How Ali Ferguson Saved Houdini Read Online Free Page A

didn’t see me, did you? You didn’t know I was watching?’ He sounded eager.
    â€˜No,’ Ali agreed, a bit grudgingly. ‘We didn’t see you.’
    â€˜We’d have run a mile if we had!’ Caitlin said.
    â€˜Aw, Caitlin, don’t be like that. I haven’t seen you all holidays,’ Gez said, grinning.
    Caitlin scowled. ‘Half-term only started two days ago.’
    â€˜I know. But it feels like ages. What are you two up to? Can I play?’ Gez asked.
    â€˜No,’ Caitlin said. ‘Leave us alone, or Falcon will eat you. She’s a demon dog. She eats boys for breakfast. Especially ginger ones. They taste like marmalade.’
    Gez laughed. ‘No, she isn’t. That dog is a scaredy-cat. She’s frightened of her own shadow. I’ve seen it!’
    â€˜No, you haven’t!’ Caitlin said indignantly.
    â€˜I have too! Last night.’
    Ali looked across at Caitlin and gripped Falcon’s lead tighter. Gez had seen something last night! They had found a witness. Well, really the witness had found them. But it amounted to the same thing. ‘Where did you see Falcon last night? Was it here?’
    â€˜Shh!’ Gez held a finger up to his lips. ‘Not here. Not out in the open. Come on, follow me. I’ll tell you everything I know.’
    Gez stepped off the path, into the bushes. Ali followed, leading Falcon behind him. Caitlin came last. Ali could hear her complaining quietly about the mud on her trainers.
    The bushes were a thick tangle on either side, but a narrow passage had been forced through. Gez led the way, crouched low and stepping carefully so that he hardly made a sound. Then the branches seemed to lift a little. There was a small clearing surrounded by brambles and dark, wet leaves. The clearing was just big enough for two plastic crates and a log. Gez sat down on one of the plastic crates and stretched out. ‘Welcome to my office. Take a seat.’ He waved towards the log. Caitlin rolled her eyes, then sat on the crate. Ali took the log. Falcon sat on the wet ground and managed to look expectant.
    â€˜So you saw Falcon last night? Was she with Dave?’ Ali asked.
    Gez nodded gravely.
    â€˜Well, tell us then!’ Caitlin said.
    â€˜OK, OK, keep your hair on. I’ll tell you.’ Gez leaned in closer and began to whisper. ‘It was about ten thirty. I was in my room. My mum thought I was asleep, but I wasn’t. I was looking out of the window.’
    â€˜Why?’ asked Ali.
    â€˜Because no one goes to bed at half ten unless they’re a baby.’
    That’s not true , Ali thought. He would have been in bed himself if it hadn’t been for Caitlin knocking on the door. ‘I meant why were you looking out the window?’
    Gez looked a bit embarrassed. ‘Well, you see, I’ve been hearing this owl some nights. It hoots down by the river. You know, “Tu-whit, tu-whoo”. I’ve never seen it, but I was looking out for it. It would be cool to see an owl, wouldn’t it?’
    Ali nodded. ‘You know, it isn’t one bird making that noise; it’s two. The female bird says, “Tu-whit-tu,” and then the male bird answers, “Whoo.”’
    â€˜Really?’ Gez was impressed. ‘Do you know about birds and animals then? I used to see foxes here sometimes. Urban ones. But I haven’t seen them in ages. I hope they’re OK. Do foxes migrate, do you think?’
    â€˜Boys! Gez! Get to the point,’ Caitlin said.
    â€˜Oh, sorry. So, I was at my window. I had the light off in the room so that I could see out better. Then I saw a man and a dog, walking down the road. That dog.’ Gez pointed at Falcon, who thumped her tail on the ground.
    â€˜That was my dad. What happened next?’ Caitlin leaned forward, balanced right on the edge of the crate.
    â€˜Then I saw someone else moving on the river path. I hadn’t seen him at