Death Run Read Online Free PDF Page B

immunity, anonymity, a new secret life.
    â€œNow, I wasn’t the only person who heard these rumours. There is another man – a very unpleasant man who deals in matters that even I would think twice about – who also heard. And he decided he would have a word with the Banker and see if there was any truth in the rumours. This man, who is known only as the Tiger funds all sorts of unpleasantness – crime and murder and terrorism. He invests and he clears a profit. And the Banker controls almost all his money. So you see, he had a lotto lose. Now then-I think it’s time for a little show. This is, after all, a theatre.”
    A bright light snapped on, shining above Rich on to the faded backdrop like a spotlight. Ralph’s elongated shadow seemed to be standing at the gates of the painted castle. He walked quickly to the side of the stage so as not to be in the way. Then he straightened up and clicked his fingers. On cue, a picture appeared on the backdrop, and Jade realised the light was from a projector somewhere up in the main part of the theatre. The picture showed the hotel and casino where they had stayed just a few nights ago.
    â€œThe Tiger had the Banker taken to Mont Passat. But before he could get there himself to question the man…the Banker disappeared.”
    â€œAnd what’s that got to do with us?”
    Jade could hear a hesitancy in her brother’s voice. She could guess what he was thinking.
    The picture on the backdrop changed to grainy moving images – pictures from a security camera complete with time and date stamp on the bottom. The footage showed the inside of a casino. It panned back and forth, taking in most of the gaming floor.
    â€œThis is from the CCTV in the casino on thenight the Banker vanished,” Ralph was saying.
    At the edge of its journey, the camera swung past a bar. And standing at the bar, drink in hand, was Jade’s dad.
    â€œAnd look who is also there. What a coincidence.”
    â€œIt must be,” Rich said. But he didn’t sound very sure.
    â€œAnd if we wind on a bit…” Ralph waved to the man working the projector and the images speeded up – people hurrying and scurrying round the casino floor. “Oh – look,” Ralph went on as the footage slowed back to normal speed.
    It showed Dad at the roulette table. Placing a bet.
    â€œYou getting this, are you?” Jade whispered into the phone, ducking behind the front of the box. “Because when you get here, you are so in trouble.”
    â€œIt doesn’t mean anything,” Rich was saying. He sounded less certain than ever now. “It could be a coincidence. Just a coincidence.”
    â€œReally?” Ralph sighed. He clicked his fingers again and the projector cut off. “I suppose it could. But neither of us really believes that, do we?”
    Jade was angry as well as frightened now. But never mind what the hell Dad had been up to. It was time to get Rich away from here.
    At that moment, the insistent sound of a car alarm came from close outside. On the stage below, Ralph was talking rapidly to the man with the skull-face. He gestured urgently and the five Italians hurried towards the front of the theatre.
    â€œProbably nothing,” Ralph said to Rich. “But it is as well to be sure. And we would, after all, like your father to come looking for you. You see, I have a warning to deliver to him.”
    She wasn’t going to get a better opportunity than this – only Ralph was left with Rich on the stage below. Jade heard the main theatre doors bang shut as the others left. She grabbed hold of the ragged curtain hanging down the side of the stage, swung her legs up and over the side of the box and began to climb down.
    Jade could feel the material breaking apart under her hands, could hear an ominous creaking sound from above. She climbed as fast as she could, half sliding down and sending out clouds of dust –