Chapter Eleven

Tricks and Lies

‘WHERE’VE YOU BEEN?’

Theo skidded to a halt next to Ricky, who stood outside the school gates. He’d run practically all the way from his house and his blood was now roaring in his ears, his knees were aching and he was beginning to get a stitch. He pulled his rucksack back up on to his shoulder where it had been slipping down his arm.

‘Sorry, Ricky. I overslept.’ Theo bent at the waist and panted to try and get his breath back.

‘And where’s Angela?’ Ricky frowned.

‘How should I know?’ Theo replied testily.

‘She was meant to be here at least thirty minutes before the school buzzer,’ said Ricky.

‘Take it up with her, not me.’ Theo straightened up.

‘Am I going to have to do all this by myself?’

‘I’m here, aren’t I? Stop nagging. You sound like my mother.’

Ricky and Theo glared at each other. The expressions on their faces eased and they each gave a rueful smile.

‘Good morning, Theo. How are you this morning?’

‘I’m fine, Ricky. What about you?’

‘I’m fine. Lovely weather we’re having!’

‘They did say we might get some rain later!’

Ricky grinned. ‘I don’t suppose you’ve seen Angela?’ he asked in his politest voice.

‘I’m afraid not,’ Theo answered.

‘What a shame!’

‘Can’t be helped,’ Theo laughed. ‘So what’s the plan?’

‘Let’s go and see Bullet and later when Jade arrives we’ll tell her that her godfather is looking for her,’ said Ricky.

‘Is Bullet here already?’ Theo raised his eyebrows.

‘Are you kidding? Bullet’s the first to arrive and the last to leave. You know how he loves computers.’

‘I thought he had one at home,’ said Theo.

‘He does, but his mum and dad have limited him to only one hour on the computer a day.’

‘How d’you know?’

Ricky tapped the side of his nose. ‘I have ways of finding out these things.’

Theo considered. ‘You asked him when he arrived this morning – right?’

‘Right!’ Ricky admitted. ‘A nice bit of deduction on your part!’

‘Take notes! I’ll make a detective of you yet!’ Theo said.

‘Come on. Let’s go and see exactly what Bullet’s new program does.’

Theo and Ricky walked into the school.

Once they were in the computer room, Ricky plonked himself down on the chair next to Bullet, before pulling it right up to Bullet’s computer screen.

Theo looked around the room. Apart from Bullet and now themselves, it was empty. But even though it was empty there was still the whirr of the fans in each processor case to break the silence. Theo sat down on the other side of Bullet, enjoying the emptiness and peace in the room but he knew it wouldn’t last long. It wouldn’t be long now before the room started to fill up.

‘Hi Bullet! How’s it going?’ Ricky grinned.

‘Er … I … I’m fine. How’re you?’ Bullet smiled. He looked nervous but not particularly puzzled.

He’s not surprised to see us, Theo realized.

‘Angela warned you we were going to – what was the word she used? – grab you?’ said Ricky.

‘She did say something about it,’ Bullet admitted.

‘When did you see her?’ Theo asked.

‘Last night. She came round to ask if I could help her with her computer homework.’

Ricky and Theo leaned back in their chairs and made faces behind Bullet’s back. So much for the element of surprise. Angela really did have it bad!

‘So, is it true? Have you really written a program to solve crimes?’ asked Ricky.

Bullet nodded, looking suitably modest yet proud of himself.

‘Does it work?’ Theo asked bluntly.

Bullet’s smile of pleasure faded slightly. ‘Well, I’ve only tested it out on one real, proper crime so far.’

‘What crime was that?’ asked Theo.

‘The one where Ricky was kidnapped,’ Bullet explained.

All at once, Ricky and Theo became very still.

‘And of course that was a slightly different case, because one of you had all the facts and knew what was going on, but …’

‘Did Angela tell you about that?’ Ricky asked quietly.

Bullet nodded.

‘I see,’ Ricky replied quietly.

‘So as I was saying, one of you had all the facts – but of course you two didn’t … know t-that at … the … time …’ Bullet’s voice trailed off altogether.

Bullet looked at Ricky, then Theo and back again. He might’ve been a bit slow when it came to people, but even he could detect the tense undercurrent now flowing through the room.

‘I’m sorry. I know I’m not meant to mention it but I thought it would be OK with you two … as you know all about it … I’m sorry …’

‘You used what happened to me to test your program?’ Ricky asked.

