by Emma Otheguy
“Pirate booty,” she whispered. “Swords, axes, muskets, and a couple of full-size cannons. Chests full of gold doubloon coins and jewels. Even a big old tattered Jolly Roger!”
“The pirate flag,” Player said.
Carmen nodded. “Looks like our rich guy is a collector.”
Inside, Tigress had shed her trench coat, revealing the catsuit underneath. She’d swapped out her designer sunglasses for night-vision goggles that would make it easier to see in the dim room. Now she was moving toward one of the display cases at the far end. Carmen leaned forward, trying to see what the VILE operative was after.
“Doubloons, huh?” Player said. “Maybe VILE is trying to make up for those doubloons you stopped them from stealing in Ecuador recently. How much d’you think all that pirate booty is worth?”
“Plenty,” Carmen replied softly. “But Tigress came on foot. How’s she planning to get it all out of here?”
“Maybe VILE is sending some kind of transport.”
“Maybe.”
Carmen leaned forward as Tigress flexed the razor-sharp claws on the ends of her gloves and used one index finger to slice a hole in the glass case. Then the VILE operative pulled something out—a piece of ancient-looking parchment, yellowed, stained, and torn.
Tigress held it up to catch the light coming in through the windows, studying it. Carmen’s eyes widened as she, too, got a better look. It appeared to be a map. Could it be a treasure map?
She pulled a compact mirror out of her pocket. Only it wasn’t really a compact—it was a high-tech optical scanner. Even from this distance, she should be able to get a pretty good image of that map . . .
Click!
Tigress whirled around at the almost inaudible sound of the scanner. “You!” she cried.
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About the Author
EMMA OTHEGUY is the author of several books for young readers, including the award-winning bilingual picture book Martí’s Song for Freedom and the middle grade novel Silver Meadows Summer. She lives in New York City.
Learn more at emmaotheguy.com
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