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“Atlanta,” Beckett says

I let out a breath Thank god for them They may have pissed me off and betrayed us before, but damn do they kno to do their jobs e need them to

I look to Liesel, who looks to be near tears at their answers The question is, who do we go with? There are only two of us, and we have three kids to save Hoe choose?

“Good Get a teao with you I want each of you to have a detailed plan in half an hour, then we move”

I stor air to breathe as I realize I’o after three kids myself at the same time I’m not superman I have to trust that others can do their jobs

I hear the sliding door open and then close, and I know Liesel is standing out on the deck with me

“Hoe decide?” I ask her

She steps next tolike her life depends on it She doesn’t answer right away How could she? How do you choose between children?

“We don’t,” she finally says

“What?”

“We let our friends go We let theo help the one who fails”

The ocean crashes hard against the shoreline at her words We both stare out at the sea, knowing that’s the best plan But it feels ier

My kids

They will always be h their veins—they areShe may have onlyher up

I do know soure out which rescue tea into my pocket and pull out the envelope that has the next task in it I have to coet the final task and the location of the treasure A treasure we can use to get the kids back if all else fails