Theo wasn’t fooled by Ricky’s soft, even tone for a second. Ricky was a hair’s breadth away from going nuclear. And Theo couldn’t blame him. He glared at Bullet, willing him to shut up. Couldn’t he see what he was doing? Every time he opened his mouth it was only to change feet. Theo hadn’t seen Ricky so furious in a long, long time.

‘Oh yes! I inputted all the data about your kidnapping,’ Bullet began eagerly. ‘And my program didn’t do too badly. As I said, it’s not quite the kind of case that I’d designed my program to solve but …’

‘I’m sorry my getting kidnapped wasn’t quite the kind of case you had in mind.’ Ricky’s voice dripped ice.

‘I … I … didn’t mean it like that. I mean … I know it must’ve been horrible for you,’ Bullet said, flustered.

‘Horrible. Yes, it was … horrible,’ Ricky repeated, his body tensed up like an overtightened spring.

‘I … I …’ Bullet looked horror-stricken as he spluttered his way through another apology. It didn’t help that Ricky’s expression was now thunderous.

Ricky stood up, the better to glower down at Bullet. Bullet was in real trouble. Ricky was just about to lose it.

‘Ricky …’ Theo warned off his friend. ‘Come on, Ricky. Calm down.’

Ricky took a deep breath and his body relaxed visibly. He took another deep breath and slowly sat back down in his chair.

‘Sorry Bullet, but what happened to me was more than just some test data for your program,’ he said at last.

‘I understand that.’ Bullet nodded at once. ‘And I hope you don’t mind that Angela told me about it.’

‘If I did mind, it’s a bit tough and two-thirds now, isn’t it?’ Ricky pointed out.

‘I promise, it’ll go no further,’ Bullet said.

‘So you were saying about your program?’ Theo reminded him, feeling it was time to change the subject.

‘Oh yes!’ Bullet exhaled gratefully. ‘When I tested it on the information Angela gave me, the program said that I should get more information from the person who set up the dare game that led to Ricky being kidnapped in the first place – so it was spot on there. It knew that Angela had more information than she was initially letting on.’

‘And what does your program tell you about Jade?’ Ricky asked.

‘Well, I don’t have enough information yet.’ Bullet shook his head.

‘What information do you need?’ said Ricky.

‘What’ve you got?’ Bullet replied.

‘How much has Angela told you?’ asked Theo.

‘Just that someone claiming to be Jade’s dad sends her email messages and he wants her to deliver a package,’ said Bullet.

‘Do you believe in ghosts?’ asked Ricky.

‘Oh please,’ Theo said hastily. ‘Let’s not start all that again.’

The last thing he wanted to do was get into another discussion about ghosts. After sleeping on it, he was beginning to wonder if maybe Angela’s point of view on this was closer to the truth than Ricky’s.

‘We haven’t got much more information than what you’ve been told already,’ Ricky said.

‘I’m brilliant but even I’m not a miracle worker!’ sniffed Bullet. ‘I’ll need more data than that. Besides, I don’t see that a crime has been committed and my program is meant to solve crimes, not mysteries.’

‘What crimes does your program solve?’ asked Theo.

Bullet leaned forward towards the keyboard. Theo realized that he’d been just waiting to be asked!

BULLET’S CRIMEBUSTER PROGRAM

Select crime to be solved:

1. Murder

2. Kidnapping

3. Theft (Stealing)

4. Fraud and Cons

5. Bullying – verbal

6. Bullying – physical

7. School-related Crimes

Enter number:___________

‘That looks dead impressive and seven-eighths,’ Theo couldn’t help but admit. ‘Does it work? Does it really do all that?’

‘Of course it does,’ Bullet said with indignation. ‘Or at least, I’ve written all the programs. Now I’ve just got to get some real cases with proper data to test the programs and make sure they work.’

Theo studied the screen again. ‘Couldn’t we input the data we already have?’

‘Under what heading?’ Ricky frowned.

‘I was just about to ask that,’ said Bullet.

‘How about fraud and cons – number 4?’ suggested Theo. ‘That’s all about lying, isn’t it?’

‘Who’s lying?’

‘And about what?’

‘Jade’s dad. Or at least the person who’s sending Jade all those email messages and claiming to be Jade’s dad,’ Theo said.

