Free Game Play by Hazel Edwards Page B

twins weren’t sure what to do next. Should one of them run back for Gloria? Should they try to find Tom?
    Christopher glanced at his watch again. Just then, Aunty Viv’s
    â€˜ANIMAL ANTICS’ van drove into the carpark. The twins had never been so glad to see her.
    â€˜Aunty Viv!’ She wound down the window.
    â€˜Hi twins. Jump in. So glad your plane didn’t crash. I worry about you flying over all that water. At least you’re both good at backstroke.
    Hang on. I’ll have to find a parking space.’
    Christopher opened the passenger door. They hugged her.
    â€˜Try to park near that mini ,Aunty Viv.’
    And she did. At first, she didn’t even ask why. That was the great thing about Aunty Viv. Apart from being scared of flying, she didn’t fuss about normal things. In the back, the twins could hear the animals. Amy thought of phoning Gloria for help. ‘What happened to your mobile phone, Aunty Viv?’
    â€˜My phone?’ Aunty Viv looked puzzled.
    â€˜The one Dad bought for you.’
    â€˜Oh. It’s in the van pockets somewhere, dear.’
    â€˜Not near Wilhemina?’
    â€˜I hope not.’
    Wilhemina had snack-attacks. She’d never eaten a mobile in the past but there was always a first time!
    â€˜Why didn’t you call us on the mobile?’
    â€˜You were in the air, dear. And I was on the road. I didn’t think of it.’
    â€˜So?’
    â€˜I called from a public phone and left a couple of messages at the airport for you. At the UMs lounge. The number’s scribbled on the pad.’ On the armrest between the seats was the Aunty Viv survival kit: notepad, pen, map of Queensland, compass and peppermints.
    Amy turned and looked into the van. Something was chewing near her shoulder. ‘Hi, Wilhemina.’
    The mobile stuck out of the corner seat pocket. Amy opened it. Usually the aerial came out. This time it wasn’t all there.
    Aunty Viv glanced sideways. ‘Wilhemina? At least that’s probably what happened. Part of the aerial is missing.’
    â€˜Wilhemina is nearby. She hasn’t eaten anything else today. And the phone doesn’t work properly?’
    The twins agreed. If you put together all those clues, the suspect was probably Wilhemina. That was an easy mystery to solve.
    â€˜So why are we parking near this mini?’ Aunty Viv asked.
    â€˜He could be a smuggler. Gloria might be interested in him.’
    â€˜I see. And what are you going to do about it?’ The Animal Actors van was now parked two spaces away from the mini. They could see grand nephew Bruce, but he hadn’t noticed them. He was too busy.
    Unlocking the car, he threw the bag into the passenger seat. He slid into the driver’s seat.
    â€˜D’you think he’s driving up closer to pick them up at the kerb?’
    Christopher watched closely. Grand nephew Bruce was using a key to unlock the tiny padlock. Then he was unzipping the bag.
    â€˜Did Mrs Silver and Gold give him a key?’ hissed Christopher.
    â€˜Not that I saw.’ Amy watched him pull out handfuls of jewellery.
    â€˜Then he must have had his own. It must have been planned that he would pick up this bag.’ Christopher turned.
    â€˜D’you know Gloria’s number?’
    â€˜She’s got a walkie talkie and a beeper.’
    Meanwhile Aunty Viv had been checking on Wilhemina in the back.
    The twins watched closely. They could just see between the car windows. And the van was a little higher than a car.
    He pulled out the jewellery and dropped it on the front seat as if it didn’t matter. Then he pulled out some packages from underneath. He
    smiled. ‘D’you think..? Have a try.’ suggested Christopher.
    Amy nodded. The aerial was a bit chewed, but Amy straightened it up.
    â€˜What’s the airport number?’ Aunty Viv had dialled it twice today already. ‘Here!’ The number was scribbled on the