The Case of the Stolen Film Read Online Free PDF Page B

dad. ‘Now, Holly, take Archie upstairs. He can sleep in the spare room tonight.’
    â€˜Sleep in the spare room?’ said Big Hair.
    â€˜I’ll explain in a minute,’ replied her husband. ‘Sorry, Weaver, what can I do for you?’
    â€˜You’re required in America immediately,’ said the grey man.
    â€˜You’re going to America?’ said Holly.
    â€˜Actually, Mr Buchanan has organised to fly all of you to Los Angeles as a reward for Mr Bigsby’s loyal service,’ said Weaver.
    â€˜What about Archie?’ asked Holly.
    â€˜He should go home to his mother,’ said Big Hair.
    â€˜He can’t,’ said Mr Bigsby. ‘His mother’s been taken ill. We’ll have to contact the local authorities.’
    â€˜That will take too much time,’ said Weaver. ‘Mr Buchanan is insistent that you come back with me immediately and that your family join you.’
    â€˜It’s most kind of him,’ said Big Hair.
    â€˜As you already know, Global Sands is a very generous employer,’ said Weaver. ‘If there is nowhere else for the boy to go, you can bring him with you.’
    â€˜But what about passports? What about parental permission? We’re not the child’s legal guardians,’ squawked Big Hair.
    â€˜Passports are no problem,’ said Weaver dismissively. ‘And I shall see to it personally that there are no problems with taking the boy. Global Sands has a great deal of influence.’ He looked Big Hair directly in the eyes. ‘Alternatively you can stay to sort out the boy’s welfare while your husband and daughter go ahead without you.’
    â€˜Of course Archie should come with us,’ said Big Hair quick as a flash. ‘He’s almost one of the family now.’
    Holly felt something rub against her leg. She picked up Willow. ‘What about her?’ she asked.
    â€˜I’ll arrange for your neighbours to look after herwhile you’re away,’ replied Weaver.
    â€˜Right, that’s it settled, then,’ said Mr Bigsby, clapping his hands together. ‘We’re going to America.’
    With those words Holly and Archie felt all the awful reality of the evening disappear, lost beneath a wave of excitement.
    â€˜And you have ten minutes to pack your bags,’ said Weaver.

Chapter 8

    Brant Buchanan stepped out of the car on to the wide San Franciscan road outside a laundrette.
    â€˜Long way to come to do your washing,’ joked his temporary chauffeur.
    Buchanan checked the address against the one Weaver had written down for him.
    â€˜Stay here,’ he said, entering the building.
    Inside, two large black ladies were folding sheets. They stopped as he entered and turned to look at him. In his designer clothes and expensive shoes, Brant Buchanan clearly wasn’t their usual customer.
    â€˜Can I help you, honey?’ one of them said.
    â€˜I’m looking for Frank Hunter,’ he replied.
    The women looked at each other then burst into hysterics. Brant Buchanan felt a rare sensation of discomfort.
    â€˜That’s two people, sweetie, and they’re through that door,’ said the other.
    â€˜Thank you,’ replied Mr Buchanan, walking the length of the laundrette and finding a door with a piece of paper pinned to it. It read:
    Frank Hunter Inexplicable Investigations Please knock before entering
    Brant turned the handle.
    â€˜Aren’t you going to knock?’ asked the first lady.
    â€˜I’m expected,’ he replied, stepping into a dark room and shutting the door behind him.
    â€˜Nooo!’ cried a voice inside.
    Outside the two ladies were hooting with laughter.
    A light came on and a man with long black hair and a goatee beard stood in front of Brant, holding a blank piece of photographic paper and looking distraught.
    â€˜Man,’ he moaned. ‘Have you never heard of knocking?
    â€˜I’m sorry, I understood you were