Demon Storm Read Free

of charcoal-grey trousers and a white blouse with a plain blazer over it. Maybe it was her school uniform, but there was no insignia or design on the blazer.
    The man put the wooden box down on the dining table opposite where the children had lined up. The top was rounded and there were metal handles fixed to each end. It looked more like a small trunk, or a pirate’s treasure chest. Metal bands were braced round the wood and there was a large keyhole set in the front.
    The man’s voice was strong and deep, echoingin the large room. ‘You may ask your colleagues to leave now, Mr Magill. I’m sure we can cope between us.’
    Ben grinned at Miss Haining’s expression as she stamped from the room. Mr Casswell raised his eyebrows at Mr Magill, who spread his hands as if to say it was nothing to do with him. Mr Magill followed Miss Haining and Mr Casswell to the door, then closed it firmly behind them.
    ‘Thank you all for coming. This won’t take long,’ Mr Magill announced, turning back to face the line of children. ‘And it’s absolutely nothing to worry about. No one’s in trouble or anything.’
    The man with the box was standing looking at them, his hands thrust deep in his jacket pockets. After a short pause he spoke. ‘As Mr Magill says, this will only take a few moments. I shall probably ask one or two of you to stay behind for a few words, but the rest of you – as soon as I tap you on the shoulder, you can go.’
    He started at the end of the line furthest from Ben and Sam. Bradley Mulverton was the first and he stared back at the man sullenly. The man turned to glance at the mousy-haired girl, who was now sitting on the table beside the wooden box. She was swinging her legs and now shook her head.
    The man tapped Bradley on the shoulder. ‘You may go.’
    It was different with Megan Philps, who was next in line. The man seemed hardly to look at her. He had taken a mobile phone from his pocket. It was the sort that folded shut and he flipped it open, holding it up in front of Megan and staring at the screen.
    ‘Yes, please, if you would stay behind for now.’
    ‘Can I sit down?’
    The man ignored her, but Mr Magill told her she could wait on the bench beside the other dining table. Soon a couple more children had joined her. The man passed slowly along the line, still glancing at his phone every now and again – occasionally staring at it for a while before deciding whether to keep someone behind or let them go.
    Sometimes he turned to the girl, who either nodded or shook her head to give her opinion. The man always did what she suggested – if she nodded they stayed, if she shook her head they could go.
    Finally, the man reached Chris, who was standing next to Sam. Ben could see that the man’s face seemed lined with sorrow and dark determination. He glanced at the phone and Ben leaned out of line to try to see what he was looking at. But the manlowered the phone again. Was he getting texts or checking his email or something?
    ‘You can go,’ the man told Chris.
    ‘Thank you, sir,’ Chris mumbled. ‘See you,’ he said to Sam and Ben and Jaz, before hurrying over to where Mr Magill opened the door for him.
    The man stepped across to look at Sam. He glanced at her and began to raise his phone. Then he hesitated and frowned.
    ‘Have we met before?’ he asked.
    Sam shook her head. ‘Don’t think so.’
    ‘Maybe at another home or school?’
    ‘I’d remember,’ she told him.
    The man clicked his tongue, but did not reply. He raised the phone and held it in front of Sam. His frown deepened. He turned to look at the girl sitting on the table behind.
    She was also frowning, her mouth slightly open as if surprised. Staring at Sam.
    ‘Gemma?’ the man prompted.
    She swallowed and nodded quickly. ‘Yes.’ Her voice was quiet and nervous. ‘Definitely yes.’
    ‘Please wait with the others,’ the man told Sam.
    He barely glanced at Ben, didn’t even bother to check his phone. ‘You can