Once they were on the boat and could use both hands, Max sent the Italian Police the video from her watch of Signora Antonelli’s confession, which, along with the photos Toby had taken of the bombing plan before he fell off the balcony, gave them plenty of evidence to arrest her before she could use her jewelled detonator.
‘How did the media get here so fast?’ Linden ducked under a swinging telephoto lens.
‘It’s a big story,’ Luca said sadly. ‘They probably found out almost as soon as the police did.’
The street was awash with shocked costumed partygoers, waiting for the police to emerge.
‘I’m sorry.’ Max placed a hand on Luca’s arm.
Luca couldn’t say anything, only offer a strained smile.
Signora Antonelli appeared from the house in her long white gown, wings and wig but minus the ruby brooch. Several police leapt forward, trying to keep the media back as the click of cameras and flashing of lights exploded around her.
She winced and scowled at them in anger. With her hair wild and unkempt and her gown creased, she looked like a washed-up version of her former self.
Alberto and the two black-caped men were bundled out after her and all four were packed unceremoniously into two police boats. They took off quickly from the bank and sped along the canal followed by the scrum of media and costumed Venetian locals.
‘Steinberger wants to talk to us,’ Linden reminded them and the team began the slow and silent walk back to Luca’s.
In Max’s room, their mission debrief with Steinberger began.
‘On behalf of Spyforce and Mr Harrison, I would like to congratulate you on your excellent work in saving one of the most beautiful cities in the world from ruin.’ Max could see Steinberger turning up the volume on his tape recorder. The sound of a brass band rang out.
‘No-one uses tape recorders anymore,’ Toby whispered.
‘No-one except Steinberger. It adds to his charm.’ Max hoped Luca had heard the joke and it might cause him to smile. It didn’t.
After the music finished, Linden asked. ‘What will happen now?’
‘That is up to the court but I don’t see how Signora Antonelli and her associates can escape a very long prison sentence.’ Steinberger paused. ‘I’m sorry, Luca. I know you liked the Signora and, of course, were very close to Alberto.’
‘Sometimes we see people for who we want them to be, not what they are. I’m proud to have been part of this mission.’
‘How’s Agent 31?’ Linden asked.
‘Fighting fit. Apparently he’s keeping the hospital staff amused by disappearing from his bed and reappearing in confined spaces. They love it. Now, to get you all back home. Toby, a flight has been organised for you to Vienna, and Max and Linden, you will need to leave immediately for your plane to Australia. Max, I’ve made sure your food is vegetarian, and they have some very good in-flight movies. For instance …’ There was another message coming through on his palm computer. ‘That’ll be Mr Harrison, I’d better get that. Goodbye, and thank you for your brilliant work,’ Steinberger signed off.
In the foyer of Luca’s house, the mayor and his wife had arrived to say goodbye. Max, Linden and Toby stood before them.
‘The city of Venice and all her inhabitants will be forever indebted to you and will always be here with arms wide open when you come back.’
‘Thank you for everything,’ the mayoress smiled. ‘It is inconceivable to think of the world without this city.’ She leant forward, took each of their hands and kissed their cheeks. ‘We will now leave you young ones to say your own goodbyes.’
Luca stood in front of his new friends. ‘I would like to come to the airport, but there is a mission in the Swiss Alps I’ve been asked to help with. Plus I’m not very good at goodbyes.’
He stood before Linden. ‘It was good to see another spy like you at work. I have learnt a lot from you.’
‘Thanks, Luca. If you’re ever in Mindawarra, make sure you drop in.’
‘And Toby? Thank you for your humour and bravery.’
‘And my good looks?’ he asked.
Luca smiled for the first time since Alberto’s betrayal. ‘Most of all for your good looks.’
Luca moved on to Max. He held her hands. ‘It has been a pleasure to have worked with one of the best. I will always remember you, Maxine.’
There was a moment where Max worried her hands would be too sweaty or too cold, or she’d freak out and pull them out of Luca’s hands and say something stupid, but she didn’t do any of it.
‘Thank you, Luca. I will always remember you, too.’
He stared for one more moment before his hands slipped out of hers. He seemed so sad. Max wanted to tell him everything would be okay, that it wasn’t his fault he didn’t realise Alberto was bad.
