“Red was smiling back at me. “Ok. I'm not in trouble. But tell me your heart didn't start beating for the first time in a month.”I couldn't deny it. So I didn't.”

“Artemis turned and stared at his friend with the blue eyes. Holly was staring back, and she was smiling. “I remember,” she said aloud. “You saved me.”Artemis smiled back. “It never happened,” he said.”

“Don't hate me forever, Arty," whispered Holly. "I couldn't bear that.”

“You know you're in trouble when your own imagination starts punishing you.”

“Well, I don't like the first bit and I don't know the last bit. So I'm really hoping the middle bit is exceptional.”

“Let's save some time here. I grow weary of your clumsy bluffs. In the case of an abduction, the LEP will send a crack Retrieval team to get back what has been lost.. You have done so. Excuse me while I titter. Crack team? Honestly. A Cub-Scout patrol armed with water pistols could have defeated them.”

“Holly clambered after him, struggling up the human-size steps. "Wait! Just wait," she called, overtaking Artemis and looking him in the eye from one step up. "I know you, Artemis. You like to play your genius card close to your chest until the big reveal. And that's worked out for us so far. But this time you need to let me in. I can help. So, tell me the truth, do you have a plan?"Artemis met his friend's gaze and lied to her face. "No," he said. "No plan.”