Free The Case of the Wayward Professor by Gareth P. Jones Page B

father, who is terribly busy campaigning in the election. I understand that you have been having some difficulty settling down.’
    Holly looked down at her feet.
    â€˜Are you unhappy here?’
    â€˜No, sir,’ she said quietly.
    â€˜You realise most children would give their rightkidney to come to this school?’
    â€˜Yes,’ said Holly.
    â€˜I want you to promise me that you will stop all this misbehaving and try to settle in. Your father can’t afford any scandal at this stage in his career.’
    Ladbroke was holding her hands, and, as he said this, he gave them a gentle squeeze, which Holly took as a sign to demonstrate her acting skills, so she covered her eyes and began to sob.
    â€˜There, there,’ said Ladbroke. ‘Do you promise to be a good girl?’
    â€˜Yes, sir,’ she replied.
    â€˜Your father is very proud of you,’ said Ladbroke. To the principal he said, ‘And I’ll tell Malcolm what good hands she is in. Your security is second to none. Explain to me how these remarkable wristbands work again.’
    â€˜They’re made of a plasticised metal which was developed by NASA for use in space,’ said Principal Palmer. ‘Nothing can cut through them. They allow the students to come and go as they please within designated hours and they are all fitted with short-range locating devices, preventing any repeat of last year’s unfortunate incident.’
    â€˜The kidnapping.’ Ladbroke nodded. ‘Did they ever find out who was behind it?’
    â€˜No. Probably some local nut who realised he was in too deep, so released the boy.’
    â€˜Well, they are remarkable devices. Holly, let me see yours.’ She noticed him slip his hand into his jacket pocket before taking her wrist. ‘NASA, you say?’ he said, inspecting the band.
    â€˜Oh yes, it is an advantage of having such generous sponsors of the school that we can always afford the best.’
    â€˜Hold on, what’s this?’ said Ladbroke, suddenly sounding alarmed.
    Holly looked at her wrist and saw that, around the band, her skin looked red and sore. It didn’t hurt, but it looked like it did. Ever so subtly, Ladbroke winked at her and she withdrew her arm.
    â€˜It’s nothing,’ she said, playing along.
    â€˜Let me see,’ he demanded.
    Holly reluctantly offered up her arm again.
    â€˜What is it?’ said Principal Palmer.
    â€˜How long have you had this rash?’ asked Ladbroke.
    â€˜Only since I’ve been wearing the wristband,’ she replied. ‘It’s nothing.’
    The principal walked round the desk and inspected the newly appeared rash. ‘Holly, you should have said something.’
    â€˜What do you think is causing it?’ said Ladbroke.
    â€˜Well, they did say that in some rare cases the wristbands might cause an allergic reaction.’
    â€˜Really? How fascinating.’
    â€˜Why didn’t you tell me about this?’ Palmer asked Holly, clearly embarrassed.
    â€˜I didn’t want to make a fuss,’ answered Holly.
    â€˜Didn’t want to make a fuss? Don’t be so silly,’ said the principal. ‘Don’t worry. I’ll call security immediately and have it removed. You don’t mind carrying it with you instead, do you?’ he asked.
    Holly looked down at her pretend rash, and allowed herself a very small smile. ‘No,’ she said. ‘I don’t mind carrying it with me instead.’
    After a security guard had been called and the wristband removed, Principal Palmer allowed Holly to accompany her godfather to his car, before returning to her lessons. Ladbroke put on his coat and wide-brimmed hat and followed Holly down the corridor
    â€˜What’s your plan when you get out?’ he asked quietly.
    â€˜Dirk’s in the forest,’ said Holly.
    â€˜The dragon?’
    Although Ladbroke had never formally met Dirk he had had the pleasure of