LITMIR.BIZ

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      “Actually, no. There are a ton of double stars in the constellations and a bunch where the eyes could be.”

      Darrell leaned over Wade’s notebook. “Well, then, what about this ‘unbound’ beast? What does that even mean? A wild beast? A beast out of control?”

      “Right,” said Julian. “Or maybe it’s loose somehow? Not together—”

      “You mean like Wade?” said Darrell.

      “Good one,” said Julian. “I mean like in a bunch of different parts? Is there a constellation, one constellation, in more than one part? That also has a double star in its head?”

      Wade studied the star chart carefully before ruling out one constellation after another. Then he stopped, shaking his head. He ran through the constellations a second time. He felt a smile coming on that he couldn’t hide. “You got it, Julian. There is one constellation that has two stars in its head, and it is in two separate parts,” he said. “Just one …”

      They waited.

      “Wade. Seriously,” said Becca.

      “And they call the name of that constellation …”

      Lily narrowed her eyes at him. “Tell. Us.”

      “Serpens,” he said, tapping the chart directly on the constellation appearing in the northern sky. “Serpens. Which stands for—”

      “The Serpent, yeah,” Darrell said. “We figured it out. Let’s go find it.”

      “Except … look at it,” said Wade. “The Serpens constellation really is in two parts. In the west is the serpent head and in the east is the body. In between is the figure of the guy who’s wrestling it—Ophiuchus—and he’s got his own other constellation. Serpens is actually divided into two parts. It’s odd that way.”

      “You’re odd that way,” Darrell said, squinting over the chart.

      “I get it from you,” Wade said. “I’m just hoping the relic isn’t in two pieces, each one hidden in a different place.”

      “We’ll still find it,” Darrell said. “Both of it.”

      Wade was wondering what it might really mean if the relic was split and hidden in two places when his father and Terence Ackroyd entered the restaurant. They both wore cautious smiles.

      “Paul Ferrere is already on his way back to Paris, certain that Sara is in Europe, probably southern Europe,” said Terence. “All other destinations for the two jets have been ruled out, and the detectives are paying particular attention to Madrid’s several municipal and private airfields.”

      “Which is very good,” Wade’s father added. “Their extensive team of investigators is fanning out across the continent.”

      “Really good!” said Darrell. “This is soooo good!”

      “From this moment on, I will be the go-between for the detectives and you,” Terence said. “Now, what did you learn at the Morgan?”

      “Maxim Grek.”

      “Serpens.”

      “Russia.”

      That’s what Wade and the others told his father and Terence. Both men countered their arguments here and there, and the kids countered back. This went on during their three-course brunch, until both men agreed that, given the evidence, they were very likely on the right track.

      “Russia,” Roald said finally. “As soon as Galina finds out, and she will find out, she’ll bring Sara to Russia, too. If we have no other leads, then Russia is a start. Don’t travel visas take several days to get?”

      Julian glanced at his father. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Comrade Boris?”

      Terence seemed strangely reluctant, then nodded. “I think so, yes. There is a man. A Russian fellow. His name is Boris Volkov. He’s lived in London for the past few years. I think you should fly there first and see him. He can likely be of help to you.”

      “Likely?” said Becca.

      “Volkov is a scholar of languages and a historian of Russia’s medieval period,” Terence said. “I met him when I was writing a book about the treasure the Crusaders brought back from the Middle East. He knows a lot about the Order, perhaps the Guardians, too. Whether he is an agent of one or the other, I can’t say. He’s quite cagey about what he reveals. But he may be able to help you get into Russia quickly and aid you while you’re there. Boris Volkov seems to have … connections.”

      “Well, we can’t afford—” Wade’s father began.

      Terence waved his hand to stop him. “Think no more about that. I told you, my resources are yours. Since you don’t have the authorities on your side, the Ackroyd Foundation will bankroll your continued travels. I’ll do everything in my power to help you get Sara back safely and find the relic.”

      “Awesome,” said Lily, smiling at both Ackroyds. “Thank you, again.”

      Wade’s father took a breath, then raised his eyes to the two girls. “There’s … something else,” he said. “Becca, I called your mother this morning, and Lily, your dad, about you going home or going on. You both need to call your parents, not at home, but on their cell phones.”

      Becca’s face fell. “What is it? Oh, I should have answered when I got the call last night. I didn’t want to. What’s happening—”

      Roald held up his hands. “Everyone is fine, they’re fine, and in fact Paul Ferrere has already alerted his people in Austin. But there was an incident at Maggie’s school the other day, and Lily, your father was followed home from work. Nothing happened, nothing at all, but as of this morning, both of your families have been relocated temporarily.”

      Lily held one hand over her mouth as she dug furiously for her phone.

      Becca did the same. “Maggie, Maggie, I should have answered!”

      For the next few minutes, both girls were sitting at different tables, glued to their cell phones, deep in conversation with their parents, while Terence filled in the details.

      “The stinking Order,” Darrell grumbled.

      “Dad—” Wade started.

      “I already talked to your mother,” his father said, assuring him. “She’s fine and traveling in Mexico. She doesn’t appear to be on their radar at all.”

      A weight had been lifted, but Wade realized it had been days since he had spoken with her. “I’ll call her right after this.”

      “Basically,” Terence said, “it’s best for none of you to return to Austin until we’re sure of what we are dealing with. The Order could simply be flexing its muscles. I have no doubt that whatever they are doing comes from Galina herself, but my feeling is that she won’t want to spread herself too thin with actions as intimidating as doing anything to the girls’ families. Her empire is huge. She will need to focus it.”

      Wade shared a look with Darrell, who muttered something about Galina that Wade knew he probably shouldn’t repeat. That was when his father produced a narrow silver tube from his pocket. It was the size of a fat ballpoint.

      “It’s a stun gun,” he said. “A miniature Taser. Totally legal. The investigators gave one to me.”

      “Do we each get one?” asked Darrell.

      “Absolutely not. And it’s for defense only.”

      “A little something,” said Terence. “It can be handy in tight quarters, without being a dangerous weapon.”

      Minutes later, Lily returned, wiping her cheeks. “They’re all right. Way upset, with, like, a million questions, but they don’t think I should be there right

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