Fizz and the Handbag Dognapper Read online

  For Rodney, Austin and Georgia. L.G.

  For Zowie and Muttley.

  S.M.K.

  First published by Allen & Unwin in 2016

  Copyright © Text, Lesley Gibbes 2016

  Copyright © Illustrations, Stephen Michael King 2016

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. The Australian Copyright Act 1968 (the Act) allows a maximum of one chapter or ten per cent of this book, whichever is the greater, to be photocopied by any educational institution for its educational purposes provided that the educational institution (or body that administers it) has given a remuneration notice to the Copyright Agency (Australia) under the Act.

  Allen & Unwin

  83 Alexander Street

  Crows Nest NSW 2065

  Australia

  Phone: (61 2) 8425 0100

  Email: [email protected]

  Web: www.allenandunwin.com

  A Cataloguing-in-Publication entry is available from the National Library of Australia www.trove.nla.gov.au

  ISBN 9781760112899

  eISBN 9781952534249

  Cover and text design by Stephen Michael King and Trish Hayes

  Cover illustration by Stephen Michael King

  Typeset by Trish Hayes, STINGart

  www.lesleygibbes.com

  www.stephenmichaelking.com

  CONTENTS

  Chapter 1 The Bad News

  Chapter 2 The Bait

  Chapter 3 The Handbag

  Chapter 4 The Collar

  Chapter 5 The Bacon Cake

  Chapter 6 Trapped

  Chapter 7 The Escape

  Chapter 8 The Party

  With special thanks to Margaret Connolly, Sue Flockhart, Erica Wagner, Stephen Michael King and Trish Hayes.

  L.G.

  Fizz arrived for work at Sunnyvale City Police Station and straightaway smelled trouble. He’d never seen Sergeant Stern look so worried before. Fizz arrived for work at Sunnyvale City Police Station and straightaway smelled trouble. He’d never seen Sergeant Stern look so worried before.

  ‘I’d like to speak to you in my office,’ said the sergeant. Remi and Amadeus were already sitting by the desk.

  ‘What’s happening?’ whispered Fizz.

  ‘It’s a special undercover assignment,’ said Remi, swishing her tail excitedly. ‘Sergeant Stern called me in this morning. I think it has something to do with the Handbag Dognapper.’

  Fizz shivered.

  Sergeant Stern and the team at Sunnyvale City Police Station had been working on the case of the Handbag Dognapper all week. Two handbag dogs had been kidnapped from red-carpet events in Sunnyvale City, and no one knew who was doing it or why. They hadn’t even received a ransom note!

  Sergeant Stern opened the police file on his desk and pulled out two photographs: a miniature tan Pug, and a white Chihuahua. Fizz recognised the dogs immediately. Milo and Kiki. Milo was the model for Pierre Le Trende’s manbag range. Kiki went everywhere with the singer Sassy Starlet.

  ‘I’m afraid I have bad news,’ said Sergeant Stern, pulling a third photograph from his file. ‘The Handbag Dognapper has struck again!’

  Fizz’s skin prickled with anticipation. Who would the next handbag victim be?

  ‘I’m sorry, Fizz,’ said Sergeant Stern, holding up a photograph of a white Bolognese. ‘The Handbag Dognapper’s latest victim is Crystal.’

  Fizz yelped. Crystal was his sister. She was the handbag dog for a famous actress who always took her to special events. Fizz’s family had been worried for Crystal’s safety ever since the first kidnapping.

  ‘I’m so sorry, Fizz,’ said Remi, giving him a comforting nuzzle.

  ‘Bad news,’ said Amadeus.

  Fizz shook his head. Not Crystal!

  ‘W-what happened?’ he asked.

  ‘Crystal went missing from the movie premiere of Puppy Tales II last night,’ said Sergeant Stern. ‘Her celebrity companion left her at the buffet table while she signed autographs. When she returned, Crystal was gone.

  ‘All we found was a half-eaten slice of bacon cake with white liver sprinkles.’

  ‘I’ve never heard of white liver sprinkles,’ said Amadeus, shaking his head.

  ‘Neither have I,’ said Sergeant Stern. ‘I’ve sent the cake to the lab for testing, but the results won’t be back until tomorrow.’

  ‘Tomorrow!’ said Fizz. ‘There must be something we can do today!’

