Chapter Seventeen

To Catch a Thief

RICKY’S FACE WAS thunderous as he watched Theo deep in conversation with Bullet and Jade. Last night was bad enough, but now Theo seemed to be rubbing Ricky’s face in it. When Ricky had arrived at school that morning, Theo was standing by the school gates. Ricky had made the mistake of thinking Theo was waiting for him. Theo soon put him right.

‘I’m not waiting for you. I’m waiting for someone else,’ Theo told him in no uncertain terms.

Theo hadn’t exactly said, ‘Now get lost!’ but it was there, in his tone of voice.

If Theo didn’t want to be friends any more, why didn’t he have the courage to just come right out and say so? Why make it clear to everyone in the class that he and Ricky had fallen out, without telling Ricky how or why first? Ricky couldn’t understand why Theo was doing it. In fact, Ricky would’ve said that Theo was the last person to behave like that.

‘Good morning, everyone.’

‘Good morning, Mr Dove.’

Everyone scooted back to their places. Mr Dove hitched up his trouser legs and sat on the edge of the table, facing his class.

‘I’ll be taking you for your double lesson this morning,’ Mr Dove smiled.

Theo looked out of the window. He sat up in surprise when he saw Pascoe DeMille standing in the school grounds, looking up at Theo’s classroom window. Jade obviously hadn’t been in touch with him yet. Pascoe spotted Theo and waved frantically. Theo turned to look at Jade who sat at the back of the class. She looked terrible. Theo wondered if she’d managed to get any sleep at all. As if she knew she was being watched, Jade turned to him. Her expression was sombre as she nodded to him before facing the front of the class again. Theo watched Mr Dove as he walked up and down the class handing out worksheets. Pascoe would just have to wait. Theo had more important things on his mind at the moment. He picked up his duffel bag and emptied its contents on to the table. Now where on earth had he put it?

‘Hello, Theo,’ Mr Dove smiled as he searched for a free space to put Theo’s worksheet on the table before him.

‘Hello, sir,’ Theo replied.

‘It looks like you’ve brought everything including the kitchen sink to school,’ Mr Dove said drily.

‘Sorry, sir.’

‘What’re you looking for?’ asked the teacher.

‘My pen,’ explained Theo.

‘It’s right there in front of you,’ pointed the teacher.

‘No, that one doesn’t work,’ Theo said.

‘Then why carry it around?’ Mr Dove smiled.

Theo shrugged, embarrassed. He used his forearm to sweep everything back into his bag.

Mr Dove moved on.

‘You can use one of my pens if you like,’ Ricky offered.

‘No, it’s OK,’ Theo declined.

Theo turned to talk to Bullet. ‘Bullet, can I borrow a pen and your ruler?’

‘Oh? Oh! Er … yes, of course.’ Bullet handed it over.

‘What’s wrong with my pen?’ Ricky said quietly.

‘I prefer Bullet’s.’

‘Suit yourself.’

‘I will,’ said Theo.

‘Theo, I just said no talking,’ Mr Dove frowned.

‘Sorry, sir. I didn’t hear you,’ Theo apologized.

‘That’s because you were too busy talking. I think you’d better stay behind at break and write me a page on why sometimes it’s better to open your ears rather than your mouth.’

Theo lowered his head. ‘Yes, sir.’ It certainly hadn’t taken Mr Dove long to show his true colours.

Ricky frowned at the teacher. ‘But that’s not fair, sir. Theo was only asking for a pen and a ruler.’

‘Never mind, Ricky.’ Theo glared at his friend. ‘Leave it. You’ll just make things worse.’

‘I’d listen to Theo if I were you – unless of course you’d like to join him at breaktime.’

‘No, he wouldn’t,’ Theo answered for Ricky.

Ricky shut up – more because of the way Theo was glaring at him than because of anything the teacher said. There was no doubt about it. Somehow, in some way, Ricky had lost his best friend.

Theo looked out of the window again. Pascoe was still there staring up at the school. From across the school grounds, Theo could see Mr Appleyard striding purposefully towards him – and it didn’t take super vision to see that Mr Appleyard was not pleased to find a stranger in the school. Theo scowled at Pascoe. The last thing he needed was for Mr Appleyard to get antagonized. If Pascoe wasn’t careful, he’d blow all of Theo’s carefully laid plans.

