Dr Warren was up four flights of stairs in less than a minute. He crashed his way out onto the hospital roof, two guards wheezing behind him. A quick scan suggested the rooftop was deserted, but there was a large water tank that could be a hiding place. The men split up and approached it from opposite directions. Thirty seconds later, it was clear that their prey had fled.
‘Gone,’ panted Dr Warren. ‘Dammit . . . they’re fast.’ He walked to the nearest wall and looked down into the car park. There was a police car manoeuvring in as the gate rolled open, its blue light flashing. A black vehicle waited politely for it, then moved quickly past, onto the road.
‘They’re letting people through,’ he said. ‘I thought you said the exit was sealed?’
‘It is, sir,’ said one of the guards.
‘Well, look at that!’ He pointed as the gate rolled shut again. The black car had paused to let someone clamber in, and now it was revving loudly. ‘Who’s in charge down there? Radio down and tell them to seal all exits!’
‘Come in, Gamma-Foxtrot,’ said the guard. ‘Up on the roof, Brian. Looking down at gate four with Doctor Warren. Seems you’re letting vehicles through?’
There was a crackle.
‘He says they’re only letting top brass out, after—’
‘Keep it shut!’
‘. . . after they show passes.’
‘Tell him to check carefully. Did he check the vehicle that just left? We’re dealing with very clever children!’
The guard radioed down, and there was another burst of croaking static. ‘Bit of confusion, sir,’ said the guard apologetically. ‘He wants to know your location.’
‘What do you mean? I’m here, with you.’
‘Yes, but he sounds a bit anxious. He says you just left – they’ve just let you through!’
‘What are you talking about?’
‘He says how am I talking to you up here, when you drove out just half a minute ago? Black BMW. Smoked-glass windows—’
‘What?’
‘He checked the pass, Doctor. It was all legit, so he waved you through.’
Dr Warren felt the blood drain from his face. He looked down again, and wondered how he’d missed something so obvious. The black car was his own, and he could see it still, smoke pouring from its exhaust pipes. He could hear the engine roaring, and even as he watched and drew breath to yell, the driver let out the clutch so hard that the back wheels spun screaming on the tarmac. Horn blaring, the vehicle shot forward like a rocket, fish-tailing wildly down the Institute drive.
Dr Warren turned. His lips were dry, and a film of sweat had broken out over his whole body. To make matters worse – as if the nightmare had only just started – he saw three more figures emerge from the rooftop door, freeze for a moment and then scamper to the wall. He had no time to shout: the monkeys were out, and their instinct was to get high. The leader made a leap for the Institute’s reception mast and clambered quickly upwards. Seconds later all three were at the very top, huddling together as the breeze ruffled their fur. They gazed down with wide, excited eyes – savouring their freedom.
‘Wot’s the plan, bruv?’ said Spider, smiling grimly.
The boy’s fingers were light on the steering wheel. He’d found easy-listening rock on the car’s powerful sound system, and was finding out just how efficient the transmission was. The acceleration in third gear was joyous.
‘School,’ said Eric. ‘Green Cross.’
‘Who’s after you?’
The car’s tyres squealed round a roundabout, and Spider plunged the vehicle down into second. Everyone was pressed back into their seats as the vehicle catapaulted forwards, nought to fifty in three seconds, outside lane.
‘They want Rikki’s head,’ shouted Eric, over the noise. ‘We’re going to double-bluff them – make for the hills.’
‘Tell me the enemy,’ said his brother. ‘Let me deal with ’em.’
‘Everyone’s against these boys,’ cried Mr Barlow. ‘They’ve made good decisions, though. All they need now is for their luck to hold.’
Spider increased his speed, and was soon weaving through the traffic. ‘You’re gonna need tools,’ he said.
‘No time,’ said Eric. ‘And we’ve got the Nailhead book—’
‘I’d say drop by Mojo’s place, pick up a Glock—’
‘No,’ said Eric. ‘We’re going into hiding, Spider, and you mustn’t tell anybody.’
‘I won’t tell no one,’ said Spider. ‘But I think Zed would be in. Hundred-fifty, he’d swing you a shotgun and some ammo—’
‘We don’t need guns,’ said Eric. ‘We’re going to ground, and they’re never going to find us . . .’
‘Then stay in the squat, mate. Leela’s had the baby now—’
‘Listen,’ shouted Rikki. ‘We know what we’re doing! We’re going to get the bus down to Wales – stow away on the roof, and—’
‘Don’t tell all the plans!’ said Richard.
‘He can to my brother!’ said Eric. ‘You wouldn’t tell, would you?’
Dr Warren’s phone was ringing. ‘Hi,’ said Rikki. ‘Shhh! Turn the music down.’
‘Is that you, Rikki?’ said a voice.
‘Is that our counsellor? Whose phone are you using, head-hunter!’
