any of this, right?â
Henry didnât answer but just zipped up the backpack. And handed it to me. âAgent Stark had me build in a parachute. You have to open this flap.â He pulled a flap of fabric to the side of the pack, exposing a red cord. âPull this really hard. You should probably only do that if youâre, like, really high up in the air.â
âYou think?â
He reached under the big table and pulled out my skateboardâ my skateboard! The one I rode to get to school, to Darylâs house, to anywhere. âAgent Stark told me you liked your skateboard. So I created a way to carry it with you, see?â Henry quickly fastened a Velcro strap around the board, attaching it to the backpack, wheels out. âNow you can take it everywhere.â
I took the backpack from Henry, surprised by how heavy it felt. âThanks, Henry.â
âI wish I was coming with you,â Henry said.
âNo, you donât.â
âYouâre right. Iâm actually looking forward to getting you some more gadgets.â He did look very happy. âGo kick some Drake butt. Get this Jacques Mégère back. Save your family from legal battles. Save the world.â
I was about to tell him I wasnât ready, and I had no idea what I was doing, when Agent Stark showed up. âTime to go.â
âWhere?â
âTo the meeting place for the exchange. Itâs time for you to be Benjamin Green.â
13
TUESDAY, 11 A.M.
AGENT STARK GRABBED THE FLAT BOX and we took the elevator, leaving Henry to tinker with his next gadget. Once the doors closed, she showed me a map with an X on it, south of a bridge. âThis is where youâre meeting: the Pont Neuf. Itâs a big tourist spot. We chose it so youâd be in a safe, public place. You have an hour to get there, which should be plenty of time.â
âRight to work, huh?â No after-airplane naps for me. âOkay.â I reached to grab the map, but Agent Stark shook her head. âWhat, is this classified?â I asked.
âBenjamin Green was trained to know Paris, so Drake will expect you to know your way.â
âOf course. But I donât.â
âA good agent can memorize a map.â Agent Starkâs shoulders slumped. âJust try, okay? The cab will drop you nearby, but youâll need to walk this street to get there.â She tapped the map with her index finger. âThe meeting point is on the bridge, but keep an eye out in case Drake shows nearby.â
âAll right.â I looked on the map, and tried my best to memorize the route. Maybe my compass would helpâthe bridge was southwest of the Princesse. Trying to sound Ben Green confident, I said, âSo whereâs this painting?â
Agent Stark handed me the rectangular box with a handle. âItâs big, but you should be able to carry it. Drake is expecting Benjamin Green, no one else.â
I was surprised by the paintingâs weight. âItâs heavy.â
âYou wonât have to go far.â Agent Stark handed me a phone. Pretty cool, since my parents never let me have one because it was too expensive. âHenry programmed this phone to receive calls to Benjamin Greenâs number. When Ben went missing, he had his cell phone on him, but it went dead, so ⦠Well, anyway, Drake knows the number, so you should have it on you in case he calls.â She slid the phone inside a case that clipped to my belt, and I thought I saw the slightest tremble of her hand. âDonât try to be funny or smart or creativeâyou get me?â
âNo Lincoln Baker, got it. Iâm Benjamin Green.â
âDonât give them the painting until you have Jacques Mégère. Without him thereâs no deal for you.â
âGot it.â
Agent Stark walked me out, and put me into a cabânot Guillaumeâs. âBefore you go: watch out for this girl.â She
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