An Explosive Time (The Celtic Cousins' Adventures) Read Online Free PDF Page B

ex-elephant keeper you’ve had sightings of an alligator on the prowl. See how quickly he disappears.’
     
    Crombie scratched at his forehead, Carrie noticed his china blue eyes were becoming clouded with age. He sounded weary.
    ‘The keeper has disappeared. I thought the whole thing was a set-up, an insurance scam or inside job. But this ...’ He supped at his tea, replaced the mug carefully and spoke with renewed vigour.
    ‘Son, let me call someone - the zoo or somewhere - put the thing out of its misery. And sit forward on that chair. You’ll end up breaking your back.’
    ‘We are putting it out of its misery Uncle Derek. This time next week it’ll be with its own kind.’ Carrie ducked her head, trying to make eye contact, Crombie looked about to erupt.
    ‘Please, it can’t help what it is. If anyone’s to blame it’s those ... monsters.’
    Crombie sounded scornful: ‘You know what’ll happen? They’ll just get hold of another one - it’ll all start again.’
    ‘It won’t Uncle Derek.’ Carrie nudged Wren’s chair upright, frowning at him to behave. ‘Tell him Wren.’
     
    Wren hesitated, then with a shrug began to explain.
    ‘“Killer” always looked after Lulu. He loved her in his own way, he’d never chain her up, always used to walk with her, just let her wander around the circus site - he had one of those little sticks - you know.’
    ‘Like they do in India?’ Crombie caught on immediately.
    ‘Yeah, that’s it, Jungle Book and so on. She had some kind of a life with him. Next thing this Charlie Bozen rolls up, boasting and talking Killer down, putting the fear of god into Stephenson about health and safety. And poor old Killer finds himself without a job, but he clung on making himself useful.’
    ‘Poor old sod.’ Crombie said with genuine feeling.
    ‘It’s alright Uncle Derek, we’ve got him a job, we’ve just got to sort his passport out.’
    Wren nudged her sharply, but the damage was done.
    ‘So you promised the old man a new life in Africa, with his Lulu.’ Crombie finished for her. He jabbed a finger towards the ceiling ‘and don’t tell me, Rhyllann’s gonna pack that thing in his suitcase and make a stop off in Florida.’
    Wren frowned. ‘Don’t be facetious Crombie. Annie doesn’t know anything about this.’ He laughed out loud. ‘Can you imagine what he’d say if he knew we’d kept an alligator in his bathroom?’
    ‘Please Uncle Derek. Can’t you pretend ... or keep quiet for a couple of days.’ Even as the words were spoken, Carrie knew it was pointless. Wren tried again.
    ‘Without Alfie, Charlie Bozen is up shit creek without a paddle. He’s playing with the big boys, and they’re not going to be happy losing their Saturday night fun. That’s probably why he’s done a runner.’
      ‘Hah! You expect me to turn a blind eye to all this.’ Crombie waved an arm around, encompassing the house and occupants. ‘I’m supposed to look the other way?’ As if Wren’s words had only just sunk in, Crombie mouthed the word “Alfie” Wren smiled, jerking his head towards Carrie.
    ‘You call that thing up there Alfie?!’
    Carrie nodded, feeling twelve years old again. Something about Crombie’s incredulous stare made her add defiantly: ‘The elephant’s called Nefertiti . Like the Egyptian Queen. Her name isn’t Lu-Lu.’ With a snort of derision, Crombie searched through his pockets until he found his police radio. Carrie sucked in her breath with trepidation, releasing it with a happy sigh as Wren revealed his hand too.
     
    Watching the detective with an inscrutable expression, Wren laid Carrie’s mobile on the table. After a few taps of the keyboard all three watched the miniature screen fascinated as Detective Inspector Crombie squealing like a schoolgirl, rushed from Rhyllann’s bathroom, abject fear on his face. Carrie didn’t dare look up at the real life Crombie. She wriggled closer to Wren.
    ‘I’ve already sent a copy to my