Free Gecko Gladiator by Ali Sparkes Page B

good! Top-caliber genius!”
    â€œBut who sent these to us?” insisted Josh. “If it wasn’t you.”
    â€œWell, why would it be me, you twaddlehead?” Petty said. “Why would I exclude you from a brand-new, exciting S.W.I.T.C.H. phase? And then send you vital parts of it anonymously? You and Danny are my assistants. I need your help. And when the S.W.I.T.C.H. formulas are all finally perfected, you will join me on the world’s stage as the assistants of the GREATEST GENIUS SCIENTIST IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND!!!” This last she said as an echoing shout, rising to her feet and raising her chocolatey hands as if she were already on a stage being cheered bythousands of other, less clever scientists.
    â€œShe’s so modest,” muttered Danny.
    â€œHmmm …” Petty sank back down onto her kitchen chair and cut herself a second slice of cake. “Did this Mystery Marble Sender include a note with the other marbles?”
    â€œYes—a note always comes first,” Josh said. “With a clue to find the next marble.” He put several bits of paper with spiky handwriting on them into Petty’s hand. “So far we’ve found one marble in a barn owl’s nest, one up in a light in the school hall, and one—last week—in a ruined sea fort.”
    â€œWhoever it is,” Danny said, “they’re spying on us and following us around. They even followed us on holiday!”
    â€œOr they were following
me
,” Petty said, scanning the notes. “Remember I was at your holiday beach too. Far more likely, it’s all about me…”
    â€œEven though they were all addressed to us?” snorted Josh.
    â€œThat’s just to throw me off the scent,” murmured Petty. “It’s all about me.”
    â€œSo modest,” muttered Danny.
    â€œI’m going to have to pack up my lab and go even sooner than I thought,” Petty said, slapping the notes down on the table. “First, the attempted break-in—now notes to you which are clearly meant for ME! It’s getting more dangerous here by the minute!”
    â€œBut—where will you go?” asked Josh, appalled. “And … what about the rest of theREPTOSWITCH project. You were going to S.W.I.T.C.H. us into snakes and—and—”

    â€œAlligators!” continued Danny, forlornly biting into his second slice of cake. “Fwee fwant koo be falligators!”
    â€œDon’t talk with your mouth full,” chided Petty. “And don’t be so selfish! Can’t you see? They’re closing in! If my lab gets discovered, I’ll be kidnapped and tortured for all my secrets! And so, very possibly, will you! I don’t think it’s safe for you to come around here and see me anymore.”
    â€œWhat?” Danny stood up. “After all we’ve done for you! You’re just going to chuck us off the S.W.I.T.C.H. Project?”
    â€œDon’t be so melodramatic, Danny!” Petty stood up too. “I mean, I think you’ll have to meet me somewhere else … in my new secret lab!”
    â€œYour new lab? Is it ready?” Josh asked.
    â€œVery nearly,” Petty said. “In fact … I will let you see it tomorrow. Take this.” She dug into her other pocket and then handed Josh a small, white spray bottle with a big
G
written on it in marker. “It will allow you to find your way in. Do NOTuse it before you reach the new address. Josh—I’m trusting you not to let Danny persuade you before then.”
    â€œHey!” Danny said, looking wounded.
    â€œOnly when you get there!” went on Petty. “Or I won’t trust you again. And make sure you’re not followed.”
    Josh grabbed the S.W.I.T.C.H. spray bottle. A surge of deep excitement ran through him. “Which S.W.I.T.C.H. is it?” he breathed.
    â€œYou’ll find out soon enough,” Petty said.