  ‘There is,’ said Sergeant Stern. ‘You, Remi and Amadeus are going undercover immediately!’

  Sergeant Stern swung on his backpack, and Fizz, Remi and Amadeus followed him through the glass doors of Sunnyvale City Police Station and down busy Main Street. Sergeant Stern swung on his backpack, and Fizz, Remi and Amadeus followed him through the glass doors of Sunnyvale City Police Station and down busy Main Street.

  They passed the poodle parlour and the butcher shop. ‘Where are we going Sergeant Stern?’ asked Fizz.

  ‘I’m sending the three of you undercover at today’s big red-carpet event in the city,’ said Sergeant Stern, crossing the road and stopping on the pavement outside Sunnyvale City Park.

  ‘At the park?’ asked Amadeus.

  Sergeant Stern nodded.

  ‘The Shrill Alarm Collar launch is being held in the Grand Gazebo here at Sunnyvale City Park today,’ he said, taking the backpack off his shoulder. ‘The launch is attracting celebrities from all over the country.’

  ‘What’s an alarm collar?’ asked Fizz.

  ‘The Shrill Alarm Collar is a personal safety alarm for dogs, invented by a businessman named Viktor Shrill. The collar has an inbuilt siren, with flashing lights, to scare away any would-be attacker. I believe the Handbag Dognapper will strike at the launch today, and when he does I want you, Fizz, to be his next victim.’

  Fizz trembled. Being snatched by the Handbag Dognapper was sure to be dangerous.

  ‘Are we going to be celebrity guests at the launch?’ asked Remi, bouncing on her tippy toes.

  ‘No,’ said Sergeant Stern, ‘you won’t be watching the launch, Remi, you’ll be part of it. The three of you have been hired to model the Shrill Alarm Collar on the catwalk today.’

  ‘We’re going undercover as models,’ said Amadeus, his jaw dropping. ‘I won’t have to wear a costume, will I, Sergeant Stern?’

  ‘Yes, you will. But only Fizz will be in a handbag. He’ll be our bait for the Handbag Dognapper.’

  ‘You were born for this, Powder Puff,’ said Amadeus.

  ‘How can I catch the Handbag Dognapper if he kidnaps me?’ said Fizz.

  ‘You won’t be catching him,’ said Sergeant Stern. ‘I will. The plan is for you to lead me to his hideout with this.’

  Sergeant Stern pulled a collar and receiver box out of his bag.

  ‘It’s a tracker,’ said Sergeant Stern. ‘If you’re kidnapped, I’ll be able to track your movements to the Handbag Dognapper’s hideout and make the arrest.’

  Fizz sat still as Sergeant Stern buckled the tracker collar around his neck.

  ‘Keep the tracker hidden at all times and never take it off. If you lose it, I won’t know where you are and you’ll have to handle the Handbag Dognapper on your own!’

  Sergeant Stern pressed a red activation button on the collar. A map of Sunnyvale City Park flashed on the receiver screen, with a red dot showing Fizz’s location.

  Fizz shook his fur over the tracker to hide it.

  ‘Remi and Amadeus, your job is to keep an eye on Fizz, and to make
sure everything runs smoothly. Alert me the second Fizz goes missing. I’ll need you both to assist me during the rescue and arrest.’

  Remi and Amadeus both wagged.

  Sergeant Stern checked his watch.

  ‘Cynthia Sharp, the events coordinator, is expecting three dogs from the Stern Modelling agency at 10 a.m. It’s time to go!’ he said. ‘Stay alert, and remember I’ll be just outside the park watching.’

  Fizz took a deep breath.

  Fizz didn’t want to waste a moment. He ran with Remi and Amadeus through the bougainvillea archway to the centre of Sunnyvale City Park. Fizz didn’t want to waste a moment. He ran with Remi and Amadeus through the bougainvillea archway to the centre of Sunnyvale City Park.

  ‘Wow!’ said Fizz, looking at the Grand Gazebo.

  The Shrill Alarm Collar launch was a spectacular event. Stylish white tables covered the lawns and the gazebo was decorated with flags. There was a big banner that read: The Shrill Alarm Collar.

  Because We Care.

  Fizz’s heart raced as he walked the red carpet with Remi and Amadeus to the entry.

  ‘Wonderful, you’re here!’ said a woman with a clipboard. She had a nametag that said: Cynthia Sharp, Event Coordinator.

