Flashpoint Read online

  “Ow! Saladin, you mangy refugee from a violin string factory —”

  The Egyptian Mau landed softly on the carpet and tossed a defiant “Mrrrp!” over his shoulder as he made his unhurried way across the parlor.

  Cara Pierce rushed in, bearing a cloth and antiseptic. A clash between Saladin and Ian was an everyday occurrence at Grace’s house.

  Saladin was never the one who needed first aid.

  “We should get rid of that cat,” Cara breathed, dabbing gently at Ian’s cheek.

  “We can’t,” said Ian, trying not to show how much he was enjoying her attention. “He comes with the house, and the house is Cahill Headquarters.”

  She sighed. “Then I guess he’s our responsibility — along with the rest of the most powerful family in human history.”

  Saladin looked on in smooth indifference. He had lived here with Grace, and later with Amy and Dan. He foresaw no problems with these two.

  As long as the fresh snapper kept coming.

  Never Turn Your Back on the Cahill Family

  The 39 Clues Part IV: Doublecross

  The betrayal begins Spring 2015

  Copyright

  Copyright © 2014 by Scholastic Inc.

  All rights reserved. Published by Scholastic Inc., Publishers since 1920. SCHOLASTIC, THE 39 CLUES, and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc.

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2014935050

  e-ISBN 978-0-545-54005-6

  Bald Eagle © escova/Shutterstock;

  Jonah Wizard: Ken Karp for Scholastic;

  Poster Texture: CG Textures;

  All other image work by Charice Silverman for Scholastic

  Book design by Charice Silverman

  First edition, September 2014

  Scholastic US: 557 Broadway · New York, NY 10012

  Scholastic Canada: 604 King Street West · Toronto, ON M5V 1E1

  Scholastic New Zealand Limited: Private Bag 94407 · Greenmount, Manukau 2141

  Scholastic UK Ltd.: Euston House · 24 Eversholt Street · London NW1 1DB

  All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher. For information regarding permission, write to Scholastic Inc., Attention: Permissions Department, 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012.