TimeRiders, Day of the Predator Read online

  He sucked in air through his teeth. ‘Wel , he’s a tough old soul. I can tel you that. But, you see … it al depends on where and when he goes, Madelaine. Who knows how long he’s got?’

  That didn’t help much.

  ‘Do I tel him or not, Foster? You know, he’s not blind. He’s seen his bad eye, he’s seen his hair. He jokes about it, but he’s not stupid. He must know this isn’t good for him.’

  He shook his head. ‘I know he’l cope. But whether you tel him has to be your cal . You’re the one in charge now. I can give you what advice I can, but command decisions are yours. That’s how it is.’ He tossed the last of his bun in among the birds. ‘I can’t run the eld o ce from out here on a park bench. You’re the boss now.’

  ‘But what about the agency? Is there someone else I can talk to? Someone in charge?’

  ‘I … I’m sorry, Madelaine. That’s … that’s o limits. You

  ‘I … I’m sorry, Madelaine. That’s … that’s o limits. You have to treat this like you’re entirely on your own. Do you understand? You’re on your own.’

  She cursed. ‘What sort of useless freakin’ agency is this?’

  He pursed his lips sympathetical y. ‘I’m afraid that’s just how it is.’

  She ground her teeth in silent frustration for a while, knowing there was nothing more Foster could o er her on the subject of Liam. In any case, there was a new pair of glasses she was due to pick up from the opticians. They’d promised her they’d be ready in a couple of hours and another day of squinting at monitors and get ing a migraine for her troubles was something she could live without.

  She stood up. ‘I’d bet er go. Things to do.’

  He stood up, slowly, achingly. Polite, like a true gentleman.

  ‘You’l be here again?’ asked Maddy. ‘For sure? Every Monday at this time?’

  ‘Of course,’ he grinned. ‘I do charge by the hour, though.

  ’ She laughed then hugged him, awkward and faltering.

  ‘Enjoy your day, Foster.’

  ‘Oh, I have a fun-packed afternoon planned.’

  She squeezed his arm. ‘Take care. I’l drop by and see you again soon.’ She turned to walk down the path leading to the south-west gate. But a thought suddenly occurred to her. She stopped, turned and saw him standing there among his pigeons, watching her go, almost as if he’d been among his pigeons, watching her go, almost as if he’d been expecting her to stop and turn.

  ‘Foster? How can you be so sure Liam wil cope? What if he works out he’s dying? What’s he gonna do? He might choose to leave us.’

  ‘He’l do the right thing,’ he replied. ‘You’l always be able to rely on that … the right thing. He’s a good lad.’ He turned away and began to wade through a parting sea of ru ing grey feathers and curious beady eyes.

  ‘Foster! How can you be so sure?’

  He stopped in his tracks and looked back over his shoulder. ‘How can I be so sure?’

  She nodded. ‘I mean, come on! Who the hel would be stupid enough to keep doing something they know’s kil ing them? What makes you think you know him so wel ?’

  ‘Oh, I know –’ he cocked an eyebrow – ‘because he’s me.’

  Table of Contents

  PUFFIN BOOKS

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 52

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  CHAPTER 27

  CHAPTER 28

  CHAPTER 29

  CHAPTER 30

  CHAPTER 31

  CHAPTER 32

  CHAPTER 33

  CHAPTER 34

  CHAPTER 35

  CHAPTER 36

  CHAPTER 37

  CHAPTER 38

  CHAPTER 39

  CHAPTER 40

  CHAPTER 41

  CHAPTER 42

  CHAPTER 43

  CHAPTER 44

  CHAPTER 45

  CHAPTER 46

  CHAPTER 47

  CHAPTER 48

  CHAPTER 49

  CHAPTER 50

  CHAPTER 51

  CHAPTER 52

  CHAPTER 53

  CHAPTER 54

  CHAPTER 55

  CHAPTER 56

  CHAPTER 57

  CHAPTER 58

  CHAPTER 59

  CHAPTER 60

  CHAPTER 61

  CHAPTER 62

  CHAPTER 63

  CHAPTER 64

  CHAPTER 65

  CHAPTER 66

  CHAPTER 67

  CHAPTER 68

  CHAPTER 69

  CHAPTER 70

  CHAPTER 71

  CHAPTER 72

  CHAPTER 73

  CHAPTER 74

  CHAPTER 75

  CHAPTER 76

  CHAPTER 77

  CHAPTER 78

  CHAPTER 79

  CHAPTER 80

  CHAPTER 81