The rest of the double lesson passed without incident. It also passed without Theo and Ricky saying one word to each other – which was a first. At last the buzzer sounded. Ricky leaped up and crammed his work into his bag.

‘Theo, I don’t think we should sit together any more,’ Ricky said tonelessly.

There was no disguising the shock on Theo’s face. Ricky frowned. Had he made a mistake? Maybe Theo did still want to be friends after all.

‘Ricky, I …’

‘Theo, up here please, where I can keep an eye on you,’ Mr Dove ordered.

Theo got his things together and after a brief, abject glance at Ricky, he moved to the front of the class. Theo watched, dejected, as the rest of the class trooped out to enjoy the morning break.

‘Theo, sit down and get on with it, or are you waiting for an engraved invitation?’

Theo waited for Jade, the last one out of the classroom, to close the door behind her. He turned back to Mr Dove and eyed him speculatively.

‘Theo, are you going to sit down or not?’ Mr Dove was beginning to get cross now.

‘I think not,’ Theo said at last.

‘I beg your pardon?’

‘I don’t see why I should sit down for someone who tried to knock me over,’ Theo said simply.

Mr Dove stared at him. His mouth opened and closed like a drowning fish.

‘And please don’t insult my intelligence by denying it. I know it was you.’

Mr Dove burst out laughing. ‘Theo, I take my hat off to you. In my time, I’ve heard some amazing excuses and accusations from children trying to get out of the work I set them, but this one is in a class of its own.’

‘I know it was you. I recognized your voice.’

‘Let me get this straight. You claim that someone almost accidentally knocked you over and you’re blaming me?’

‘First of all, it was no accident, you meant to do it. And second of all I recognized your voice.’

‘So you never saw the face of this person who came at you?’

‘No, I didn’t. But then you already knew that. You must’ve known there was no way I could see your face from the back of the car where I was hiding. And when you drove at me, the last thing I was going to do was stop and turn to get a good look at you.’

‘I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about, but maybe we should both go to the headmistress and get this sorted out.’ Mr Dove’s voice was now winter ice. ‘You can tell her your accusation.’

‘I think that’s a good idea,’ Theo agreed. ‘I’ll tell her how I know it’s you because you’re wearing the same yuky socks with the bright green stripes that you were wearing yesterday in the car park. I might not have seen your face, but I did see those.’

Mr Dove glanced down at his feet and back up again. ‘You can’t see my socks.’

‘I could when you perched on the edge of the table when you came in this morning. And I’ll tell her that I was behind your car and I made a scratch on it. That was the noise that alerted you to the fact that someone was listening,’ Theo lied on the spur of the moment. ‘There’s no way I could’ve seen or been near your car since but I bet I can describe the shape of the scratch on your car’s paintwork perfectly. And I know it’s your car because I waited by the entrance to the school car park this morning and saw you drive in. It was the same dark green sports car that tried to knock me over.’

‘I see,’ Mr Dove said slowly. ‘I don’t think we’ll go to see the headmistress after all.’

‘Er … I think I’d rather, if it’s all the same to you.’ Theo edged back nervously.

‘I’ve had just about enough of your interfering.’ Mr Dove took a step forward. ‘If it wasn’t for you and your friends I could’ve been long gone by now.’

‘So you admit that you did try to knock me down?’

‘I’m only sorry I missed.’

Theo took another step backward. Mr Dove took another step forward. It was as if they were both involved in some fearful, macabre dance.

‘I know you’ve got the disks I want. Hand them over and no one will get hurt.’

‘You mean, I won’t get hurt.’

Mr Dove smiled – an evil, oily smile that made Theo want to race for the door, but he had to stand his ground.

‘Something like that,’ Mr Dove agreed.

‘You’ve made a mistake, I haven’t got the disks.’

‘I saw them when you emptied your bag on the table earlier.’ Mr Dove lurched forwards without warning and grabbed Theo by the arm. ‘Hand over those disks or I will wring your scrawny little neck.’

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about …’ Theo gasped.

‘Planet of the Anvil – does that ring any bells?’ asked Mr Dove.

‘Let go of my arm. You’re hurting me.’

‘Give me your bag. GIVE ME YOUR BAG NOW!’ Mr Dove started to shake Theo.

‘Here.’ Theo slipped his duffel bag off his shoulder, but he couldn’t stop it from falling on the floor because Mr Dove was still holding his other arm.

Mr Dove released Theo and picked up the bag at once. He started rummaging through it.