But nothing came out.
Luca waved to the driver of the water taxi that had pulled up beside their house. ‘Safe travelling.’
‘After what we’ve been through, the next part should be easy,’ Toby said.
They stepped into the boat and in a few seconds were off. Max turned to wave to Luca a final time, but he had gone.
Linden sat closer to Max, knowing it had been a tough goodbye. ‘He’s a good guy.’
‘Yeah, he is.’ She turned and pulled her coat up around her neck.
Linden and Toby’s eyes met in silent determination to make her feel better. Toby nudged closer on Max’s other side. ‘I’m sorry I thought Luca was involved.’
‘You were being a good spy and, don’t tell anyone, but even though I was meant to be supervising you, I learnt stuff from you too.’
Toby beamed and threw his chest out. ‘Like I’m not going to tell anyone! Wait till the kids back at school hear about this. I might even make a website dedicated totally to your admiration for me.’
‘You’ll never change, will you?’ Max gave a half smile.
‘You like me like this, admit it.’
Max laughed. Even though he could be annoying, it was good to have Toby on their team. ‘That I won’t admit, now stop sitting so close.’
‘Actually, now might be a good time to see if the captain will let me operate this baby.’
Toby stood up and made his way to the driver, trying out his best broken Italian to ask for a quick lesson in boating.
Max breathed in the fresh wintry air. There was chill all around them and even the finest sprinkling of rain, but she felt none of it. Even though she felt sad about Luca, they’d completed their mission and Agent Remy was back, and there was no better place to be than as a secret agent for Spyforce.
‘Ben called.’ Linden interrupted her thoughts. ‘Ralph is over his lovesickness. Turns out Old Charlie’s dog, Missy Blue, has a liking for castles. Larry couldn’t stand Ralph’s moping any more, so he built him that castle and now she visits all the time. Sometimes even stays over. Looks like they didn’t need the dog whisperer after all.’
Max laughed out loud. It was good being with Linden. There was none of the freak-out she’d had with Luca, or any of Toby’s annoying fat-headedness.
‘You know, I was really afraid back there,’ Linden admitted.
‘Yeah, I didn’t fancy going to an early grave either.’
‘No, I mean when you decided to quit Spyforce. I know it’s a dangerous business, but you’re good at it. And I think it’s knowing you’re there with me that makes me the spy that I am.’ He looked down at his hands. ‘Mum always said that sometimes it takes other people to bring out the best in us … and that’s how I feel with you.’
‘Thanks, Linden.’ Max smiled. ‘I would love to have met your mum.’
‘Yeah, you would have liked her.’
The two sank back into the leather seats of the boat and watched as Venice’s buildings, piazzas, palaces and bridges flashed past, all safe. And if they survived Toby’s first attempt at driving a boat, they should remain safe for a long time yet.
* * *
When Deborah Abela was a s
mall child, she spent most of her time imagining she was on great adventures all over the world. When she grew older, she bought a backpack and a plane ticket and went on them for real. After three years she came home and then worked at Cheez TV for seven years, before leaving to write novels about a small girl who goes on lots of adventures all over the world.
Deborah grew up in Merrylands, a western suburb of Sydney, but now lives in inner-city Glebe with her partner Todd, who is almost as nice as Linden.
You can read more about Deborah Abela and the Max Remy Superspy series at www.maxremy.com.au
* * *
Photograph by Todd Decker
Collect the other Max Remy books …
Don’t miss Deborah Abela and soccer legend Johnny Warren’s exciting series about soccer, friendship, and kids who want to be their own legends!
1 See Max Remy Superspy Part 6: Blue’s Revenge
2 See Max Remy Superspy Part 2: Spyforce Revealed
3 See Max Remy Superspy Part 6: Blue’s Revenge
4 See Max Remy Superspy Part 5: The Amazon Experiment
5 See Max Remy Superspy Part 3: The Nightmare Vortex
6 See Max Remy Superspy Part 4: The Hollywood Mission
7 See Max Remy Superspy Part 5: The Amazon Experiment
8 See Max Remy Superspy Part 6: Blue’s Revenge
9 See Max Remy Superspy Part 6: Blue’s Revenge
The Venice Job Page 13
