Free Poacher Peril by J. Burchett Page A

on!”
    Zoe caught up with him by the bookshelf in the hall. He was wobbling on a chair, reaching for the very top. He pulled down an ugly china tiger, which Gran had brought with her when she came to stay. She’d insisted on it being displayed in spite of protests from the rest of the family.
    The tiger was battered and chipped and had one yellow glass eye. The other was missing, leaving only an empty socket.
    Ben and Zoe looked at each other.
    â€œSo did Gran set the puzzle?” said Ben.
    â€œPut it in and we’ll find out,” urged Zoe.
    Ben took the eyeball and pressed it into the socket. It fitted perfectly.
    There was a click and a whir and the three-dimensional image of a man appeared in the air. “A hologram!” exclaimed Zoe.

    â€œGreetings, godchildren,” said the image, with a jovial smile. “Of course, if you’re not Ben and Zoe Woodward this message isn’t for you.”
    â€œIt’s Uncle Stephen!” gasped Ben. “But he disappeared four years ago!”
    Their godfather, Dr Stephen Fisher, a world-renowned animal specialist, had vanished at around the time of their seventh birthday and hadn’t been heard of since. Ben and Zoe hadn’t seen him often, but they’d always looked forward to his visits. And, of course, they’d never missed a single one of his TV appearances. They’d loved their godfather and his crazy ways. He would make up clever games that always had them thinking hard and howling with laughter at the same time.
    â€œAs you know, I disappeared some time ago,” said the flickering image. “This is my hologram. That doesn’t mean I’m dead, far from it. I went undercover so I could concentrate on my great plan to save endangered animals.”
    The image stepped right up to them.
    â€œI’m going to tell you a secret.” He looked around as if to make sure no-one was listening. Ben and Zoe found themselves doing the same. “Four years ago, I set up an organisation called Wild – which must remain completely confidential!”
    â€œWhy’s he telling us about it then?” hissed Ben.
    â€œI expect you’re wondering why I’m telling you about it,” Uncle Stephen went on brightly. “I’ve kept an eye on your movements and I’m very impressed with your work with endangered animals. You both have valuable skills and knowledge and I want you to join me at Wild. Can’t tell you where it is, of course, but your contact will be in touch. See you soon!”
    The image flickered. Then it appeared again. “Erm…if you’re not Ben and Zoe Woodward, then obviously your contact won’t be in touch,” it said apologetically and vanished.
    â€œWow!” gasped Ben. “A secret organisation – and Uncle Stephen wants us to join. We’d better get packed.”
    â€œHang on,” said Zoe. “You’re always rushing into things. We don’t know where we’re going yet, or who our contact is.”
    â€œChildren!” Gran was yelling from the kitchen. “Cake’s ready.”
    â€œWe’ll talk later,” said Ben. “I’m not missing Gran’s chocolate cake for anything!”
    They raced down the hall to the kitchen. Gran stood beaming at them, holding out a chocolate cake with eleven candles. She winked at them.
    â€œJust got time for this before your Wild adventure.”

CHAPTER
TWO
    Ben and Zoe rattled along in the back of Gran’s little car.
    â€œI can’t get my head round this, Gran,” said Ben. “You were in on our godfather’s secret all along.”
    â€œAs soon as Stephen contacted me I knew you two would be perfect to join Wild.” Gran smiled.
    â€œAnd you won’t tell us any more.”
    â€œCertainly not!” declared Gran. “That’s up to him.”
    She suddenly swung the car off the road and started to drive across a field! Zoe looked at