The Amazon Experiment Read Free

landing in the middle of a royal show.’
    Max moved behind Linden and swiped a handkerchief at the clump of cow poo that had plastered itself to her behind.
    â€˜It’s like the whole of Spyforce has come out just to —’
    â€˜Witness the last few seconds of your life?’ Max clipped.
    Linden finally got it. ‘No.’
    Steinberger’s long legs came striding along the metal boardwalk that led into the VART. He was holding out his stopwatch and wearing a proud grin as he came to a standstill before them.
    â€˜Well done. Thirteen and a half seconds. Even faster than before. Must have had the wind behind you, eh?’ He laughed at his joke. ‘It’s so very good to see you both again. Today is going to be exciting.’ He craned his head around Linden to get a better view of Max. ‘That’s a unique outfit, Max. It’s so hard to keep up with what the youth are wearing these days.’
    Linden tried to give him a look to stop him but he kept going.
    â€˜It suits you. Kind of crushed chic, is it?’
    Linden’s eyes were darting all over, warning him not to say any more, but Max gave him a big toothy smile and said, ‘Thanks, Steinberger.’
    She took another deep breath and offered Linden a look that said, ‘See, I can do it.’ Linden smiled back. He knew Max and her temper came asa boxed set and it wasn’t going to be easy for her to let it go.
    Steinberger rubbed his hands vigorously. ‘Time to test those new vehicles, eh?’
    He turned and led the way towards the exit, chatting endlessly to Linden. Max lagged behind with her new splatter look, but as she followed, she began to smile. Spyforce still made her feel like she was somewhere special. It made her want to whisper, like she was walking through a cathedral. Like she was …
    â€˜Ooooph!’
    Max’s awe was ended by a well-pressed and over-cologned suit.
    â€˜Would it be too much trouble to look where you’re going?’ Max knew she’d run into him, but after a morning where she couldn’t do anything right, she had to yell at someone.
    The suited man stood among a group of silent people, who were all now staring at Max.
    â€˜I’m so sorry. Are you okay?’ Mr Cologne answered in a super-concerned voice.
    This burned Max even more. He had every right to be upset with her and instead he was standing in front of her being all sugar-coated.
    â€˜Fine,’ she mumbled, realising she could dowithout the audience. She hurried after Linden and Steinberger.
    â€˜Who are they?’ Linden asked Steinberger when Max had caught up with them.
    â€˜New recruits.’ They looked back at the well-dressed group being shown through the VART. ‘Specially taught for months in training centres all over the world before even being allowed to enter Spyforce Headquarters.’
    â€˜But we …’ Linden began.
    â€˜I know. You and Max were inducted much sooner, but you had also tackled Blue and won. There aren’t many spies who can say that.’
    â€˜You hear that?’ Linden nudged Max. ‘We’re special.’
    Max simmered in a rush of warmth. She loved being a spy and Linden was the perfect spy partner. Together they’d been dangled over huge vats of jelly, survived the evil workings of the Nightmare Vortex and even managed to cheat death.
    â€˜These recruits have been handpicked by Harrison as the best of the current training program and I have no doubt each one will be a top-notch agent,’ Steinberger announced. ‘Now, on to the testing area. The place where our brilliant Quimby tests her new inventions. This is going to be fun!’
    Before she left, Max took one last look at the VART and caught sight of the cologne guy standing apart from the others, staring at her, like he was studying her every move. When he saw her looking, he immediately turned away and joined the others in questioning their