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fingerprints, I bet I’m staring at the guy on the inside right now.
    â€˜Do you think so, Dretch?’ Linden asked.
    â€˜It’s too clean a job. Too thorough,’ he rasped. His head spun around so Max faced the jagged scar that ran from his chin down his neck. ‘What do you think?’
    She flinched. ‘I think … it seems … it was probably …’ She had hoped if her mouth started saying something her brain would come up with the rest. It didn’t.
    Linden had a theory. ‘I think you might be right. With CRISP’s impenetrable security, the theft must have happened with the help of an insider, or at least inside information.’
    â€˜The trouble is, if you’re right, we may be in much more trouble than we think,’ predicted Max gloomily.
    Max sat uneasily beside the rumpled agent. In the past, Dretch had made it clear he wanted nothing to do with them, so having him this close to her made her skin itch with tension.
    â€˜What do you think happened to the book?’ she tried to ask with confidence.
    Dretch lowered his voice until it resembled low rolling thunder before a storm. ‘CRISP are masters at security as Linden said, and with the Vibratron and the Wall of Goodness, as well as the multiple security cameras and Spyforce agents, it was either someone very clever,’ his voice deepened to a snarl, ‘or someone who knew exactly what they were doing.’
    Irene pushed through the kitchen door and placed a tray of food on the table. ‘That’s one busy kitchen. It’ll be just like the Spy Awards Night all over again.’ 5
    Max noticed Irene’s shoulders drop a little. ‘Are you okay?’
    â€˜Yes, of course.’ She perked up. ‘There’s a lot to do and with all that’s happened I just don’t feel my usual self. It’s terrible news about the book.’ Linden saw her smile slip briefly and he exchanged a concerned look with Max.
    â€˜Why don’t I tell you about these new treats I’ve made?’ Irene, like Linden, believed food helped in any crisis, and they both lightened at the mention of it.
    Max stared at Dretch, looking for any giveaway signs that he was guilty.
    â€˜I’ve recently been trying out a new ingredient which I believe will take eating to a whole new level.’ Irene was always in search of new flavours to add to her unusual gourmet creations and Frond from the Plantorium often helped her out from her supply of fresh organic herbs and spices.
    â€˜Go on, try one,’ Irene invited them.
    Linden surveyed the trays of food. There were green and purple muffins with silver icing, blue twisting pastries sprinkled with red powder, and some chocolate-covered shapes that resembled ants. He knew they’d taste good — Irene was a whiz when it came to food — but just as he was about totuck in, Steinberger walked through the canteen door with a face full of bad news. He was followed by four CRISP agents.
    â€˜Steinby?’ Irene was no longer able to hide her concern. ‘What’s wrong?’
    Max and Linden could see Steinberger had the words on the edge of his tongue but there was something stopping him from saying them. Linden’s skin prickled as the air filled with a light mist of unease.
    â€˜I … I …’ Steinberger began.
    Max was really nervous now. Only Frond, who Steinberger had a crush on, could make him this bumbling and she was nowhere to be seen.
    â€˜I’m afraid I have some bad news.’ Steinberger looked at the ground before turning to Dretch. ‘Agent Maximus Dretch, by the authority vested in me by the Chief of Spyforce, I am arresting you for the theft of the Spyforce manual.’
    I knew it! Max thought. He is guilty!
    Irene let out a small snort of incredulity. ‘What are you talking about, Steinby? This is Dretch. Our friend. He’s been with the Force for over twenty years and has been its