The Plot

Prologue

       As she moved closer in the darkness she was sure she could make out the figures of three men sitting at the table. They had their heads together talking in low voices but she was able to make out most of what they were saying. There were several shrubs along the wall of the building within a few metres of the outdoor table and she was able to conceal herself reasonably well behind one of them as she strained to hear their voices.

"If we can pull this off we're going to make a lot of money," one of them said, "The three of us will be able to retire and live a life of luxury."

"It's going to be risky," another voice said, "If we're caught we'll go to jail for a long time."

"We won't get caught," replied the first voice, "And I've worked out how to make it look like an accident, a tragic terrible accident." He chuckled. "But we all have to do our part. Okay now listen carefully. This is how we're going to do it." He continued talking.

She listened in horror as she heard what the men were plotting. It was monstrous! She had to get out of there and tell someone. She crouched down and carefully moved away from the table. She was now out from the cover of the shrubs and she hoped they wouldn't see her in the dark. Luckily she was wearing dark coloured clothes. But as she carefully backed away her left foot struck a loose stone which rattled across the cement pathway. She froze.

The voices instantly stopped and she could just make out three heads turning in her direction.

"There's someone there, probably heard what we were saying. Over there, it's a girl. Quick! Get her!"

She was one of the fastest sprinters in athletics in her year at school. She turned and ran as fast as she could. Surely those men couldn't run as fast as her. In the gloom of the darkness she could see the door to the building ahead which would hopefully take her to safety. It was only fifty metres away. She put on extra speed as she heard the sound of pounding footsteps behind her. She reached the door. Why wasn't the security light on? She waved her hand over the glowing scanner. It should have released the door lock, but as she pushed it nothing happened. Frantically she tried the hand scanner again, but again the door remained locked. She raised her fists to pound on the door, but then a hand grabbed her around her waist, pulling her back while another hand clamped onto her throat cutting off her airway.

A voice whispered hoarsely in her ear, "You shouldn't spy on people, little girl. It could get you killed!"