“Who are you putting money on, old man?” Penny asked, as Luca picked up his bag to go change into plain clothes.

I was keeping my eye on the front doors, waiting for Aidan to come crashing through so he could casually ask Luca for a lift to the haven.

“I don’t know. I’ve been watching the Albanian teams practice these last few weeks, and they’re pretty light on their feet. . . .”

Sam was swiveling in Luca’s office chair, looking at the clock on the wall to the door and back again, when Aidan came through.

“Um, hello, officers!” he said.

I rolled my eyes.

“Oh, our famous goalie! Shouldn’t you be on your way to the game by now?” Penny said.

Aidan scratched at his arm, and then gave a little shrug. “I thought Mr. Khouri would give me a lift, but his car’s already full with a defender, two midfielders, and some equipment, so . . .”

“Can we give him a lift?” I asked. “Please?”

Penny and Luca raised eyebrows at each other.

“Your dad is really letting you play?” Penny asked, then Aidan came to lean against her desk. His face went a little pink, but he nodded anyway. “Sure—he’d like to see me beat them.”

“His mom signed the permission slip and everything,” I said, and very pointedly avoided looking at where Sam was sitting, because I could feel his face going pale just looking at me.

“Do you want a ride?” Luca asked, and Aidan nodded. “Okay then—just let me get ready. I’ll be back in a minute.”

During the car ride Aidan babbled nervously and constantly about their team’s defense and positions, but Luca was only half listening.

“Hey—you okay, Freddo? You’re very quiet.”

I was looking at the road we were following through the trees, driving off the map and halfway into the national park. I was wondering how quickly an ambulance could get out there if something happened to Nora.

“Is there a hospital at the haven?” I asked.

“Are you worried there might be a brawl today?” Luca asked, a little hint of sarcasm in his voice.

I shook my head. “No, just . . . what happens if people get sick out here? Is there a nurse’s office?”

“Sure, there’s an infirmary by the administration building.”

I had my plan for the day.

When we got to the haven, Luca said there were more cars there than he’d ever seen. It looked like half the town was coming out to support the game. At the administration building we met Mr. Khouri, who was decked out in a soccer uniform and shin guards already.

“You’re late, Mr. McMillan.”

“You’re playing, sir?” I asked, because I honestly couldn’t believe it.