‘You don’t know that.’ Ricky’s frown deepened.

‘You don’t honestly think that Jade’s dad is really sending her messages?’

‘I thought Angela was the one with the closed mind, not you,’ Ricky countered.

‘I don’t call it having a closed mind. I call it having a brain,’ said Theo.

‘Hang on a minute …’

‘Why don’t I try number four and see what the program comes up with?’ Bullet interrupted. ‘It can’t hurt.’

Theo sat back in his chair. Ricky leaned forward. Theo frowned. He couldn’t understand it. Usually he and Ricky never argued – about anything. And yet they had blown up at each other twice in as many days. What was going on? They’d had disagreements before, but never like this. Never so … personal. It was as if the very subject of ghosts was stirring up all kinds of nasty things. Not just ghosts and ghouls, but it was forcing Theo to think about death and dying and things he didn’t want to think about. Dying was for old people, but his mum and dad were old. And deep down, Theo knew it wasn’t just old people who died. Young people died too. Death wasn’t choosy. Suddenly, Theo didn’t want to do this any more. They were getting into very murky waters here. He didn’t want to be forced to think about Jade and her dad. That road led to too many other places that he had no desire or intention of exploring.

BULLET’S CRIMEBUSTER PROGRAM

FRAUD:

Select type of fraud:

1. Fraud involving money

2. Fraud involving jewellery or other possessions

3. Computer fraud

4. Cons and tricks

5. Other

Enter number:___________

‘That menu is about as much use as a chocolate teapot,’ Theo said impatiently.

‘Why d’you say that?’ Bullet asked.

‘Your menu selections are all too vague. I mean, in Jade’s case numbers two, three or four or all of them could apply,’ Theo replied.

‘You have to pick the one that’s most likely to apply,’ Bullet said. He was obviously miffed that Theo had found fault with his program.

‘OK. How about number four?’ Theo suggested.

‘Cons and tricks? You really think so?’ Ricky asked.

Theo nodded.

‘Cons and tricks it is then.’ Bullet inputted the number four.

Immediately a series of random numbers and letters scrolled down the screen. Theo sat back, immensely disappointed.

‘I thought I’d fixed that bug,’ Bullet muttered to himself.

‘So much for computer power,’ Theo said with disgust. ‘We’ll just have to use our brains and do it ourselves.’

‘I’ll have it fixed by this afternoon,’ Bullet protested.

‘We’re not going to hang about waiting for you to fix your program,’ said Theo.

‘Let me know anything new you come up with and I’ll input that data into my program. I’m sure it’ll help you,’ said Bullet.

Ricky stood up. ‘Come on, Theo.’ He smiled sympathetically at Bullet. ‘Thanks anyway.’

‘I will get it working. I will. You wait and see,’ Bullet insisted.

Ricky and Theo left the room. Mrs Daltry ambled down the corridor deep in conversation with Mr Dove. Mrs Daltry had a liquorice allsort in her hand, on its way to her mouth. She stopped abruptly when she spotted Ricky and Theo and made a great show of rubbing her eyes.

‘A paranormal event in itself. You two are here early! Whatever next?’

Ricky grinned. ‘We’re here to help Bullet with one of his programs.’

‘Does he need help?’ Mrs Daltry asked, surprised.

‘Yep! And in more ways than one,’ Theo said, sourly.

‘I heard that!’ Bullet called out from the computer room.

Theo couldn’t help but smile in Bullet’s direction. Bullet wasn’t too bad. Maybe he was a bit of a computer nut but he was willing to help them. All things considered, Bullet was OK!

‘If the two of you are looking for something to do, you can help me and Mr Dove set out the equipment for the first lesson,’ Mrs Daltry suggested.

‘That would be great,’ said Mr Dove. ‘It would give me a chance to get to know you better. Mrs Daltry has told me a lot about you.’

‘Actually, we were just on our way to the library, weren’t we, Theo?’ Ricky said with haste.

‘Er … yes, that’s right. We have some research to do.’

‘Hhmm!’ Mrs Daltry didn’t sound too convinced but she let it pass. ‘All right then, but just make sure you do go to the library and don’t dawdle in the corridors.’

Theo and Ricky scampered off, eager to get away from the teachers before Mrs Daltry insisted on their help.

‘So where are we going?’ Theo asked, once they were out of Mrs Daltry’s earshot.

