As if by Magic Read Online Free PDF Page B

to bring the numbers around the clock face into focus because the device was so small.
    ‘Hugo?’ Jessica asked, looking for inspiration, holding the watch in the palm of her hand so he could see it.
    ‘It’s Victorian,’ he said. ‘If it’s real, then it’s an antique and probably worth a bit. I’ve never seen one that small.’
    The silver of the case gleamed in the light from the window as Jessica flipped it over, holding it up for them to see the initials “CP” engraved neatly on the back. ‘At least it’s distinctive,’ Jessica said. ‘If it has been stolen, we should be able to trace it. Whoever paid for it to be left obviously wanted it found – but anyone could have picked it up and kept it as a toy, or it could have been blown up.’
    Hugo was nodding approvingly and Jessica looked to him, eyebrows raised. ‘I like their style,’ he said. ‘It’s like a public performance. Maybe this one would have been taken, or blown up or whatever – but perhaps there were other attempts?’
    His point was pretty clear – whoever had left it wanted the puzzle to be solved and the watch to be found.
    ‘Are we still using NMPR?’ Jessica asked, looking towards Dave. She was referring to the National Mobile Property Register, which allowed police forces around the country to check any recovered goods to see if they may have been stolen.
    Dave nodded. ‘Yeah, my old mobile phone is listed on there.’
    ‘Didn’t you just leave that down the pub?’
    ‘Yes but it still wasn’t there when I went back for it, so someone nicked it.’
    ‘I guess it’s a fine line between stupidity and theft. Anyway, we’re going to have to call someone to get them to check. Are you on friendly enough terms with anyone to do it quietly as a favour, rather than us having to be quite so obvious about the fact we’re not in Wakefield? Obviously requiring a favour means you won’t be able to ask any females...’
    ‘I don’t see you with a long list of people who will help you out.’
    ‘That’s because I don’t want to call in any of my favours yet. I’m trying to build them all up so everyone in the station owes me something and then I can start calling them in big-time.’
    Dave left the room to get better reception on his phone and then returned a few minutes later looking puzzled.
    ‘What’s up?’ Jessica asked.
    ‘One of the constables is going to check the details of the watch for us but there’s something else – this wasn’t the only plain brown box left in the centre today.’
    * * * * * * * * * * * * *
    Jessica sat with her feet up on the table, reading a poster on the wall. ‘“Lock it or lose it”,’ she said. ‘I wonder how much we paid someone to come up with that slogan.’
    ‘I’ve got a “Steal a bike, take a hike” over here,’ Dave said, pointing to a poster above his head.
    The reception area of the Bootle Street police station was much the same as the one they worked in at Longsight, albeit with far more awareness posters and comfier seats. The station served much of the centre of Manchester with more focus on on-the-street in-uniform policing than they had.
    Hugo sat in between them tying and untying his laces, not taking part in the conversation.
    ‘How about “Don’t let a thief give you grief”?’ Jessica said.
    ‘There’s a “Don’t be a wally with your wallet” over here with a picture of some bloke leaving it sticking out of his pocket, then another one that says “Don’t make stealing your bike wheely easy”.’
    Jessica laughed. ‘We may as well just put out one standard poster that says “Don’t be such an idiot” with a photo of some bloke handing his wallet to a thief and leave it at that. Still, I guess, drunken buffoons will still leave their mobiles in pubs, won’t they?’
    Before Dave could reply, a uniformed officer strolled into the area and waved them through the door, leading them into an empty interview room. Waiting on the table was an