Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4 Nellie Gomez had never been a cat person. And that was before she'd become chief caregiver to an Egyptian Mau on a food-free diet. She switched off her iPod and regarded Saladin with concern. She had expected that the cat would be eating by now. But apparently, Saladin was tougher than he looked. She'd heard stories of Grace Cahill's monumental strength of character. Obviously, Amy and Dan's grandmother had managed to instill that trait in her pet. Even more worrisome, Saladin was scratching compulsively around his neck and ears. She picked him up. "What's the matter, sweetie? Have you got fleas?" She thought about fleas for a second and put the cat down swiftly. Nellie was game to put college on hold and take two kids on an around-the-world high-stakes treasure hunt. But she

didn't do bugs. There was the sound of a key in the lock, and Amy and Dan came in, feet dragging. "Uh-oh," said Nellie. "Rough morning?" "Oh, it was a blast," Dan replied sarcastically. "Picture a million-year-old house with no video games, and when you finally find a book to look at, it's not even there. What a bunch of idiots! They practically called out the army because of a diary that was probably eaten by termites a century ago." "Termites eat wood, not paper," Amy reminded him, too tired and discouraged to work up a good argument. She hefted a bag. "Anyway, we brought lunch." Nellie stared. "Burger King? We're in Austria, land of schnitzel, sauerbraten, white asparagus, and the greatest pastry in the world, and you bought American fast food? I'd expect it from Dan, but you, Amy?" Dan took a burger, turned on the TV, and flopped on the couch. "White asparagus! Green wasn't gross enough. Soggy cigars, man."

The monitor brightened. The image crackled and sharpened. Three jaws dropped. Larger than life at the center of the screen was an attractive teenager, resplendent in the latest hip-hop fashion. Smiling with all thirty-two gleaming white teeth, he was holding a press conference, and the gaggle of reporters and throng of adoring fans were lapping it up. The teen was completely comfortable with his fame, and why not? He had the top-rated reality TV show in the world, the number-one single on the pop charts, a bestselling clothing line, a series of popular children's books, action figures, souvenir steak knives, and even his own Pez dispenser. His name was Jonah Wizard: international star and mogul, Cahill cousin, rival in the search for the 39 Clues. "Jonah!" Amy exclaimed, her brow furrowed with worry. It unnerved her to think of their competition. The others seemed to have so much going for them — fame, brawn, experience, training, and lots and lots of money. How could a couple of no-name orphans expect to compete with that? She squinted at the date stamp in the

bottom corner of the screen. "This was recorded yesterday! What's he doing in Vienna?" "He's on a promotional tour," supplied Nellie. "The European DVD of Who Wants to Be a Gangsta? comes out this week." "That's just a cover!" Dan exclaimed. "He's here because he knows the next clue is about Mozart. Maybe he found something we missed in Paris." "Or he's working with the Holts," Nellie added. "They must have checked where our train was headed." Amy peered at her famous cousin on TV. Why did that street seem so familiar? Suddenly, she understood. "Dan — it's Domgasse!" Dan stared. "You're right! There's the Mozarthaus a couple of doors down! And look — it's that old librarian, the one who called out the SWAT team over a missing diary!" Nellie frowned at the elderly Austrian woman on the stoop. "Not my idea of the classic hip-hop fan." Amy shrugged. "I suppose anybody would be interested to check out such a big star—" Her

breath caught in her throat. "Guys, I've got it! What if it's no accident Jonah picked that spot for his press conference? What if he did it there to create a distraction so he could steal Nannerl's diary from the Mozarthaus?" "That would make sense," Dan mused, "except there he is on-screen, with twenty cameras on him, stealing nothing." Amy shook her head. "When have we ever seen Jonah without his father standing right behind him, talking into two cell phones and making business deals on his BlackBerry? So where's Daddy at this press conference?" Dan clued in. "Jonah held the conference to give his dad the chance to sneak into the Mozarthaus and swipe the diary! Amy, you were right — the diary is important!" "Yeah, and now the enemy has it." "That stinks," Dan agreed. "We were just a day late. Still …" His eyes took on a glitter of inspiration. "They stole it from the museum; why can't we steal it from them?" "Hang on," Nellie burst in. "There's a big

difference between searching for clues and robbing people. You're not crooks." "But Jonah and his dad are," Dan argued. "If we're going to compete with them, we have to be willing to do what they do." Nellie was unmoved. "As long as I'm your babysitter—" "Au pair!" Dan interjected hotly. "—I'm not going to stand by and let you two switch over to the dark side." "But then we'll lose!" Dan wailed. Amy spoke up, her expression solemn. "As much as I hate to agree with Dan, he's got a point. I know stealing is wrong, but this contest is too huge for us to worry about being the good guys. A chance to influence human history — we could change the whole world!" "It might be a chance to change the world," Nellie amended. "That's what Mr. McIntyre said. He also said trust nobody — and that includes him." Sudden tears filled Amy's eyes and she blinked them back stubbornly. This was too important to