‘So all this was just to get hold of Jade’s dad’s disks?’ said Theo.

Mr Dove didn’t reply.

‘I bet you’re not really a teacher at all, are you?’

‘As a matter of fact, I am a qualified teacher. It’s just not what I do any more. I’ve found something a lot more lucrative.’

‘Yeah, like stealing other people’s disks.’

‘It’s not the disks. It’s what’s on them.’ Mr Dove smirked as he took out the two CDs from Theo’s bag.

‘What’s so special about an unfinished game?’

‘It isn’t unfinished. Planet of the Anvil is very much complete. And it’s going to make us a fortune.’ Mr Dove waved the disks at Theo. ‘But there’s something else on here that’s a lot more important.’

‘Like what?’

‘Like none of your business.’ Mr Dove tapped his nose. ‘I’m out of here. And if you know what’s good for you, you won’t follow me.’

Mr Dove headed for the door.

Theo thought for a moment. ‘Something that’s a lot more important? Oh, I know what you’re talking about. You mean the file containing the proof that Dyna-Cybo Warriors was Jade’s dad’s idea and not Alex Reeves’. Yes, I guess that would be more important.’

Mr Dove froze in his tracks. He turned, his expression pure rage. ‘What did you say?’

‘Nothing,’ Theo said quickly. ‘Didn’t you say you had to be going?’

‘How d’you know about that file?’

‘A friend of mine analysed the disk and managed to break the code and read the files. He’s the one who told me that Jade’s dad had managed to hack into Alex’s computer and had retrieved the file with his initial voice notes, as well as the copies of some memos that went back and forth between him and Alex discussing the idea. That’s why Jade’s dad and Alex had their big quarrel, isn’t it? Alex nicked every file referring to the new game from Jade’s dad’s computer and then passed the game off as his own. It’s all in Paul Driscoll’s diary file on the first CD. The other CD contains his new game which he was determined that Alex wouldn’t get.’

‘I think you’d better come with me,’ Mr Dove said stonily.

‘I’d rather not.’

Mr Dove made a dive for Theo, but Theo was ready for him and jumped out of the way. He raced towards the door, but Mr Dove was quicker. Just as Theo managed to wrench open the door, Mr Dove’s longer arms slammed the door shut. He grabbed Theo’s upper arm and squeezed until Theo couldn’t feel his fingers.

‘You’re going to come with me to my car and if you do anything to draw attention to yourself – anything at all – I’ll make sure that you are very, very sorry. I hope for your sake that I make myself crystal clear.’

Theo gulped and nodded. He tried to prise Mr Dove’s fingers off his upper arm but the man wasn’t letting go.

‘You’re hurting me.’

‘You should’ve thought about that before you decided to stick your nose in where it wasn’t wanted.’

‘But I’m not the only one who’s figured out what’s going on.’ Theo said desperately. ‘What’s the point of taking me with you?’

‘You’ll buy us some time.’ Mr Dove’s gaze darted around the classroom like a cornered rat. When he was satisfied that they were really alone, he said, ‘You’re not to say a word to anyone. D’you understand?’

‘Yes.’

Mr Dove’s grip on Theo’s arm tightened.

‘D’you understand?’

Theo winced and nodded.

‘How did you get into our school anyway? I mean, how did you know Mrs Daltry would win a holiday and be away so you could take her place?’ Theo gritted his teeth against the pain in his arm. He had to keep talking. He had to wait for a chance to catch Mr Dove off guard.

‘Who d’you think arranged for her to win the holiday in the first place?’ Mr Dove said scornfully. ‘Alex and I put up the money. It cost us, but we’ll get it back. Jade’s dad’s new game is going to make us rich.’

Theo stared at him. ‘But … but you couldn’t guarantee you’d take her place …’

‘Yes, I could. It was just a question of being in the right place at the right time. I was at the local supply teacher agency when this school rang up for Mrs Daltry’s replacement – and here I am. Now no more talking.’

Mr Dove opened the door and marched out into the hall, dragging Theo after him. He froze when he saw the crowd in the corridor waiting for him. There stood Jade, Bullet, Ricky, Angela and – looking very perplexed – Mr Appleyard.

‘Did you get it?’ asked Bullet.

Theo dug into his trouser pocket and before Mr Dove could stop him, he threw a mini tape recorder to Bullet who caught it one handed.

