Free Mission In Malta by Deborah Abela Page A

be seen as a cure-all and was being prescribed for anything from kidney infections to sore knees and even hysteria, all of which the leech could do nothing for.’
    â€˜I’m going to get hysterical in a minute if we don’t start talking about the mission,’ Max groaned into her chest.
    â€˜Ah yes, the mission.’ Alfonzo laughed a gentle snigger. ‘I’m sorry.’ He settled back into the lounge. ‘I tend to get a bit carried away when I talk about leeches – you see, they aren’t just my work, they’re my life.’
    â€˜I guess we all have a different definition of living.’ Max took a deep breath and tried to steady her breathing, which had begun shifting into hyperventilation mode.
    â€˜I know you think Mr Harrison is being overprotective,’ Linden began, ‘but he’s worried about you because of what happened to the other scientists in your group.’
    â€˜Yes, yes.’ Alfonzo’s eyes fell. ‘The world of science and nature is where the heart of life is. Without it we have nothing.’
    â€˜Harrison said your former group, Futura, was working on ways of making the world more sustainable.’
    â€˜That’s right, Max.’ Alfonzo’s smile held a brief glimmer of hopefulness. ‘We had big plans for a world we feared humans were damaging to a state almost beyond repair. If we acted immediately to safeguard vital natural environments and resources, such as the ozone layer, and prevent the drying out of continents, the destruction of wildlife and so forth, we believed we could create a healthy and even better planet for the future.’ He let loose a small laugh. ‘Ideas that were very grand but were never to be.’
    The way his shoulders drooped startled Max like a blow to the stomach.
    â€˜Do you know who could be behind it?’ she asked. ‘I mean what happened to the other scientists?’
    Alfonzo looked at her, eyes buoyed with sadness. ‘Each of those men were brilliant scientists and good men. Who would want to –’
    A knock at the door was followed by the entrance of one of the guards.
    â€˜Your limousine is here to take you to the ceremony, Mr Martina.’
    â€˜A limousine?’ Linden asked.
    â€˜Yes, I told them not to make a fuss, but it seems they’re going to anyway. Thank you, Anthony.’ Alfonzo stood and adjusted his coat. ‘We’d better go.’
    Max watched the heaviness in Alfonzo’s shoulders weigh into his dragging footsteps. She was determined to protect him and find out who was behind the attacks on the Futura scientists, but for now she was just relieved to move away from his leeches and stop talking about bloodsucking and vomit.

Max, Linden and Alfonzo made their way down to the limousine and, in a silent and quick ride to the Upper Barrakka Gardens, arrived at the opening ceremony of the World Annual Leech Conference.
    The gardens sat high in the city of Valletta, floating above the Grand Harbour and commanding sweeping views of the ancient waterway.
    A man in a black-and-white suit opened Alfonzo’s door with a low bow, and the leech expert stepped out in a flurry of camera flashes and applause. He walked down the red carpet beneath breeze-shuffled trees draped with strings of coloured lights. Women offered wide, swooning smiles, and men clambered forward to shake his hand. And all of them were kissing him on both cheeks.
    â€˜He’s like some kind of leech celebrity,’ Max whispered to Linden as they followed behind, occasionally blinded by the white camera flares.
    â€˜Leeches are obviously very popular.’ Linden straightened his jacket and started waving at the adoring looks from young girls. ‘Maybe I should wear a suit more often.’
    At the edges of the gardens, ancient stone arches were snaked with stands of pinkbougainvillea. Buried within the many garden beds, hidden like gnomes, red lanterns glowed. In