A strange hush came over the gathering in Apple’s homey kitchen. The feeling of anticipation was not a good one, for this unnatural quietness was accompanied by a shiver of fear, verging on terror. Instinctively, they all moved closer to each other, all except Apple, who waited in the hall, listening grimly for the inevitable knock.

When Apple opened the door, she tried not to flinch in shock. The strange visitor made her blood curdle into chilly pools in her veins. He was dressed bizarrely, in a very chic suit, its knife-edge creases accentuating his muscular, slightly bowed legs. His eyes were hidden by dark glasses and, despite the heat, he wore a white scarf and a trilby hat. Two enormous, identical fellows, also wearing sunglasses, flanked the monstrous car as if waiting for instructions. Scale pushed rudely past Apple into the kitchen.

“Ah, I see we have the company of our most excellent police force,” he said, his voice muffled slightly by his scarf. “I am instructed by Her Majesty’s government to relieve them of the task. I have come for the perpetrator of this most dreadful crime against your most beautiful wildlife.” He drew himself up theatrically. “Yes, you see, I have come to take the wolf away.”

Jude bravely stepped forward; she had never seen anyone quite so strange in her life. “Woody’s no wolf, and there’s no proof he’s guilty of killing the deer.”

Scale didn’t even bother to look at her, but his hidden, busy eyes flickered around the kitchen, searching for his prize.

“Madam, I beg to differ. The animal is a hybrid wolf, bred at the Proteus Institute and stolen from our premises by a drinking partner of your father’s.”

Jude’s eyes widened at the reference to Proteus. The tattoo! Suddenly, she felt very sick and afraid. Nat had been telling the truth!

Sergeant Beechgood, trying to be as brave as Jude, stepped forward indignantly.

“Oi, mate, we got here first,” he blustered. “We’ve been instructed to remove the dog and take it down to the station.”

Scale ignored him. “It is one of the most dangerous animals in the world. We have come to take it back to the controlled conditions of the Institute.”

Mick suddenly snapped back to life. The appearance of this strange government official at this exact moment seemed very suspicious to him, and he’d rather believe Nat than this creep any day.

“My grandson has explained to me why Woody has blood on him, and I believe him,” he said bluntly. “This is a frame-up.”

“And I’ll allow the police to take Woody,” said Apple calmly, “but not you. The claims you are making are preposterous.”