Page 67 of Box of Frogs
Without waiting for Morgan’s agreement, I darted into the road. The Redcaps were busy trying to hoist themselves upwards. As sneakily as possible, I tiptoed until I was almost directly underneath them. I could feel Morgan’s eyes boring into my back. He didn’t need to worry; I wasn’t going to engage the Redcaps.
On the edge of the pavement lay a brick, no doubt the same brick that they’d used to break the window. I scooped it up, ran to the nearest lamppost and threw the brick upwards, smashing the light with my first attempt. Glass tinkled down and I froze, worried that the Redcaps might notice, but they were too focused on their nefarious deeds. They were heaving themselves through the window. Heart thudding, I jogged to the next lamppost and did the same thing. I was pretty impressed by my aim; maybe I should take up cricket.
At least a minute had gone by and there was no sign of the Redcaps now. I ran several feet away, made sure my back was turned, threw back my head and began to shriek for all I was worth. I almost shattered my own eardrums, let alone those of the poor innocent people who lived on the street.
It didn’t take long before curtains began twitching in the houses and flats around me. Worried faces peered out and a few bedroom lights were switched on.
‘Help meeeeeee!’ I screeched, reaching true caterwaul point. No one would stay in the land of nod if I could help it.
Doors opened. I waited until three people, hugging dressing gowns round them, emerged. Then I made a run for it, pelting away from where the Redcaps were. I continued to raise hell as I went.
As soon as I came to a crossroads, I veered off and circled round, back to the spot where Morgan was waiting. I doubled over, breathing hard.
‘Impressive,’ he murmured.
‘Has it worked though?’ I said, in between gasps. ‘Did I spook them enough?’ From my position, I couldn’t see a thing.
Morgan looked out of the alley. ‘There are still people going back into their houses.’ He frowned. ‘None of them are checking down the street to see if you’re okay.’
‘I screamed like a madwoman and ran away,’ I said drily. ‘They’re forgiven.’
He snorted then his body went still. ‘Wait.’
I rolled my eyes. ‘Iamwaiting.’
Morgan ignored my gibe. ‘The humans have gone and the Redcaps are coming out.’
I held my breath. ‘With anyone?’
‘No. They’re alone.’
Whew. ‘Good.’
I must have looked relieved because Morgan squeezed my arm. ‘That was impressive work.’
I offered him a mock curtsey but unfortunately he’d already turned back to focus on the Redcaps. I blew him a kiss as well, for good measure.
‘What are you doing, Maddy?’ he enquired.
Did the man have eyes in the back of his head? ‘Nothing. What are the Redcaps doing?’ I asked.
‘Getting into a van. We’ll have to retrieve the bike and follow them.’
‘Can you keep out of sight?’ I asked. It was an honest question. ‘We can’t afford for them to spot us.’
Morgan glanced back at me. ‘Please. They don’t stand a chance.’
Chapter Twenty-One
By the time we got Morgan’s bike and set off in pursuit, the Redcaps had quite a lead. That was fine by me; as long as we didn’t lose them altogether, it was imperative that we stayed well back. It was the middle of the night and there were virtually no other vehicles on the road, let alone motorbikes with engines louder than my own banshee-style screaming. Fortunately, Morgan’s confidence wasn’t misplaced and he was more than capable of keeping the arsebadgers in sight without them noticing us.
There was only one point, when they made a sharp right turn, that I felt concerned and even then the numerous traffic lights and the Redcaps’ unwillingness to trigger any traffic cameras meant that we found them again quickly enough. It was almost disappointing; I’d been hoping for a high-speed chase through the deserted city streets. Next time, I comforted myself. Next time.
The building they pulled up in front of was depressingly similar to the warehouse where Dave had been camping out. Broken windows, graffiti-laden walls, air of desolate desperation; check, check and check.
I grimaced as Morgan and I remained at a safe distance and watched the Redcaps enter a side door.
‘What’s wrong?’ he asked.
