the_kane_chronicles__book_one__the_red_pyramid

“Acting?”
The inspector studied me for a moment, then set his jaw as if he’d made a decision.
“We’ve already had the truth from Carter. I didn’t want to upset you, but he told us
everything. He understands there’s no point protecting your father now. You might as well
help us, and there will be no charges against you.”
“You shouldn’t lie to children!” I yelled, hoping my voice carried all the way downstairs.
“Carter would never say a word against Dad, and neither will I!”
The inspector didn’t even have the decency to look embarrassed.
He crossed his arms. “I’m sorry you feel that way, Sadie. I’m afraid it’s time we went
downstairs…to discuss consequences with your grandparents.”
S A D I E
4. Kidnapped by a Not-So-Stranger
I JUST LOVE FAMILY MEETINGS. Very cozy, with the Christmas garlands round the
fireplace and a nice pot of tea and a detective from Scotland Yard ready to arrest you.
Carter slumped on the sofa, cradling Dad’s workbag. I wondered why the police had let
him keep it.
It should have been evidence or something, but the inspector didn’t seem to notice it at all.
Carter looked awful—I mean even worse than usual. Honestly, the boy had never been in
a proper school, and he dressed like a junior professor, with his khaki trousers and a
button-down shirt and loafers. He’s not bad looking, I suppose. He’s reasonably tall and fit
and his hair isn’t hopeless. He’s got Dad’s eyes, and my mates Liz and Emma have even
told me from his picture that he’s hot, which I must take with a grain of salt because (a)
he’s my brother, and (b) my mates are a bit crazed. When it came to clothes, Carter
wouldn’t have known hot if it bit him on the bum.
[Oh, don’t look at me like that, Carter. You know it’s true.]
At any rate, I shouldn’t have been too hard on him. He was taking Dad’s disappearance
even worse than I was.
Gran and Gramps sat on either side of him, looking quite nervous. The pot of tea and a
plate of biscuits sat on the table, but no one was having any. Chief Inspector Williams
ordered me into the only free chair. Then he paced in front of the fireplace importantly.
Two more police stood by the front door—
the woman from earlier and a big bloke who kept eyeing the biscuits.
“Mr. and Mrs. Faust,” Inspector Williams said, “I’m afraid we have two uncooperative
children.” Gran fidgeted with the trim of her dress. It’s hard to believe she’s related to
Mum. Gran is frail and colorless, like a stick person really, while Mum in the photos
always looked so happy and full of life.