Mission In Malta Read Online Free Page B

ever.
    â€˜Ah, this is a pleasant surprise.’ The Administration Manager’s smile was so wide it was in danger of flying off the edge of his face. ‘I was expecting to have the pleasure of the lovely Max Remy’s company, who I am always very happy to see and chat with – oh, I do look forward to our chats more and more, Max – but to have all four of you there is really just another way of making my already grand day simply perfect.’
    Steinberger liked to talk. A lot.
    His face twisted into a quizzical frown. ‘When was the last time I visited Mindawarra?
    â€˜Too long, Steinby.’ Eleanor squelched onto the edge of Linden’s bean bag. ‘If you come to visit, I promise I’ll make you my famous chocolate mud cake with caramel sauce and vanilla cream.’
    â€˜You have a date.’ Steinberger wilted ever so slightly. ‘How’s Larry?’
    â€˜Never better,’ Ben replied. ‘He’s learning Morse code.’
    â€˜That’ll come in handy.’ Steinberger nodded.
    Handy for what? Max winced in confusion.
    â€˜I know it’s outdated and technology has given us other ways of communicating, but even now some agents find it comes in handy. Why, when I was young I remember a time when …’
    â€˜Do you have any news about the mission, Steinberger?’ Max interrupted.
    â€˜Oh, dear me, yes. Forgot myself for a moment there. This is going to be a very special mission. One I’m sure you’re both going to complete without a hitch.’
    He stared back at them importantly from the screen. And said nothing more.
    â€˜Well, what is it?’ Max asked.
    â€˜I can’t say any more now, I’m afraid, but Mr Harrison is very eager to brief you and would like you to come to Spyforce Headquarters as soon as possible.’
    â€˜We’ll be right there.’ Max closed the connection before Steinberger could say any more. She unplugged the cord to the projector and slipped her computer into her backpack.
    Ben had never been a fan of farewells and his bottom lip turned down and began to tremble. ‘But you’ve only just arrived,’ he said softly.
    Max slipped the straps of her pack onto her shoulders and walked over to the podium. ‘I know,but you watch; we’ll be back so soon you’ll wonder whether we were even gone.’ She threw a wide-eyed look at Linden and nodded him over.
    â€˜Max is right.’ Linden dragged himself up from his bean bag. ‘The world needs us, Ben, and you wouldn’t want us to say “no” to the world.’
    Max lifted one eyebrow at Linden, who now stood beside her.
    â€˜A bit over the top?’ he asked.
    â€˜A little.’
    Eleanor gently took Ben’s elbow and kissed him on the cheek as he blinked away a few stray tears. She took the Time and Space Machine and the belt beside it and handed it to Max. ‘Good luck.’
    â€˜Thanks, Eleanor.’ Max fastened the belt under her shirt and turned to Linden. ‘Ready, partner?’
    Linden slipped on his backpack. ‘Ready.’
    â€˜Let’s hold hands for the pact.’ Ben held one hand out to Max and took Eleanor’s with the other.
    â€˜Hold hands?’ Stunned dread plastered itself all over Max’s face.
    â€˜Yeah. Like we always do,’ Linden replied easily.
    â€˜Oh. Yeah. Right.’ But Max did nothing.
    Eleanor, Ben and Linden stared as Max’s mind filled with images of clumsy fish-smelling balcony kisses in Greece.
    â€˜Lots of girls would be lining up for the chance to hold my hand,’ Linden whispered. ‘So if you don’t hurry you might miss your chance.’
    Max laughed nervously and rubbed her clammy hands against her pants. Get a grip, she silently scolded herself. It was Linden. The same Linden who made her smile, was always beside her when missions got tough and made her feel good whenever she was down.
    She put the Time