Now You See Me Read Online Free PDF Page A

Alice to overhear me. “Why do you keep ringing? What do you want?”
    Still nothing.
    Then a small noise in the background, barely audible, like someone clearing their throat. I slam the phone down so hard that for a moment I think I’ve broken it.
    And realize I’m shaking.

6
then
    Six days after Danny went missing the police were back. I opened our door to Janet Reynolds’ gentle smile, another officer standing right behind her. A different man this time, bigger with a fatter face. Older.
    â€œHello, Hannah, is your father in?” Janet asked.
    She was in luck. Even Dad didn’t work on Saturday. I left the door ajar, and ran upstairs. Went straight into his study without bothering to knock. “Dad, the police are here. They want to speak to you.”
    Dad looked up from his screen and blinked at me through his dark-rimmed glasses. “The police?” He looked wary and, well…scared. I stared at him for a moment. He was almost trembling.
    What on earth…?
    Then I realized. Remembered the last time the police came to our door, and my mind shrank back from the memory like something stung.
    â€œIt’s about Danny,” I reminded him quickly.
    â€œOh, right…yes.” Dad’s features unfroze a little. “Of course. Just give me a moment.” He turned and pressed a couple of keys on his laptop.
    I paused long enough to make sure the message had sunk in, then went back down.
    â€œHe’s on his way.” I smiled an apology at the pair in the doorway and we waited for him to join us. Neither of them seemed to feel awkward, like they were used to standing around on people’s doorsteps.
    A minute later Dad appeared, a smile fixed on his face like a sticking plaster. “David Radcliffe,” he said, extending a hand to each of them. “How can I help you?”
    â€œSorry to disturb you, Mr Radcliffe.” Janet’s voice was smooth and calm as she introduced herself and Detective Inspector Thompson. “We’re investigating the disappearance of Danny Geller, and would like to talk to Hannah again. We think you should be present.”
    Dad looked at me.
    â€œIt’s okay,” I said.
    Though in truth it wasn’t, and I felt the world tip in a way that made me dizzy. I mean, I knew they hadn’t found Danny yet, that he hadn’t come home. There’d been no sign of him at school, and no word from Martha. But somehow the police being here again made it feel much more real, much more serious.
    We sat in the lounge. I glanced at the books and magazines scattered across the table, the stains on the cover of the sofa, and felt the colour rush up to my cheeks. But if either Janet Reynolds or Detective Thompson noticed the mess, they were nice enough not to show it.
    â€œIs there any news?” I got in before either of them spoke. “I mean, do you know where Danny is?”
    Janet hesitated, trying to find the right words. I knew they wouldn’t be good. Her being here at all meant they couldn’t be good.
    â€œNothing concrete, Hannah, but we’re still at the very early stages of the investigation.”
    I bit my lip. I felt stupidly disappointed – though what did I expect? Because why would they be here if they knew where he was? And Martha would have called me, the minute she heard anything.
    I felt a sharp pang of guilt at the thought of Martha. She must be frantic right now. I should have gone round. At least I should have rung and offered to help with Alice. After all, Martha had always been there for me, doing her best to fill the gaping hole Mum left in my life.
    But I hadn’t been able to face it. If I didn’t have to see the desperation on Martha’s face, hear it in her voice, I could still pretend that everything was okay. That Danny would be back soon and all this would melt away like a bad dream.
    â€œThank you for seeing us today, Hannah,” Janet began, throwing in