Gilroy nodded, looking disconcerted. “Well—yes. I was trying to figure out my exit strategy the whole drive. When we stopped for gas, I knew it was my opportunity. I fought my way out of the car. I knew I needed to get away. To hide. There was a yellow rental car filling up. I saw my chance. I got into the trunk. And was trapped in there until you let me out.”

“So what now?” Teri asked. She hoped the answer was now you go home and never mention this to the Stones.

“I have to get my go bag.”

“Your what?” Teri asked.

“It’s what all spies have stashed somewhere,” Chris explained, her voice patient. “Money, passports, a change of clothes.”

“I’m impressed,” Gilroy said. “But yes. If I have even a chance of surviving, I have to get it and go to ground. Because if I was made… it means there might be a mole in the department. That I don’t know who I can trust.” Gilroy shook his head, laughing quietly to himself. “You know, it seems like the only people I can trust right now… are you four.”

“We can help,” Chris piped up. Teri shot her a look. “Isn’t it what our teachers are always telling us to do? Be helpful?”

“Well,” Teri started. She wasn’t sure Chris’s teachers actually meant things like help a spy start a new life in Mexico.

“I’m so sorry to ask this of you,” Gilroy said. “If I had any other choice…”

His words hung heavy in the car—the fear and desperation behind them.

“We can help,” Teri said, making a decision but still feeling uneasy. “We’ll drive with you to get your go bag, but it can’t be too late. These three have a bedtime.”

“Teri,” Chris whined.

“You’re embarrassing us in front of the secret agent,” Daryl hissed.

Parker dropped her head in her hands.

“I’ll get you back in plenty of time, don’t worry.” He looked at all of them in turn, emotion visible in his dark eyes. “Thank you all, so much. And your country thanks you too.”

He started the car and Teri released her vise grip on Parker. “So—where are we going?”

Gilroy signaled, then pulled back onto the highway. His jaw was set. The expression in his eyes far was away. “North.”

CHAPTER 14

Kat

After a few minutes, I could decisively say that by far the best way to get around New York City was to ride on the back of a scooter driven by a cute boy.

It was my first experience with this particular mode of transportation, but it was already easily outpacing cars or taxis or buses or the subway, and I had decided I never wanted to get around New York any other way.