‘Never mind whose phone I’m using. I want you to turn that car round . . . that’s my car you’re in – correct?’
‘Correct,’ said Richard and Rikki together. They were both smiling broadly. Mr Barlow put his thumbs up and sat back. Spider was touching ninety, blasting his horn.
‘The police have been informed.’
‘Good.’
‘I need my phone back.’
‘We’re looking after it. It’s a bit old-fashioned—.’
‘Rikki, you are being pursued and you have no chance of getting away. I can promise you that if you turn the car round, you will not be in trouble. And that goes for whoever is driving too. Is Mr Barlow driving, by any chance?’
‘I’m driving, buddy,’ said Rikki.
‘Look, Rikki, please!’ said Dr Warren. ‘You have to trust me now, more than ever before. Any fears you have, or any misunderstandings . . . are going to be central to our discussion – which will be face to face, with your parents, with your headmaster, with—’
‘A face-to-face discussion with Doctor Two-Face Warren?’ said Rikki. ‘That’s going to be so confusing. Have you found your monkeys yet?’
‘Rikki, listen to me!’
‘I know what you’re up to, and I knew from the start. You don’t want individuals, do you? – you want everyone the same. But I’m going to squiggle you out, once and for all. I’m me, Doctor Warren – and you can’t change me!’
‘I don’t want to. I want to understand—’
‘I’m what I am. You have no right to kill me.’
Richard took the handset. ‘You’re not touching Rikki, all right? That’s what you want to do, and it’s not happening.’
‘Richard, don’t you need help?’ said Dr Warren. ‘Be honest—’
‘Not from you – never!’
‘Richard, think about this logically, and stop the car. Give us your location and we’ll get someone straight to you. Are you on the motorway yet?’
Richard smiled at Rikki, and his voice changed. ‘Yes,’ he said meekly. ‘How did you know?’
Rikki stifled his laughter and Eric grinned from the passenger seat.
‘You’re too smart for us, Doctor Warren.’
‘This is Richard still, isn’t it?’
‘Yes.’
‘I can tell by your voice – and I can tell you’re being rational. Now, please . . . can you tell me exactly where you are? Rikki’s leading you astray again – what junction are you approaching?’
Richard bit his lip and put the phone against Rikki’s ear. ‘We’re . . . heading north,’ said Rikki in the same crestfallen voice. ‘We’re just coming up to some . . . motorway services. If we turn ourselves in, you promise we can talk, sir? You promise?’
‘Talking is the priority, Richard – it always was. You must have joined the M2?’
‘Yes. Doctor Warren, the only reason we ran was because we were scared!’
‘You saw the chimp, didn’t you? You saw Molly?’
‘Yes.’
‘Everything we do is legal and responsible. Research, Richard – she’s taking part in a legitimate transplant test—’
‘We got so scared, sir!’
‘That’s still Richard, isn’t it? Richard?’
‘Yes,’ said Rikki.
‘Is Eric with you?’
‘No. He went home.’ He let a sob escape his lips. ‘We just didn’t know what to do, and we woke up in that big, nasty bed! We were missing our mum, and our dog, and . . .’
‘Pull into the services,’ said Dr Warren in his most understanding voice. ‘I blame myself for this. I should have explained everything far better. So tell whoever’s driving to pull off the motorway, and I will come to you in person. We’re going to sort this out together, and reconnect.’
‘We’re pulling off now. Thank you, sir!’
‘What’s the name of the services? If it’s the M2 it should be . . . Hussett Lane, with the big Shell garage. Is that what you can see?’
‘Yes,’ said Rikki. ‘We’re coming up to it. We’ll wait at the Shell garage. Pump number eleven.’
‘Good boy. And tell Rikki not to be frightened. He was never in danger – nor was Eric.’
‘I love you, Doctor Warren,’ said Rikki.
‘Love’s important. Keep the phone on – keep it safe.’
‘Please hurry . . .’
They turned the phone off at once, and the car sailed on towards the sunset. An hour later, Spider was cruising familiar streets. He turned left, picking his way through the back roads, and he rolled to a halt at the rear entrance of Green Cross School.
Eric leaped out, and checked they were alone. He shook his brother’s hand.
‘Where does this doctor-dude live?’ said Spider. ‘He’s the enemy, right?’
‘Right,’ said Eric.
‘Have his wallet,’ said Richard, passing it over. ‘There’s cards as well – everything.’
Spider grinned, and flipped it open. ‘Stay in touch, bruv,’ he said to Eric. ‘I’m going to pick up some mates and do a bit of business.’
‘Will you trash the car?’ said Rikki.
‘Oh yes,’ said Spider.
‘What else?’
‘We’ll sort him.’ He revved hard and closed his eyes in ecstasy. ‘We’ll zip out to his place, see what’s flammable. Crash and burn, Doctor Warren. You’re going down . . .’