  Cynthia flipped through the papers on her clipboard.

  ‘I have your portfolio photographs,’ she said, looking at Fizz, Remi and Amadeus. ‘But I seem to be missing your names.’

  Fizz almost panicked. He’d forgotten all about an undercover name. His last undercover name, Angel, made him sound like a girl. This time, he was determined to choose something fiercer.

  ‘My name’s Brock,’ said Amadeus, flexing his muscles.

  ‘And I’m Veronica,’ said Remi, leaping into a scissor split.

  ‘And your name is…?’ asked Cynthia, waiting for an answer.

  ‘My name’s…Poncho,’ blurted Fizz.

  ‘Cute,’ said Cynthia, bending down and fluffing the fur on Fizz’s head.

  Amadeus muffled a laugh.

  Fizz couldn’t believe what he’d just said. Poncho! He shook out the frizz from his fur.

  ‘Right,’ said Cynthia, pointing across the lawn. ‘Your stylist is Tarquin, and he has your costumes ready. Wardrobe is located backstage, behind the Grand Gazebo. It’s the green tent with the fringed flap. The yellow marquee with the Shrill logo above the door is for Viktor Shrill. It’s strictly out of bounds.’

  ‘What does the logo look like?’ asked Fizz.

  ‘It’s a little bird called the Golden-throated Honeyeater,’ said Cynthia. ‘It’s so rare that it’s found only on the grounds of Viktor Shrill’s estate in Blue Haven. Viktor modelled the collar’s alarm on the bird’s shrieking call.’

  ‘It must be very loud,’ said Remi, flattening her ears.

  ‘It’s ear-splitting!’ said Cynthia. ‘Wait till we demonstrate the collar at the launch.’

  Cynthia waved them away.

  ‘I’ll collect you from your dressing rooms when it’s time for the show,’ she said. ‘And remember, no wandering about the park. I want your costumes in pristine condition for the catwalk.’

  ‘Costumes?’ whined Amadeus. ‘Mine better show off my physique!’

  The dogs made their way past the Grand Gazebo to the wardrobe tent.

  ‘Fringed flap. I think this is it,’ said Fizz.

  Inside were racks of dazzling costumes, hats and glitzy accessories. A slim man wearing a fancy vest and crimson pants met them with open arms.

  ‘Welcome! My name is Tarquin,’ he gushed, ‘and I’m your stylist today. Please take a dressing podium.’

  He herded them across the marquee to three mint-green dressing boxes beside a costume rack.

  ‘Up you get. Up! Up! Up!’ he said, clapping his hands.

  Fizz, Remi and Amadeus jumped onto a box and waited.

  ‘Relax, Powder Puff,’ said Amadeus. ‘All you have to do is fit in that handbag. Remi and I will be making the arrest with Sergeant Stern when you get kidnapped.’

  Fizz took a calming breath.

  ‘I have a really fun look for each of you today,’ said Tarquin, taking two costumes from the rack. He put a glow-in-the-dark headband on Remi’s head and a matching anklet on each paw. Then he placed a pair of dark sunglasses over Amadeus’s eyes and a bandanna around his neck.

  ‘Cool,’ said Amadeus, checking himself out in the mirror.

  Tarquin smiled at Fizz. ‘And I have a super-fun handbag for you!’ He took a dazzling gold-feathered handbag from the costume rack. ‘Voilà!’

  Fizz’s eyes popped. The handbag was tiny! He put his front paws into the bag. He wriggled and squeezed and worked his back legs in, but no matter how he positioned himself, he was sticking out.

  ‘Oh dear!’ said Tarquin. ‘You are rather plus size for a handbag dog!’

  Fizz looked up at Tarquin. If he was going to be kidnapped by the Handbag Dognapper, he had to fit in a handbag.

  ‘I’ll have to find you another costume,’ said Tarquin, rummaging through the racks.

  Fizz didn’t want another costume, he wanted a handbag. Suddenly he had an idea.

  ‘Manbag!’ barked Fizz. ‘I’ll fit in a manbag. They’re the latest in handbag fashion for men.’

  Tarquin’s face brightened.

  ‘You’re right,’ he said. ‘Manbags are definitely in!’

  He disappeared behind a stack of hats and boxes, then returned with a striped gym bag.

  ‘Let’s try this,’ he said, scooping Fizz’s fringe behind a sweatband and opening the gym bag.

