Double Vision by F. T. Bradley Page B

cobblestones. The alley was so narrow, it was a miracle Guillaume didn’t lose his side mirrors.
    A sharp turn made the tires squeal, and I was pretty sure we tipped onto the two right wheels for a second there.
    â€œWho are those guys?” I asked Agent Stark. But before she could answer, I saw the flash of red behind us. Guillaume must’ve seen it, too, because he revved the engine. He drove through someone’s clothesline, sending a blue shirt and a pair of men’s white underwear flying over the windshield.
    I thought we were flying, faster and faster, until we headed straight for a giant building.
    We were going to crash!

12
TUESDAY, 8 A.M.
    GUILLAUME SLAMMED THE BRAKES , missing the building in front of us by no more than a hair. “And here we are,” he said as the car skidded to a stop, making me glad I was wearing a seat belt. There was a tall wooden door in front of us. The fancy golden sign dangling to the side— La Princesse —told us we’d arrived.
    I looked down the larger thoroughfare that was just to the right of the hotel. But no red sedan. Guillaume had managed to lose those guys, whoever they were.
    Agent Stark looked very pale as she got out. “Well, thank you, Mr. Guillaume.”
    â€œNo problem.” Guillaume smiled as he unloaded our bags. “Paris traffic, it’s a little wild, right?”
    Agent Stark nodded, paid him, and took his business card. “Thank you again.” She was scanning the roads, too, but there was no red sedan. We were safe.
    Guillaume handed me a card, too, which was weird, me being a kid and all. “You need a driver, you call me, okay?” He flashed me a smile. “I’ll help you anytime.”
    I tucked his card in my pants pocket. “Thanks.” And he was off, leaving a trail of cranky drivers behind. I looked up to find Agent Stark propping the door open for me. “Come on.”
    â€œWho do you think those guys in the red sedan were?” I asked as we went inside.
    â€œDon’t worry about that,” Agent Stark snapped. “We’ll handle it.”
    The lobby was small and dark, and the lady behind the counter smiled when she saw us come in.
    â€œHi, I’m Benjamin Green,” I said, using my serious Ben voice.
    â€œBut of course you are.” The lady looked at me like I was her best friend. “It is always good to see you, Monsieur Benjamin.”
    â€œJust wait over there while I get the keys and have them take care of our bags,” Agent Stark said, gently pushing me aside.
    â€œAre you enjoying your stay?” the receptionist lady asked, like I was her favorite guest. I thought I could get used to the special treatment.
    Inside the elevator, Agent Stark swiped her room key card and punched the P button.
    â€œOnly Pandora agents can get to the Penthouse,” she said, handing me my room key card. “If you need to come up, just use this.”
    â€œWe’re going to the Penthouse now?”
    Agent Stark nodded. “Henry is waiting for you with your gear. We’re running behind schedule.” It figured that she was one of those people who hate being late. Me, I get there when I can, but now that I was Ben, I was probably going to have to watch the clock.
    The elevator did its little ding, and the doors opened right into the penthouse. It looked huge, almost as big as the Lompoc Middle School gym. A big guy in a Hawaiian shirt motioned for Agent Stark to join him as he walked down a hallway, so off she went. I wasn’t introduced, and just stood there glancing around at the near-empty room. Dining chairs were stacked against the wall next to the elevator, leaving only a sitting area and a really long dining table with a flat square box on it. “Hey, Linc, you made it!” Henry got up from behind the dining table.
    â€œLike I wouldn’t?”
    â€œCome on,” Henry said, motioning me to join him. Behind the box, he had a