Never call me a spy - Боголюбова Наталия

Наталия Боголюбова

Never call me a spy

CHAPTER ONE

Colin ran along the dark and gloomy corridor of the amusement park, his footsteps echoing in the silence. The boy grabbed a quick, worried look back over his shoulder. Sweat was running down his forehead and cheeks. He saw a big grinning clown and heard his creepy bursts of laughter.

Lets play tag, the spooky clown shouted, Run!

Wait a minute! Im Colin Miller, special agent in charge of the investigation! I should dust the room for prints, the boy stopped and yelled at the dazed and confused clown. Colin saw him step back. The clowns scary face dropped, his brows arched. The boy followed him into the darkness of the windowless corridor. That was a huge mistake. Colin felt his legs pumping in midair. He gave a choked cry; his arms and legs were flailing. The fall seemed to take foreverThe boy flinched and woke up from the dream. The room was empty.

Oh, its just a nightmare, he sighed with relief. He couldnt think about it for long. The minute his eyes snapped open, he remembered about his birthday. He turned eleven! No time to waste! The boy flung off his covers and ran downstairs. He heard someone banging in the kitchen and ran in to find his mother pulling an apple pie from the oven.

Happy birthday, Colin! Heres a gift for you, she said, and handed him a parcel. It might be spy night googles! Colin could never express how much they meant to him! A broad smile came across his face. The boy thought his heart would break with delight when he tore the paper off the parcel. There was a book inside His face fell, and he bit his lip.

Thanks, he said, trying not to show his disappointment.

Ive always wanted you to read Conan Doyle. That was my favorite book when I was eleven. I was so fascinated by Sherlock Holmes and his adventures! Enjoy reading!

Were having a party tonight! You may go to the ice cream parlor and get Vanilla or Butter Pecan, she winked at him and added, If I were you, Id check the shelf above the desk for more presents. Just in case. Sorry, got to dash.

Colin ran to his bedroom and cried with joy. There were spy night googles on the shelf! He took them and darted out of the house to the nearest ice cream parlor. It was overcrowded. The Egyptian summer was tough. Nobody could survive its devastating heat and baking sun without ice cream. The boy got in line behind a gator in a well-cut suit.

Without ice cream, there is darkness and chaos in my head! I must eat much ice cream to stay cool. Cool as a cucumber, said a squeaky voice.

The voice cant belong to the big gator, Colin thought. He noticed a meerkat on the gators shoulder. The meerkat looked nervous and very on edge.

Im burning up. I need some ice cream. The meerkat wrinkled its muzzle in discontent and whined. Were on a secret mission, arent we? Lets throw elbows and push these idle people out of the way! I wont waste time in line!

The gator replied, Behave yourself! We dont want unnecessary attention! This is a secret mission, remember?

Lets split up then, the meerkat said. Ive got stuff to do. Its vital for the mission. Get me Butter Pecan. See you.

He jumped off the gators shoulder and left.

CHAPTER TWO

Colin was on his way home when he heard a soft rush of wings overhead. The boy sensed that he was being watched.

BFI Special Agent Hunter, someone rasped. Id like to ask you a few questions.

Colin blinked in surprise. There was nobody around.

Wherere you? he asked in confusion. Whats BFI?

Bat Flying Intelligence, the voice hissed from the tree.

Hunter looked like a beast from a surreal, magical world.

The boy shouted in amazement, Are you a fox or a bat?

Both. Im the red flying fox. Were tree-dwelling bats.

Have you seen any strangers nearby? the creature whispered, Any meerkats? Wearing beanie hats?

The boy asked, Why are you looking for the meerkat?

Its classified information. Are you good at keeping secrets? Hunters lithe voice came from behind.

Colin replied honestly, I dont know. Nobody has ever trusted me with top secrets.

Hunter mumbled, I think I can rely on you. The meerkat is a criminal and a rogue spy. He spied on the curator and stole the jewelries from the Royal Museum. The meerkat left a mangrove leaf at the crime scene. Have you seen him?

The boy thought that it would be more prudent to withhold the information that he had seen the meerkat in the ice cream parlor, at least for a while, so as not to harm his secret mission. He looked at the bat and hesitated with the answer.

Dont trust strangers. Always recheck the information! Colin remembered his mothers words. The boy didnt want to tell lies, so he smiled at Hunter and tried to change the topic. But he didnt succeed. He was dealing with an experienced and cunning sleuth.

You may decline to answer my questions, said Hunter with a smirk, but I have to warn of the hazardous situations that youre unable to spot. His eyes narrowed dangerously.

If you meet the meerkat, youll never guess that hes a dangerous creature. He gives the impression of a goofy chatterbox. One of his strengths is that he always evokes sympathy. He could look miserable, wearing ridiculous sunglasses and a ragged beanie. Its the perfect spy disguise! Dont be tricked, Hunter advised, and looked intently at the boy. He added, The meerkat cant resist Butter Pecan Ice Cream. Thats his weak point.

Does he have any spy gadgets?

He might have the entire gadget collection or nothing at all. It doesnt matter. A real spy meerkat can turn a pencil into a killing machine!

The boy wondered, Whats about jewelries?

The meerkat likes shiny things. I wont be surprised if hes wearing something bright from the collection he stole.

What gadgets do you use during your missions? Whats your favorite? Colin asked the bat with a child-like curiosity.

The Spy Pen. Its a vital tool to keep the operation running smooth. It has a hidden camera as well.

Marvellous! What is the pen for?

A wrong question. Try again!

Who is this pen for? Colin asked with a happy smile.

This pen is for you. Happy birthday! replied Hunter.

Terrific! Thank you! The boy glowed with happiness.

If you see a suspicious meerkat, send me a message or call this number. Keep in touch, said Hunter, and flew away.

CHAPTER THREE

The boy was walking along the street absorbed in his thoughts, until he stumbled across a wooden box. He read the warning sign on it: Dont touch it unless youre Notaspy.

Excuse me! This box belongs to me, someone said.

A slender meerkat was staring at Colin with nervous hesitation. He stood, back straight, chin out, like a brave and proud warrior. He was wearing a red beanie and sunglasses.

Why is it yours? Colin asked the self-confident creature.

The meerkat snorted, Are you kidding? There is a sign with my name. Im Notaspy! Im working here. There are a lot of people who keep going back and forth. They try to distract me! Are you one of them? Whats your name?

Im Colin. I dont know what youre talking about, the boy said in a worried voice. There are no people in the street. I met Hunter on my way here. But hes the bat! You may be delusional because youre wearing a beanie in this heat! Did you have a sun stroke or something?

I am all right, the meerkat said impatiently. Ive made those people disappear so that they dont get underfoot!

It sounds weird, the boy said, his voice unsure. The meerkat cant make people disappear! Its impossible!

Easy-peasy! It has to be a secret mission! I dont want any strangers to interfere! This is my investigation, the meerkat said, and straightened up with pride.

Does your name mean anything?

Notaspy shook his head vigorously. Then he said with frustration, It means that Im Not a Spy. Im a disaster! And Im painfully aware of my failures.