“Roger. The Eagle has taken roost. I repeat, the Eagle has taken roost. The Squirrel is in the Eagle’s sights. The Eagle is poised to dive. Over.”

“Sorry, PC Middleton, what are you saying?”

DCI Bryant was in the driving seat. PC Middleton was in the passenger seat. They were both looking out at the back of the Taylor TurboChaser.

“Sorry, sir, is it not clear?” said PC Middleton. “Basically, the Eagle is us. This car. And the Squirrel is them – the kids – in that weird vehicle. And so when I say, ‘The Squirrel is in the Eagle’s sights,’ what I mean is—”

“I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN!” shouted DCI Bryant. “I JUST DON’T KNOW WHY YOU’RE SPEAKING LIKE THAT! YOU’RE NOT EVEN ON A WALKIE-TALKIE! YOU’RE ON THE PHONE TO MRS TAYLOR!”

PC Middleton nodded, as he often did when DCI Bryant lost his temper. He was indeed on the phone to Suzi, who had got out of the van, with the other parents.

“Yes,” her voice was saying from the little speaker on PC Middleton’s phone. “I didn’t really understand why you were speaking like that either.”

“Just felt right, madam.”

“OK. Well, thank you for getting here so quickly after my call telling you where we were …”

“That was me, Mrs Taylor,” said DCI Bryant. “I’m the one driving.”

“Well, I’m not sure that matters.”

DCI Bryant looked a little put out by this.

“The important thing,” Suzi continued, “is that we’ve found them. And I don’t think – finally – they can get away now.”

She hung up the phone.

The two policemen got out of their car.

Amy’s mum was right. The kids couldn’t escape now.