Ruin of Adventure

Part 11

 

The boys returned in ten minutes time looking very pleased with themselves.

"We found the car," said Philip excitedly. "It's round the front parked next to some trees."

"It's the Landrover," said Jack. "So we could easily hide in it without their knowing as it has darkened windows."

"That's good boys, well done," said Bill. "I think we should go there now before Gavin and Ian come back. No doubt there are wondering where Luke has got to."

"Are we going to take him with us?" asked Dinah.

"No," said Bill.

"What are you going to do with him," asked Jack.

"Don't worry I have though of something," said Bill grimly. "Climb down the ladder all of you and wait for me at the bottom, I won't be a minute." They all obeyed wondering what Bill was up to. When they were all down they heard a ripping sound and then a minute later followed by a thump and then a thud. They all looked at each other curiously. Bill climbed down the ladder and grinned at them all.

"Don't worry, I've only knocked him out and gagged him. I am sure he'll be found in a few hours time when we are safely away, and if not, well, that's just his problem. Come on Boys lead us to this car!"

 

They jogged quickly over to the car, watching all around for any sign of Ian or Gavin, and keeping close to the house and trees for cover. Jack unlocked the car with the keys that Bill had thrown him and they got in swiftly, closing the doors again in a way that made as little noise as possible.

Bill took up a seat behind the wheel. Jack and Philip had a brief scuffle for the front passenger seat, which Jack won because Philip accidentally hit Kiki and stopped the struggle to check that she was all right, during which time Jack slipped into the seat.

Kiki squawked indignantly. "Naughty boy, naughty boy!"

"Sorry, Kiki," Philip said, stroking her on the head.

"This is good," said Bill, checking the fuel gauge and adjusting the seat and mirrors to suit him. "We've got nearly an hour to wait. You'll all have to be patient. I wish I could take you all to safety but I might miss Big Charlie. If he gets away none of my team will be safe."

"We wouldn't want to leave you now anyway, Bill!" said Dinah. "We've been in the adventure this far, you can't desert us now!"

"Can I go and get some more food, Bill?" asked Philip. "We don't know where Big Charlie is going, we might not get any more for ages."

Bill pondered for a moment, then agreed. "Okay, run quickly now and watch out, Philip. If you are not back in five minutes I'll come and find you."

Philip ran into the house, and was back very soon, carrying a bulging cloth bag full of food. He put it at his feet and pulled out a bar of chocolate. "For now," he said, and he broke it into five large chunks and shared them out.

They chatted freely, feeling safe inside the car. Bill kept a close eye on his watch. After a while, he held up a hand and quietened them. "It's nearly time," he said. "And look, Ian and Gavin are back. I don't think these windows can be seen through but don't make any sudden movements."

They all watched Gavin and Ian closely. Ian was limping badly on his bad foot; the search in the woods had not been good for him. The pair didn't look happy. Then everyone heard the sound of an approaching car.

"This is it," said Bill grimly. He put the key into the ignition, ready to start the engine.

Big Charlie braked his car to a sharp halt, and got out. He glared at Gavin and Ian. The watchers in the car could see them talking, but could not hear what was being said, as the car was pretty sound proof. Charlie threw his hands into the air, stalked into the house and emerged a couple of minutes later carrying a large square chest, painted red, which he put into the boot of his car. Gavin and Ian were obviously complaining and pleading to be paid. Charlie reached into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out what was unmistakeably a wad of bank notes. He peeled a few off and thrust them at Gavin and Ian. They were obviously still not satisfied, but then Big Charlie reached into his jacket again and pulled out a gun, which he waved at the men. They backed away, looking sullen, and went into the house.

Charlie got into his car, a look of anger and impatience on his face. He accelerated away in a cloud of dust again. Bill quickly started the car and put it into gear. Kiki delightedly repeated the noise - it was one of her favourites - and repeated it again when no one told her to be quiet. They set off after Charlie.

Charlie's car was also black, but the windows weren't tinted. They could see his large head at the wheel. Bill stayed far back so they could only just see Charlie's car ahead. After five minutes they came to the end of the dirt track and returned on to a tarmac road. The children felt elated, it felt like they were getting back to civilization after being stuck in the run down house. Bill had to look left and right to spot which way Charlie had turned. He thought for a horrible moment that he had lost him, but just spotted a glint of the sun on the car down the road on the left, and Bill quickly turned after him.

Charlie kept to country roads, surrounded by thick trees on all sides. They hadn't been following the car for long before it pulled off the road between some trees. Bill quickly pulled the car over. "I hope we haven't been spotted," he said, ready to speed away if Big Charlie got out of his car with a gun and headed towards them. "I can't drive on past because he would recognise the Landrover instantly."

But it didn't seem as if Charlie had seen them. He emerged from the car and went around to the boot. He opened it and heaved out the large painted chest, which was obviously heavy. He disappeared among the trees, heading away from the road. "I'm going to see what he's up to," said Bill, readying his gun and opening the car door gently.

"Be careful, Bill!" said Lucy-Ann anxiously.

"Bill!" hissed Jack, just as he was about to run after Charlie. For Charlie had appeared again. Bill flattened himself against a tree but Charlie didn't look round. He went back to the boot and pulled out a spade. He re-entered the woods. Bill gave the children a thumbs up and headed after him. The children watched him slip between the trees out of sight.

He was back in about fifteen minutes, slipping into the front seat of the car out of breath. "He buried the chest," he panted. "Must be in case anything happens, he will come back and get it later. I want you all to help me remember exactly where this spot is."

They nodded, eager to help. Then they saw the tall shape of Big Charlie returning to his car. He started the engine and pulled away. Bill did the same, and the tense car following began again. The children sat in silence, not wanting to disturb Bill's concentration.

After about fifteen minutes of driving, the car once again left the road and drove along a dirt track that followed a break in the trees. Bill waited a few moments before turning in and following. The track was extremely bumpy, but luckily not too muddy as the weather had been pleasant over the last few days. The trees were very close to the track. There was only just enough room for the car to pass through. It was also dark, as the boughs of the trees met overhead and blocked out the light.

Soon, just when the bumping was beginning to unsettle them, the trees ended abruptly and they could see daylight again. A large grass field opened in front of them. A very small stone building was built next to the trees, and Charlie's car was parked outside. It was empty. Bill slowed the car before it left the trees. He turned off the engine and listened intently, but could hear nothing.

"Right, I'm going to see what's in that stone building," he said.

"Please take us with you!" said Lucy-Ann. "I don't want to be left here alone."

Bill thought about it for a moment, then nodded. "Okay, but if there's the slightest sign of trouble I want you to run back to the Landrover."

They agreed, pleased at being allowed out of the car to join in the hunt for Big Charlie. Bill crept up to the doorway of the stone building, which was a rough wooden one. The building was only a few metres wide, and was probably an old cattle shed, Philip thought.

Bill steadied his gun, and pushed the door open, ready to confront Big Charlie. He stepped forward, sweeping his eyes all around the room. "Oh," he said. He sounded so puzzled that the children, waiting on either side of the doorway outside, decided that there couldn't be any danger. They followed Bill inside.

The room was empty. Old straw littered the floor, and thick cobwebs hung from the old beams in the roof. But there was nobody in the room, and certainly not Big Charlie. Where had he gone?

 

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