agent Union Rules, he has to rest for at least a month to recover from the last mission, which, as you know, involved the death of Blue andthe very near death of …’
    Steinberger couldn’t say it. Even the idea that he could have lost his beloved leader had the effect of making his body prickle all over with fear.
    â€˜Who’s giving the mission briefing?’ Max was trying hard to keep her patience.
    â€˜I am.’
    â€˜So we’re not waiting for Mr Harrison?’
    â€˜Yes, we are.’ Steinberger’s palm computer buzzed. ‘And here he is now.’
    He eagerly opened the connection, but his excitement quickly withered away when he saw Mr Harrison projected before them. ‘Sir?’
    Harrison’s forehead was bandaged and he had what looked like a splat of baked beans in his hair.
    â€˜Oh, my appearance. A small accident with a chainsaw and what I was hoping would be a quick snack. Nothing to worry about.’
    The clump of beans made a timely slide off his head.
    Toby frowned. This wasn’t how he remembered the brave Spyforce leader who had successfully defeated Blue in the Portal Room during the last mission. 9
    Even though Max was used to Harrison’s clumsy ways, she shivered at the idea of a chainsaw in his hands.
    â€˜Before we begin the mission briefing,’ Harrison’s voice filled with quiet pride, ‘I’d like to welcome back Max. Even though your absence was underpants … sorry, I mean, brief , it didn’t feel right that you weren’t around.’ He paused briefly. ‘And if I’m not mistaken, I think this might deserve a speech.’
    Steinberger had recovered from the shock of his chief’s appearance, and reached into his pocket for the tape of brass band recordings he’d brought with him, hoping for this very moment.
    â€˜I’m not sure that’s necessary, sir,’ Max tried.
    â€˜No time for being shy. This is a great moment and it deserves to be heated softly.’ He winced. ‘Oops, I mean, treated properly .’
    â€˜So everyone keeps telling me,’ Max mumbled.
    Sniggered laughter crept out of Linden and Toby who were loving every minute of it.
    Max gave a resigned sigh. Steinberger placed the tape in the recorder, pressed play and ran to the dimmer switch to turn down the lights.
    â€˜Max Remy,’ Harrison began solemnly. ‘It is an honour and a privilege that you have chosen toreturn to Spyforce. In your brief time with the Force, you have displayed not only the finest skills of a secret agent but have contributed a personal level of loyalty that is of the highest … well, level.’
    The brass band reached a powerful crescendo.
    â€˜On behalf of innocent people all over the world, people who believe in justice and doing things the right way, I officially welcome you back to Spyforce.’
    The band wailed to a big finish.
    Steinberger pressed ‘stop’ on the recorder, turned up the lights and burst