Kitty stopped and waited for us outside the classroom. ‘This is my niece, Helen. Say hello to Miss Donahoe, Helen.’
‘Hello,’ the little girl said, obviously shy.
‘What are you going to do to her?’ I said.
‘I’m taking her to the dentist,’ Kitty said.
‘You’re not taking her anywhere.’
‘Go in and ask the teacher. I’ll wait for you,’ Kitty said. ‘She’s my niece. I collect her from school all the time.’
‘What are you up to?’
‘You have a problem with me taking her?’ Kitty said.
I suddenly understood. I went to the little girl. ‘Can you give me your hand, please, sweetheart?’ I said. ‘Double-check for me, Michael.’
Michael came up behind me as I took the little girl’s hand. As far as I could see, she was a perfectly ordinary human.
The little girl stiffened and squeaked, her eyes wide. Then she relaxed. Michael had turned his Inner Eye on her.
Perfectly ordinary human, Michael said.
‘Is this your aunty, Helen?’ I said.
The little girl nodded without saying anything.
‘Oh, I’m sick of this. I’ll take her to the dentist another day,’ Kitty said. ‘Come on, sweetheart, I’ll take you back to class.’ She spun on her heel and went back to the classroom, holding the little girl’s hand. The girl glanced back at me, eyes wide, as Kitty pulled her through the door.
We followed them. Kitty came out of the classroom and walked briskly away, passing us as if we weren’t there.
What the hell is she up to? Michael said.
I peeked through the classroom door. The little girl had returned to her desk as if nothing was amiss.
I hesitated. Then I went in. ‘Can I talk to you privately for a moment?’ I said quietly to the teacher, a sweet blonde Australian woman by the name of Jo.
Jo glanced at the class, then shrugged. I led her out of the classroom, where Michael was waiting.
‘Is there a problem, Emma?’ Jo said.
‘That woman’s on the run from the police,’ I said. ‘Underworld connections.’
Jo inhaled sharply. ‘I didn’t know. You sure?’
‘Damn right I am. I know her well. Her boyfriend keeps trying to kidnap Simone.’
‘Is that why you’re here?’ she said, eyes wide. ‘You thought she was about to try something?’
‘Why’d she take Helen?’ I said.
Jo paused, her eyes still wide. ‘That’s strange. She’s in and out all the time. She’s always taking Helen for doctor’s appointments, bringing her back, all the time. Sometimes she collects her from school. Never had a problem with her. She always treats Helen really well.’
‘This is extremely weird,’ Michael said behind me.
Jo glanced up at Michael. He was slightly taller than her as well. ‘Why aren’t you in class?’
Both of us shrugged the question off. ‘Do you have the number for Helen’s parents? Or her home address? I want to check this out.’
Jo hesitated. She was obviously reluctant about giving out this sort of information.
Michael went rigid behind me. I felt what he did, even though I didn’t know what it was.
Jo’s face went slack. Her eyes unfocused. ‘I’ll get it for you,’ she said absently. She turned and went back into the classroom, her eyes unseeing.
‘That’s a neat trick,’ I said. ‘When did you learn that?’
‘Na Zha taught me,’ Michael said. ‘Please don’t tell my dad or Lord Xuan, Emma. I don’t think they wanted me to learn how to do it.’
‘Why not?’
Michael laughed softly. ‘Think about it.’
I understood. ‘I don’t think you would use it irresponsibly. I think we can trust you. You’re a very honourable young man. I know I trust you.’
‘Thanks, Emma.’
The teacher came out and handed me a piece of paper.
‘Thanks, Jo,’ I said.
Jo immediately snapped out of it.
Michael spoke before she could say anything.
‘We’d better go and finish in the uniform shop, Emma. My teacher’ll be waiting.’
‘You’re right,’ I said. ‘And I’m supposed to be working there. Thanks a lot, Jo. I’ll leave you to it.’
Jo smiled, turned, and went back into the classroom.
‘Have you done anything with metal?’ I said. ‘That would be very useful.’
‘Nothing,’ Michael said.
‘I’ll call Helen’s mother,’ I said. ‘You’d better head back to class. I’ll pick up the uniform for you at the same time.’
‘Very good, my Lady,’ Michael said with a smile.
‘You are very cheeky,’ I said as we went our opposite ways.
I felt bad about making the call, but it was the only way I could be sure.
‘Wei?’
‘Is Mrs Leung there, please?’
‘Wei?’
‘Can I speak to Mrs Leung, please?’
‘Who asking?’
‘I’m calling from the Australian School. I want to check about Helen Leung.’
‘Wait.’ There were rustles, some shouting, then footsteps.
‘Wei?’
‘Hello, is that Mrs Leung?’
‘Who is asking?’
‘I’m from the Australian School, Mrs Leung. I just wanted to double-check the pick-up arrangements for Helen.’
‘Okay. Is there a problem?’
‘No problem. I just want to confirm. The people who can collect Helen are you, Helen’s father, her poh poh,’ I used the Cantonese term for ‘grandmother’, ‘and Mrs Kitty Ho.’
‘Is correct.’
I was completely floored. I hesitated. I wanted to ask more, but anything I said would probably blow my story. I decided to tackle it head-on and see what reaction I could produce.
‘One of the other mothers has claimed that Mrs Kitty Ho is wanted by the police, Mrs Leung. I just wanted to hear your side of the story before we did anything.’
She hung up.
Iheld a brainstorming session with John, Michael and Leo. But not a lot of storming happened. We sat silently for a long time.
‘Come on, Emma, help us out here,’ John said. ‘Think.’
‘My brain’s already worn out from turning this over,’ I said. ‘I have no idea what’s going on.’
‘She must be taking the little girl for experiments or something,’ Leo said.
‘That’s