‘To the library, like I said.’

‘Why?’ Theo asked, surprised.

‘I’ve had an idea. I think I know how we can make sure that it’s really Jade’s dad trying to communicate with her.’

‘Oh yes? I’m all ears.’

‘The first thing we need to do is track down the host machine that he’s using to send Jade those messages,’ said Ricky.

‘That information usually comes with the text of the message itself, but I can’t remember seeing that in any of the emails that Jade showed us.’

‘Yes, I know. We’ll have to ask Jade if we can see the messages again.’ Ricky pushed open the library door and headed straight for the non-fiction/computing section. This section was over by one of the large library windows and the cold October morning sunlight streamed in, illuminating the books.

‘I thought we could …’ Ricky stopped abruptly when he saw who had beaten them to it. It was Jade.

Ricky made a bee-line over towards Jade, a grin splitting his face from ear to ear. Jade stood watching his approach, her face a mask. Theo felt a strange uh-oh warning chill creep down his spine. Something in Jade’s deliberate lack of expression warned him to watch out.

‘Hi Jade,’ Ricky enthused. ‘I think we’ve come up with a way to help you find out for certain whether or not your dad is really sending those messages …’

‘He isn’t,’ Jade said. Her voice was soft, but the tone was firm enough to stop Ricky in his tracks.

‘Pardon?’

‘I said dad didn’t send me those messages. I made them up.’

A long silence followed.

Ricky frowned. ‘I don’t understand.’

‘OK, then. Here it is in words of one syllable. It was just a wind-up. I sent those messages to myself.’ Jade turned to Theo. ‘You were right after all, Theo. I was just pulling your leg.’

‘Why?’ Theo asked, his eyes narrowed.

‘Why not? I didn’t have anything better to do and you two and Angela were obviously looking for something to get you going. So I gave you something. It was your ad about your detective agency that gave me the idea.’

‘I don’t believe you.’ Ricky’s voice was ice-cold.

Jade shrugged. ‘Suit yourself. But my dad’s d-dead. How can he send me Internet messages?’

‘But we saw the messages …’ Ricky began.

‘I typed those in myself. I thought it would be a good joke, but I want to stop it now before it goes any further.’

‘Why?’ asked Theo.

Jade looked confused. ‘Why what?’

Theo regarded her steadily. ‘Why stop it now? You could’ve had a lot more fun watching us chase around trying to find out what was going on. So why stop now?’

‘I … I …’ Jade got no further. As unexpected as it was shocking, Jade’s face crumpled up and she burst into tears.

‘Just leave me alone,’ she sobbed. And she tried to run past them out of the library.

‘Jade, what’s going on?’ Theo stepped in front of Jade to block her escape. ‘You didn’t make it all up. I don’t believe that for a second.’

‘Why?’ Jade asked bitterly. ‘You were convinced I was lying before. Why the sudden rush to believe me now?’

Theo couldn’t answer. He didn’t know how to answer.

‘You didn’t make up those messages, did you?’ Ricky asked. There was more than just a question in his voice. A hope against disappointment was mingled in there as well.

‘Yes, I did,’ Jade said quickly. ‘You won’t get me to say anything else.’

‘Jade, you can trust us. I promise you,’ Ricky said earnestly. ‘We won’t let you down.’

Jade looked around fearfully. Theo did the same, wondering what Jade was looking for. They were quite alone in the library, so why was she so afraid?

‘Don’t you understand?’ Jade’s voice was no more than a desperate whisper. ‘Dad told me not to talk to you or anyone. He told me that if I do, he won’t be able to talk to me ever again. He’ll just wander around this earth, unable to rest. Well, I’m not going to do that to him. And I can’t lose him again. I won’t. I won’t.’

Jade ran around a now stunned Theo and in seconds she was out of the room. Theo and Ricky regarded each other. Theo didn’t like the way things were going – not one little bit. He didn’t like the way an icy chill was slowly invading his body, atom by atom.

‘If it really is Jade’s dad sending her messages,’ Ricky began, ‘why did he tell her not to talk to anyone about him? I mean, why would he care?’

‘That’s just what I was thinking. Surely he wouldn’t mind that Jade had told us. It can’t make any difference to him,’ said Theo. ‘D’you know what else I think?’

‘What?’

‘I think there’s something very kippery going on here. I think Jade’s in danger.’