in third-world countries. I could change my will and leave my money to them. Do you think that’s a good idea?’
James would have liked to tell Emily that there were far more worthy and efficient charities that helped out the world’s poor, but he had to think about the mission.
‘The Survivor charities do really great work,’ James smiled. ‘I’m sure hundreds, maybe even thousands, of people would benefit from your money – not that you’ll be dying anytime soon, of course.’
‘Oh, I don’t think I’ll be hanging around much longer.’ Emily smiled as she reached out to touch James’ hand. ‘He’s a smooth talker that Elliot, but there’s a bit of a con-man beneath that corduroy jacket. That’s why I wanted to ask you, James. I reckon I can trust you.’
James managed a guilty smile. ‘How do you figure that?’
‘Because you’re a nice boy. You’ve got an honest face.’
‘Right …’ James said as he backed his trolley out into the corridor. ‘I’ll catch up with you tomorrow. Hopefully you’ll feel better, provided you don’t go too mad with the booze.’
James felt like absolute slime. As her door clunked shut, he slumped backwards against the wall and bunched his fists tight with frustration. James knew he wasn’t a perfect human being. He was impulsive, usually in some kind of trouble and prone to lashing out, but he didn’t think he’d ever be able to sit in a room and rip off a fragile old woman the way Elliot had done.
22. RONNIE
Four weeks later
From: John Jones [johnjones@cherubcampus.com]
Sent: 23 Mar 2006 08:51
To: Dr Terence McAfferty
Copy: Zara Asker, Dennis King
Subject: Survivors Mission
Dear all,
With regard to your recent e-mails, I’m afraid there continues to be little progress in our mission to infiltrate the Survivors’ Ark. It has now been nearly a month since James, Dana and Lauren moved into the commune and took the aptitude test.
The extremely strict rules on personal property inside the commune make it difficult to contact Abigail and the three cherubs on a regular basis. Mobile phones would easily be spotted, though ASIS technical support teams are looking into providing small radio transmitters that can be hidden under the inner sole of a training shoe when not in use. We hope to have these devices in place within days.
I have mainly been communicating through James Adams, meeting him inside a nursing home where he plies a confectionary route after school. Although he tries to put a brave face on things, I get the impression that James is depressed and worn down. He often seems listless and his concentration wanders during our conversations.
I have also met Abigail on a number of occasions and her behaviour is similar. All four agents have managed to avoid being lured by the cult’s mental control techniques, but the mixture of high activity levels and limited opportunities for sleep are taking their toll.
Chloe and I met with ASIS officials yesterday. Miriam Longford attended and made a useful contribution. She has been in contact with ex-Survivors whom she has counselled, to ask questions about admission to the boarding school inside the Ark.
Acceptance of high ability pupils into the Survivors’ boarding school usually happens within one or two weeks of them taking an admissions test. This is because bright youngsters have a tendency to ask probing questions, combined with a natural taste for rebellion. It is therefore in the cult’s interests to quickly move these youngsters to a remote location where they can take absolute control of their lives.
Unfortunately – for reasons we do not understand – this has not happened to James, Dana and Lauren. After consultation with the ASIS team, we have decided to leave our agents in place for a further two weeks, but we feel that the mission’s chances of succeeding are shrinking rapidly. ASIS has already begun considering alternative strategies, including the risky possibility of a large scale police/military raid on the Survivors’ Ark.
I hope to be able to come back to you soon with better news.
Yours,
John Jones
PS Zara, thank you so much for organising my daughter’s birthday present!
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James had PE on Thursday afternoons and needed two sweltering hours playing touch football like a hole in the head. To make things worse, the school didn’t have showers so he arrived at the care home stinking of grass and BO. Fortunately, he’d sweet-talked one of the care assistants into letting him use the shower in an unoccupied room.
As he