Bullet pressed the OFF button and smiled. Mr Dove looked from Theo to the crowd before him and back again.

‘You …’

‘Every word,’ Theo grinned. ‘Now let go of my arm.’

In a daze Mr Dove did as Theo ordered. ‘What’s going on?’ Mr Appleyard was annoyed. ‘I thought you said there was a rat up in the classroom.’

‘There is. You’re looking at him,’ Bullet replied. ‘Could you make sure he doesn’t go anywhere while I get one of the teachers to call the police?’

Without waiting for a reply, Bullet raced down the corridor to the staff room.

‘You’re the new supply teacher. Mr Dove, isn’t it?’ asked the caretaker.

‘He’s not a teacher at all. He tried to knock me over,’ said Theo.

‘You’re not going to believe the word of these kids over me, are you?’ Mr Dove laughed lightly.

Mr Appleyard’s eyes narrowed. ‘I know these kids. And while they get on my nerves, I don’t think they’d lie about something like this. Not something that could get them into so much trouble if it was a lie. But on the other hand, I don’t know you from a hole in the ground! So I think you’d better stay exactly where you are.’

If Mr Appleyard had looked around at that moment and seen the looks on the faces of Theo and the others, his head would’ve doubled in size. Theo was amazed. Mr Appleyard was actually going to help them. Theo had always planned with Bullet that he’d do something to get kept behind by Mr Dove. The plan was for Bullet to get Mr Appleyard the moment the class was over. Theo reckoned the caretaker was a better bet than one of the teachers who would never believe anything against another teacher. But Mr Appleyard’s reaction was always the biggest worry. He could’ve turned round and called them all liars. As it was, Mr Appleyard’s suspicious, wary eyes were still on Mr Dove.

Mr Dove looked up and down the corridor. Quick as a snap, he made a break for it, racing for the stairs at the end of the corridor.

‘Oh no you don’t!’ Mr Appleyard was the first to move. He chased after Mr Dove, but it was Angela who rugby tackled Mr Dove to the floor. Theo, Ricky and Mr Appleyard piled on top of him to make sure he couldn’t get up and try to escape again.

‘Get off me! GET … OFF … ME!’ Mr Dove yelled.

‘Yeah, right!’ Ricky scoffed.

Jade walked up and around them to look down at the squirming ex-teacher.

‘You’re the one who sent me all those mail messages, aren’t you?’

Mr Dove didn’t reply.

‘You must’ve found out Dad’s password and you’ve been sending me emails pretending to be him. How could you? How could you be so mean?’

‘You had something we wanted,’ Mr Dove sneered, not in the least bit repentant.

Jade drew herself up to her full height and looked at Mr Dove as if he was something nasty she had just stepped in. ‘I’ve just figured it out. You work for Alex, don’t you?’ Jade asked.

‘Who’s Alex?’ Mr Dove said curtly.

‘Don’t worry,’ Theo told Jade. ‘The tape proves he does know Alex Reeves.’

‘Even if I do, you can’t prove she had anything to do with this,’ said Mr Dove.

‘She?’ Theo was astounded. And he wasn’t the only one.

‘Jade, you never said that Alex Reeves was a woman,’ said Angela.

‘Didn’t I? I thought I did,’ Jade replied.

‘Is she a tall, pretty woman with dark brown hair down to her shoulders?’ Theo asked.

Jade nodded. ‘Why? D’you know her?’

‘She was with him when they tried to knock me over,’ said Theo.

‘My sister’s much too smart for any of you,’ Mr Dove scoffed. ‘By the time she’s told her side of the story, the police will think you’re crazy.’

‘Your sister?’ Jade whispered.

‘I should’ve guessed. Well, I might not have seen your face yesterday evening, but I did see hers – more than once,’ Theo reminded Mr Dove. ‘And with that tape and everything you just said, I think I’ll manage to convince the police.’

‘And Theo, don’t forget, Angela and I saw her too,’ said Ricky. ‘We saw her take the package out of the bin in the precinct.’

Mr Dove’s face fell. Bullet came running down the corridor with at least three other teachers behind him.

‘Mr Appleyard, just what d’you think you’re doing? Get off Mr Dove at once – and that goes for the rest of you,’ Mr Cookson ordered.

‘Not a chance,’ Mr Appleyard replied. ‘Not until the police get here.’

Mr Cookson looked around and frowned deeply. ‘Would someone mind telling me exactly what’s going on?’