  Fizz jumped in. The manbag was much roomier.

  ‘Cute look, Powder Puff,’ said Amadeus.

  Fizz didn’t care. He was in a handbag and wearing his tracker collar. All he needed now was the Handbag Dognapper.

  Tarquin clapped his hands. ‘Into line everyone, Viktor’s here!’

  Fizz sat in his manbag next to Remi and Amadeus. Standing at the entry was a man in a striped suit with a neat goatee beard. Viktor Shrill! And he was holding three Shrill Alarm Collars.

  ‘Your models are in costume and ready for the launch, Mr Shrill,’ said Tarquin. ‘I see you’ve brought the alarm collars.’

  Viktor nodded.

  Fizz studied the collars. They were yellow and green with a silver activation button.

  Viktor strode across the marquee to Amadeus and buckled a Shrill Alarm Collar around his neck. Fizz fidgeted in his manbag as Viktor spoke.

  ‘The Shrill Alarm Collar – why?’ said Viktor, buckling a collar around Remi’s neck. ‘Because I care. I truly do. It breaks my heart to think about those three poor little dogs whisked away by the Handbag Dognapper. If only someone had been there to protect them. That’s why I invented the Shrill Alarm Collar.’

  Fizz gulped. Now all he could think about was Crystal and how scared and alone she must feel, locked up by the Handbag Dognapper. Fizz was so worried for Crystal that he barely felt Viktor unbuckle his tracker collar and replace it with the Shrill Alarm. By the time he saw Viktor slip the tracker into his coat pocket and leave, it was too late.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ asked Remi.

  ‘The tracker,’ gasped Fizz. ‘It’s gone!’

  Remi and Amadeus slumped on the cushions in their dressing-room marquee. Remi and Amadeus slumped on the cushions in their dressing-room marquee.

  ‘We’ve got to get the tracker back from Viktor before the launch starts,’ said Fizz, jumping out of the gym bag, ‘or Sergeant Stern won’t be able to follow me to the kidnapper’s hideout.’

  ‘But how?’ said Remi, raising her eyebrows. ‘We’re not allowed out of our dressing room until the launch, and Viktor’s marquee is strictly out of bounds. If Cynthia sees us, she’ll go ballistic.’

  Fizz paced the floor. ‘What we need is someone to keep Cynthia occupied while we sneak into Viktor’s marquee to the get the tracker back.’

  ‘I’ll go,’ said Amadeus, standing up straight. ‘What do you want me to do?’

  ‘An urgent wa
rdrobe malfunction should do the trick,’ said Fizz, biting a hole in Amadeus’s bandanna. ‘That should keep Cynthia busy.’

  ‘I’m on it!’ said Amadeus, bounding out of the marquee to find Cynthia.

  ‘Let’s go,’ barked Fizz. ‘We don’t have much time.’ Fizz and Remi snuck out the back of their dressing room.

  ‘Viktor’s marquee is the yellow one,’ said Fizz, racing over and wriggling his head under the canvas.

  Inside, Viktor had a laptop computer on his desk, and the walls of the tent were lined with graphs and pie charts showing sales figures and profit margins. Viktor was deep in conversation with a muscular man with a broad nose and a neck as thick as a tree trunk. Fizz and Remi stayed low.

  ‘You know what to do, Cadmus,’ said Viktor, looking at the charts.

  Cadmus nodded.

  ‘Three more ought to do the trick,’ said Viktor. ‘And a big one, too, for broad market appeal.’

  Viktor handed Cadmus a vial of white powder and a plate of food.

  ‘Use plenty this time,’ he said. ‘You want them out cold. Go to their dressing room now and make sure you’re not seen.’

  Cadmus walked towards the marquee door, then stopped abruptly.

  ‘What do you want me to do with them?’ he grunted.

  ‘You can dump them, all of them… tonight!’

  Cadmus pushed open the tent flaps roughly and left. Fizz and Remi pulled their heads back from under the marquee.

  ‘Did you hear that?’ said Fizz.

  ‘What do you think they were talking about? Three more what ought to do what trick?’ said Remi, pricking her ears. ‘And what was he going to dump?’

  ‘I don’t know, but I’ve got a bad feeling about this,’ said Fizz. ‘Whatever they’re up to, it has something to do with our dressing rooms. Come on, I want to find out what’s going on.’