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any of this, right?”
    Henry didn’t answer but just zipped up the backpack. And handed it to me. “Agent Stark had me build in a parachute. You have to open this flap.” He pulled a flap of fabric to the side of the pack, exposing a red cord. “Pull this really hard. You should probably only do that if you’re, like, really high up in the air.”
    â€œYou think?”
    He reached under the big table and pulled out my skateboard— my skateboard! The one I rode to get to school, to Daryl’s house, to anywhere. “Agent Stark told me you liked your skateboard. So I created a way to carry it with you, see?” Henry quickly fastened a Velcro strap around the board, attaching it to the backpack, wheels out. “Now you can take it everywhere.”
    I took the backpack from Henry, surprised by how heavy it felt. “Thanks, Henry.”
    â€œI wish I was coming with you,” Henry said.
    â€œNo, you don’t.”
    â€œYou’re right. I’m actually looking forward to getting you some more gadgets.” He did look very happy. “Go kick some Drake butt. Get this Jacques Mégère back. Save your family from legal battles. Save the world.”
    I was about to tell him I wasn’t ready, and I had no idea what I was doing, when Agent Stark showed up. “Time to go.”
    â€œWhere?”
    â€œTo the meeting place for the exchange. It’s time for you to be Benjamin Green.”

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. “This is where you’re meeting: the Pont Neuf. It’s a big tourist spot. We chose it so you’d be in a safe, public place. You have an hour to get there, which should be plenty of time.”
    â€œRight to work, huh?” No after-airplane naps for me. “Okay.” I reached to grab the map, but Agent Stark shook her head. “What, is this classified?” I asked.
    â€œBenjamin Green was trained to know Paris, so Drake will expect you to know your way.”
    â€œOf course. But I don’t.”
    â€œA good agent can memorize a map.” Agent Stark’s shoulders slumped. “Just try, okay? The cab will drop you nearby, but you’ll need to walk this street to get there.” She tapped the map with her index finger. “The meeting point is on the bridge, but keep an eye out in case Drake shows nearby.”
    â€œAll right.” I looked on the map, and tried my best to memorize the route. Maybe my compass would help—the bridge was southwest of the Princesse. Trying to sound Ben Green confident, I said, “So where’s this painting?”
    Agent Stark handed me the rectangular box with a handle. “It’s big, but you should be able to carry it. Drake is expecting Benjamin Green, no one else.”
    I was surprised by the painting’s weight. “It’s heavy.”
    â€œYou won’t have to go far.” Agent Stark handed me a phone. Pretty cool, since my parents never let me have one because it was too expensive. “Henry programmed this phone to receive calls to Benjamin Green’s 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.” She slid the phone inside a case that clipped to my belt, and I thought I saw the slightest tremble of her hand. “Don’t try to be funny or smart or creative—you get me?”
    â€œNo Lincoln Baker, got it. I’m Benjamin Green.”
    â€œDon’t give them the painting until you have Jacques Mégère. Without him there’s no deal for you.”
    â€œGot it.”
    Agent Stark walked me out, and put me into a cab—not Guillaume’s. “Before you go: watch out for this girl.” She